If last week’s second-half performance against Inter Miami seemed like a low point, it wasn’t. Orlando City was just getting started. After shipping four goals in the second half and blowing a 2-0 lead at home against the Herons, the Lions saw goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau get sent off early and got put on full blast by New York City FC. The 5-0 loss wasn’t even as close as the score indicated, and although the game was ruined early, the response to the circumstances was disappointing.

We mostly complain about a performance that had just about no redeeming qualities, discuss the ripple effect on the club’s goalkeepers, check on our score predictions, and somehow come up with a Man of the Match.

Our mailbagbox asked us to ban something from the game and wanted to know which Lion will fail to play a full 90 before another Lion. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Orlando City B gave us something to smile about at least, as the Young Lions bounced back from an opening day loss to beat Chicago Fire II 2-1 at home Sunday night. Justin Ellis scored the game winner and that will hopefully unlock his offense, which has been a bit stagnant for a minute. It was good to see OCB get the win, but there are concerns with the MLS NEXT Pro side’s center back situation as well.

Finally, we look ahead to the return of Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, as CF Montreal visits Orlando Saturday night. We look at the series history between the sides, provide our key matchups for the game, and make identical score predictions.

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Here’s how No. 520 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City was not good, and the not-good parts were ignited by a Mad Max moment.

17:16 – The mailbagbox is a temporary salve on our wounds.

24:42 – OCB wins its first game of 2026 and the senior Lions brace for Impact (see what I did there?) with Montreal coming to town.

It’s hard to stay positive when losses start stringing together, especially when those losses are coming at home in front of sellout crowds. Orlando City held its first lead of the season, taking a 2-0 advantage into halftime after an excellent opening 45 minutes against rival Inter Miami. However, that didn’t last, and many bad things happened in the second half and sometimes evil triumphs over good, and stuff.

We break down the negatives and the positives of the Lions’ 4-2 home loss to Miami on Sunday, check back on our score predictions, and make our selections for Man of the Match. The young players look like they can play, but consistency is critically lacking right now.

Our mailbagbox asked us to bet on the number of players who will get at least a minute on the back line this season, and we hope it’s not more than last year. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

After we get sidetracked narrating Monday night’s OCB game, as we recorded while it was on, we turn our attention to a Saturday matinee match at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC. We know the venue sucks for soccer and the Lions have historically been poor there, but Orlando City desperately needs to try to at least bring home a point to stop the bleeding.

We look back at the series history, discuss some of the important players for the Pigeons, present our key matchups for the game, and make another futile attempt to predict the final score.

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Here’s how No. 519 went down:

0:15 – The Lions held a multi-goal lead…until they didn’t.

28:26 – The mailbagbox is short and sweet and concerned with the back line.

40:38 – Orlando City hits the road for the first time in 2026.

The regular season is here, the Lions have their in-state rivals coming up on the schedule this weekend, and Antoine Griezmann may come to Orlando…wait, what?

We start this episode with the report from Tom Bogert that Orlando City is pursuing Atletico Madrid star attacking midfielder/forward and French international Griezmann for the club’s third Designated Player slot. This is something we put out into the universe a few years ago with no expectation that anything would ever happen. It’s entirely possible nothing ever does happen, but it’s astounding that credible soccer writers are even talking about it. We know Ricardo Moreira was just going along with us when we asked him to sign Griezmann, but it’s still been amazing to parlay our longtime running gag into a potential bit of historic club news.

Our discussion revolves around staying grounded amid the current reports, how exciting it would be to have an attacker of his quality if Griezmann were to sign, and how a potential signing puts us on the hot seat if he doesn’t perform. Thanks to everyone who reached out to us after hearing the news.

After diving into the surrealism that my dumb gag could actually take place, we turn to a less pleasant topic: Orlando City’s 2-1 home loss to the New York Red Bulls in Saturday’s 2026 season opener. The Lions started the match horribly, with the exception of Maxime Crepeau’s shot stopping. Although the second half was much better after a couple of substitutions and a tactical change, the Lions had an equally difficult time beating Ethan Horvath, who was outstanding in the New York goal. Ultimately, Tiago’s first MLS goal came too late to change the game, but at least Orlando fans can take heart in the team’s fight and the Lions can perhaps take some momentum from the second 45 minutes.

We discuss all the key moments, players, and plays from the game, check on our score predictions, and select our Orlando City Man of the Match. The latter was an easy choice.

Our mailbagbox asked about our reactions to the Griezmann reports, how to rank the future minutes of the bench players Saturday who didn’t get on the field, and more. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Finally, we wrap up the show with a look ahead to Sunday’s Tropic Thunder rivalry match with Inter Miami. The Herons were blasted at LAFC over the weekend and Lionel Messi escaped punishment for his petulant pursuit of the match officials after the game as his teammates tried to hold him back. Might Messi try to take his frustrations out on the Lions Sunday in Orlando? Well, he has yet to step foot on the Inter&Co Stadium pitch for a league game since arriving in MLS, but…maybe. Will fans run onto the field like idiots if he plays? Possibly.

We present our key matchups to the game and try to predict the final score. We were in lockstep on both topics.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

If you’d like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we’d love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how No. 518 went down:

0:15 – Antoine Griezmann in Orlando? I’ll believe it when I get the club’s press release with photos of the Frenchman with his purple kit. Still…it’s nice that it’s even being discussed. Oh, and Orlando City played a match against the Red Bulls.

37:55 – The mailbagbox is fun and seems to genuinely want me to be happy.

54:26 – The first round of Tropic Thunder 2026 looms on Sunday.