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Lion Links: 3/10/17

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9 years ago

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Happy Friday to all and to all a happy Friday. I quote Niccolò Machiavelli: “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” It seems The Office’s Michael Scott was the ultimate Machiavellian because he once said, “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to fear how much they love me.” I’m not sure what that had to do with soccer but I think it’s interesting. Today I bring you, alongside philosophical thoughts from Michael Scott, today’s Lion Links.

NYCFC Fans Claim They Fell Victim to Harm, OCSC Responds

Amid reports asserting harassment and lack of safety at last weekend’s game, Orlando City has officially made a statement regarding the “unacceptable level of abuse and harm in around the stadium” NYCFC fans claimed to be victim to.

Fans of New York City FC have written and published an open letter where they declare lack of protection and security protocols that eventually led to “abuse” before, during, and after Sunday’s match. One notable exclamation from The Third Rail, NYCFC’s support group, includes detailed harassment occurring during the fans’ walk away from the stadium.

OCSC disputes these claims, affirming that the NYCFC fans were not in danger and that they would not fall victim to any type of harm. An escort of police officers helped walk the NYCFC fans to and from the stadium and multiple officers were on guard protecting the fans in their seat section. The Orlando City affidavit also made note that there were not any complaints from New York fans whilst they occupied the stadium.

Marta May Sign for Orlando Pride

The five-time World FIFA Player of Year is expected to join the Pride within the next few days or weeks, which is anticipated to be the biggest signing in NSWL history. Marta, a forward, currently plays for Swedish side FC Rosengård and the Brazil women’s national team. She is considered to be one of the best women’s soccer players in the world, and you can see her stats and accomplishments here.

Though the club has not yet made an official statement, the deal is not unlikely. Orlando City owner Phil Rawlins called up Brazilian billionaire Flávio Augusto da Silva to help with club investments a few years ago — one of these investments being an MLS bid. Flávio brought money and Kaká with him when he became one of the primary owners, and it seems such Brazilian relationships have possibly helped Marta become a Pride player. Marta has numerous connections with the Pride already, having previously played alongside the likes of Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris, and Ali Krieger. 

The Conception of Orlando City Soccer Club

From Phil Rawlins’ time in Texas to his beautiful work in Orlando, passion pushed Rawlins to create something remarkable. Jason Davis wrote a great feature article about the growth of Orlando City as a club and the man who started it, Phil Rawlins. The story talks about Rawlins’ project and the work he put into it. This story compels readers and opens their minds to the founding of OCSC. 

Bruce Arena to Announce USMNT Squad Soon

USMNT head coach Bruce Arena said he’s prepared to complete the team sheet and announce the squad for upcoming World Cup Qualifying matches against Panama and Honduras. Arena dropped a few names for the team yesterday, but the official squad is to be expected before March 15, with Arena stating that he should be ready to finalize the team roster by then.

Notable players who may or may not make the squad are goalkeeper Tim Howard and forward Clint Dempsey. The former is recovering from a groin injury, and Arena commented that he might only call up the 37-year-old if he’s able to make an appearance against the New York Red Bulls tomorrow. Dempsey is in a similar boat, but his call-up is more unlikely. The forward has just recently recovered from a heart condition, making an appearance and scoring a goal in the Seattle Sounders’ 2-1 loss at Houston last week.

The U.S. plays Honduras on March 24 and Panama on March 28. The American lads currently sit at the bottom of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying group, but only two matches have gone by, so there’s still time for the Americans to clinch a spot for Russia in 2018.

FIFA President Comments on Trump’s Travel Ban

Gianni Infantino stated that President Trump’s ban would impact the possibility of the U.S. hosting the 2026 World Cup. The ban restricts travel from six countries — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Infantino commented on the executive order, stating that access to a country is necessary to host a worldwide soccer tournament. 

"It's obvious when it comes to FIFA competitions as well, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup," Infantino said.

This could be devastating blow to investors looking to hold the World Cup in America. The U.S. currently has competition from Canada and Mexico for the honor of hosting such event, but the U.S. is also exploring an option for a joint bid to have all three countries host the World Cup.

MLS players also commented on the ban, and you can read their statement — a previous Lion Link — here.    

That’s all for today, comrades. I hope you all have a dope Friday. Many MLS games are on tomorrow, including the match between Orlando City and the New England Revolution, which starts at 2 p.m. ET. We wish safe travels to our Lions as they make their way to Boston.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/9/26

Lions fall to New York City FC, Pride beat Fort Lauderdale United in final preseason match, OCB beats Chicago Fire II, and more.

