Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/24/16

Good morning, Lions fans! It’s already been a pretty happy weekend, as OCB won Friday night and the Orlando Pride won last night. Both teams picked up their first-ever wins in their respective leagues. The Lions will try tonight to make it three wins in three for the club, as they travel to play the New York Red Bulls. While you have to wait until 7:30 pm for that game to start, let’s wish Pride defender Cami Levin a happy birthday and let these links tide you over till then!
Orlando Pride Pick Up First Win, Set NWSL Crowd Record
The Orlando Pride defeated the Houston Dash 3-1 to earn their first win of the season. In addition to making history with their first franchise win, the Pride broke an NWSL record for attendance, pulling in 23,403 fans to the Citrus Bowl. Between Alex Morgan making lots of great plays and Ashlyn Harris showing up as a brick wall, the Orlando Pride kept the action going all the way until the final whistle blew. In case you missed all of the excitement, check out our very own Gavin Ewbank’s match recap.
85′ Harris is ON FIRE tonight! Another save from the keeper. Dash is pressuring, defense is holding.#ORLvHOU | 3-1 pic.twitter.com/cHZJb9xIpW
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) April 24, 2016
And the crowd, for its part, held its own in the soccer world on Saturday:
Tonight’s @ORLPride attendance versus all @MLS games on the night. Who says women’s sports can’t compete? pic.twitter.com/If8Gf9Yk2C
— Ed Cahill (@EdCahill) April 24, 2016
Well done, Orlando.
Orlando City Ready for New York Red Bulls Challenge
The Lions have traveled to New York to take on the Red Bulls in their first away game since losing to the Philadelphia Union. Despite not having Kaká, who is out on an apparent minor injury, the table would suggest that Orlando will have no problem with NYRB. However, Orlando will not underestimate New York’s attacking ability. After last week’s heartbreaking tie against New England, the Lions are looking to come back stronger then ever and put in a powerful performance. Make sure to tune in to FS1 at 7:30 pm to catch all the action, and keep up to date as The Mane Land will bring you lots of game coverage.
Alex Morgan Embracing New Role as Team Leader
While Morgan has been around the professional soccer level since early 2011, breaking onto the scene in the 2012 Olympics, she has never had to hold much of a leadership position. While she has been one of the faces of the program the past few years, Morgan has still been somewhat of a rookie compared to veteran players like Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, and Abby Wambach. Even in Portland, Morgan allowed players like Christine Sinclair to take charge and she played more of a public figure role. Now as one of the older players on Orlando’s roster, Morgan has taken to more of a leadership position, being awarded the captain’s arm band by Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni. She seems to be acclimating well to this new role as she scored a goal last night.
Carli Lloyd injured During Pride-Dash Game
During the fourth minute, USWNT and Houston Dash star Carli Lloyd was injured. Though she continued to play on, she eventually pulled up in the 13th minute and was forced off the pitch. While the extent of the injury is still unknown, she will soon undergo an MRI. Clearly, all U.S. soccer fans are holding our collective breaths that she is okay and that she will still be available for this summer’s Olympics in Rio.
That's is for today; I'm too fired up for tonight's game. Go Lions!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/13/25
Martin Ojeda honored, Americans in midweek action, rivalry games on the horizon, and more.

Happy Tuesday, everyone. I hope you’ve been on top of things to start the week, because there’s going to be no time to catch our breath with Orlando City taking on Charlotte FC Wednesday, before facing Inter Miami on Sunday. We’ve got plenty to discuss this morning, so let’s jump right into the links.
Martin Ojeda Honored
After his starring role in Orlando City’s 3-3 draw with the New England Revolution on Saturday, Martin Ojeda has been named to the starting XI of the MLS Team of the Matchday. Ojeda was back in the starting lineup after spending the last few matches nursing a knock and he made the most of his return, scoring all three goals for just the third Orlando City hat trick in the club’s MLS existence and first since 2015. It was a shame that the defense couldn’t help him out on his historic night, but he was Sean Rollins’ clear choice for Man of the Match in his Player Grades piece, and it’s nice to see that he’s getting some much deserved wider recognition as well, even though he was snubbed for Player of the Matchday, which went to Emil Forsberg of the New York Red Bulls. Here’s hoping Ojeda’s success continues.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a number of Americans who will be playing games during the working week, and we have some very high stakes at play. Things start today, when Haji Wright and Coventry City try to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit in the Championship promotion playoff semifinal against Sunderland. AC Milan takes on Bologna Wednesday in the Coppa Italia final, with Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah fighting for a chance to lift a trophy. Finally, Thursday has Johnny Cardoso and red-hot Real Betis visiting Rayo Vallecano in La Liga in a game that will have big ramifications on the race for European places.
