It’s Thursday, which means we’re celebrating an Orlando City victory. The Lions have been midweek monsters this season and it’s been a nice boost of energy to get through the week. If any of you are performing some sort of ritual on Wednesday nights, please keep it up. Let’s get to the big win and more in today’s links!

Orlando City Beats Monterrey in Leagues Cup

After a lengthy weather delay, Orlando City beat Monterrey 2-1 at home in its first match of this year’s Leagues Cup. The video review system was put through its paces in this match, overturning a Monterrey goal, a Monterrey red card, and a penalty on Orlando’s Robin Jansson in separate instances. Be sure to check out our recap of the win, which included a nice performance from Tyrese Spicer as a starter and the return of Daryl Dike off the bench. The Lions will be back in action on Saturday against Club Leon before wrapping up this phase of the tournament on Wednesday against San Luis.

Marco Pasalic Reportedly Staying in Orlando

There’s been buzz this summer regarding Marco Pasalic being transferred form Orlando City to Hull City, but the move is reportedly not going to happen according to Croatian sports newspaper Sportske Novosti.

Pasalic had 12 goals and five assists in his first MLS season last year after joining Orlando from HNK Rijeka. While the 25-year-old hasn’t quite had the same impact so far this season, he did play for Croatia in this summer’s World Cup and could benefit from the addition of Antoine Griezmann to the offense. Pasalic came off the bench for a late cameo on Wednesday to help see out the win over Monterrey.

Zambia Eliminated From WAFCON Despite Win

Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda scored in Zambia’s 2-1 win against Malawi in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, but it wasn’t enough for Zambia to avoid elimination. Zambia, Malawi, and Nigeria all finished with six points in the group stage, but Zambia was ousted due to the third tiebreaker of goals scored in matches between the three. It’s a rough way to go out for Zambia, which finished with the best overall goal differential in the group. As a result, Zambia will not take part in the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Banda finished the tournament with five goals and will return to a Pride team in desperate need of help on offense.

U.S. Qualifies for 2027 U-20 Men’s World Cup

The United States U-19 Men’s National Team beat Guatemala 3-1 to advance to the semifinals of the Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship, qualifying for the 2027 U-20 World Cup and 2027 Pan American Games in the process. Guatemala struck first, but the U.S. found an equalizer right before halftime and went on to win the game with a pair of goals in the second half. Orlando City midfielder Colin Guske was a starter in the match as well. The U.S. will take on Costa Rica in the semifinals Friday at the Azteca.

FIFA Backs Gianni Infantino as Pressure Rises

As the soccer world reacts to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s failed scheme to sell stakes in the World Cup, FIFA reaffirmed its support for him at a crisis meeting in Morocco over his presidency. There have been many calls for reform due to Infantino’s actions, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stating he does not have confidence in him and Portuguese legend Luis Figo calling for him to step down. FIFA also denied a report that Infantino offered Morocco hosting for the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for support.

Free Kicks

• Former Lion Nico Lodeiro announced his retirement from professional soccer and Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira wished him the best with one of his highlights as a Lion.

• The Columbus Crew added Chilean forward Gonzalo Tapia on loan from Sao Paulo through the 2027 MLS sprint season.
• Eva Olid was announced as the next head coach of Manchester United’s women’s soccer team, replacing former Pride head coach Marc Skinner. She has spent the past five years with Hearts and won the Scottish Women’s Premier League title last season.
• Wrexham signed midfielder Ben Whiteman, who has 200 EFL Championship appearances under his belt and was Preston North End’s captain.
• Mo Salah arrived in Istanbul as it appears he will sign with Trabzonspor after nine seasons with Liverpool. Does this make the Turkish Super Lig a retirement league or does that label only apply when it’s about MLS?

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! It’s Leagues Cup match day for Orlando City. Are you excited? Me neither, but it is a chance to watch the team we support, so that’s at least something. I prefer the U.S. Open Cup, but here we are. On a more positive note, Ted Lasso returns tonight, so we have that going for us. For now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Begins Leagues Cup

Orlando City opens the Leagues Cup campaign against CF Monterrey at Inter.co Stadium this evening. The Lions will likely still be without Martin Ojeda, and we’re yet to see Daryl Dike take the pitch. Orlando will need to deal with former MLS stars Hugo Cuypers and Diego Rossi. I had really hoped the Lions had seen the last of those two. It will be interesting to see how Orlando City approaches the match.

Orlando Pride Sign Nunes

If you listen to the latest episode of SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride Pawedcast later today you’ll hear us talk about how Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Orlando Pride General Manager Caitlin Carducci has barely done anything — at least that we have seen. That changed Tuesday when the Pride signed Brazilian forward Gabi Nunes through the end of the 2026 season. It’s no secret the team needs help in the attack, and Nunes is an experienced striker. Hopefully she gets up to speed quickly as the Pride’s playoff hopes are all but gone.

