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Lion Links: 9/23/17

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9 years ago

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Happy third anniversary, Mane Landers! That’s right, your favorite Orlando City blog was first published Sept. 23, 2014! Here are the first words written by Managing Editor Michael Citro:

“This is the first in what I hope will be a long series of posts about Orlando City Soccer Club. Enjoy it at your own risk.”

Welp, after three years, 104 podcasts, numerous staffing changes, and countless articles, we’re still here doing what we love. And we still caution you to enjoy it at your own risk. On a personal note, it’s certainly been a pleasure for me to be a part of The Mane Land staff, both as a writer and now as the co-host of the podcast. Here’s to many more years to come. Let’s hit the links!

Rumor: Kaká to São Paulo FC

There’s been plenty of speculation on the part of Orlando City fans regarding Kaká’s future with Orlando City. Ricky has said he’d like to stay with the Lions, but there’s been no talk about his contract, and we’re pretty close to season’s end (when GM Niki Budalic said those talks would happen). Now we have rumors that Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side São Paulo FC may try to bring him down there to finish his career (you’ll need to translate the page). It would be a fitting bookmark for Kaká since he started his career with the club when he was 18 years old. Will he stay or will he go? We may not have to wait very long to find out.

Pride’s International Players Key to Victory at Home

Coach Tom Sermanni plans to use his international players in the upcoming match against Portland. Given that those players include Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley who play for Australia, and Monica, Camila, and Marta for Brazil, it’s no surprise he wants these players on the field. The five squared off against each other in matches down under during the international break. Today’s match could clinch a playoff spot for Orlando, and you don’t hold anything back. Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris are also back from their stint with the USWNT.

The home field advantage is one aspect that Harris expects to help the Pride in the match. The Thorns play on turf, so Orlando City Stadium’s natural grass is different than they are used to. Not to mention that the Pride have been on a bit of a goal scoring bonanza recently. Harris even thinks Portland might want to be a little worried to come to Orlando at this point in the season.

Americans Clash in Borussia Battle

Christian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund take on Fabian Johnson and Borussia Mönchengladbach today in a Bundesliga match at 12:30 p.m. ET on FS2. Pulisic scored his second goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Hamburg. Pulisic and Johnson are not the only USMNT players suiting up this weekend. The action continues Sunday when Bobby Wood of the aforementioned Hamburg looks to get back on the winning side against Bayer Leverkusen at 12 p.m. ET on FS2. Meanwhile, DeAndre Yedlin looks for a second straight start for Newcastle United when they take on Brighton at 11 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Telemundo. There are also plenty of U.S. players in MLS this weekend, including our very own Dom Dwyer on Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1 and FOX Deportes.

Gulati Facing Challengers

Sunil Gulati has been the President of the United States Soccer Federation for 11 years. That may not be the case after the next election in February, since he will have at least two contenders for the position. Boston attorney Steve Gans and former indoor soccer team owner Paul Lapointe have both thrown their hat into the ring. Others considering entering the race include U.S. Soccer board member John Motta and, perhaps most interestingly, Eric Wynalda. Wynalda is a Hall of Fame member with over 100 caps for the USMNT. He scored the first goal in MLS history, and spent time in the Bundesliga. If fans had a vote, he might be a shoo-in.

Hope Solo and USSF Reach a Settlement

Remember Hope Solo? She is the oft controversial but skilled goalkeeper that played for the USWNT. After a match against Sweden in August 2016, Solo called the opposing team “a bunch of cowards” for their defensive tactics in the game the U.S. lost on penalty kicks. She was then suspended by the U.S. Soccer Federation, and her contract terminated. Details of the settlement have not been made public, however, her contract has not been reinstated and she is not eligible for selection. Solo has been rehabbing after shoulder surgery, and intends to play professional soccer again.

Former Orlando City Draft Pick Seeks Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

Former Orlando City SuperDraft pick Sidney Rivera — now playing for the NASL’s Puerto Rico FC — is raising money for Puerto Rico following the hurricanes (Irma and Maria). Rivera was Orlando City’s fourth-round pick (63rd overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He didn’t play for Orlando City, seeing action in a few games with then-USL affiliate Louisville City in 2015. Rivera has built a home for himself with Puerto Rico FC over the last year and a half and has felt the shocking devastation to that island U.S. territory first-hand. He’s looking to raise $7,207 ($1 for every one of his followers on various social media outlets) and is already over $1,000 raised. If you’re able to give, please consider helping Rivera out with this worthy cause and assisting a former Lion (sort of) in reaching his goal.

Free Kicks

  • We lost one of our own during Hurricane Irma. Season ticket holder Brian Buwalda will be honored during next Wednesday’s match.

  • Here are some MLS playoff scenarios for some of the teams that are not Orlando City, evidently.
  • Evidently the match between Atlanta United FC and Orlando City garnered the lowest number of eyes for Univision in the matches they have aired so far. Regardless it was still the highest MLS match aired from Sept. 11-17, 2017.
  • Manchester United is the richest soccer club in the world. It turns out that they made $789 million during the 2017 financial year. That’s a lot of money. That’s what makes them the Yankees of soccer.
  • It turns out that the LA Galaxy are out of the playoffs after a very bad year. It also turns out that Giovani Dos Santos is a little bit frustrated that his teammates don’t seem to recognize the runs he has been making when trying to score. Saucy!

Whew! I’m not used to having this much stuff to write about during Lion Links, but it sure has been fun. I’ll see everyone on Monday’s Links! Go City! Go Pride! Go OCB!

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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.

Published

2 days 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.

Free Kicks

  • 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

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.

Published

3 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.

Free Kicks

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.

Published

4 days ago

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October 21, 2026

By

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.

Free Kicks

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

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