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Lion Links: 1/14/17

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10 years ago

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It’s been a whirlwind few days in the soccer world with the NSCAA convention, NWSL College Draft, and the MLS Combine and SuperDraft. We get to relax a little bit this Saturday and recuperate before Orlando City gets to participate in the last two rounds of the SuperDraft on Tuesday. But Orlando might be getting a couple other young players into camp through other means.

I wouldn’t mind becoming like the Galaxy and trading draft picks for assets like Donny Toia while getting our young players through the academy. But that second rounder for half a year of Corey Ashe still stings a little.

With all the hoopla in the soccer world, there’s also plenty of news going around and that means plenty of Lion Links. We’ve got a loaded schedule for you today, full of Orlando City transfer talk and a run down of yesterday’s SuperDraft, so let’s get started.

Minnesota United Hoping to Land Molino

Adrian Heath is apparently trying to land his old star. Ives Galarcep of Goal.com reported that Minnesota United has “made a sizable offer” for the Trinidad & Tobago midfielder, hoping to acquire him from the Lions. Molino was arguably Orlando City’s best player in 2016, with 11 goals and eight assists in league play. According to Alicia DelGallo of the Sentinel, the club is not looking to sell.

The biggest tidbit of information in that article might be that Molino is unhappy with his current compensation, which was $121,400 guaranteed last year, according to the MLS Players’ Union. As one of OCSC’s better attackers, it’s not hard to see why he’s upset with the figures some other players are on.

Pay the man, Orlando. It would be a disappointment to see him in any other color but purple.

Kaká Turns Down Cortiba

One player we definitely know will be here in the coming year is the superstar. With only one year remaining on his contract, Kaká has already been discussing a return to Brazil but Cortiba FC of Brazil’s Serie A wants it to happen a bit sooner. ESPN reports that the Orlando captain turned down the club’s advances, opting to see out his contract in the City Beautiful. It’s good to know that the Lions will have their DP play-maker available for 2017 even though he’s a top target for some clubs in his home country. Enjoy him while he’s here, folks.

Orlando City Executives Win Two Awards

The MLS Year-End Awards took place in Los Angeles this weekend and, just like last year, OCSC took home some hardware, tying for the most awards won in the league. The #OrlandoUnited campaign earned the club the Social Media Activation of the Year. The successful tribute to the deadly Pulse tragedy united the community and the match against San Jose was a special moment.

The team’s vice president of of corporate partnerships, Rob Parker, also won the league’s Corporate Partnerships Executive of the Year. His achievements include partnerships with Disney, Publix, and Orlando Health. Still waiting on confirmation on the stadium name though.

Don Garber Eager to See MLS Grow

MLS has been expanding steadily over the past few years, with cities apparently lining up to get the next franchise, and Commissioner Don Garber has put it on himself to control that growth for the betterment of the league. Key to that has been trying to buck the trend of MLS as a retirement league and sign key players in their prime like Sebastian Giovinco and Nicolas Lodeiro.

To help that mission, a study was conducted to understand U.S. soccer markets and what they like and dislike about the league in an attempt to improve the fan experience and attract more people. Garber has already done a great job creating a stable league with investors lining up and with the explosion of Allocation Money in the last few years and the work going into future improvements, it should be trending farther up from here.

SuperDraft Recap

Orlando City didn’t have a pick in the first two rounds on Friday thanks to trades for Donny Toia and Corey Ashe, but it was still a spectacle. Our own Austin David was on site for full coverage and quotes from the draft room floor from the Orlando City brass. There was all kinds of movement in the top four picks. Adrian Heath’s Minnesota United took UCLA forward Abu Danladi with the first overall pick, followed by fellow expansion side Atlanta United taking Syracuse’s Miles Robinson. The early shocker was New York City FC trading $250,000 in allocation money to trade up to third and not take forward Jeremy Ebobisse. And that was perhaps the biggest news on the day, that MLS is now announcing the amount of allocation money involved in trades. We’re taking baby steps towards transparency.

NWSL to Los Angeles?

