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Lion Links: 3/2/17

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10 years ago

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Hello to all. Fans across MLS and especially those supporters of our beloved Orlando City Soccer Club should be enthralled that the season is only a few hours away. Tomorrow night marks the kickoff of the 2017 season as Minnesota United travels to Portland for an exciting opener at 9:30 ET. Orlando’s first match is Sunday and that will be something to look forward to all weekend long, but for now we have Lion Links. The Links are exciting today as we have a lot of news to share with you, so sit back, kick your feet up, and enjoy.

But before we jump into the Links The Mane Land would like to wish Orlando City goalkeeper Josh Saunders a very happy birthday.

Cyle Larin a Quiet Star

Yahoo! Sports soccer writer Leander Schaerlaeckens profiled Lions striker Cyle Larin, but an interesting thing happened during the interview. Schaerlaeckens noticed that, unlike many strikers, Larin was uncomfortable talking about himself.

At length, I crack up. “I have the impression you don’t enjoy talking about yourself very much,” I say.

He laughs at this. “I try not to,” he says.

“Why is that?”

“I guess I grew up in a humble house,” Larin offers. “I don’t know. My mom taught me not to, I guess.”

Check out the link above to get a unique look at a different kind of sports star.

New Home Expected to Help Bring Success

After two seasons of not making the playoffs, Orlando City is looking to make a push past the regular season in 2017. The desire to make the postseason is even greater now that the Lions have a home of their own.

The stadium should make an immediate impact this season, giving some of Orlando City’s more skillful players a natural surface on which to work. It will also ease the burden on the team’s current players, who now decrease their turf workload by 17 games. Trust that the grass surface will lessen the postgame training-room traffic.

The idea is that the new stadium will invigorate the fans and players with new hope. The team is looking better than ever, the fans are more ready than ever, and now is the time to shine in the Florida sun.

Orlando City Should be Better in 2017

SB Nation’s 2017 MLS Season Preview dropped yesterday, including predictions for the season and individual forecasts for every team. With new defenders presenting better stability across the back line, 2017 should be the year of vast improvement. The Orlando City preview points out that Jason Kreis’ emphasis on a stronger defense was apparent with recent signings.

The offseason concentration was on defense — the team’s Achilles heel through the first two years. Jonathan Spector, Donny Toia, and “PC” Victor Pagliari Giro bolster the defense, while the team may have taken a step backward offensively with the loss of Kevin Molino.

The ability to attack is prominent with the likes of Kaká and Cyle Larin leading the way, but if defense can stack up to the output of the Lions’ offense then fans will be treated to an improved season.

Orlando City Honors Parramore

With the new stadium sitting in downtown Orlando, the franchise has opted to honor the neighborhood it sits within — Parramore.

To honor Parramore, Orlando City unveiled a six panel historical display that illustrates the rich history of the people living in the community. The display will be a permanent addition to the stadium, on display outside the east gates. Kay Rawlins explained its importance to the stadium.

Six panels are to be located on the east side of the stadium to honor some of the more memorable and influential people and buildings in the community of Parramore.

USWNT Bests Germany in 1-0 SheBelieves Cup Win

The U.S. Women’s National Team hosted the German internationals in Philadelphia, where the Americans won 1-0 from a Lynn Williams clean-up shot. The rebound goal came in the 56th minute after a Christen Press shot ricocheted off of the crossbar.

The win furthers advances the USWNT’s recent domination of Germany, with the latter failing to win a game against the U.S. women in 14 consecutive matches over a period of 13 years. Orlando Pride striker Alex Morgan came on in the 79th minute, but neither Ashlyn Harris nor Ali Krieger made an appearance. The USWNT continues to fight in the SheBelieves Cup, with an upcoming match against England scheduled for Saturday.

Speaking of the Pride’s USWNT players, this story on Philly.com quotes Jill Ellis on Harris and Morgan. Krieger and Morgan are also interviewed.

MLS Kits Ranked by FOX Sports

The purple of Orlando City stood out most to the critics over at Fox Sports. Orlando City proudly ranks number four among the league’s best uniforms.

With royal purple, the Lions are blessed with one of richest colors in all of MLS. They haven't gotten too adventurous with the primary kit, but they've implemented a lot more gold this year. Last season's secondary kit, which is fine, sticks around.

Best feature: The purple, duh!

MLS Preseason Power Rankings

Out of 22 teams in Major League Soccer, Orlando City ranks in at spot number 15 in the overall preseason rankings presented by Sports Illustrated.

Kreis built a reputation as one of the best coaches in the United States with Real Salt Lake, but at NYCFC he struggled to get an expansion team full of talent off and running. His hire at Orlando halfway through last season was sold as a fresh start in a place where he’d have more control, but he couldn’t really get them playing better than his predecessor Adrian Heath could. This being Kreis’s first full season in charge, anything less than a playoff berth will be considered a failure. It’ll be a real shame if Kaka ends his MLS career with no postseason games played.

