Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/22/18

Happy Sunday, Mane Landers. We’ve got a lot on the docket today, so I say we just jump right in. You ready? Let’s do this.
Here’s your Sunday helping of Lion Links! Bon appetite.
Orlando City Done in at Columbus by Late Penalty, Rocket
The Lions fell 3-2 in Columbus after being just moments away from victory. Leading 2-1, Orlando City fell victim to a late penalty call that seemed softer than anything you’d see on a toilet paper commercial. The resulting tying goal from the spot gave the Crew a boost and Wil Trapp’s laser shot from 30 yards out in stoppage ripped out what was left of Orlando City fans’ hearts.
- Michael Citro has your match recap.
- Guilherme Torres dished out player grades and Man of the Match.
- And the view from the other side comes to us from Massive Report.
Check back later this morning for Dave Rohe’s five takeaways from the match. Spoiler: it might contain something about officiating decisions.
The Pride Draw the Reign Yet Again, 1-1
In what’s become a draw-fest over the years, the Orlando Pride and Seattle Reign played to their fifth consecutive draw in a 1-1 match at Orlando City Stadium yesterday afternoon. A few notable stars from both sides, namely the Pride’s Alex Morgan and Reign’s Megan Rapinoe, were not in attendance as they’ve been called up to the U.S. Women’s National Team to represent their country in the upcoming Tournament of Nations. Toni Pressley put the Pride ahead early in the first half, but a second-half surge from the Reign was imminent, and you could sense that a goal for the Reign would just be a matter of when, and not if. Jodie Taylor proved to be the difference maker, and it was her 70th-minute goal that stole a point for the Reign on the road. The fight for second place in the NWSL standings will come down to the wire with only a few fixtures left to play. Here’s a few words from Pressley, the only Pride player to find the back of the net on the day:
"We're a bit disappointed, but a point's a point." 🗣 @Toni_Deion #ORLvSEA | #NWSLonLIFETIME pic.twitter.com/BFLSyGrWmM
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 21, 2018
Pride Spotlight: Dani Weatherholt
I’m not sure there’s a better teammate than Dani Weatherholt. In this excellent write-up from OrlandoCitySC.com’s (and former TML writer) Meg Van Dyk, fans gain insight into not only the type of player Weatherholt is, but also the type of person she is off the field. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NWSL Draft out of Santa Clara University, Weatherholt was largely a mystery to Tom Sermanni and his staff, but they took a chance on the young midfielder anyway, and boy has it paid off. Weatherholt herself even explains how much it meant to her that the club would put their faith and valuable draft pick on her name.
“For him to believe in me before I even got here was big,” Weatherholt said. “Being a fourth-round draft pick, they never held that against me. I was able to prove myself just like everyone else and make the team.”
And Weatherholt has certainly brought much more than just talent to the pitch for the Pride. Her determination and work rate is second to none on the the squad, something she says she displays to inspire her teammates.
“I try to bring a work rate that inspires others to work harder, both on and off the pitch,” Weatherholt said. “I think that is what people respect about me and it allows me to have that connection with my teammates, to push them and encourage them.”
The Pride are lucky to have Weatherholt, and she’s proven crucial to this season’s push for a playoff appearance. She’s the ideal teammate, and all of the young men and women out there playing should take note of how she conducts herself both on and off the field. I mean, who else would stay back after playing 90 minutes for 47 additional minutes just to greet each fan individually, signing autographs and taking countless pictures in the process?
SIMA Bounced from USL PDL Playoffs
The SIMA Aguilas fell 2-1 in the Southern Conference final last night in extra time to The Villages SC. The two Central Florida clubs met and couldn’t decide the match in 90 minutes, with each side finding the net once. The Villages scored in the 105th minute through Alvaro Macias Raimundo, and held on from there to advance to the national semifinals. Leonardo Novaes scored for SIMA. Congratulations to the Buffalo. The Villages seemed pretty amped about the win.
Timothy McGlynn, goalkeeper for Southern Conference Champion @TheVillagesSC, attempted to give a post-game interview…
…and then this happened 😂😂😂#Path2Pro | #PDLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RCHCI96kOQ
— USL PDL (@USLPDL) July 22, 2018
The Pursuit of Alphonso Davies
With reports abound that Davies has been targeted by the German powerhouse Bayern Munich, speculation has been rising that the move is concrete and just a matter of time before made official. Davies was given permission from his current club, the Vancouver Whitecaps, to sit out yesterday’s match against the Seattle Sounders (and that attack sure did miss him). It’s been rumored that Bayern has offered $12 million for Davies’ services, and I think we’ll be seeing an official announcement in the coming days.
