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Lion Links: 3/28/17

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9 years ago

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“Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.” — Robert Bloch

Greetings, Mane Landers. Coming on the heels of another long Monday, hopefully that quote brings a smile your face and brightens your day. There was a lot going on in the soccer world, so let’s get to it.

Larin Garnering Premier League Interest

Kurt Larson of the Toronto Sun reported that Orlando City striker Cyle Larin is garnering interest from Premier League side Everton. Upon first hearing the report, it is concerning, considering Larin has made no secret of his European aspirations. It made sense due to the fact that Everton could possibly lose Romelu Lukaku, and Larin could be viewed as a replacement.

It made sense until the end of the article when it said that the transfer fee the Lions would be hoping for is around $2.5 million. That is not enough money for a Premier League striker. The rumor is that Chelsea is offering £40 million and a player for Lukaku, but Everton is going to replace him with a player with a $2.5 million transfer fee? Not so sure. 

Larin would be crazy to even want to go to Everton for that fee because the club isn’t showing any faith in him. The amount of investment correlates to how much they believe in the player. At that price, they can’t be too convinced he will succeed. Larin will leave at some point, but he should be offended at that supposed transfer fee.

Gil Linked with Move to Orlando City

Luis Gil is being linked with a move from Querétaro of Liga MX to Orlando City. Lions Head Coach Jason Kreis and Gil are already familiar with each other from their time at Real Salt Lake. This could just be a depth pickup, or a sign of someone being on the outs.

Gil was once projected to potentially be the “next big thing” in American soccer in 2010, and he chose MLS over an offer from Arsenal. His career hasn’t panned out thus far, but he is still only 23 years old. It’s possible that Kreis thinks he can tap into his potential.

USMNT More Exciting without Klinsmann

It’s easy to pile on Jürgen Klinsmann after the USMNT’s exciting 6-0 victory over Honduras. He wasn’t a likable character, and his teams never played the exciting brand of football that he originally promised. But U.S. Soccer does owe him a debt of gratitude, because there is no doubt that he helped advance the quality of play.

A coach can only account for so much. At the end of the day, it’s about the players. Christian Pulisic made Bruce Arena look good because he orchestrated the action as a true No. 10. Klinsmann can indirectly take credit because Pulisic developed in Germany, and Klinsmann has long been in favor of U.S. players playing abroad, which is part of the reason he is so disliked. We can’t say for sure that Pulisic would have developed the same in America.  

Plus, Arena was the coach before Klinsmann, and he played that same boring style that Klinsmann is now being criticized for. Looking back, it makes sense that the team had to play that style because of the roster.

Klinsmann gave U.S. Soccer credibility. He planted the seeds. Now that they are starting to grow, we can’t forget how we got to this point.

Lletget Evaluation Shows No Significant Damage

LA Galaxy and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Sebastian Lletget apparently won’t be out too long. Lletget injured his foot in the USMNT’s 6-0 victory over Honduras after starting the onslaught by scoring just five minutes into the match. Although it was reported that the injury was not serious, there is no timetable for his return.

American Will Vint Linked to Manchester United

American Will Vint, 15-year-old son of Everton academy director Peter Vint, is being discussed as a target by Manchester United. Will Vint was a former Real Colorado youth player. It seems like Will was born for soccer, considering his father’s role at a Premier League club.

But that is not the case. Peter Vint is a doctor whose previous position was as the United States Olympic Committee’s Senior Director of Competitive Analysis. He is credited with improving athletes enough to win instead of lose. The elder Vint was in the aviation industry before that, so is by no means the soccer lifer one would expect an academy director to be. 

It will be worth tracking the development of young Will Vint. It is no small feat to get into the Manchester United academy. But expectations should be tempered. Who his father is gives him an advantage over youth his age. The true barometer will come as he matures. People will compare him to Pulisic, but that’s not fair to Vint.

Ribery could move to MLS after Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery hasn’t ruled out coming to MLS when his contract expires the summer of 2018. Ribery said he was also open to China, Dubai, or Qatar. In other words, he’s going for the money. 

Hopefully MLS has learned from past mistakes, and doesn’t take the bait. Ribery is 33 years old now, and he isn’t a household name. It’s questionable whether he would bring any additional notoriety.

The league’s reputation is improving because of the young talent. Hopefully those around the league realize that because this move would set MLS back instead of moving it forward.  

That’s it for this edition of Lion Links. Check back with The Mane Land later for more from Orlando City and a preview of tonight’s USMNT-Panama World Cup qualifier. Hope everyone has a safe and productive week, until next time.

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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.

Published

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

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

By

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

on

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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