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Lion Links: 1/5/18

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9 years ago

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It’s casual Friday here at Mane Land Towers, and as usual that means pants are optional. It also means that the weekend is upon us and even though many of us have enjoyed a couple of short work weeks, the weekend is always a welcome sight.

Hopefully you’re staying warm. We wouldn’t want you falling out of trees like the iguanas in South Florida.

While we anxiously await even more announcements from Orlando City, let’s kick back, put our feet up, and sink luxuriously into today’s links.

Budalic: More to Come

Alicia DelGallo spoke with Orlando City GM Niki Budalic and he said a lot of great things, but none greater than “There will be more announcements this week.” It’s already been a heck of a first week of 2018, with the Lions locking up Dom Dwyer for three more years and acquiring MLS assist king Sacha Kljestan. But about that more to come…

“That is the plan, yes,” Budalic said when asked if a centerback signing was coming. “We’re still looking to bringing in several players. We’re down the line with each of those positions. This window, a lot of players are in the middle of their seasons in Europe and because of that you can’t speak too soon.”

Budalic also spoke about Kljestan, not wanting to trade Tommy Redding, and a lot more, so check out the full story linked above. And you can check out how MLSsoccer.com’s Charles Boehm broke down the Kljestan deal and what it means for both teams. Boehm’s fellow MLS writer Sam Stejskal called the move the No. 4 deal of the off-season so far.

Orlando City’s 2018 Schedule Drops

The Lions’ schedule for 2018 came out yesterday and there are good and bad points to it. One of the bad things is that we’ll have to wait until 2019 to welcome LAFC to Orlando City Stadium. One of the good things about it is that City will get a bunch of home games early to try to build some momentum. Hopefully the team will be able to hold onto it this year. Other highlights:

  • Three games each against Atlanta United and New York City FC.
  • Very few midday summer games.
  • Only seven games in the heat of August and September combined, with four at home and all at night.
  • 13 nationally televised games.
  • The return of Adrian Heath in Week 2.

It’s shaping up to be an interesting and pivotal year for the Lions. I can’t wait to get this thing started.

Florida Cup to Support Hurricane Evacuees

The devastating hurricane damage in Puerto Rico has left many people without power and forced the evacuation of countless others. This year, Florida Cup is stepping up to help those who were evacuated from the island in the wake of the storm. The tournament will work with Orlando’s Hispanic Office for Local Assistance (HOLA) and the Department of Families, Parks and Recreation, and will offer more than 1,500 free tickets to Puerto Rican evacuees displaced to Central Florida, as well as children who participate in local after-school programs.

Additionally, the tournament will host evacuees at the Florida Cup Fan Fest at Universal on Jan. 13, and will collect sporting goods, coats, sweaters, quilts, and comforters at the Florida Cup All-Star Game at Montverde Academy on Jan. 9 (8 p.m., free admission). Fans are asked to bring any of the listed items for donation. Montverde Academy graduate and Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor will be on hand. The donated items will benefit CASA (Coordinadora de Apoyo, Solidaridad y Ayuda), which provides support to families still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Florida Cup and Adidas will also donate uniforms to local youth development soccer programs. It’s a lot of good deeds and everyone should come out to support the tournament in these efforts.

Will USMNT, Mexico Fight Over Jonathan Gonzalez?

Monterrey midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez, an 18-year-old dual citizen, is apparently on the radar of the Mexican National Team. and could be called in for a friendly Jan. 31 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Our friends over at Stars and Stripes FC lay it out like this:

It was widely reported that the USMNT considered Gonzalez but decided not to call him up due to Monterrey’s playoff schedule. Gonzalez said he didn’t get that call. That, coupled with the fact that the USMNT cannot cap-tie Gonzalez until possibly the 2019 Gold Cup means that every bit of news that links Jonathan Gonzalez to Mexico will only make us wonder what he will decide.

The USMNT January Camp roster will be announced on Monday at noon, so that will likely shed some light on whether Jonathan Gonzalez will remain in the United States player pool, but until then, fans just hope Mexico doesn’t beat the USMNT to the punch.

Hopefully the U.S. won’t lose a promising young player to its most bitter rival.

Free Kicks

  • One of the things lost in last weekend’s W-League action is that Orlando Pride defender Steph Catley played in her 100th league game.
  • It got so cold that Orlando City’s grounds crew covered the field at the stadium on Thursday.

  • One of Orlando City’s founding fathers, Steve Donner, has taken over as president and CEO of the ECHL’s Greenville (SC) Swamp Rabbits after the minor league hockey team was sold to a new ownership group.
  • Apparently it’s not just Orlando fans who yell “Knights!” in place of “night” during the national anthem at MLS matches (although not for the same reasons). So, congrats to those of you who do it, you’re just like Atlanta fans!
  • Details about Memphis’ USL team are expected on Monday.
  • Columbus unveiled a new black secondary kit that some Crew fans are referring to as the “funeral kit” in a bit of dark humor about the continuing dire possibility of the club moving to Austin, TX, after this season.

  • Those born on this date include TV’s Superman of the 1950’s, George Reeves (1914), Jane Wyman (1917), Robert Duvall (1931), longtime Steelers coach Chuck Noll (1932), legendary sound engineer and record producer Phil Ramone (1934) — his work on Billy Joel’s 52nd Street is top notch and won him one of his 14 Grammys — Diane Keaton (1946), The Love Boat actor Ted Lange (1948), Blondie guitarist Chris Stein (1950), Marilyn Manson (1969), Bradley Cooper (1975), and January Jones (1978).

That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Bundle up, enjoy your weekend, and check The Mane Land regularly for those additional announcements Niki Budalic mentioned.

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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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1 day 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.

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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.

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

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.

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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