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Lion Links: 6/9/18

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8 years ago

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Happy match day, cheerers for the lads in purple. The Lions are out in Vancouver to take on the Whitecaps tonight (7 p.m., WRDQ TV27) and it sure would be great if they could build off of Wednesday’s win in Miami — even if the level of the opponent is not comparable. It’s also a USMNT match day, as the Stars & Stripes are in France to take on…well, France.

I don’t want to waste any of your Saturday when you’ll be watching two (or more) matches later, so let’s get to our top stories at this hour.

Camila is Back

Orlando Pride midfielder/defender Camila tore up her knee in the final regular season match of 2017, which took some of the wind out of the team’s sails in the postseason. It’s been a long road to recovery, but Camila is finally available to play in Orlando’s next game — a week from today at home against Sky Blue FC. With the Brazilian international returning, it’s a good thing that her Brazil teammate Monica has gotten her green card, so the Pride will remain compliant with NWSL rules. Camila has flourished everywhere Tom Sermanni has deployed her — on the wing in the 4-3-3, in the midfield, and at right back. Let’s hope she quickly finds her form so the Pride can get back to the playoffs.

Pulse: Two Years Later

With Pride Month upon us and the club working on charitable endeavors to assist the LBGTQ community, the Orlando Sentinel’s Kate Santich penned this look back at the tragedy and how the survivors are coping two years after that horrible day rocked our community. It’s not soccer-related, but it’s a piece well worth reading for anyone who lives here in the Central Florida area. It contextualizes what survivors of mass shootings go through and how they’re forced to relive that experience every time this happens — no matter where.

“Every time there’s a shooting, we all feel like we’re reliving everything,” said Celia Ruiz, an Orlando attorney who lost her 22-year-old brother, Juan Ramon Guerrero, in the Pulse attack. “How do you move on from something when you’re constantly being reminded of it? I can’t say there’s been a healing process when nothing has changed.”

I’m not from Orlando, having moved here in 2004, but I can tell you that I never felt more pride in any community in which I’ve lived than I did at this city’s response to that event.

U.S. U-17 Women Win Group

Reilyn Turner’s header was the difference as the U-17 USWNT defeated Canada, 1-0, to win Group B at the 2018 Concacaf Championship. The U.S. had already clinched a berth in the semifinals after beating Bermuda, but winning the group is even better. The Baby Nats finished group play 3-0 with a goal differential of +14, mostly due to the 10-1 drubbing of Bermuda. The U.S. will take on Haiti Sunday, with the winner taking on either Mexico or Canada in the final.

Former Lion Kevin Alston Signs with Orange County SC

Fullback Kevin Alston has found a new team. The former Lion has signed with Orange County SC of the USL. Alston played in 24 MLS games with Orlando City in 2016, starting 21, without registering a goal or an assist and attempting just four shots. He was loaned to OCB in 2017, where he appeared in 12 matches (11 starts). Good luck to Kevin, who was always great to talk to during his time in Orlando.

Orlando SeaWolves Goalkeeper Called Up by Brazil

They have yet to play as a team, but Orlando SeaWolves goalkeeper Rainer Hauss has been called up to the Brazilian National Minifootball Team. Hauss joined Brazil for the Pan American Memorial Minifootball Cup, which is being held in Guatemala. Nine countries are competing to try to reach the 2019 World Minifootball Federation World Cup.

“It’s a great honor to represent my home country of Brazil,” said Hauss, “and it will also be the first time I can say I am there representing the Orlando SeaWolves as well, so I’m very excited.”

The tournament will be televised on Eleven Sports (channel 623 on DirecTV).

Free Kicks

  • If you like soccer and you enjoy traveling, here’s The Travel Channel’s list of 10 great American soccer bars — including our very own Lion’s Pride here in Orlando.
  • If you like podcasts, I jumped on with From the Backline this week to talk about Orlando City at Vancouver Whitecaps. They also got an interview with Caps midfielder Felipe.