With USWNT legend Mia Hamm a part owner of incoming MLS club Los Angeles FC, there’s bound to be talk of a women’s team to the city. NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush confirmed that the league was looking hard at the market in an attempt to “become a more national property.” Vancouver was also mentioned as a likely expansion destination in the near future. The Seattle Reign and Portland Thorns are isolated from the other eight clubs on the west coast, so it would help reduce some travel costs to get more teams out that way.

Those are all of the links we have for you on this post-draft Saturday. Enjoy the breather from drafting before rounds three and four commence early next week. And remember to check back early and often for all of the OCSC coverage you could ask for.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/11/26

Antoine Griezmann makes Team of the Matchday, reliving the Pride’s win over Houston, academy players head to U.S. training camp, and more.

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2 days ago

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September 11, 2026

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Image of Antoine Griezmann watching his shot go in the net against FC Dallas in a friendly.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Today is the first of three straight days of games featuring Orlando soccer and hopefully the teams can replicate their impressive results last weekend as they push for the playoffs. Apart from working and enjoying the soccer, I plan on making some pasta by hand, so wish me luck in that endeavor. For now though, let’s get to the links!

Antoine Griezmann Makes Team of the Matchday

Orlando City star Antoine Griezmann was the only Lion to make the MLS Team of the Matchday following Orlando’s 3-2 win over Atlanta United. He scored twice and came up with a crucial goal-line clearance to lead the Lions to victory on the road. Griezmann has now scored in four straight games and already has seven goals so far this season despite only playing nine games. Hopefully he can keep finding the back of the net when Orlando hosts a Toronto FC side that has only lost once since the World Cup break.

Reliving the Pride’s Victory Over Houston

The Orlando Pride released a video of the sights and sounds from the team’s 3-1 win against the Houston Dash. It was interim head coach Yolanda Thomas’ first game at the helm and the team was able to get a win after an emotional week. From the different angles of Orlando’s goals to Thomas’ speech to the team following the win, it’s a great watch. The Pride will aim to make it another three points tonight when they play on the road against the Kansas City Current tonight.

Orlando City Academy Players Head to Camp

There are four Orlando City academy players heading to Georgia for the U.S. U-15 and U-16 boys national teams’ training camps at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center. Goalkeeper Luan Silva and defender Zorian Civil were called up for the U-16 team, while goalkeeper Mario Martinez Reyes and forward Molina Baladi will be joining the U-15 team. Hopefully they’ll all be able to impress at camp as they continue to develop for both club and country.

Uncertainty Looms Over Racing Louisville’s Future

Racing Louisville ranks near the bottom of the NWSL in both attendance and spending and there are questions circling the club regarding its investment and future in the league. Along with this, forward Emma Sears reportedly requested a trade from the club this summer and 2025 NWSL Coach of the Year Bev Yanez’s contract is set to end after this season. A sale may very well be in the club’s future, with relocation possibly on the table as well. Louisville made the playoffs for the first time last year, but the club has lost 14 games so far this season and is 13th in the league standings.

Free Kicks

  • The Orlando Pride moved up a spot to 11th in the CBS Sports NWSL power rankings after beating the Houston Dash.
  • American right back Sergino Dest scored the equalizer in PSV Eindhoven’s 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Lion Links: 9/10/26

Orlando City beats Atlanta United, Orlando’s soccer history, U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team draws against Japan, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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September 10, 2026

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Image of Inter&Co Stadium at night.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’m feeling pretty good after Orlando City’s win on Wednesday and am hoping the good times keep rolling through this weekend’s games. After a rough August, September has thankfully been kind to Orlando’s soccer teams. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Beats Atlanta United On the Road

The Lions are coming back to Orlando with all three points after winning 3-2 against rival Atlanta United. It looked like it would be a rough night for Orlando after an early own goal, but Antoine Griezmann continues to excel in purple (or gold, as was the case on Wednesday night). Atlanta made it close in the end because of a second own goal, but Orlando ultimately secured the win to climb further up the MLS standings. The Lions will be back in action on Saturday with a home game against Toronto FC before traveling to play the Columbus Crew in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