Rivalry Games on the Horizon
Major League Soccer’s rivalry week is almost upon us, which means we have some heated matchups that we can start looking forward to. First and foremost, as far as we’re concerned, is Orlando City hitting the road to face Inter Miami in a series that is dead even across the board at 5-5-5 in 15 all-time meetings. There’s plenty more though, as El Trafico is the late game on Sunday, and we also get Hell is Real between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew, as well as a Hudson River River Derby that features two teams in wildly different places. The New York Red Bulls hammered the LA Galaxy on Saturday and have won three of their last four in all competitions, while New York City FC was knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup last week, and has lost three of its last four in all competitions.
Carlo Ancelotti to Coach Brazil
Brazil has officially announced that Carlo Ancelotti will take over as the newest coach of the team. The Brazilian Football Confederation announced on Monday that he will leave Real Madrid after the last league game of the season, with his first day on the job for Brazil coming on May 26. Brazil wanted to have a new coach in place for June’s World Cup qualifiers, and Ancelotti will now become the Selecao’s first foreign head coach. As far as Real Madrid is concerned, the club is reportedly finalizing a deal for former player Xabi Alonso to become the new coach as soon as possible. Madrid would ideally like for him to be on the job before the start of this summer’s Club World Cup, and Alonso has already publicly announced that he will not manage Bayer Leverkusen past the end of this season.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City’s Alex Freeman earned an honorable mention as a standout young player from the most recent MLS matchday.
- FC Cincinnati has signed veteran striker Kei Kamara through the end of the 2025 season with an option for 2026.
- Nashville SC supporter group La Brigada de Oro stayed away from Saturday’s match against Charlotte due to fears about members being picked up by a joint operation being run by ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
- David Beckham called on Minnesota United to “show a little respect” after a series of social media posts following Minnesota’s 4-1 victory over the Herons on Saturday.
- Former Pride defender Megan Montefusco gave birth to a son!
That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/12/25
Lions and Pride each draw, Pride wins 2024 Golden Brick Award of Excellence, MLS weekend recap, and more.

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida and belated happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there. I’ve been busy at work and catching up with friends all week. Our Lions and Pride both picked up draws over the weekend, while OCB was off. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Lions Draw New England Revolution at Home
Orlando City blew a lead twice and ended up settling for a 3-3 draw against the New England Revolution on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions got off to a great start as Martin Ojeda scored two goals in the first half. The Revolution replied with two goals to tie the match just before halftime. Ojeda added a penalty kick goal in the second half to secure his first hat trick of his career. It was also the first hat trick for Orlando in a decade, and he joins former Lion Cyle Larin as the only players in club history to score a regular-season hat trick.
However, late in the second half, the Lions conceded a penalty to New England, and Carles Gil converted from the spot to get the equalizer as the teams split the points. The Lions will have a quick turnaround with their next match on Wednesday at home against Charlotte FC.
Pride Draw North Carolina Courage on the Road
The Orlando Pride needed a late equalizer to escape WakeMed Soccer Park with a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage on Saturday. The Courage struck first, but Prisca Chilufya scored her first goal of the NWSL season late in stoppage time to secure a draw and keep Orlando from losing two matches in a row. The Pride grabbed a crucial point on the road and are second in the NWSL standings. The next match for the Orlando Pride will be Friday as they face the Kansas City Current at Inter&Co Stadium.
Orlando Pride Wins 2024 Golden Brick Award of Excellence
The Orlando Pride were named winners of the Downtown Orlando Partnerships 2024 Golden Brick Award of Excellence on Friday for the club’s historic 2024 NWSL Championship season and downtown victory parade. The Pride broke the league record for the most points (60), most wins in a season (18), and most clean sheets (13), while finishing the 2024 season unbeaten at home. Orlando Pride President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon expressed his thoughts on Pride winning this award.
“On behalf of our entire Club, I’d like to thank the Downtown Orlando Partnership and its Board of Directors for selecting our organization for this incredible award,” said Orlando Pride President of Business Operations, Jarrod Dillon. “We are incredibly honored to receive this award — a testament to the passion, dedication, and excellence that define our team. Our Club is proud to represent this city, and we hope every Orlando resident shares in this moment of pride. There’s no place we’d rather call home than downtown Orlando — the heart of our community and now the home of the best women’s soccer team in the United States.”
