Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Yesterday, we lost a great human being. Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80, and even though I’m not a country music fan I am still a fan of Dolly. She was a humanitarian who brought joy to many through her music, her philanthropy, and her genuine good nature. The world is a darker place without her glittering rhinestones and she will be missed by many.

I also feel that Dolly would want all of us to find our joy in life, and for me, that often involves soccer, and in particular, Orlando City and the Orlando Pride. So in Dolly’s honor, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Climbs

Orlando City has inched above the playoff line thanks to a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. The Lions have also climbed four spots to 18th in MLSsoccer.com’s MLS power rankings. Given how the season started, this is all good news. Next up for Orlando City is a trip to Minnesota. I always find it fascinating to see how the opposition looks at a matchup, and you can also check out what we expect to see on Saturday on the latest episode of The Mane Land PawedCast.

Orlando Pride News and Notes

Barbra Banda has yet to score a goal since returning from WAFCON, though she provided the assist to Haley McCutcheon in the Orlando Pride’s 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit. As such, Ashley Sanchez has taken the lead in the Golden Boot race. While there were plenty of interesting facts from NWSL Week 18, an important one for Pride fans is that Cosette Morché became the first keeper in Pride history to record a shutout in her debut. Next up for the Pride is a home match against the Utah Royals.

MLS Roundup

People in Europe are shocked by Breel Embolo’s move to Atlanta United. I assume it’s because he’s under 30 years old. The Seattle Sounders acquired striker Dejan Joveljić from Sporting Kansas City for $6 million. He will be a Designated Player. LA Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski has been fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for failing to leave the field in a timely manner. Here is the video of the incident.

USMNT Player Stock Rising/Falling

With midweek matches looming, let’s look back at how USMNT players — including Orlando City’s Justin Ellis — did both abroad and here in the States. Some players, like Zavier Gozo and Matt Freese, saw their stock rise, while others, like Tyler Adams, did not. Stu Holden shared who he thinks should be the faces of the USMNT going forward, and it’s hard for me to disagree with his assessment.

Free Kicks

• The Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire opened the first joint women’s sports complex. The training facility will have two soccer pitches and two full-sized basketball courts along with other amenities.
• The Chicago (Red) Stars will play their 2027 home schedule at Northwestern’s Martin Stadium.

• Austin FC named Khaled El-Ahmad the club’s new chief soccer officer & sporting director. He recently held a similar position with Minnesota United.
• Finally, proof that Mason Stadjuhar is Forever a Lion. Well done, StadjuHeart. You make us proud.

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

Good morning, everyone. It was an improved, but not perfect weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams, as the three sides combined to take six of the nine points on offer. The midweek games have finally ceased for the time being, but Orlando City and the Orlando Pride will both be back in action on Saturday, while Orlando City B will try to get things back on track on Sunday. We’ve got a whole host of things to cover this morning, so let’s get into the links. But before we do, we want to give a big shout out and thank you to Barry, our latest TAM-level subscriber at The Mane Land’s subscription service at Buy Me a Coffee. If you’d like to check out what’s on offer to see if it’s for you, click here (you can also just make a donation if you want to support us and subscribing isn’t for you).

Antoine Griezmann Named MLS Player of the Matchday

Designated Player Antoine Griezmann played a starring role in Orlando City’s win over Real Salt Lake, as the Frenchman bagged a second-half brace to complete the Lions’ comeback and secure a vital three points. He’s been rewarded for his efforts with not just a starting spot in the MLS Team of the Matchday, but with his first MLS Player of the Matchday nod as well. Griezmann’s double makes it three goals and two assists in six league games since joining the team following the World Cup break, and while the team’s form hasn’t been flawless, it certainly looks a lot better with him in the fold. Here’s hoping his good form continues!

Pride Players Up for Weekly Honors

Sticking with the topic of weekly awards, Barbra Banda has been nominated for the NWSL Assist of the Week. The striker is most known for her prolific goal scoring, but she turned provider in the Orlando Pride’s 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit. Banda drove at the defense in the opening moments of the game before playing a beautiful ball across the face of the box, where it found an onrushing Haley McCutcheon, who put her effort into the back of the net. It was a great all-around effort from Banda, as she made a tackle and won the ball on the halfway line before leading the break up the field and playing the key pass.

Speaking of McCutcheon, the Pride’s goal scorer has been nominated for the NWSL Player of the Week. McCutcheon took her goal well, and had a chance to tack on a late insurance goal, but her effort was saved by Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. Make sure you go vote for both players to win their respective awards!