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13 hours ago

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March 9, 2026

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Image of the OCB squad before the team's game March 8, 2026 vs. Chicago Fire II.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Justin Glatt

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work. It was a rough weekend for our beloved Lions, but OCB got a win over the weekend. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando City defender Nolan Miller, who turned 22 Sunday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Suffer Heavy Defeat at New York City FC

Orlando City fell 5-0 to New York City FC on the road Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau received a red card early in the first half. New York capitalized on the man advantage and the Lions trailed 3-0 at halftime. Keaton Parks scored twice in the second half as New York City FC secured its second straight win, while Orlando remains winless after three matches to start the season. The Lions were shut out for the first time in 25 matches. Orlando City will face CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium Saturday. Before the match, Orlando City announced it had signed midfielder Dylan Judelson to a short-term contract as Colin Guske was suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Inter Miami.

Orlando Pride Beat Fort Lauderdale United in Preseason Finale

In their final preseason match, the Orlando Pride beat USL Super League side Fort Lauderdale United 2-1 Saturday at Beyond Bancard Field in Fort Lauderdale. Seven Castain scored the opener in the first half, and Summer Yates added another from outside the box in the second half. Fort Lauderdale United pulled one back, but Orlando held on for the win.

The 2026 NWSL season will kick off this weekend as the Pride hosts the Seattle Reign Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride also announced that goalkeeper McKinley Crone, who was on loan with Fort Lauderdale United, has returned to the club by mutual consent.

OCB Beats Chicago Fire FC II

Orlando City B defeated Chicago Fire FC II 2-1 at Osceola County Stadium Sunday to secure its first win of the season in MLS NEXT Pro. Pedro Leao scored the opener for the Young Lions, however, Chicago equalized just before halftime. In the second half, Justin Ellis scored to give OCB the lead and the Young Lions held on for all three points. OCB’s next match will be on the road, taking on Carolina Core FC Saturday at Truist Point Stadium.

USWNT Wins SheBelieves Cup

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Colombia 1-0 to win the 2026 SheBelieves Cup Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. Alyssa Thompson scored the lone goal for the U.S. and was named the SheBelieves Cup MVP. With the win, the USWNT claimed its eighth title in the competition, went undefeated in the tournament, secured an eighth straight shutout, and finished atop the group with nine points. Canada finished second with five points after defeating Argentina 3-2 on penalties following a scoreless draw. Colombia finished third and Argentina came in last.

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That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/6/26

Leagues Cup schedule unveiled, Orlando Pride sign Reagan Raabe, USWNT prepares for Colombia, and more.

Published

4 days ago

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March 6, 2026

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Happy Friday! It’s been a bit of a hectic week but I’m looking forward to spending the weekend enjoying some soccer and visiting my family for a birthday. Hopefully Orlando City can get a win on the road on Saturday and bring points back to the City Beautiful. Before we get started, we want to give a shout out to “Flip,” the latest subscriber at the TAM Player level in our Buy Me a Coffee membership program. Thanks for your support and welcome to The Mane Land family! Now, let’s jump right into today’s links!

Orlando City’s Leagues Cup Schedule Revealed

The schedule for this summer’s Leagues Cup is out and we now know which Liga MX teams Orlando City will play against. All three of Orlando’s games in the first phase of the tournament will be at Inter&Co Stadium, starting with a match against Monterrey on Aug. 5. The Lions will then take on Club Leon on Aug. 8 before playing San Luis on Aug. 12. Of the 18 MLS clubs taking part in the Leagues Cup, only the top four will advance to the knockout stage. Last year, the Lions went unbeaten across their four matches against Mexican teams before falling in the semifinals and the third-place match.

Orlando Pride Sign Reagan Raabe 

The Orlando Pride signed forward Reagan Raabe to a short-term contract that will last through June of this year. The 24-year-old has been with the club throughout its preseason as a non-roster invitee. Raabe joins the Pride following a collegiate career with the University of Nebraska, recording four goals and six assists in her final season after missing a couple of years due to injury. Hopefully she can continue to impress the coaching staff and make an impact this year.

