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Lion Links: 8/17/17

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Happy Thursday, Mane Landers. We’re two days away from a triple match day with the MLS, NWSL, and USL teams all in action. That’s been a staple of Saturdays in August in 2017. It makes me wish I could multitask with the ease of a Millennial. It’ll be the second game of the week for OCB. The young Lions were in action at home last night (more on that below).

We’ve got plenty of stuff to occupy your morning to help you avoid that boring task you’ve been putting off just a little longer.

OCB Thumps Ottawa 3-0 Behind Barry Brace

Hadji Barry scored twice and set up a Seb Hines tally, and Earl Edwards, Jr. stopped a Gerardo Bruna penalty as the young Lions beat Ottawa Fury, 3-0. For Anthony Pulis’ side, it was a second straight shutout win and the team is now unbeaten in nine (3-0-6) straight games. The young Lions hadn’t won at home since April 4, but this time the team was able to close it out for all three points.

Edwards made eight saves against the Fury, including the penalty when Fernando Timbo was called for a handball in the box. Replays showed the ball may have hit Timbo’s body below his arm while making a sliding block but there was no video review. The VAR for last night’s game? Christina Unkel. You can’t make this stuff up.

Yotun, Higuita Fined by MLS DisCo

If you thought Kaká had any prayer of having his red card overturned, wait until you see why Yoshimar Yotun was fined. He and Cristian Higuita were both fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for violating the league’s policy against hands to the face, head, or neck area. Cristian’s was a little more forceful even though it looks unintentional, as he was playing peace maker between Richie Laryea and Sacha Kljestan. Maybe at some point there will be a reasonable explanation about why these are worthy of fines but Kaká’s was a sending off and subsequent suspension. I won’t hold my breath.

Orlando City Fifth Most Valuable MLS Club

Forbes has come out with its annual list of MLS club values and once again Orlando City has been listed at No. 5. According to Forbes, the Lions have jumped in value from $240 million in 2016 to $272 million in 2017. The same four teams are ahead of Orlando this year as last, but they’ve moved around some. The LA Galaxy have leapfrogged Seattle Sounders for the top spot, worth an estimated $315 million. Toronto FC has jumped over New York City FC for the third spot.

Yotun Among New MLS Signings to Make Quick Impact

When he wasn’t brutally placing his hand on the back of an opponent’s neck (I’m honestly abusing sarcasm at this point…someone stop me), Yoshi made an impact on the field. Nick Sabetti over at mlssoccer.com noticed the new Orlando City midfielder and his impact on Saturday in his list of new MLS signings who have hit the ground running.

With his quality and comfort on the ball, intelligent positioning, and defensive work rate, the Peruvian was Orlando’s best player in the team's 3-1 loss away to the New York Red Bulls, and Red Bull Arena isn’t an easy place to make a good first impression. He did, like the rest of the Lions, fizzle out a bit in the second half. He should have had a goal late in the game, but hit the crossbar instead.

John Brooks to Miss Three Months

Wolfsburg and USMNT center back John Brooks has been ruled out for three months following a torn tendon in his right thigh. Brooks sustained the injury in the first half of a 1-0 win over Eintracht Norderstedt in the first round of the DFB Cup. This is certainly going to affect Bruce Arena’s USMNT squad as it looks to qualify for the World Cup, including the Oct. 6 Hex match against Panama at Orlando City Stadium.

Free Kicks

  • Sky Blue FC coach Christy Holly has stepped down. His club lost 5-0 at Orlando Pride in his last game as manager. Sky Blue is three points out of a playoff spot with six games to play.
  • A farmer’s market is coming to Parramore, which will be on Pine St., across the street from Orlando City Stadium. The market should open in late October.
  • Among those born on this date are Davy Crockett (1786), Mae West (1893), Robert De Niro (1943), Boston drummer Sib Hashian (1949), former Formula One World Champion Nelson Piquet (1952), Dexys Midnight Runners frontman Kevin Rowland (1953), Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle (1958), novelist Jonathan Franzen (1959), Sean Penn (1960), Jon Gruden (1963), football’s Ed McCaffrey (1968), basketball’s Christian Laettner (1969), Donnie Wahlberg (1969), baseball’s Jorge Posada (1971), Thierry Henry (1977), Everton defender Phil Jagielka (1982), and San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (1986).