With the foundation that OCSC has built plus new signings and Kreis finding his way with the team, fans should see this ranking move up throughout the course of the season.

2017 U.S. Open Cup Format Announced

The United States Soccer Foundation revealed the format for the 99-team Open Cup tournament. With 99 teams in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, it will mark the largest number of squads to take place in the modern version of the tournament. Below is a little of what to expect:

The opening round will feature a Modern Era record 56 amateur clubs. 17 Open Division teams will join 21 Premier Development League (PDL) teams and 18 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) clubs.

Don Garber: MLS Expansion Will Stop at 28 Teams

Before his 18th season at the helm of MLS as commissioner, Don Garber sat and talked with Sky Sports. The following is transcribed by NBC Sports.

“We’ve just announced we are going to announce four new teams to go from 24 to 28 which would be the largest professional division one league in the world”

Thanks for taking a minute or two from your day to catch up on all things Orlando City and all things MLS. Your eyes are welcome travelers to The Mane Land each and every time. If you are in the mood for following someone on twitter that has awful opinions on all things nothing, then give me a follow: @awesomeniemeier.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/23/26

Orlando City prepares for New York City FC, Antoine Griezmann’s impact in Orlando, U.S. will host FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, and more.

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24 hours ago

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October 23, 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

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! It’s been a pretty nice week for me, as I was able to watch all of Slow Horses and finish reading Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, both of which were brilliant. Attention now turns to this weekend’s soccer, with both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride playing at home over the next couple of days. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for New York City FC

The Lions host New York City FC on Saturday in one of the marquee matchups in MLS as the regular season nears its conclusion. Plenty has changed since Orlando’s 5-0 loss to NYCFC on March 7. The Lions have clawed their way up the table while the Pigeons have only won once in their past 13 league games. NYCFC enters this match after a 1-1 draw with LAFC that included an equalizer by former Lion Andres Perea to give the team a valuable point amid the playoff race. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau, Luighi, and Benie Traore are all NYCFC players the Lions will need to keep in check, or else it could end up being another high-scoring affair in the City Beautiful.

Antoine Griezmann’s Impact on Orlando’s Offense

Orlando’s wait for Antoine Griezmann to join in the summer has proven to be well worth it, as he’s transformed Orlando’s attack into a force to be reckoned with just as the playoffs near. Although Griezmann wasn’t able to enjoy a fairytale ending with Atletico Madrid by lifting the Copa del Rey or Champions League trophies this year, he’s breathed life into an Orlando side that struggled mightily prior to his arrival. The 35-year-old has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in just 14 appearances this season. Not only has he excelled when it comes to getting the ball in the net, but he’s done well in terms of defensive metrics and intangibles as well.

U.S. Will Host Women’s Club World Cup

The inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be held in the U.S. in January of 2028 with the host cities still to be determined. There will be 19 clubs taking part, with Gotham, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Club America having already qualified along with three other teams so far. This tournament is sandwiched between the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, so there’s plenty of exciting women’s soccer to look forward to in the coming years.

U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Wins at World Cup

The United States U-17 Women’s National Team won 6-1 against Kenya in the group stage of the FIA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, clinching a spot in the round of 16. Maggie DiMaria scored four goals to bring her total to 10 across just two games. The U.S. will play its final group game on Sunday against China PR, which also won both of its games against Kenya and Samoa to secure a spot in the knockout stage. The winner of this group will get to avoid a match with Spain in the round of 16, so there’s still plenty to play for before the next round gets underway.

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  • The first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal between the United States Men’s National Team and Haiti has been moved from Kingston to Miami. Haiti has had to play games outside of the country due to unrest and submitted a request to Concacaf to play in the country of its opponent.
  • American center back Naomi Girma is now dealing with a calf injury that may sideline her for a few weeks according to Chelsea Head Coach Sonia Bompastor. She missed out on the team’s recent friendlies against Spain and may be absent for the Concacaf W Championship quarterfinal against El Salvador next month too.
  • The United States Women’s Cerebral Palsy National Team beat Ireland 15-0 to advance to the IFCPF Women’s World Cup final, which takes place today against Australia. Annie Wickett scored five goals with four other players scoring braces.
  • The San Diego Wave signed defender Mimi Van Zanten to a contract extension through the 2029 season. She’s made 27 appearances for San Diego during her rookie season, helping the club keep pace in the NWSL Shield race.
  • After being stretchered off the field due to a head injury in the U.S. Open Cup final, St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki is alert and in good spirits, according to the club.

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: 10/22/26

Martin Ojeda wins MLS Goal of the Matchday, MLS award contenders, sights and sounds from the Orlando Pride’s win, and more.

