Lion Links
Lion Links: 8/14/16

Hey, hey, hey, Mane Landers, welcome back to the Church of the Lion. We’ve got plenty to be excited about as today Orlando City will be taking on the Chicago Fire. But before that happens, we’ve got Links to look at and sermons to survive.
Speaking of sermons, this past week I got some nifty blue tooth headphones that hide pretty well in my ears. So while Mr. Jenkins (curse you Jenkins!) is stuck listening to some life lesson, I’ll be having The Who teaching me all about rock ‘n roll.
Let’s hit up some Baba O’Riley (aka the ‘teenage wasteland’ song) and get to those Links!
Preview: Orlando City vs Chicago
Today’s game really is about two teams that probably have some long term plans in play, but will there be time for their respective coaches/management to put them in motion?
Over on ESPNFC, Graham Parker has an excellent article detailing both clubs and the current directions they are going. Being a writer for an Orlando City website, what’s going on with the Fire doesn’t concern me much, but his take on the new Kreis regime is intriguing.
This was the year the club was supposed to take a step and make the playoffs. Instead, the Heath train was derailed and Kreis is here trying to work with the pieces he inherited. Will ownership let him work the kinks out? I sure hope so.
Molino’s Importance to Orlando City
Our friend Simon Veness over at mlssoccer.com talked about Lions midfielder Kevin Molino and how Jason Kreis sees the Trinidadian’s importance to his club. Surprisingly, the coach says that The Original is still developing as a player, which is bad news for the rest of Major League Soccer. Where can he get better?
“From the defensive side of things, as we’ve already said, that’s where he needs the biggest part of his development, and so it is something he needs to focus on improving. That’s how we see it; he is not the finished all-round product, but he’s definitely moving in that direction.”
Reviewing Replay’s Performance During OCB-NYRBII
As you’ve probably heard by now, Friday’s game between Orlando City B and New York Red Bulls II was a part of history as instant replay was employed during the game between the two reserve sides. It was the first instance of video replay during a pro soccer game. But how did it go?
Kristian Dyer at mlssoccer.com has this piece detailing each way the video assistant referee (VAR) was utilized and how that worked in the course of the game with referee Ismail Elmath. The short version is that it worked well. Since it’s important for referees to get calls right, it’s good to know that technology can be used to help make that happen without ruining the flow of the game.
Fonte to Manchester United?
Ahh to be the king! Looking for a defensive midfielder to add to the mix, Southampton’s Jose Fonte has popped up in informal talks between the teams. Fonte, the 32-year-old Portugal international, seems to be the best and most accessible option for the Red Devils.
With a fee of £8 million being tossed around, it would appear that Southampton wouldn’t get in the way of such a move. Fonte has played very well for them and was a solid, reliable player for Portugal in their Euro 2016 run.
Free Kicks
It was so hot in Washington D.C. yesterday that D.C. United postponed its kickoff time against the Portland Timbers by an hour due to “excessive heat.” We here in Orlando can relate…Maybe people are getting ready for football season, because MLS posted its worst TV ratings of the season last weekend…Members of El Salvador club Dragon must have enjoyed their trip to Portland for the CONCACAF Champions League match because two players and a coach left the team to stay in the U.S….The EPL kicked off play yesterday with plenty of action. Reigning champs Leicester City lost to Hull City 2-1 and Manchester City started strong in victory with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland…And in the Olympics, Team USA is still burning it up in the pool, though the U.S. Men’s basketball team has been cutting it close lately. Get it together, boys!
That’s it for today’s Links. Come back later this afternoon as The Mane Land will lead you into today’s game with Chicago and have complete coverage afterward as well.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/19/25
Alex Freeman details his soccer journey, Orlando Pride players called up, Orlando City’s U-19 team advances to semifinals, and more.

Happy Juneteenth, Mane Landers! I hope everyone has a nice holiday as we commemorate the anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S. There’s plenty of soccer going on, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the Club World Cup and Gold Cup here and there when not working. Let’s go ahead and dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!
Alex Freeman Details His Path to Pro Soccer
Orlando City right back Alex Freeman has been getting plenty of buzz during this breakout year, but an interview with Goal gave some great insight into how he reached this point. He made the bold decision to head to Orlando at 16 years old to chase his dream, and he detailed some of the difficulties of that move that may get overlooked as his career blooms.
“I remember my 16th birthday, it was the first birthday I ever spent without my family,” Freeman says. “It was the day after I moved to Orlando. I’ve never really talked about this, but, at first, it really took a toll on me. At 16, you really just want your family around for those important moments, and I felt like I was balancing so much without my family being there with me. I did so much of this in Orlando without my family. It’s hard for people to comprehend that.”
Freeman also talked about the pace of his development within Orlando’s organization, along with what it was like to play against Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz in his recent international debut. There are also some great quotes from Oscar Pareja and United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino worth checking out.