MLS Weekend Recap
The weekend’s slate of Major League Soccer matches ended with some notable results. Minnesota United cruised past Inter Miami with a 4-1 win. The Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, San Diego FC, and Nashville SC all won 2-1 matches over Atlanta United, Austin FC, St. Louis City, and Charlotte FC, respectively. Toronto FC defeated D.C. United 2-0 at home, while the San Jose Earthquakes beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0 on the road. Prince Osei Owusu scored the lone goal as CF Montreal beat New York City FC 1-0 and secured its first win of the season. Santiago Moreno scored a late goal in the second half as the Portland Timbers defeated Sporting Kansas City 1-0. Albert Rusnak scored twice as the Seattle Sounders beat the Houston Dynamo 3-1. FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake ended in a 1-1 draw, while the Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew match ended in a 2-2 draw. The LA Galaxy remain winless through 12 matches this season after getting crushed 7-0 by the New York Red Bulls in a rematch of last year’s MLS Cup final. On Sunday, Brian White scored twice as the Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Free Kicks
- Check out this video on Orlando City’s social media pages featuring some players giving their moms a surprise phone call on Mother’s Day.
- Orlando Pride defender Kylie Nadaner completed 108 passes on Saturday in their match against the North Carolina Courage, which is the most in Pride history.
- Angel City FC defender Savy King is responsive after collapsing on the field during Friday’s match against the Utah Royals. We here at The Mane Land wish Savy a speedy recovery.
- Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is reportedly close to agreeing to a new contract to remain at the club.
- In Sunday’s El Clasico match in La Liga, Barcelona overturned a 2-0 deficit and fought back to defeat rivals Real Madrid 4-3. Barcelona is now seven points clear with the league title in sight.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/9/25
Orlando City’s next U.S. Open Cup match date revealed, MLS matches to watch, top soccer club valuations, and more.

Welcome to Friday! I hope the week has treated you well as we get ready for a Mother’s Day weekend packed with soccer. Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are both in action at the same time on Saturday, so make sure to plan accordingly depending on how you want to enjoy the action. Let’s dive into today’s links!
Orlando City Will Face Nashville in USOC on May 21
Orlando City will officially host Nashville SC on May 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16. That match is sandwiched between a road game against Inter Miami on May 18 and a home game against the Portland Timbers May 24, so at least there won’t be much travel during that week during an already jam-packed month. The Lions reached this stage of the tournament after beating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 5-0 Wednesday, while Nashville won 1-0 against the Chattanooga Red Wolves on Tuesday.
What to Watch In MLS This Weekend
We’ll all be tuned in for Orlando City’s match on Saturday against the New England Revolution, but there’s plenty more MLS action to look forward to as well. Before Orlando’s match, Inter Miami will head to St. Paul to take on a Minnesota United team that leads the league with six clean sheets this season. Another notable match this weekend is a clash between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference standings when the Philadelphia Union host the Columbus Crew. That game has Daniel Gazdag written all over it. Sunday night’s match should be a doozy between two heavyweight Western Conference teams, as LAFC will hit the road to take on the league-leading Vancouver Whitecaps.
MLS Clubs Listed Among World’s Most Valuable
Sportico announced the valuations for the top 50 most valuable soccer clubs in the world, and a whopping 19 MLS teams made the list. The Lions aren’t included, but it’s still neat to see some clubs like Minnesota, Sporting Kansas City, and Charlotte FC listed. LAFC is the highest listed MLS side, coming in at 16th with a $1.28 billion valuation. Real Madrid tops the list at $6.53 billion, and six of the top 10 are from the English Premier League. While valuations aren’t exactly hard evidence of success or influence, I think this is a testament to the growth and parity of MLS through an international lens.
English Clubs Reach Europa League Final
This year’s Europa League final will feature a pair of EPL teams as Manchester United and Tottenham breezed through the semifinals. United overcame a shaky first half to beat Athletic Club 4-1 at Old Trafford, with Mason Mount scoring two of the team’s four goals in the second half. Tottenham avoided an upset in Norway by winning 2-0 against Bodo/Glimt. The final will take place on May 21 in Spain, and there’s both a trophy and Champions League qualification on the line. Both United and Tottenham struggled this season and are respectively 15th and 16th in the league standings, but winning the Europa League is all that matters now.
Free Kicks
- American midfielder Johnny Cardoso played every minute of Real Betis’ 2-2 result against Fiorentina to advance to the Europa Conference League final, where the Spanish club will face Chelsea on May 28. Enjoy this goal from Antony to help his side prevail.
- In honor of Mother’s Day, AC Milan players will wear their mothers’ last names on the back of their jerseys in today’s match against Bologna. I love this idea and hope more clubs follow suit moving forward.
- An ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville acquired Salford City of England’s League Two.
- Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra’s MMA debut will have to wait, as the 43-year-old’s fight set for May 23 in Paris was postponed.
- We’ll end our links with what looks to be some unexpected Orlando Pride representation in Vatican City!
That’s all I have for you this time around. Have a fantastic Friday and enjoy the holiday weekend!
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