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Lion Links: 3/1/18

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9 years ago

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Good morning, Mane Landers. It’s the beginning of March and it’s a beautiful Thursday morning — in fact, it’s the last Thursday morning before the 2018 MLS season kicks off. So let’s rejoice in the fact that we have only two days left before we finally get to see Orlando City face D.C. United at Orlando City Stadium.

Before we begin the Links for today, I’d like to wish Jonathan Spector a very happy 32nd birthday and showcase one of the best goals of his career against the Montreal Impact last June:

Spector Named Lions’ Captain for 2018

Speaking of Spector, this had to be a great early birthday gift for the center back. Spector was announced as the team captain for 2018 by Orlando City early on Wednesday. Spector should serve as an amazing captain for the Lions as well as the focal point at the core of the Lions’ defense. He will also provide a much-needed veteran presence for the young players at the club such as Josué Colmán, Chris Mueller, and Victor “PC” Giro.

Spector started every one of the 25 games he played in last season, so he is definitely a reliable player that the Lions can count on game in and game out. He also spoke about being the captain of the team:

These are starting to feel like Spector Links rather than Lion Links.

Four Lions Out for Season Opener, Sané a “Maybe”

For those who were wondering what the formation may look like Saturday, these injury updates may make it a bit easier to answer that question:

Dom Dwyer was obviously not playing after suffering a quad strain. Uri Rosell is still getting back into form after a long break from playing. Colmán is still recovering from his quad contusion and Dillon Powers is also struggling with an ankle injury.

Lamine Sané is a “maybe” due to the fact that he hasn’t been with the club very long and just recently started training — or possibly because Werder Bremen hasn’t received all of the necessary documents to finalize the deal — but we are all hoping he will get a chance to play alongside Spector on Saturday.

These injuries also shed some light on the topic of who will be on the field Saturday. Mueller may very well get a chance to get some time as well as Stéfano Pinho, who will likely start in place of Dwyer. Cristian Higuita may play as well. At least Richie Laryea returned to training this week.

Pride Drop Preseason Opener

The Orlando Pride got their preseason underway last night despite missing nine regular players to international duty (more on that below). Tom Sermanni took what was left of his squad — some of which played against a hundred kids the night before — and motored up to Tallahassee to take on Florida State. The Seminoles prevailed, 3-2 on a late goal but the match was noteworthy for producing Sydney Leroux’s first goal with Orlando. It was the Pride’s first-ever preseason loss, but at one point Sermanni put seven trialists on the field at once. This was not a normal match.

USWNT Set to Begin SheBelieves Cup play vs. Germany

The U.S. Women’s National Team will begin play in the SheBelieves Cup tonight vs. Germany. The match-up will pit the top two teams in terms of the FIFA women’s world rankings. The U.S. will be led by the Orlando Pride’s own Alex Morgan, who is competing in her third SheBelieves Cup. The SheBelieves Cup hosts the U.S., Germany, France, and England, all women’s national teams in the top six of the current FIFA women’s rankings.

Look for our SheBelieves Cup preview coming this afternoon at 2 p.m. ET talking about the event itself as well as what to watch, how to watch, and everything SheBelieves Cup.

Algarve Cup Action Gets Off to a Fun Start

The Algarve Cup, a women’s tournament hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation, began play yesterday with some intense action. Here are the results of each game on day one:

  • Portugal defeated China after an 83rd-minute red card led to an 85th-minute goal from Carole Costa
  • South Korea defeated Russia 3-1, with all three goals coming in the second half.
  • Japan was thrashed by the Netherlands 6-2, giving up goals in spurts.
  • Denmark and Iceland drew in a scoreless battle.
  • Australia defeated Norway 4-3 with a 90’+5 goal from Larissa Crummer.
  • Sweden defeated Canada 3-1 in impressive fashion.

The Orlando Pride players in action at the Algarve Cup include Nádia Gomes for Portugal, Alanna Kennedy and Emily Vvn Egmond for Australia, and Shelina Zadorsky for Canada.

