Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/30/18

Happy double match day, everyone. Both of our purple teams are in action today with the Orlando Pride hosting the North Carolina Courage and Orlando City visiting Atlanta in what should be the final game of the second Bobby Murphy era (more on that below). Hopefully the lads can get Bobby a win before he turns over the team to the new gaffer.
Let’s get today’s party started.
James O’Connor Returns to Orlando City as Head Coach
It’s probably hard for many MLS-only Orlando City fans to fathom but it shouldn’t be a huge surprise to the original Lion faithful that James O’Connor is coming back to the team as the new head coach. O’Connor was a successful player/coach with the USL version of the Lions, helping the team win hardware under Adrian Heath. He then went off to take over Louisville City FC in 2015 and was immediately successful, leading LCFC deep into the playoffs for two seasons before finally breaking through and winning the whole damn thing last year. He also took this year’s Louisville squad into the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals. Those of us who have never stopped paying attention to the USL after the Lions made the jump have seen how well his teams have played over the years and this is not a case of the club “settling” by any means.
You don’t have to take my word for it. Here are the words of someone who played against O’Connor’s teams.
Hey Now, Yoshi’s an All-Star
Get your game on, go play, Mr. Yotún, because you’re an MLS All-Star. Yoshimar was named as a member of the 2018 MLS All-Star Team by Atlanta boss Tata Martino yesterday and he’ll get to return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Italian giant Juventus on Aug. 1. This is an excellent decision by Martino, because Yotún has had an excellent season so far for Orlando City. If not for helping his country reach the World Cup, perhaps the Lions would have grabbed a few more points over the last two months. Yoshi should be back this weekend and will hopefully be part of the starting lineup against LAFC on July 7.
Meram Given Time Off for Personal Reasons
Justin Meram’s transition from Columbus to Orlando hasn’t been as smooth as anyone would have liked. However, I really don’t get how much abuse the guy has taken. He was hired to come in and take on defenders, which he’s done. That’s who he is and what he does. It hasn’t turned into a lot of goals (just two in all competitions), but he’s among the club’s assist leaders (3) and I think he’ll get it turned around. The Lions gave Meram three days off for personal reasons, so he won’t start that turnaround tonight. I’m not reading too much into this because it’s not that uncommon for players to be given some personal time on occasion for various reasons. (Marta went to Brazil just last week, for example and Dani Weatherholt had an excused absence from the Washington game.)
Hopefully O’Connor will get Meram back to his old form, which an unfortunate number of Orlando fans have yet to see.
Ali Krieger Available vs. North Carolina
The Pride’s back line is getting a boost now that Ali Krieger is fit to play. Krieger injured her knee in Orlando’s 5-2 win at Chicago back in late May and Tom Sermanni says she’s good to go.
“She’s fit, healthy and ready to be selected,” Sermanni said after training Friday.
Camila has been on the bench for the last two matches but has yet to play. Is this the day we finally get all of the Pride’s biggest stars on the field? Maybe. The only player on the team’s injury report is Monica (hip contusion) who is listed as questionable.
Minnesota’s Collin Martin Comes Out on Pride Night
Minnesota United midfielder Collin Martin came out as an openly gay MLS player yesterday, announcing it as the Loons were preparing for their Pride Night match at home against FC Dallas (ultimately a 1-0 Dallas win). Martin is the league’s first openly gay player since Robbie Rogers, who retired after the 2017 season. He made the announcement on Twitter, saying that his friends, family, and teammates had already known.
Tonight my team, @MNUFC , is having their Pride night. It's an important night for me — I'll be announcing that I am an openly gay player in Major League Soccer. #soccerforall pic.twitter.com/cOJQXfrBiv
— Collin Martin (@martcw12) June 29, 2018
It may be 2018, but there is still a lot of hate, fear, and intolerance in our world, so I applaud Collin for having the courage to be himself and I applaud his teammates for accepting him for who he is.
Free Kicks
- Sure, this is the kind of things teams always say, but the players and coach of Atlanta United say they aren’t taking Orlando City lightly.
- Vancouver’s Cristian Techera has been suspended three games for abusive language. You may recall that the same thing happened to Pierre Da Silva for an incident in a preseason friendly.
- Seattle has signed striker Raul Ruidiaz, Yoshi’s teammate with the Peruvian national team. The new DP may be exactly what the Sounders’ anemic offense needs.