Orlando’s History as a Soccer City

The United States Men’s National Team will play at Inter.co Stadium later this month in its first match since the World Cup. The soccer-specific stadium has been no stranger to hosting the U.S national teams since opening in 2017 and has also hosted Concacaf Gold Cup and FIFA Club World Cup games, along with the NWSL Championship and NCAA Women’s College Cup final. The City Beautiful has been a place for soccer for decades, hosting World Cup and Olympic soccer while also having club teams at various levels over the years. Orlando City lifting the U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2022 and the Orlando Pride winning the double in 2024 have helped solidify the city’s reputation as a soccer city as well.

U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team Held to Draw

The United States U-20 Women’s National Team drew 2-2 against Japan in its second game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U.S. struck first thanks to a goal from Ainsley McCammon in the first half, but Japan equalized in the 74th minute. Alex Buck restored the U.S. lead a minute later, but Japan knotted things up again and the Yanks could not find a winner despite some late chances. It’s a tough result for the U.S., which lost its first group game against Italy. It can still qualify for the knockout round, but would need some help from other results even if it wins against New Zealand on Saturday.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The UEFA Champions League’s league phase is underway this week and there still has yet to be a draw so far. VfB Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirovic was the standout performer from Wednesday’s slate of games, scoring a hat trick within a 12-minute stretch in a 3-1 win against Viking FK. Elsewhere across Europe, Arsenal edged past Napoli in a 1-0 win in Italy, Barcelona got its campaign started with a big 5-1 win against Feyenoord, and Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda remains an NWSL MVP candidate, although Ashley Sanchez is starting to run away with it with 18 goals so far this season.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your weekend!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/9/26

Orlando City plays Atlanta, Griezmann gets fined, Banda a Ballon d’Or contender, and more.

Published

4 days ago

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September 9, 2026

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Image of Antoine Griezmann taking a set piece against Monterrey in Leagues Cup action.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s also match day for Orlando City. The fixture congestion is back for the next couple of weeks which means plenty of opportunity to watch the Lions in action. I’m looking forward to seeing Martin Ojeda fully integrate back into the offense with Antione Griezmann. We will have more match prep later today, but for now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Heads to Atlanta

Orlando City is headed north to take on Atlanta United tonight. Both teams have been playing better of late, but this is still an opportunity for the Lions to get all three points from a rival on the road. Atlanta has struggled to score goals this season, and Orlando City’s offensive weapons are many, and the team is rising up the MLS power rankings, thanks to the win over San Diego FC. It’s a double match week, so it will be interesting to see how Atlanta rotates players based on availability.

Grizi Gets Fined

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Orlando City’s Antoine Griezmann an undisclosed amount for violating the League’s policy regarding throwing/kicking an object toward fans in the match against San Diego FC. Here is the “incident” in case you missed it during the match.

If the fine was more than a dollar, it was too much. That’s not true, a dollar is also too much.

Pride in the News

The Orlando Pride made history in the 3-1 win over the Houston Dash. The victory made Yolanda Thomas the first Black woman in a head coach’s role in NWSL history, and only the fourth female coach to win their first-ever NWSL match in charge. It also comes as no surprise that Barbra Banda is a nominee for the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

Pochettino’s Big Plans

Mauricio Pochettino wants to make the USMNT one of the “most powerful” international teams in the world. That is a pretty ambitious goal, though I like the high aspirations. Pochettino is now in charge of the procedural and developmental sides of the game. He will have some time to experiment before the next World Cup, including utilizing more MLS homegrowns.

Free Kicks

  • Marco Pasalic has been called up to the Croatian National Team for the UEFA Nations League matches later this month and in the first part of October. Croatia will be playing Czechia, England, and Spain.
  • Ivan Angulo will be sporting a new look at the match tonight. Hopefully it helps him score goals on his breakaway opportunities.

That will do it for today. You can follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for live match updates and we will also have a recap of the match tonight and more coverage tomorrow. Vamos Orlando!

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