Orlando Pride Players Called Up by USWNT
Orlando Pride defenders Emily Sams and Kerry Abello were both called up for the United States Women’s National Team’s training camp roster ahead of friendlies against Ireland and Canada later this June. Both players were on the USWNT roster for recent friendlies, with Abello making her international debut on June 3 against Jamaica. The only player outside the NWSL who was called up for this roster is Naomi Girma. Rose Lavelle was called up for the first time this year, and 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune is also back in the fold. Jordyn Bugg, Lilly Reale, Izzy Rodriguez, and Sam Meza were all called up for the first time, as Head Coach Emma Hayes continues to grow the player pool.
Orlando City Makes MLS NEXT Cup Semifinals
Orlando City’s U-19 team continues to impress this year and advanced to the semifinals of this year’s MLS NEXT Cup. Forward Justin Ellis was named Player of the Day for scoring twice in a 3-3 draw against Toronto FC, with Orlando coming out on top in the ensuing penalty shootout.
The U-19 team is the last Orlando academy team still playing across the tournament’s age groups. It will take on Cedar Stars Academy in the semifinals on Friday with a spot in Sunday’s final on the line. Enjoy watching the youngsters celebrate clinching a spot in the next round.
Upcoming NWSL Action Before League Break
We have another weekend of NWSL soccer to look forward to before the league pauses until August due to various international tournaments. The Pride will look to make it four straight wins when they face Racing Louisville FC on the road Friday night. Louisville has allowed 22 goals this season, so hopefully Barbra Banda and the rest of Orlando’s offense can get things going after close wins in the past two games.
Elsewhere in the league, I think Saturday’s match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and Bay FC will be an interesting showdown. Gotham forward Esther González leads the league with nine goals this season, but it’s ultimately a close Golden Boot race at this point. Sunday’s match between the San Diego Wave and Washington Spirit pits two of the league’s top four teams against each other, making it a great way to close out the weekend before the break.
USMNT Takes On Saudi Arabia Tonight
The Yanks are back in action tonight for a Concacaf Gold Cup group game against Saudi Arabia, the guest nation of this year’s tournament. After a 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago, the U.S. can claim the top spot in the group and all but guarantee a place in the next round with a win over Saudi Arabia. There are still some question marks regarding who will rise to the occasion in the midfield and at forward, but the USMNT has the talent to get the job done tonight at Q2 Stadium in Austin. The U.S. will then close out group play on Sunday against Haiti in Arlington, TX.
Free Kicks
- Sams, Banda, Anna Moorhouse, and Cori Dyke were all named to CBS Sports‘ NWSL Team of the Week after the Pride’s 1-0 win over Bay FC.
- Joao Klauss won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his lethal strike on the volley from a tight angle. The goal equalized things in stoppage time against the LA Galaxy and completed Klauss’ hat trick in the 3-3 draw.
- USWNT and Portland Thorns defender Meghan Klingenberg has officially retired from professional soccer. She won two NWSL Shields, two NWSL Championships, and the 2015 Women’s World Cup, while also making an impact off the field speaking up for equality.
- The San Jose Earthquakes have begun the process of selling a controlling interest in the club.
- Xabi Alonso’s tenure as Real Madrid’s new manager began with a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal at the Club World Cup. Federico Valverde had a chance to win it in stoppage time from the penalty stop, but Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou came up with the critical save.
- Chris Wilder and Sheffield United have parted ways less than a month after the club fell 2-1 to Sunderland in the playoff final for promotion to the English Premier League. Ruben Selles, who was dismissed as Hull City’s manager last month, was named as Wilder’s replacement.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Juneteenth and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/18/25
Scouting Saudi Arabia, Club World Cup summary, MLS midseason superlatives, and more.

Happy Wednesday, everyone. I’m pretty worn out after doing some traveling for most of the last two weeks, and I’m happy to be back home in Tampa for a bit before heading out on the road again. The soccer world has not paused during my time out on the road, and if anything its only picked up in intensity. That means we have a lot to talk about, but before we get into today’s links, let’s wish Orlando Pride defender Rafaelle a happy birthday.
Scouting Saudi Arabia
The United States Men’s National Team will continue its 2025 Gold Cup campaign on Thursday when it takes on Saudi Arabia in Austin, TX. That means this is a good time to familiarize ourselves with Arabian Falcons. They’re coached by Herve Renard, who deployed the team in a 4-2-3-1 in a 1-0 victory over Haiti in the team’s first game of the tournament. He isn’t married to that formation though, and will use a variety of tactical setups depending on the situation. Across all of them, Saudi Arabia plays with an emphasis on pressing in specific areas and quickly breaking in transition once winning the ball. Like the USMNT, the Saudis are missing a few first-choice players, and the midfield battle should be a particularly interesting area to keep an eye on.
Club World Cup Roundup
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup continued on Wednesday, so let’s take a look at the action. Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund got things started as they battled to a scoreless draw at MetLife Stadium. The Brazilian team had the better of the game overall, but Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made five saves to preserve a point for his team. The second game of the day was much livelier, as River Plate dispatched Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1 in Seattle. The Argentinians scored after just 12 minutes and never looked back despite Urawa making it a 2-1 game with a 58th-minute penalty. The third match took place at Inter&Co Stadium, and saw Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ulsan HD 1-0. While the scoreline didn’t reflect it, the South African team mostly dominated proceedings and finished with 68% possession and 718 passes to 325 for the South Korean side. However, it was a free-flowing game that offered both sides to take more from the match. Our Michael Citro was there to recap it for you at the link above.