Lessons from MLS Matchday 22

Matchday 22 is in the books for Major League Soccer, and there were plenty of things to be gleaned from the weekend’s action. Griezmann did a little bit of everything for Orlando City once again, but he wasn’t the only MLS newcomer that made a difference. Josh Sargent scored his first goal for Toronto FC since May as he helped the Reds knock off Inter Miami on the road, and Jack Harrison marked his first game against former team New York City FC with a gorgeous secondary assist on the game’s opening goal. He’s got five assists in four games since joining during the summer window and so far looks like a Designated Player spot smartly used by the New England Revolution.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing matches during the working week, so make sure you get everything marked down on your calendars. Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten, and Aidan Morris get things going later today when their Middlesborough side travels to face Doncaster in the Carabao Cup. Things continue on Wednesday when Tanner Tesssmann and Lyon play Fenerbahce in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League qualifying tie, with the matchup finely balanced at 1-1 after the first leg. Thursday will see Folarin Balogun and Monaco try to hold onto a 3-2 lead over Gornik Zabrze in the second leg of UEFA Conference League qualifying, before Yunus Musah (and possibly Christian Pulisic, if he’s recovered from injury) and AC Milan face Gianluca Busio and Venezia in Serie A play.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City took a big leap in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings, as the Lions rose seven spots to no.17.
• The Orlando Pride rose two spots of their own in the same outlet’s NWSL power rankings, and now sit at no. 11, which is where they are in the league table.
• Amanda Vandervort is leaving her position as president of the USL Super League.
• Samuel Eto’o has spoken out in favor of Gianni Infantino and his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work, but I tried to watch a few soccer games over the weekend. Our Lions and Pride both won, while OCB’s winless skid continues. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Griezmann’s Late Winner Lifts Lions Past Real Salt Lake

Orlando City defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 on Saturday at Inter.co Stadium on Antoine Griezmann’s second-half brace. The Lions trailed 1-0 at halftime, but Griezmann scored twice after the break to win it for Orlando, which snapped its four-match winless streak across all competitions. That result pulled the Lions just over the playoff line, moving them up to ninth in the Eastern Conference table with 24 points. Orlando City’s next match is on the road Saturday at Minnesota United.

Pride Beat Washington Spirit on the Road

The Orlando Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 at Audi Field Sunday, snapping their three-match losing streak. Haley McCutcheon scored the lone goal early in the first half off an assist by Barbra Banda and Orlando held on for dear life for the win despite a dominating performance by the Spirit, who just couldn’t put any of their shots into the net. Pride goalkeeper Cosette Morche got the start over Anna Moorhouse and made a clutch save deep in stoppage time on Washington forward Paige Metayer’s free header to preserve the shutout. The Pride will play their next match at home against the Utah Royals on Saturday.

OCB Crushed 5-1 by Atlanta United 2

Orlando City traded first-half stoppage-time goals to enter halftime even at 1-1 on the road, but a terrible second half saw the Young Lions get blasted 5-1 by Atlanta United 2 on the road at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta, GA, on Saturday. Atlanta struck first before Issah Haruna equalized for the Young Lions just before halftime. Cameron Dunbar scored his second goal of the match for Atlanta to start the second-half onslaught, and Arif Kovac scored a second-half brace. Atlanta won its second straight, while the Young Lions have lost five straight matches. OCB will be home for its next match on Sunday, taking on Crown Legacy FC at Osceola County Stadium.

Latest MLS Transfer Roundup

Forward Breel Embolo traveled to the United States on Friday to complete his transfer to Atlanta United, and the club unveiled him to fans during Sunday’s match against Sporting Kansas City.

The San Jose Earthquakes have reportedly reached an agreement with St. Louis City to sign midfielder Eduard Lowen.

The Seattle Sounders have reportedly reached an agreement with Sporting Kansas City to acquire forward Dejan Joveljic in exchange for $6 million in cash.

Lastly, D.C. United has transferred forward Jacob Murrell to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.

UEFA and Concacaf Reportedly Discussed Combined Nations League Tournament

UEFA and Concacaf have reportedly held talks on a combined Nations League tournament that could feature all 96 European, North and Central American, and Caribbean countries, directly challenging FIFA. The planned competition would be a biennial tournament and could start as soon as 2028. The proposed format would replace, rather than add to, existing international fixtures, and games would be played in geographical blocks to reduce travel. Both confederations are still seeking FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s removal and are reportedly working together to propose an alternative candidate to stand against him in the presidential election next March.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City forward Yutaro Tsukada, who is on loan at Rhode Island FC, recorded an assist on Saturday in a 3-1 win against Monterey Bay FC.

• Former Gotham FC star Esther Gonzalez has reportedly signed with Al Qadsiah of the Saudi Women’s Premier League less than a month after she left the NWSL. Former Orlando Pride assistant coach Giles Barnes now leads Al Qadsiah as its head coach.
• FIFA has announced that three Argentina Men’s National Team players have been suspended. Midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension, defender Nahuel Molina a seven-match suspension, and Thiago Almada a one-match suspension for their roles in a scuffle after the match in the World Cup final against Spain.
• Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 to win its second consecutive German Super Cup trophy on Saturday.
• Al Hilal is reportedly in talks to sign Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli.
• Ricardo Pepi and Sergino Dest both scored for PSV Eindhoven in a 5-1 win against Groningen on Sunday.

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