Connect with us

Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/28/18

Published

8 years ago

on

Happy Saturday, folks. It’s an Orlando Pride match day, as the women in purple are set to take on the visiting Seattle Reign at Orlando City Stadium tonight at 7:30 p.m. Our Scott Carnevale will be on hand to bring you full coverage of the event. However, don’t let that stop you from going out and supporting the team in person. There is no substitute for being there and you can still read about it when you get home.

The men return to action tomorrow out in Colorado, where they’ll take on the Rapids at 4 p.m. ET. The Lions traveled on Friday and will train today, play tomorrow, then train again on Monday before returning to Central Florida.

With the preamble out of the way, let’s head into today’s top stories.

Lions Get Set for Set Pieces

Orlando City’s defense has been pretty solid over the month of April with the exception of one pesky area that includes the entire team — dead ball situations. But it’s something the club is working hard to correct (which is music to every Orlando City fan’s ears). Here’s Will Johnson on the subject:

“We’ve missed man-marks. We’ve missed zonal responsibilities. I think guys are committed. I think we’re focused on the play but at the same time, we had a guy man-marked at the end of the last game and that fell through and nobody else picked it up or recognized it quick enough to do something about it.

“It’s on all of us and it’s something that we’ve addressed a lot throughout the week. Luckily, we’re still winning games while these mistakes are happening and we’ll correct them. It’s a new group. We’ve all got to learn our responsibilities on the field and jell together and figure these things out as we go.”

Mueller Gets Love from the Dugout Video Series

We’re not the only folks who have been digging what we’re seeing from rookie Cash Mueller on the soccer pitch this season. The folks putting together the Dugout video series have added Mueller to their MLS Rising Star series. Mueller himself speaks in the piece, as well as Dom Dwyer and Sacha Kljestan, as the Wisconsin product is enjoying a great run of form early in his first season. Give it a look.

Colorado’s Martinez Presents a Familiar Face for Jason Kreis

Back in 2012, Enzo Martinez was drafted by Real Salt Lake, while Jason Kreis was at the helm. But the No. 17 SuperDraft selection didn’t see MLS action in two seasons under Kreis. The midfielder no doubt was in a frustrating situation and will want to show his old coach what he can do when the Rapids host the Lions tomorrow. It’s possible that Martinez just wasn’t ready, but after dropping down to the USL level, he played his way back into the top flight. Kreis said he was happy for the Rapids’ midfielder.

“I’m pleased for Enzo, he’s a terrific young man, and I’m also pleased for what that means for all the players that are coming up as professionals in our league,” said Kreis. “I’m also finally pleased that it shows something about the developmental process and the system that we have in place where a player can drop down to the second level for a little while and come back up.”

USWNT to Play Pair of Friendlies vs. Chile

While folks are enjoying their Labor Day weekends at the end of the summer, the United States Women’s National Team players will be hard at work. The USWNT will face Chile in a pair of friendlies on Aug. 31 and Sept. 4. The matches add to a typically busy international schedule for the U.S., which piles on games in every available window, in addition to special events such as the upcoming Tournament of Nations. But it’s pretty awesome that the USWNT continues to play different opponents. By the end of 2018, the U.S. will have played such nations as England, Germany, France, Brazil, Australia, Japan, China, Denmark, and Mexico, in addition to Chile.

Free Kicks

  • We may not have the Avengers in real life, but Orlando’s First Lady of Soccer is still out there, doing good work.

  • Speaking of comic book heroes, Dark Horse Comics has created hero personas for Portland Timbers and Thorns players. I’d love to see that for Orlando City and Pride players.
  • Where will Arsene Wenger wind up after he’s done at Arsenal? PSG and the Chinese Super League are lining up for his services, reportedly.
  • After President Trump’s tweet the other day about the World Cup bid, FIFA had the audacity to talk about ethics. Yes, that FIFA.
  • Those born on this date include the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe (1758), Oskar Schindler (of ‘list’ fame — 1908), automobile creator Ferruccio Lamborghini (1916), Saddam Hussein (1937), Ann-Margret (1941), Terry Pratchett — one of my all-time favorite writers — (1948), Jay Leno (1950), golf’s John Daly (1966), hockey’s Nicklas Lidstrom (1970), Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone (1970), Lost and Hawaii Five-0 actor Jorge Garcia (1973), Jessica Alba (1981), Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata (1988), and Blake Bortles (1992).

That’s all my time for today. Check back here later for full coverage of tonight’s Pride match.

I’ll be listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon today in honor of it reaching No. 1 on this date in 1973 — a whopping 45 years ago! The album stayed on the charts for an unbelievable 741 straight weeks. If you own it (or have Spotify), give it a spin today.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

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

on

September 11, 2026

By

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.

Free Kicks

  • 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!

Continue Reading

Lion Links

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

on

September 10, 2026

By

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!

Continue Reading

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

on

September 9, 2026

By

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.

Free Kicks

  • 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!

Continue Reading

Trending