PawedCast Episode 112: Orlando City GM Niki Budalic on the Off-Season Signings

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The first PawedCast of 2018 is here and it’s so jam packed with topics that we didn’t even have time (or remember) to wish each other — or you all — a happy new year. Seriously, it’s probably a record in length, so apologies if it takes you multiple commutes to hear it all!

Since we last released an episode of the PawedCast, Orlando City has signed seven players and re-signed one, the Pride re-signed Dani Weatherholt, the Cyle Larin transfer saga has spun horribly out of control, the preseason and regular season schedules have been released, OCB has taken a hiatus from the USL, the club moved its academy, and the SheBelieves Cup is coming. And other stuff, but those are the biggies.

We talk about all of that and still give you the bonus of our interview with Orlando City General Manager Niki Budalic just as the MLS Combine is ending and the SuperDraft is about to happen in Philly. Niki was kind enough to spend some of his valuable pre-draft time with us talking about…well, the SuperDraft, the Combine, Sacha Kljestan, Josué Colmán, Mohamed El-Munir, and more. Big thanks to Niki for returning to the show given his time constraints.

We also spoke about the NWSL, the Pride’s off-season needs — including the status of unsigned players. And we answered listener questions in our #AskTMLPC mailbag. If there’s something you want us to address on our next show, just tweet it to us @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC.

Here’s your map to the sprawl of Episode No. 112:

0:12- The Lions have put together an incredible string of business since we last talked and we address every one of them. Plus, Kaká’s retirement, and the three-ring Larin circus in Turkey.

48:08- Niki Budalic returns to the PawedCast to answer our SuperDraft, MLS Combine, and player transfer questions, including some interesting nuggets like how some green cards are coming that will free up some international slots.

1:03:45- Women’s soccer, starting with the Pride, but also touching on some amazing NWSL trades, plus the SheBelieves Cup is coming! Plus, your mailbag questions are answered! Then there’s the OCB and academy situations to discuss. My, we had a lot to cover.