Gomes did not play for Portugal against China, while Kennedy and Van Egmond both started for Australia. Zadorsky came on as a late sub for Canada and, unfortunately, her turnover led to the insurance goal in the loss to Sweden.

Jose Aja Officially Joins Vancouver Whitecaps

Former Lion Jose Aja — who was recently acquired by the Vancouver Whitecaps — joined the club and spoke about the new environment:

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That’s about it, fellas.

Before I leave, I’d like to recommend some shows on Netflix for you all that could pass the time between now and Saturday’s opener:

  • Everything Sucks: A show about a freshman in the ’90s who is trying to find his place at his new school.
  • First Team: Juventus: A behind-the-scenes depiction of different storylines at the Italian superpower club Juventus.
  • Altered Carbon: A rebel brought back from the dead has a mission to fulfill in the future where the rich use the poor as pawns in their game.
  • Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee: The name speaks for itself.

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday, rest up tomorrow, and get ready for Saturday against D.C. United! That game, for all who may not know, starts at 7:30 p.m. ET at Orlando City Stadium.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/11/26

Antoine Griezmann makes Team of the Matchday, reliving the Pride’s win over Houston, academy players head to U.S. training camp, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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September 11, 2026

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Image of Antoine Griezmann watching his shot go in the net against FC Dallas in a friendly.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Today is the first of three straight days of games featuring Orlando soccer and hopefully the teams can replicate their impressive results last weekend as they push for the playoffs. Apart from working and enjoying the soccer, I plan on making some pasta by hand, so wish me luck in that endeavor. For now though, let’s get to the links!

Antoine Griezmann Makes Team of the Matchday

Orlando City star Antoine Griezmann was the only Lion to make the MLS Team of the Matchday following Orlando’s 3-2 win over Atlanta United. He scored twice and came up with a crucial goal-line clearance to lead the Lions to victory on the road. Griezmann has now scored in four straight games and already has seven goals so far this season despite only playing nine games. Hopefully he can keep finding the back of the net when Orlando hosts a Toronto FC side that has only lost once since the World Cup break.

Reliving the Pride’s Victory Over Houston

The Orlando Pride released a video of the sights and sounds from the team’s 3-1 win against the Houston Dash. It was interim head coach Yolanda Thomas’ first game at the helm and the team was able to get a win after an emotional week. From the different angles of Orlando’s goals to Thomas’ speech to the team following the win, it’s a great watch. The Pride will aim to make it another three points tonight when they play on the road against the Kansas City Current tonight.

Orlando City Academy Players Head to Camp

There are four Orlando City academy players heading to Georgia for the U.S. U-15 and U-16 boys national teams’ training camps at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center. Goalkeeper Luan Silva and defender Zorian Civil were called up for the U-16 team, while goalkeeper Mario Martinez Reyes and forward Molina Baladi will be joining the U-15 team. Hopefully they’ll all be able to impress at camp as they continue to develop for both club and country.

Uncertainty Looms Over Racing Louisville’s Future

Racing Louisville ranks near the bottom of the NWSL in both attendance and spending and there are questions circling the club regarding its investment and future in the league. Along with this, forward Emma Sears reportedly requested a trade from the club this summer and 2025 NWSL Coach of the Year Bev Yanez’s contract is set to end after this season. A sale may very well be in the club’s future, with relocation possibly on the table as well. Louisville made the playoffs for the first time last year, but the club has lost 14 games so far this season and is 13th in the league standings.

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  • The Orlando Pride moved up a spot to 11th in the CBS Sports NWSL power rankings after beating the Houston Dash.
  • American right back Sergino Dest scored the equalizer in PSV Eindhoven’s 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk.