That’s all the time I’ve got for you on this fine Thursday morning. Enjoy the rest of your day and check back at The Mane Land throughout the day for more Orlando City news.

Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/2/25

Orlando Pride players on International duty, NWSL power rankings, USWNT friendlies, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. There is plenty of Orlando Pride news today, which is good considering we’re heading into an international break. That means we can look forward to some women’s international matches in addition to Orlando City’s next bout against the Philadelphia Union. Before we jump into today’s news, please join us in wishing Orlando City midfielder Cesar Araujo a happy 24th birthday. Let’s get to the links.

International Duty, Pride Edition

Four players from the Orlando Pride have been called up for international duty. Anna Moorhouse (England), Angelina (Brazil), Emily Sams (U.S.), and Zara Chavoshi (U.S. U-23 training camp) will all head to their respective national teams. Moorhouse’s England will compete in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, while Angelina and Sams will face off in a pair of friendlies between the USWNT and the Brazil Women’s National Team.

Pride Still on Top

It seems that there are more outlets providing NWSL power rankings every week, but as long as they keep the Pride on top, I’ll keep letting you know about it. Given that the Pride are undefeated, with the most goals scored and the best goal differential, it isn’t surprising that the club is sitting atop the official standings along with these “highly scientific” power rankings. Goal.com, Sports Illustrated, and All For IX all rank the Pride in first place just above the Kansas City Current. I suppose even power rankings are occasionally correct.

Orlando’s Various World Cup Ties

You probably know that Orlando wasn’t selected to be one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As disappointing as that was, there’s still a chance that the city, and Orlando City SC’s training grounds at Osceola Heritage Park will host team training during the event. The top notch facilities, plus the relatively close proximity to host cities Miami and Atlanta, make Orlando a good option.

On a more positive note, Orlando was chosen as a host city for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Camping World Stadium will see Club León vs. CR Flamengo, and Juventus vs. Manchester City. The Group H runner-up vs. Group G winner match and one of the quarterfinal round matches will also be in Orlando. There’s plenty to see and do in the City Beautiful, including some great soccer.

USWNT Youth Movement

Sams won’t be the only younger player in Emma Hayes’ lineup for the friendlies against Brazil. Hayes wants to deepen the player pool, which means bringing in players with an average age of just over 25 years old, and the average number of appearances is less than 35. Hayes also believes this is a chance for the younger players who appeared in the loss to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup. The first of the two matches is this Saturday at 5 p.m., with the second coming up Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Orlando City and OCB matches this weekend. Hopefully, you have two screens since the match start times overlap. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/1/25

Barbra Banda’s continued importance, Americans in midweek action, USWNT announces friendly, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Good morning everyone! It was a great weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both won, meaning that we got treated to a six-point weekend (OCB was off). As always we have plenty to talk through this morning, so let’s get into today’s links.

Barbra Banda Keeps Rolling in 2025

After a wildly successful debut season with the Orlando Pride in 2024, Barbra Banda has showed no signs of slowing down this year. A brace in the season opener meant that she picked up right where she left off last year, and the team has continued to be successful too. The Pride have made it three wins from three to start the 2025 season, and while Banda hasn’t scored since the opener, her blend of pace, power, dribbling, passing, and movement have continuously helped open things up for her teammates, and she drew a penalty that led to the Pride’s game-winning goal Saturday. She isn’t the Pride’s only offensive weapon, but the team clicks into a different gear when she’s at her best.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing in games during the working week, and there are some very important clashes on hand. Things get going later today when Antonee Robinson and Fulham visit Arsenal in Premier League play as the Cottagers are in hot pursuit of a coveted European place. Wednesday has Chris Richards, Matt Turner and Crystal Palace facing Southampton, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth take on Manchester City. Also on Wednesday, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will face Inter Milan in a Coppa Italia semifinal. Things finish up on Friday as Aidan Morris and Middlesborough travel to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.

USWNT Announces Canada Match

The United States Women’s National Team has announced another friendly taking place this summer, as the team will face Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C. The match will be the third that the USWNT will play during the window, following a pair of friendlies against Ireland in late June. The neighboring countries will meet at Audi Field with the match designated as the Allstate Continental Clasico, with this being the first time that the match will feature the USWNT. The U.S. faced Canada twice in 2024, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws and the USWNT emerging victorious in shootouts.