  • Leicester City’s 32-year-old Austrian defender Christian Fuchs is interested in a move to MLS.
  • Soccer players in Georgia helped save a teammate who had a heart attack.
  • Those born on this date include guitar inventor Les Paul (1915), hoops broadcaster Dick Vitale (1939), former Deep Purple keyboard player Jon Lord (1941), former Major Leaguer Dave “The Cobra” Parker (1951), Michael J. Fox (1961), Johnny Depp (1963), Eric Wynalda (1969), former Germany striker Miroslav Klose (1978), former USWNT defender Heather Mitts (1978), Natalie Portman (1981), and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder (1984).

That’s all from me today. Enjoy your match day and check back here for full coverage of both the USMNT and Orlando City.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 8/21/26

Orlando Pride prepare for the Washington Spirit, MLS playoff changes reportedly coming, Hall of Fame finalists unveiled, and more.

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3 days ago

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August 21, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! It’s been a bit of a rough month for all three of Orlando’s soccer teams, but hopefully they can turn things around this weekend. Things haven’t been great, but surely that just means things can only go up from here, right? Let’s get to the links!

Orlando Pride Prepare for the Washington Spirit

The Orlando Pride are on the road this weekend for a match against the Washington Spirit on Sunday. It’s been a cruel summer for the Pride, as they’ve lost four of their past five games and are currently 13th in the league standings. Despite being on a three-game winless streak, the Spirit are second in the standings and will be a tough opponent for the Pride to face on the road. Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on where the team needs to improve in order to get a result away from home against one of the league’s top teams.

Changes Reportedly Coming to MLS Playoff Format

For the umpteenth time, MLS is reportedly planning on overhauling its playoff format. The changes would go into effect when the league changes its calendar and they include allowing 20 teams to qualify for the playoffs, with the overall league standings being used to determine those top 20 teams. After a play-in round, the remaining 16 teams will play in a double elimination format that also features reseeding between rounds. If these changes do come to pass, hopefully the league decides to stick with it rather than constantly fiddling it with it.

National Soccer Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

The finalists for the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s class of 2027 were announced, with nine candidates making the list in their first year of eligibility. Former Orlando Pride player Ali Krieger is one of those nine, along with Megan Rapinoe, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore. Central Florida native Graham Zusi was also named as a finalist. The two players who receive the most votes and are on at least half the ballots will make the Hall of Fame, with a third player able to make it if they’re on 75% of ballots.

Storylines Ahead of English Premier League Season

The English Premier League season begins today with Arsenal starting its title defense at home against Coventry City. Arsenal has a talented team once again, but it will be interesting to see how much of a challenge Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City can pose with new managers at the helm. Managers seem to be a focal point this season, as other storylines include whether or not Michael Carrick and Unai Emery can keep succeeding at Manchester United and Aston Villa, respectively. I’m just hoping we have an exciting title race by the time spring rolls around.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City’s Antoine Griezmann tied with Robert Lewandowski for the second-highest rating of all MLS players in EA Sports FC 27.

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

Lion Links: 8/20/26

Orlando City defeated at home, Simone Jackson loaned to FC Rosengard, U.S. U-20 Women’s World Cup roster unveiled, and more.

Published

4 days ago

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August 20, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

I think we can confidently say Orlando City’s Wednesday night excellence has come to an end after last night’s loss. I’m not going to claim the new kits are cursed after just two games, but I’ve bought some sage just in case. Before we get to that match and more in today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman.

Orlando City Falls at Home

The Lions hosted the Chicago Fire and got burned in a 2-1 loss that included a lengthy weather delay that paused things right before halftime. The Fire struck first with an early goal, but Orlando leveled things after the lightning storm passed. However, Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty kick from a needless foul in the box for the winner, with the Lions failing to claw their way back a second time. It’s a disappointing result at home and Orlando will need to figure things out before hosting Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Simone Jackson Heads to Sweden on Loan

The Orlando Pride loaned forward Simone Jackson to FC Rosengard in Sweden through June of 2027. Jackson was signed by the Pride in 2025 after four years playing collegiately at the University of Southern California and she has since made 20 appearances for the club. Hopefully this move gives her some more minutes to develop her game abroad so that she can make an impact with the Pride when she returns next summer.

U.S. U-20 Women’s World Cup Roster Announced

United States U-20 Women’s National Team Head Coach Vicky Jepson called up 21 players for the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next month, including eight from NWSL clubs. Goalkeeper Evan O’Steen, midfielders Kennedy Fuller and Nyanya Touray, and forward Emeri Adames are a few of the U.S. players to keep an eye out for this tournament.

