Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/22/18

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! It seems that as we get closer to the start of the season, the news tidbits are picking up. Unfortunately, the Jacksonville Jaguars were not able to hold off the New England Patriots, but we still congratulate them on a great season. We were also able to get a soccer fix thanks to a USWNT friendly. Speaking of, let’s get to the Links!
USWNT Dominates Denmark
The USWNT took on Denmark in its first match of 2018. Despite Denmark getting the first goal, the U.S. stormed back quickly on goals from Alex Morgan and Julie Ertz. The two of them have seemingly picked up right where they left off in 2017. Alex has continued her scoring bonanza, and Ertz always seems to be in the right spot. Mallory Pugh was on fire all game, and only seconds into the second half she took the ball and decided she didn’t need anyone else to get the next U.S. goal, beating two defenders and the keeper. She wasn’t done as she added another in the 65th minute to get the brace. Crystal Dunn would add another goal, and the U.S. would go on to win the match 5-1.
The Circus Continues
Cyle Larin was seen in a Besiktas jersey and getting a physical. Shortly after that, it was thought that if he did sign with Besiktas, he’d immediately be loaned out. It’s been quite the circus surrounding Orlando City’s young striker, but now with the Besiktas move seemingly not a thing, the focus has shifted to Superleague team Olympiacos in Greece, although we take this source with a grain of salt. But geez, Cyle, is Orlando really that bad?
Seeing Cyle Larin trying to move to Olympiacos now. If Olympiacos pay Orlando (which it seems like they will) that wouldn't be a bad spot for him.
— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) January 21, 2018
International Lions News
As we learned from the interview from Niki Budalic on the most recent The Mane Land PawedCast, Orlando City has several international players that might be acquiring green cards soon. It would seem that one of those is Victor “PC” Giro, which would certainly help the Lions free up some international spots.
Victor PC Giro tells me he’s in the process of acquiring a green card, which will free up an international slot for Orlando City. He spent the whole offseason back home in Brazil.
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) January 21, 2018
Additionally, Orlando City’s newest defender, Mohamed El-Munir, is on his way to Orlando. Well, he’s coming eventually. International signings always take longer with all the hurdles involved, including securing visas. It might be a bit more difficult as El-Munir is from Libya, but don’t fear, Orlando City fans, he’ll get here in time.
Mohamed El-Munir has not arrived to the United States yet, told by Orlando City PR that they’re working on getting his Visa. Timeline on his arrival is unknown due to paperwork process. @ProSoccerUSAcom
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) January 21, 2018
New Lions, Winning Mindset
There are going to be a lot of new faces donning the purple this coming season. Sacha Kljestan, Mohamed El-Munir, Stéfano Pinho, Chris Mueller, Cam Lindley, Adam Grinwis, Josué Colmán, RJ Allen, and Jose Villarreal all join the Lions this season, and that might not even be all the new additions. That being said, the new guys say they are ready to bring a winning attitude to Orlando City Stadium, and hope to take the Lions to the promised land. Here’s hoping they rise to the occasion.
Free Kicks
- Despite having only one draft pick, Orlando City did well to secure Chris Mueller. How did that compare to the rest of the league and their draft picks?
- Former Orlando City Academy graduate Noah Franke was drafted by FC Dallas with the 80th pick.
With the 80th pick in the 2018 MLS #SuperDraft, FC Dallas selects @thekidfranke5 from @creightonmsoc. https://t.co/gaPqEoREf3 pic.twitter.com/LhOnh4edA9
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) January 21, 2018
- In the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, the U.S. moved on to the semifinals after defeating Jamaica, 2-1. Next, the team will face Mexico tomorrow at 3 p.m. to finish out its group play before the next round.
JAELIN HOWELL FTW! 🔥🔥
The midfielder's 89th minute strike vs. Jamaica sends the U-20 #USWNT through to the #CU20W semifinals! pic.twitter.com/MJUefqIlvw
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) January 22, 2018
- Memphis Depay puts in such a stunner that PSG’s keeper doesn’t even react. Lyon wins, 2-1.
Memphis Depay just broke PSG hearts in spectacular fashion! 😮 pic.twitter.com/GIkRNkI40c
— Goal (@goal) January 21, 2018
- USMNT midfielder Emerson Hyndman is reported to be joining Sunderland on loan from Bournemouth in the English Premier League.
- Yamil Asad probably won’t be back in Atlanta next season, given that his loan deal expired and Atlanta United FC has brought in Ezequiel Barco. That being said, there are many teams interested in acquiring Asad, including Minnesota United FC.
- It seems that Brandon Bye was so excited to be drafted by the New England Revolution, that he forgot he was drafted by the New England Revolution.
- Watford is blaming Everton for its bad run of form after the Toffees made a play for Watford skipper, Marco Silva. Watford has won only one of its last 11 matches. As such, it has decided to sack Silva since the slide coincided with the Everton overture.
Watford have sacked Marco Silva after eight months because of "An unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival…".https://t.co/qOxlL6CnFa pic.twitter.com/9xmZiTI21d
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 21, 2018
- Famous Birthdays today include Chef Guy Fieri (49), legendary Journey frontman Steve Perry (68), prolific actor John Hurt (1940-2017), actress Diane Lane (52), Irish footballer Shane Long (30), the King of Soul, Sam Cooke (1931-1964), The Exorcist actress Linda Blair (58), DJ Jazzy Jeff (52), Guns and Roses drummer Steve Adler (52), INXS lead singer Michael Hutchinson (1960-1997), and TV’s original Flash, John Wesley Shipp (62).
- Finally, congratulations to former OCSC player Harrison Heath, and former Pride player Kaylyn Kyle on their expected arrival.
❤️ Baby Heath coming June 2018 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/710CKWCx8J
— Kaylyn Kyle (@KaylynKyle) January 21, 2018
And on that happy bit of news, we wish you a great week! Keep checking in with The Mane Land for all the soccer news you can handle.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/2/25
Orlando Pride players on International duty, NWSL power rankings, USWNT friendlies, and more.