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2 days ago

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October 22, 2026

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Image of Maxime Crepeau taking a goal kick against Atlanta.
Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

How’s it going, Mane Landers? The temperatures have gotten just cool enough here in Florida as of late for me to feel like it’s truly autumn. While it would be nice if our leaves changed colors to really sell the fall feeling, a pumpkin candle and apple cider have definitely helped. Let’s get to the links!

Martin Ojeda Wins MLS Goal of the Matchday

Orlando City Designated Player Martin Ojeda predictably won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his fantastic finish in the team’s 4-1 win over D.C. United, garnering 71.7% of the vote. Ojeda’s acrobatic backheel capped off a smooth series of passes by the Lions and it will likely be in the running for MLS Goal of the Year as well. It was Ojeda’s 15th goal of the season and he has scored in five of Orlando’s past six games.

MLS Year-End Award Voting Begins

The voting for this year’s MLS Year-End Awards has opened and the finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 12. Former MLS star Bradley Wright-Phillips weighed in on who he thinks the contenders for each award are and there were a few Lions mentioned. Antoine Griezmann is in the running for Newcomer of the Year alongside Houston Dynamo attacker Guilherme, who has 16 goals and 10 assists this season. Maxime Crepeau may make the list of finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year for his incredible run of form since the World Cup, but it’s hard to see him winning it given just how many goals the Lions have conceded compared to other teams. Justin Ellis was also an honorable mention for the Young Player of the Year award for his breakout season.

Sights and Sounds From the Orlando Pride’s Victory

The Orlando Pride released a video showing the sights and sounds from their 2-1 win on the road against the Houston Dash. The video includes huddle talks from Marta and interim head coach Yolanda Thomas, as well as the goals by Luana and Solai Washington. It’s been a difficult year for the Pride and it’s nice to see some highlights as they aim to close out the season strongly after being eliminated from playoff contention.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The third round of matches in the UEFA Champions League’s league phase wrapped up and we’re getting a better sense of where the teams stand. Bayern Munich and Arsenal played to a 2-2 draw in Germany, with Declan Rice scoring a late equalizer for Arsenal. Elsewhere across Europe, Manchester United was beaten 4-1 by Como, Inter scored while down a man to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0, and Austrian club LASK won its first Champions League game by upsetting Sporting CP 3-2. Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Real Betis all won to remain perfect in the tournament as well.

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

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Lion Links: 10/21/26

Justin Ellis recognized, the Orlando Youth Soccer Network expands, the USMNT adds a friendly, and more.

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3 days ago

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October 21, 2026

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Image of Justin Ellis dribbling the ball trying to beat a Philadelphia Union defender.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. The weather is getting a bit nicer. I’m actually able to have the windows open at night, which is delightful. However, the temperatures are rising a bit this week, which I find sad. I know we live in Florida, but gosh darn it, we’re only 10 days from Halloween. I should be wearing sweaters rather than shorts. I appreciate you allowing me to rant, now let’s get to the links.

Justin Ellis Named No. 5 of MLS 22 Under 22

Justin Ellis was rightly named to Major League Soccer’s 2026 22 Under 22 list. The Orlando City striker came in at No. 5 on the list. It’s not surprising, given the year he’s had. He’s busted into the starting lineup for Orlando City, and he has 16 goal contributions so far. He also received his first call-up to the USMNT, scoring a goal in his first match and two goals in the four-game window. He’s joined on the list by fellow USMNT teammates Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall. This is his second accolade in the last week as he was also named 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year.

New Orlando Soccer School Announced

Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are expanding the Orlando Youth Soccer Network with the addition of the Orlando Soccer School – Winter Haven. The organization is formerly known as the Winter Haven Soccer Club. The school will provide programming for boys and girls ages 3-19. This is an example of the top-to-bottom pipeline the organization is building to develop players for both the men’s and women’s clubs.

Orlando City B Season in Review

Like the Orlando Pride, Orlando City B did not make the post season in 2026. That doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t a success in other ways. Orlando City B is a developmental squad, and the reserve side did its job in developing prospects this season. Some OCB players made it into the first team, there were a record number of academy debuts, and the team saw several international call-ups. Given how inconsistent the squad was because of all the shuffling around, it’s not surprising the team struggled on the pitch at times. Hopefully, all the younger players getting time will set the team up for success next season.

USMNT to Face Jamaica in December

The USMNT added a friendly against Jamaica on December 13 in Miami. The match takes place outside of the international window, so we can expect Mauricio Pochettino to call up MLS players whose clubs have been eliminated from the playoffs. There’s also a possibility for some European-based players, but clubs are not required to release them. Prior to that, the team will be in action in against Haiti in the two quarterfinal legs of the Concacaf Nations League.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

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