The team will be without notable eligible players like Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, and Jordyn Bugg though, as youth tournaments take place outside of official FIFA windows when teams are required to release players. United States Women’s National Team Head Coach Emma Hayes also spoke on the importance of tournaments like this one to develop talent while uncertainty looms over the event due to UEFA’s boycott of FIFA competitions. The U.S. is set to start its campaign on Sept. 6 against Italy.

Americans to Watch in the English Premier League

The English Premier League season kicks off this weekend and there are a number of Americans to root for across the league. Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards, and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson are all still in the league but have new managers at the helm of their respective teams. Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United avoided relegation last season and will look to build on that, while Haji Wright and Coventry City will fight to stay after earning promotion last season. Unfortunately, Wright will miss multiple weeks at the start of the season due to a quad injury.

Free Kicks

  • Alhassan Yusuf scored a hat trick in the New England Revolution’s 3-0 win over D.C. United, with Jack Harrison recording three assists.
  • Americans Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty both played every minute of Celtic’s 3-0 win over LASK in the first leg of its matchup against the Austrian club in UEFA Champions League qualifying
  • Bay FC announced that the club and midfielder Tess Boade mutually agreed to terminate her contract, which was set to end after this season. Boade had been with the club since being selected in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft and was the captain last season.
  • Aston Villa signed goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for a reported $40 million transfer fee. Suzuki played for Japan at the recent World Cup and it will be interesting to see what this move means for Emiliano Martinez’s future at the club.
  • Brighton is covering the cost of tickets for its fans who will be making the trip to the Arctic Circle for its UEFA Conference League playoff match against Tromso in Norway.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 8/19/26

Orlando City match day, Colin Guske reportedly being loaned to RSL, Banda is an MVP candidate, and more.

Published

5 days ago

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August 19, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Orlando City plays in a midweek match that thankfully isn’t a Leagues Cup match. There are those who will say they’re sad the Lions are out of Don Garber’s cash grab competition, but I’m not one of them. The U.S. Open Cup and the MLS regular season provide plenty of fixtures for now. The schedule congestion is real, as we can see this week. Let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Match Day

Orlando City hosts Robert Lewandowski and the Chicago Fire tonight in an Eastern Conference clash. Defending against Lewandowski and Philip Zinckernagel will be a tough task for the Lions’ defense. Orlando City will need its offense to keep pace with the Fire if the Lions are going to take any points from the match. It will be interesting to see both Antoine Griezmann and Lewandowski on the pitch at the same time. Here is your official match guide from the club. Our match preview will drop later this morning at 11 a.m. You can also listen to our thoughts on the match on The Mane Land PawedCast.

Go West, Young Guske

It appears that Orlando City is loaning midfielder/defender Colin Guske to Real Salt Lake, according to Tom Bogert. This is not entirely surprising given how crowded Orlando City’s defensive midfield is with Joran Gerbet and Wilder Cartagena healthy and Luis Otavio rounding into form, not to mention Eduard Atuesta and Braian Ojeda once they return. It’s a good opportunity for Guske to get some minutes, given he’s a bit down on the depth chart with the senior team — far enough down to see more minutes recently at center back with the first team than in the midfield.

MVP Candidate Banda

Despite being away for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and not scoring in her first game back, Barbra Banda maintains her slim lead in the Golden Boot competition and is still a League MVP candidate. If she hopes to win either of those accolades, she will need to resume scoring. The upcoming match against the Washington Spirit this Sunday is the perfect opportunity to extend that lead.

U.S. National Team News

USMNT defender Mark McKenzie is reportedly returning to the Philadelphia Union and will occupy a Designated Player spot. Real Salt Lake’s 19-year-old forward Zavier Gozo has been signed by Premier League club Crystal Palace. Of course, there are other USMNT players already playing in Europe, and some are making a quick return to form following the World Cup. USWNT players are also experiencing ups and downs in the NWSL.

Free Kicks

  • Former Lion Nicholas Gioacchini is headed to CE Sabadell FC of the Segunda División in Spain.

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!

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