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.
Free Kicks
- The NWSL is looking to expand its media rights deals to include Sunday nights beginning next year. It’s a growth league and a growth market, and I’m all for Sunday night matches.
- Power rankings have now made their way down to MLS NEXT Pro. Spoiler alert, Orlando City B comes in at fifth. Still, it’s nice to see a little love given to the development league. Maybe I should write a power rankings for the various power rankings.
- I’m always for more soccer, and we now know the USL Women’s Super League eight-team playoff dates and format.
- I know it can be hard to feel bad for people who make quite a bit money playing soccer, but I still side with them over the billionaire owners that pay them. Or don’t pay them in the case of Sheffield Wednesday’s owner, Dejphon Chansiri.
- Barcelona is trying to bring the NFL to Spain. If successful, it might be the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes who make an appearance at Camp Nou. This will allow a bunch of Barcelona supporters the opportunity to ask if Taylor Swift will make an appearance.
- If you’re not watching the German Cup — and to be fair, I haven’t been either — you are missing some massive cupsets, including third-tier Arminia Bielefeld taking down Bundesliga champs Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 to advance to the German Cup final.
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!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/1/25
Barbra Banda’s continued importance, Americans in midweek action, USWNT announces friendly, and more.

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.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City jumped eight places to no. 11 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
- Meanwhile the Orlando Pride continue to hold sway at no. 1 in ESPN.com’s NWSL power rankings.
- Germany great Thomas Muller has reportedly received offers from MLS teams.
- Tierna Davidson will not play in the USWNT’s upcoming games against Brazil due to a knee injury, with Gisele Thompson replacing her on the roster.
That’s all I have for this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/31/25
Lions and Pride win, NWSL weekend recap, FA Cup quarterfinals, and more.

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.
- Antoine Griezmann is reportedly staying at Atletico Madrid next season despite being linked to a potential move to join LAFC in MLS.
- RB Leipzig has fired manager Marco Rose, as the club is sixth in the Bundesliga table and has appointed Zsolt Low as interim manager until the end of the season.
- David Blitzer is reportedly close to selling his majority ownership stake in the Utah Royals and Real Salt Lake after owning both clubs since 2022.
- Sports Illustrated released its list of MLS Coaches on the hot seat after poor starts, mentioning Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes, the LA Galaxy’s Greg Vanney, and the New England Revolution’s Caleb Porter.
- FIFA is reportedly considering having a one-game playoff between LAFC and Club America, with the winner replacing Club Leon in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
- That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.
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