- What Wakanda’s World Cup uniforms might look like. #WakandaForever
- Those born on this date include Full Metal Jacket and (Neflix’s) Daredevil actor Vincent D’Onofrio (1959), Pendragon and Arena keyboardist Clive Nolan (1961), guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen (1963), Mike Tyson (1966), and swimming legend Michael Phelps (1985).
That’s all from me today. Keep it right here at The Mane Land for full coverage of today’s Orlando Pride and Orlando City games. Vamos!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/23/25
Tonight’s OCB match moved to Sunday, Alex Freeman makes USMNT roster, FanDuel Sports Network will stream Orlando Pride games, and more.

Happy Friday! A long weekend is ahead of us and there is plenty of Orlando soccer to enjoy as well. I’ll be celebrating my nephew’s first birthday this weekend, so it should be a nice next couple of days visiting family. Let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!
OCB Match Moved to Sunday in Kissimmee
As a heads up, Orlando City B is no longer playing today. OCB’s match against Atlanta United 2 was originally scheduled for tonight in Atlanta, but it was instead postponed to 7 p.m. Sunday and relocated to Osceola Heritage Park rather than Fifth Third Stadium in Georgia. Stadium availability was cited as the reason for the change, and the match will be played behind closed doors, although it will still be streamed live. The Young Lions are coming off of a 3-0 win over Inter Miami II and will face an Atlanta team that has drawn its last four games.
Alex Freeman Makes USMNT Training Camp Roster
Orlando City right back Alex Freeman was named to the United States Men’s National Team’s training camp roster ahead of friendlies next month against Turkey and Switzerland. The 20-year-old is one of five uncapped players on the roster and one of 16 MLS players. He’ll likely be behind Sergino Dest on the depth chart, but Joe Scally was not called up for this window. There are many notable players absent, opening the door for players like Freeman across multiple positions to stake their claim to participate in this summer’s Gold Cup and the World Cup next year.
FanDuel Sports Network Will Stream Select Pride Games
The Orlando Pride will have eight of its remaining games streamed on FanDuel Sports Network, including tonight’s road game against the Utah Royals. The regional network, which used to be called Bally Sports before rebranding, is available on various providers throughout Florida and there is an app for streaming as well. Personally, I find this as just another cog in a messy machine of NWSL coverage options, but I imagine this is handy for those out there who are already accustomed to using the network to watch other Floridian pro sports teams.
Winter Garden Lands USL League One Team
Another pro soccer team is coming to Central Florida, as the United Soccer League announced its intent to bring a USL League One team to the area. Central Florida Pro Soccer’s ownership group has plans for a development in Winter Garden that would include a 5,000-seat multi-purpose soccer stadium. The plans also include recreational fields, a hotel, parks, and a walking trail. The group will gather input from the community in the coming months to help determine the team’s colors, badge, and name.
Free Kicks
- Kansas City Current defender Alana Cook was placed on the season-ending injury list due to a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus sustained in the club’s match against the Orlando Pride.
- NJ/NY Gotham FC and Tigres will square off in the Concacaf W Champions Cup final on Saturday. The winner will earn a spot in the 2026 Women’s Champions Cup and the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup.
- Luka Modric penned a farewell to Real Madrid fans as his time with the club has come to an end. I don’t know where his next stop will be, but I sure hope it’s not with a team the Lions still have to face this year.
- Raphina signed a contract extension with Barcelona that will keep him at the club until 2028. The 28-year-old recorded 34 goals and 25 assists in 56 appearances during this breakout year with Barcelona.
- Here’s a nice breakdown of what to watch for in Saturday’s Women’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your holiday weekend!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/22/25
Orlando City ousted from U.S. Open Cup, OCB’s Justin Ellis named Player of the Matchweek, Tottenham wins Europa League, and more.

Well, that could have gone better. It’s understandable to feel a bit deflated after Wednesday night’s game, especially after so many positive Orlando City results as of late. The good news though is that we’re another day closer to a holiday weekend that should include some good times or at least rest and relaxation. Let’s dive into today’s links!
Orlando City Eliminated from U.S. Open Cup
The Lions lost 3-2 at home to Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 16, ending the team’s run in the tournament. Orlando struck first in a rollercoaster of a match, and Ramiro Enrique pulled the Lions level after they fell behind, but rookie Wyatt Meyer scored the winner for the visitors. The loss snapped Orlando’s 12-game unbeaten streak across all competitions and Orlando looked like a team that played five other matches already this month. Orlando will need to shake off this loss as it prepares to host the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
Justin Ellis Named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchweek
Orlando City B midfielder Justin Ellis was selected as MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchweek for his role in the team’s 3-0 win over Inter Miami II. Ellis, who turned 18 years old last week, assisted on both of OCB’s first two goals before scoring from the penalty spot himself. It’s been quite the year so far for Ellis, as he also scored six goals in the Generation Adidas Cup to help Orlando win the U-18 title in April. The Young Lions are back in action Friday with a road match against rival Atlanta United 2.