Concacaf Champions Cup Preview

The Concacaf Champions Cup returns this week, with the first legs of the four quarterfinal matches set to be played today and tomorrow. Things get started tonight with what should be an exciting match between Club America and Cruz Azul, with the crosstown rivals two of the winningest teams in the competition. Cruz Azul’s Angel Sepulveda leads the CCC’s golden boot race with four tallies. The late game sees the LA Galaxy taking on Tigres as the Galaxy will try to distract themselves from a difficult start to their MLS Cup title defense. Wednesday’s slate has the Vancouver Whitecaps taking on Pumas UNAM in Canada in what will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The late game will be an all-MLS affair as LAFC hosts Inter Miami in the first meeting between the two sides in CCC play.

Sporting Kansas City Fires Peter Vermes

The longest-tenured coach in Major League Soccer is out of work, as Sporting Kansas City announced the firing of Peter Vermes on Monday morning. It’s an end of an era in Kansas City, as Vermes was the head coach since 2009, back when the team was still called the Kansas City Wizards, and he had been named the club’s technical director three years earlier in 2006. He guided the team to an MLS Cup win in 2013; claimed U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015, and 2017; and helped the team be consistently competitive for a majority of his tenure. Despite all of that, SKC missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and was mired in the midst of a 13-game winless streak in all competitions that stretched back to Sept. 18 of last year. After being an assistant on Vermes’ staff, Kerry Zavagnin will take over as interim head coach.

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That’s all I have for this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/31/25

Lions and Pride win, NWSL weekend recap, FA Cup quarterfinals, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work but will attend the Chicago Cubs’ home opener at Wrigley Field later this week. Our Lions and Pride won while OCB was off this weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Beats LA Galaxy on the Road

On Saturday, Orlando City fought back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat the LA Galaxy 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy struck early in the first half to jump on top. In the second half, the Lions were awarded a penalty kick after Eduard Atuesta was taken down in the box, and Martin Ojeda buried the spot kick to tie the match at one. In the 90th minute, Luis Muriel scored the winning goal on a long-range free kick to complete the comeback. Orlando is on a three-match unbeaten streak and beat the LA Galaxy for the third consecutive time. Orlando City’s next match will be on the road Saturday against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.

Orlando Pride Defeat San Diego Wave at Home

The Orlando Pride defeated the San Diego Wave 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Inter&Co Stadium and extended their win streak to three matches to start the season. After a scoreless first half, Haley McCutcheon scored to give Orlando the lead. The Wave equalized before Marta converted a penalty kick goal to seal the win for Orlando. The Pride are off to a great start this season, outscoring their opponents 10-1, and are atop the NWSL standings ahead of the Kansas City Current on goal difference. The Pride are off this weekend due to the international break but will be on the road in their next match against the Seattle Reign on April 12.

NWSL Weekend Recap

The National Women’s Soccer League’s third week of matches is in the books. On Friday, the Houston Dash and NJ/NY Gotham FC match ended in a scoreless draw. The Washington Spirit defeated Bay FC 2-0, with Ashley Hatch scoring both goals. On Saturday, the Kansas City Current defeated the Utah Royals 3-0, while the Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage match ended in a scoreless draw. On Sunday, the Chicago Stars fell 1-0 to Racing Louisville and remain winless, while Angel City FC edged the Seattle Reign 2-1 to secure its first win of the season.

FA Cup Quarterfinals Recap

The FA Cup quarterfinals wrapped up with thrilling drama as four clubs booked a spot in the semifinals. Crystal Palace cruised to a 3-0 victory against Fulham, while Nottingham Forest edged Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw to advance. Aston Villa dominated Preston North End as Marcus Rashford scored twice to seal a 3-0 win, while Manchester City edged Bournemouth 2-1. The FA Cup semifinals are set for April 26 as Crystal Palace faces Aston Villa while Nottingham Forest will take on Manchester City.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City GM Luiz Muzzi provided some insight in an ESPN.com article on player transfers and highlighted the importance of building connections with different clubs to facilitate transfers.
  • Former Lion Benji Michel is going to play for HJK Helsinki.

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

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