International Champions Cup Update
Bayern Munich started off on the right foot in their pursuit of the International Champions Cup by beating Paris Saint-Germain, 3-1. Despite the poor result for the Parisians, fans of the U.S. Men’s National Team are swooning over a beautiful goal from Tim Weah. Weah’s pace was on full display as a chipped through ball, won by Kevin Rimane off of an errant Bayern pass, found its way into the goal courtesy of Weah’s right boot. It was certainly an exciting moment for Weah, PSG supporters, and USMNT supporters alike, and can only serve as a springboard for Weah into more meaningful minutes. With that said, his attempted sliding celebration didn’t quite go as planned, but at least he found the humor in it:
I underestimated how dry the grass was 😭😭😭😂😂😂😂
— TIM WEAH (@TimWeah) July 21, 2018
Bayern took control of the match in the second half, and goals from Javi Martinez, Renato Sanches, and Joshua Zirkzee sealed a comfortable win. Dortmund also held off Manchester City, thanks to a goal from Mario Götze the day before. American sensation Christian Pulisic has impressed his new head coach, which isn’t the least bit surprising really. Enjoy today’s fixture, which features Dortmund and Liverpool — which is bound to have some flavor since Jürgen Klopp managed Dortmund before darting for an opportunity to manage Liverpool.
Free Kicks
- The Portland Timbers have withdrawn their protest over the allegation that Los Angeles FC had one too many international players on the match day squad following their defeat in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
- The Seattle Sounders have followed a strange trend this season with MLS clubs and recent international signings by waiving Norwegian midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who was signed on Jan. 30.
- Didier Deschamps has praised Paul Pogba following their country’s triumph at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, specifically highlighting Pogba’s maturity in dealing with the constant media pressure.
- Speaking of the World Cup, Neymar’s compatriot and teammate, Dani Alves, has come to his friend’s defense following Brazil’s crashing out of the World Cup and meteoric emergence of anti-Neymar memes, mocking the striker’s dramatics displayed in Russia. I love Neymar, but the memes and challenges that were birthed from his theatrics truly are hysterical.
- Sorry Manchester United fans that wanted a Gareth Bale transfer to come to fruition…because according to his fellow Welshman, Craig Bellamy, United couldn’t realistically afford to pay his wages: only Real Madrid can.
- Real Madrid have apparently lined up a huge bid for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
That’s all I’ve got for you today, folks. Be sure to check back in periodically to remain up to date on all things Orlando City and Orlando Pride. And before I go, I just wanted to leave you with this little nostalgic gem, with a little bit of Rex Orange County mixed in. I know, I’m a Rex fanboy. Wanna fight about it?
You’ve got a friend in me, Mane Landers. Have an excellent week, and cheers!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/25/25
Orlando City gets ready for Atlanta United, Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira promoted, NWSL MVP candidates, and more.

Happy Friday! Today starts three straight days of Orlando soccer to enjoy, so make sure to plan your weekend accordingly. It was a fairly fast week for me, and I was able to read three books somehow. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a very happy 21st birthday to Orlando City winger Nicolas Rodriguez!
Orlando City Gets Ready for Rivalry Match
The Lions are back in action Saturday night against rival Atlanta United in what should be one of the more interesting matchups of the weekend. Both teams are looking for answers on offense heading into this match, as Orlando is coming off of three straight scoreless draws and Atlanta hasn’t won since March. Taking on a rival at home could be just what’s needed for the Lions to jumpstart their attack and return to the form they had earlier this season. Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on how it’s an important game to win for Orlando, as well as how the offense needs to exercise some calmness to finish its chances.
Orlando City Promotes Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira
Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira were both promoted by Orlando City, with Moreira taking over as the club’s general manager and sporting director and Muzzi becoming senior advisor to ownership, global soccer ventures. It’s a natural step up for Moreira, who joined the club in 2018 and has helped build a competitive roster that’s made the playoffs for the past five seasons. Muzzi’s new role is a bit of a mouthful, but he’ll be taking on an advisory role focused on the growth of the club while working closely with ownership.
“I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as Orlando City Soccer Club’s EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager for seven seasons, and I am excited to continue my journey with the club in this new role,” said Luiz Muzzi. “I look forward to working alongside the Wilf family and the leadership team to help shape the future of the club and its continued success, both on and off the field, and I know Orlando City’s Soccer Operations will be in great hands under Ricardo’s leadership.”
Orlando Pride Players in the NWSL MVP Hunt
Now that we’re over a month into the NWSL season, ESPN‘s Jeff Kassouf highlighted the league’s early MVP candidates, and there are a couple of familiar faces in his rankings. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda is predictably in the mix in sixth on the list, as she has three goals and an assist to her name so far. But a surprise inclusion is midfielder Haley McCutcheon, who has impressed on both sides of the ball to earn ninth place in the rankings. While I think the MVP race will ultimately be between scorers like Banda, Temwa Chawinga, Ashley Hatch, and Debinha, it’s pretty great to see McCutcheon receive deserved praise for her performance this year.
MLS Transfer News Roundup
The transfer deadline may be over for MLS clubs, but deals that crossed the finish line are still coming in. The Columbus Crew added yet another forward by sending up to $1.2 million to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for Aliyu Ibrahim. The 23-year-old will maintain his U22 Initiative Player status in Columbus and recorded 12 goals and nine assists across 90 appearances for Houston. LAFC signed 26-year-old midfielder Ryan Raposo, who spent the past five seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps and was a free agent this year. St. Louis City also made things official with Simon Becher by making his loan move a permanent one so that he stays with the club.