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: 9/10/26

Orlando City beats Atlanta United, Orlando’s soccer history, U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team draws against Japan, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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September 10, 2026

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Image of Inter&Co Stadium at night.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’m feeling pretty good after Orlando City’s win on Wednesday and am hoping the good times keep rolling through this weekend’s games. After a rough August, September has thankfully been kind to Orlando’s soccer teams. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Beats Atlanta United On the Road

The Lions are coming back to Orlando with all three points after winning 3-2 against rival Atlanta United. It looked like it would be a rough night for Orlando after an early own goal, but Antoine Griezmann continues to excel in purple (or gold, as was the case on Wednesday night). Atlanta made it close in the end because of a second own goal, but Orlando ultimately secured the win to climb further up the MLS standings. The Lions will be back in action on Saturday with a home game against Toronto FC before traveling to play the Columbus Crew in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

Orlando’s History as a Soccer City

The United States Men’s National Team will play at Inter.co Stadium later this month in its first match since the World Cup. The soccer-specific stadium has been no stranger to hosting the U.S national teams since opening in 2017 and has also hosted Concacaf Gold Cup and FIFA Club World Cup games, along with the NWSL Championship and NCAA Women’s College Cup final. The City Beautiful has been a place for soccer for decades, hosting World Cup and Olympic soccer while also having club teams at various levels over the years. Orlando City lifting the U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2022 and the Orlando Pride winning the double in 2024 have helped solidify the city’s reputation as a soccer city as well.

U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team Held to Draw

The United States U-20 Women’s National Team drew 2-2 against Japan in its second game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U.S. struck first thanks to a goal from Ainsley McCammon in the first half, but Japan equalized in the 74th minute. Alex Buck restored the U.S. lead a minute later, but Japan knotted things up again and the Yanks could not find a winner despite some late chances. It’s a tough result for the U.S., which lost its first group game against Italy. It can still qualify for the knockout round, but would need some help from other results even if it wins against New Zealand on Saturday.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The UEFA Champions League’s league phase is underway this week and there still has yet to be a draw so far. VfB Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirovic was the standout performer from Wednesday’s slate of games, scoring a hat trick within a 12-minute stretch in a 3-1 win against Viking FK. Elsewhere across Europe, Arsenal edged past Napoli in a 1-0 win in Italy, Barcelona got its campaign started with a big 5-1 win against Feyenoord, and Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda remains an NWSL MVP candidate, although Ashley Sanchez is starting to run away with it with 18 goals so far this season.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/9/26

Orlando City plays Atlanta, Griezmann gets fined, Banda a Ballon d’Or contender, and more.

Published

4 days ago

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September 9, 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

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s also match day for Orlando City. The fixture congestion is back for the next couple of weeks which means plenty of opportunity to watch the Lions in action. I’m looking forward to seeing Martin Ojeda fully integrate back into the offense with Antione Griezmann. We will have more match prep later today, but for now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Heads to Atlanta

Orlando City is headed north to take on Atlanta United tonight. Both teams have been playing better of late, but this is still an opportunity for the Lions to get all three points from a rival on the road. Atlanta has struggled to score goals this season, and Orlando City’s offensive weapons are many, and the team is rising up the MLS power rankings, thanks to the win over San Diego FC. It’s a double match week, so it will be interesting to see how Atlanta rotates players based on availability.

Grizi Gets Fined

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Orlando City’s Antoine Griezmann an undisclosed amount for violating the League’s policy regarding throwing/kicking an object toward fans in the match against San Diego FC. Here is the “incident” in case you missed it during the match.

If the fine was more than a dollar, it was too much. That’s not true, a dollar is also too much.

Pride in the News

The Orlando Pride made history in the 3-1 win over the Houston Dash. The victory made Yolanda Thomas the first Black woman in a head coach’s role in NWSL history, and only the fourth female coach to win their first-ever NWSL match in charge. It also comes as no surprise that Barbra Banda is a nominee for the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

Pochettino’s Big Plans

Mauricio Pochettino wants to make the USMNT one of the “most powerful” international teams in the world. That is a pretty ambitious goal, though I like the high aspirations. Pochettino is now in charge of the procedural and developmental sides of the game. He will have some time to experiment before the next World Cup, including utilizing more MLS homegrowns.

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  • Marco Pasalic has been called up to the Croatian National Team for the UEFA Nations League matches later this month and in the first part of October. Croatia will be playing Czechia, England, and Spain.
  • Ivan Angulo will be sporting a new look at the match tonight. Hopefully it helps him score goals on his breakaway opportunities.

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

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