Midseason MLS Superlatives
As much as it seems like the 2025 Major League Soccer season just started, we’re actually just past the halfway point of the campaign, and that means it’s a good time to look at some league superlatives. In a category that will be music to the ears of Orlando City fans, Bradley Wright-Phillips named fullback the most overlooked position and specifically took some time to praise Alex Freeman. BWP previously coached against Freeman with New York Red Bulls II when Alex was still with Orlando City B, so it’s interesting to hear his input from that additional aspect. It’s no surprise that the Vancouver Whitecaps got a lot of love, as they were named biggest surprise, and Jesper Sorensen was named best coach.
Transfer Rumor Roundup
Transfer season is in full swing, so here are some of the big rumors currently flying around. Manchester United is reportedly interesting in signing Callum Hudson-Odoi from Nottingham Forest, but the Red Devils face competition from Roma and Napoli. Arsenal might hit a snag in searching for a striker, as the Gunners are balking at paying the asking prices for either Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres, because they consider those numbers to be too high. Three different teams from the Saudi Pro League have reportedly shown interest in signing Son Heung-Min from Tottenham Hotspur, as he only has 12 months left on his current contract.
Free Kicks
- Get a peek at the Orlando Pride putting in work on the training ground.
- FIFA has been criticized after quietly doing away with its anti-racism messaging during the Club World Cup.
- Negative press for the tournament doesn’t stop there, as La Liga president Javier Tebas has said it’s his mission to eliminate the competition from existence.
- Atlanta United is reportedly closing in on a center back signing.
- The Washington Spirit have signed Sofia Cantore from Juventus.
And that’s it for me today. Have a great rest of your week. Vamos, Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/17/25
Orlando City and Orlando Pride players on Team of the Week, USMNT Gold Cup continues, and more.

Welcome to Wedn…er…Tuesday, Mane Landers. That’s right, I’m here a day early and not a moment too late. Orlando is knee deep in soccer, thanks to the FIFA Club World Cup on top of our favorite Orlando City and Orlando Pride clubs. We will have coverage of the matches taking place in the City Beautiful. Before we get started today, join us in wishing a happy 25th birthday to Orlando Pride midfielder Summer Yates. Now, let’s get to the links.
Schlegel Honored
Rodrigo Schlegel had a pretty good match against the Colorado Rapids. Despite not being named Man of the Match in our Player Grades, he did make the MLS Team of the Week bench. Meanwhile, Orlando held steady at the ninth spot in ESPN’s MLS Power Rankings, while dropping two spots from seventh to ninth in SI.com’s Power Rankings despite winning on the road. It just shows how very accurate and scientific power rankings are, doesn’t it?
Quadruple Honors for the Pride
The Orlando Pride saw Schlegel’s TotW Bench honor and said we can do better. Barbra Banda, Cori Dyke, Emily Sams, and Anna Moorhouse all made the NWSL Team of the Week from the Attacking Third. Congratulations to the Pride for covering a third of the Attacking Third’s selections.
Moorhouse is also up for Player of the Week and Save of the Week. As of this morning, she is not leading either category so you know what to do.
The USMNT Gold Cup Journey Continues
The Concacaf Gold Cup group stage is underway, with the USMNT securing a 5-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago Sunday evening. I’m always for beating Trinidad & Tobago, but more talented teams and tougher matches lie ahead. Next up for the USMNT is Saudi Arabia. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re correct. Saudi Arabia isn’t a Concacaf nation, but the team is the invitee for this Gold Cup. The match is Thursday night at 9:15 p.m. at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX. The U.S. will most likely need a win to secure the top spot in the group.
FIFA Club World Cup Results
The Club World Cup, which will visit Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium later today (we’ll be on hand with the coverage, naturally), continued early this week with Bayern Munich obliterating Auckland City 10-0, PSG defeating Atletico Madrid 4-0, Botafogo beating the Seattle Sounders 2-1, and Facundo Torres and Palmeiras drawing Porto 0-0 on Sunday. In the Monday slate, Chelsea defeated LAFC 2-0, and Boca Juniors and Benfica drew 2-2. Overshadowing all of this is the poor attendance, despite FIFA spending millions to boost said attendance.
Free Kicks
- One might think that a club sitting second in the official standings on a three-match winning streak would have matching ranks in all the various power rankings. However, one would be wrong, because although the Pride are in the second spot in the SI.com Power Rankings, the club sits at third in the ESPN.com Power Rankings. Do I need to say anything?
- You don’t often see Barcelona get passed over for an MLS club, but that is exactly what happened despite Barcelona calling FIFA to get a spot in the Club World Cup. That MLS club was LAFC, and it had to earn its way in by beating Club America.
- Liverpool has set a date for the medical for Florian Wirtz following the record transfer.
- Congratulations to Orlando City’s Alex Freeman on his performance in his first cap for the USMNT in a competitive match.
That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the matches this week. Vamos Orlando!
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