USMNT Returning to Orlando

Inter.co Stadium will host a friendly between the USMNT and Peru on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 4:30 p.m. The match is the first of four starting off the 2030 World Cup cycle. Mauricio Pochettino is still in charge of the program. We might see Wilder Cartagena play, along with plenty of former Lions, like Alex Freeman for the U.S. and Pedro Gallese for Peru. Typically, the USMNT has done well when playing in Orlando. It will be interesting to see which players are called up by Pochettino.

NWSL News

You are welcome to go back and relive last week’s NWSL stories, but I don’t recommend it. Looking forward, the NWSL will start early next season to accommodate the World Cup. USWNT defender Jenna Nighswonger is on her way back to the NWSL to play for Bay FC. The Portland Thorns are signing Tobin Heath to a one-day contract to officially retire with the club.

Free Kicks

• What might Larry Berg do to improve MLS when he takes over as commissioner next year? Can he keep the growth trajectory of Don Garber’s tenure? Berg provided some insights in his first MLS press conference.
• The MLS Disciplinary Committee issued several rulings Tuesday, including fining Atlanta United defender Tomas Jacob for simulation/embellishment.
• Crystal Palace may add Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake.

• Orlando City isn’t the only team playing in Leagues Cup. Here is the full schedule.
• Two FIFA executives are breaking rank from Gianni Infantino following his thankfully failed plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup. Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and secretary general Mattias Grafström are making the right decision. Hopefully, more will follow.
• Speaking of FIFA, the U.S. cities that hosted the World Cup are looking for the $1 million promised to them by the organization. I’m sure the checks are in the mail.

That will do it for today. You can follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for match updates and we will also have a recap of the match. Vamos Orlando!

Good morning, everyone. It was a decidedly horrific weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams, as all three outfits fell to defeats in their matches. Fortunately, chances for redemption are right around the corner, as Orlando City plays Leagues Cup games Wednesday and Saturday, and the Orlando Pride play Racing Louisville at home on Friday. We’ve got plenty to discuss today, so let’s get into the links.

New Contract for Mauricio Pochettino

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced on Monday that Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new contract that will see him remain as the head coach of the United States Men’s National Team through 2030. Pochettino has been in the job for a little over two years, and helped guide the USMNT to the Round of 16 at this summer’s World Cup, where the team was soundly beaten by Belgium. The Argentine oversaw the national team emergence of former Lion Alex Freeman and had the team playing attractive, attacking soccer when everything was clicking. The USMNT’s next competitive test will be the 2027 Concacaf Nations League.

MLS Chooses New Commissioner

Major League Soccer has chosen a new commissioner, with LAFC co-owner Larry Berg the man chosen to succeed Don Garber. The league held a closed-door meeting on Monday in New York, with the choice coming down to Berg and former FOX executive David Nathanson. Berg will begin his duties on Jan. 1. Garber will transition to a chairman role while Berg becomes the league’s third ever commissioner. As part of his new role, Berg will be required to divest his ownership stake in LAFC. In addition to his role at the club, the league’s next commissioner has also served as the co-chair of the MLS sporting and competition committee

Americans in Midweek Action

A number of Americans will be playing matches during the working week, so make sure you have everything noted on your calendars. Tanner Tessmann and Lyon take on Sparta Prague later today in the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifying, while Colin Guske and the U-20 USMNT face Guatemala in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf U-20 Championship. Wednesday has Yunus Musah and AC Milan (Christian Pulisic is out injured) play a friendly against Inter Milan, while Weston McKennie and Juventus do the same against Chelsea. Things wrap up on Friday as Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, and Middlesborough face Wrexham in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

With the start of most European leagues bearing down on us fast, transfer rumors continue to fly thick and fast. We begin with Atletico Madrid, as the side from the Spanish capital is said to be weighing a move for Jack Grealish, who spent last season on loan at Everton. Staying in Spain, Real Madrid is said to haveoffered Vinicius Jr. a new contract worth $25 million a year in an effort to combat interest from Arsenal and with his contract set to expire in June of 2027. Moving stateside, a club source for Inter Miami has said that the Herons have neither held talks with, nor initiated contact with Kevin de Bruyne, despite rumors indicating otherwise. Finally, Bay FC has reportedly agreed to sign United States Women’s National Team fullback Jenna Nighswonger from Arsenal.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City and the Orlando Pride have partnered with Columbia Southern University that will see the school contribute to a scholarship fund for every goal scored by the two teams during their 2026 regular seasons.
• Orlando City held fast at no. 23 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
• The Orlando Pride fell a couple spots to no. 13 in the same outlet’s NWSL power rankings.
• Cameron Carter-Vickers returned to competitive play over the weekend for the first time since rupturing his Achilles tendon in October of 2025.

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