U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 Results
Comebacks were a theme throughout the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 16. Minnesota United took the lead, gave it up, and ultimately advanced thanks to defender Anthony Markanich scoring two late goals to beat St. Louis City 3-2 at Allianz Arena. Markanich was traded from St. Louis to Minnesota last year, adding a little salt in the wound for the visitors. D.C. United and Charlotte FC battled in a back-and-forth match that ended up with D.C. winning the penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw. The match between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas also went the distance, with the Red Bulls winning the shootout. The Philadelphia Union won 4-1 against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to eliminate the last team from outside MLS. The draw for the quarterfinals will take place this morning.
Tottenham Hotspur Wins Europa League Final
Tottenham prevailed in this year’s Europa league final, winning 1-0 against Manchester United in Spain. Brennan Johnson’s goal was enough for Tottenham to end its 17-year wait for a major trophy. It was a bit of an underwhelming finish to what was a fairly exciting knockout stage, and this was United’s only loss in this year’s tournament. Tottenham has now qualified for next season’s Champions League despite currently being 17th in the English Premier League standings.
Free Kicks
- Christian Pulisic reportedly won’t play in the Concacaf Gold Cup so that he can recover from a lengthy season with AC Milan.
- Boston’s NWSL team will play its home games next year at Gillette Stadium due to delays with construction for its eventual home, White Stadium.
- NWSL Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Julie Haddon will leave the league this summer as part of the league’s restructuring. Chief Sporting Director Tatjana Haenni will exit in October as well.
- After winning the domestic treble in his first season in charge, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has extended his contract until 2027.
- Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham will undergo shoulder surgery once the Club World Cup is over.
- London City Lionesses were fined for messaging a Southampton player through social media without Southampton’s permission back in August. London City earned promotion this past season and will be the first fully independent women’s team in the Women’s Super League.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/21/25
The U.S. Open Cup journey resumes tonight, Javier Otero signs a new contract, Pride’s Sams and Abello called up, and more.

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It is match day with Orlando City hosting Nashville SC tonight in Inter&Co Stadium. I hope you are able to make it out to support the club, since I will have to watch it on television. If you listen to The Mane Land PawedCast you know how much I want Orlando City to focus on the U.S. Open Cup — even at the expense of the Leagues Cup. For now, let’s get to the links.
Nashville is Next
As I mentioned above, the Lions take on Nashville SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match tonight. Orlando City is riding a 12-match unbeaten streak through all competitions and has scored 14 goals in the past four games going back to its 5-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Lions will look to continue their goal scoring ways to advance to the quarterfinals.
Javier Otero Has a New Contract
Orlando City signed goalkeeper Javier Otero to a new contract through the 2026 season with options for 2027 and 2028. Otero joined the Orlando City Academy in 2017, moving his way up to Orlando City B and, eventually, the first team. The signing secures Orlando City’s backup keeper for the immediate future.
Pride USWNT Call-Ups
Emily Sams and Kerry Abello were both called up to the USWNT training camp. This is Abello’s first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team. Sams and Abello make up two of Emma Hayes’ 24-player roster for the upcoming friendlies against China and Jamaica. Other notable players include Naomi Girma, Lynn Biyendolo, and Lo’eau LaBonta.
USMNT Gold Cup News
Mauricio Pochettino has yet to name the final 26-player list for the Gold Cup. He has even put out there that he may give playing time to a goalkeeper other than Matt Turner. Pochettino sees the Gold Cup as a great opportunity for the team to bond during the last competition before the World Cup. Prior to the Gold Cup, the team has friendlies with Türkiye and Switzerland.
Free Kicks
- The Kansas City Current may have defeated the Pride last match, but they paid dearly for it.
- In sad news, former Sporting Kansas City player Gadi Kinda passed away. Kinda had been dealing with “a complex medical battle.”
- In the “I’m not at all surprised” category, Lionel Messi was not fined by the league for any of his antics during or after the loss to Orlando City, including his criticism of officials, which is usually an automatic fine.
- Congratulations to former USWNT player Becky Sauerbrunn who announced she is expecting a baby in October.
That will do it for today. Check back for our pre-match and post-match coverage tonight. You can also follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for match updates. Vamos Orlando!
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