Analyzing Colombia Ahead of USWNT Match

The United States Women’s National Team will play Colombia on Saturday in the final game of this year’s SheBelieves Cup. Colombia lost 4-1 to Canada in its first match but bounced back with a 1-0 win over Argentina. One of the top nations in South America, Colombia finished second in last year’s Copa America and boasts a versatile attack that does well with possession or in transition. The U.S. will need to limit Real Madrid forward Linda Caicedo as much as possible. The 21-year-old has scored in both of Colombia’s games this tournament and has the talent to create opportunities out of seemingly nothing.

WAFCON Postponed Until July

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which was set to begin on March 17, has been postponed until July 25 and is set to last through Aug. 16. This decision comes amid reports that Morocco wished to withdraw as the tournament’s host and it’s unclear at this time if Morocco will still host it later this year. Many NWSL players are impacted by this change, including Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, whose Zambian side will face Nigeria, Malawi, and Egypt in the group stage. The tournament doubles as qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the quarterfinalists directly securing a spot in Brazil next summer.

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  • We have some rumored numbers to put to how much Orlando City was offering to pay Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann. Even if the move doesn’t come to pass, I can appreciate the club taking a big swing.
  • Nothing is official yet, but the United States Men’s National Team’s jersey for the upcoming World Cup may have been spotted in the wild. It looks like the Waldo kit with a twist, literally.
  • Toronto FC officially added center back Benjamin Kuscevic on loan from Fortaleza in Brazil’s second division.
  • Walid Regragui stepped down as Morocco’s head coach with only a few months to go before the World Cup. Mohamed Ouahbi will take over for Regragui and it will be his first time coaching a senior team.
  • Relegation is growing into a real possibility for Tottenham, which lost its fifth-straight match after a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
  • Cristo Fernandez, who plays Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso, made a splash with a pair of goals in an exhibition match while training with Chicago Fire II.

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

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Lion Links: 3/5/26

Antoine Griezmann reportedly pausing move to Orlando City, USWNT beats Canada, Portland Thorns hire Robert Vilahamn, and more.

Published

5 days ago

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March 5, 2026

By

Image of Martin Ojeda celebrating a goal against Inter Miami.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? Hopefully Orlando City and Orlando City B can turn things around this weekend after recent losses. If not, then we’ll have to start looking into ritualistic ways to turn the city’s luck around. I have an Etsy witch on speed dial if need be. But for now though, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Antoine Griezmann Transfer Saga Rolls On

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has reportedly pressed pause on a potential move to Orlando City before the MLS transfer window closes on March 26. Any and all news should be taken with a daily dose of salt, but it would still be nice if the rumor mill was spinning in the other direction on this move. It would not be surprising to me if Griezmann chose to see out the rest of this season with the Spanish club, which remains in contention for silverware. I’ll hold out hope until the deadline passes, but this transfer may have to wait for all sides to return to the negotiation table in the summer. Only time will tell, but Orlando at least reportedly has his discovery rights.

U.S. Shuts Out Canada in SheBelieves Cup

The United States Women’s National Team beat Canada 1-0 in Columbus in Wednesday’s SheBelieves Cup match. After a scoreless first half, the U.S. took the lead in the 55th minute thanks to a goal from Ally Sentnor off of a corner kick by Rose Lavelle. It was another shutout victory for the U.S. and the team has not conceded a goal in its past seven matches. The USWNT sits alone atop the standings and will play its final match on Saturday against Colombia, which beat Argentina 1-0.

Portland Thorns Hire Robert Vilahamn

With a little over a week to go before the start of the NWSL season, the Portland Thorns have named Robert Vilahamn as their next head coach. He joins the Thorns after two years with Tottenham’s women’s soccer team and led the English club to the FA Cup final in 2024. Vilahamn replaces Rob Gale, who parted ways with Portland in November after a 2025 season that included a third-place finish in the NWSL standings and an exit in the semifinals of the playoffs.

Keeping Up With Americans Abroad

American midfielder Yunus Musah came off the bench and scored the equalizer for Atalanta in a 2-2 draw with Lazio in the Italian Cup semifinals. That’s back-to-back appearances with a goal for the 23-year-old and hopefully this will lead to some more playing time for him. In other European cup action, Real Sociedad secured its spot in the Copa del Rey final by beating Athletic Club 1-0, with Head Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo making history in the process.

Americans clashed in the French Cup quarterfinals, with Mark McKenzie and Toulouse winning a penalty shootout against Timothy Weah and Marseille to advance. Folarin Balogun was named Monaco’s Player of the Month after scoring four goals in February.

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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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