Free Kicks
- Enjoy this intriguing article that shines a light on how MLS team administrators manage the chaos of the transfer window. I would devour a television series following these kinds of crises throughout the season.
- St. Petersburg is exploring demolishing Al Lang Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, to make room for an amphitheater. The proposed demolition would take place after 2028, so we’ll see if this comes to pass.
- Jamie Vardy is leaving Leicester City, ending a 13-year tenure there that will be remembered for winning the English Premier League title in 2016.
- Here’s everything you need to know before the second legs of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals on Sunday. Chelsea will take on Barcelona before Lyon and Arsenal square off, with both English clubs trailing after the first legs.
- Real Sociedad announced that Head Coach Imanol Alguacil will step down following this season. Alguacil was hired in December of 2018 and led the team to victory in the 2020 Copa del Rey.
- Manchester United will take part in the inaugural women’s seven-a-side tournament next month, joining Bayern Munich, Ajax, Benfica, and four other teams yet to be determined.
- NBA Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd has joined Everton’s ownership group. I too would be looking for anything to take my mind off of the Dallas Mavericks’ season.
- Former Pride players Sydney Leroux and Ali Riley announced a weekly podcast, with the first episode set for Monday.
That’s all I have for you this time around. Mother’s Day is less than a month away, just as a warning. If the mothers in your life like romance books and you’re looking for a gift, I can’t recommend The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center enough. Have a great Friday!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/24/25
Orlando Pride prepare for Angel City FC, MLS deadline day deals, OCB slips in power rankings, and more.

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a few days since a rough weekend for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride. Time heals all wounds, but let’s also hope it heals offenses considering both teams were shut out. Let’s go ahead and manifest some good officiating this weekend as well while we’re at it. That might be a tall order, but I’m feeling optimistic. Let’s get to the links!
Orlando Pride Prepare for Angel City FC
The Orlando Pride will look to bounce back when they welcome Angel City FC to the City Beautiful for a home game Friday night. Orlando lost its first game of the year and first home game since 2023 last week against the Washington Spirit, falling 1-0. Angel City is also coming off of its first loss of the season, falling 4-0 at home to NJ/NY Gotham FC at home. Pride defender Kerry Abello spoke on how the Pride will need to create better chances compared to last week as they prepare to right the ship with a home victory.
Orlando City B Drops a Spot in Power Rankings
Although OCB fell from third to fourth in the latest MLS NEXT Pro power rankings, the Young Lions are solidly in the top five teams in the league. OCB was on a bye last weekend, so not moving too much in the rankings can be expected. While the Young Lions fell 3-2 in their last league game against Inter Miami II, spirits are likely high with the team due to the Orlando City U-18 team’s success in the Generation Adidas Cup. Let’s hope the Young Lions can ride that momentum into Sunday night’s match with New York Red Bulls II.
MLS Deadline Day Transfer News
The MLS transfer deadline day has come and gone and there were some notable moves to catch up on. Real Salt Lake’s deal with Boavista for forward Robert Bozenik reportedly collapsed, but the club still added striker William Agada from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for $500,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money and another $350,000 in GAM if he re-signs. Inter Miami traded winger Robert Taylor to Austin FC in exchange for up to $750,000 in GAM, with only $50,000 of that being conditional. Atlanta United traded winger Xande Silva to St. Louis City SC for up to $250,000 in GAM as well.
The Houston Dynamo also have a new forward, signing Toyosi Olusanya from Scottish club St. Mirren. The New England Revolution traded Noel Buck to the San Jose Earthquakes for up to $650,000 in cold, hard cash, reuniting the 20-year-old with Bruce Arena. Frankie Amaya is back in MLS, joining LAFC on loan from Toluca. As of this writing, Minnesota United are reportedly in hot pursuit of Miami’s Julian Gressel.
Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad
The race for a place in the English Premier League is heating up in the EFL Championship and Americans are right in the thick of it. Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United have already secured promotion, along with Burnley. Forward Haji Wright has scored 12 goals for Coventry City this season, and his club currently holds the final playoff spot. Midfielder Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough are three points behind, while former Lion Daryl Dike and West Brom will need to win their remaining two matches for a shot at sneaking in.
In Italy, Christian Pulisic started in AC Milan’s 3-0 victory over rival Inter to book a spot in the Italian Cup final on May 14. Fellow American Yunus Musah was an unused substitute. Catarina Macario scored twice and Mia Fishel added a goal as well in Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Crystal Palace, helping their team get ever closer to winning its sixth straight Women’s Super League title.
Free Kicks
- German legend Thomas Muller, who is set to leave Bayern Munich this summer, reportedly rejected an offer from FC Cincinnati and Fiorentina.
- Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his volleyed strike against Atlanta. Seeing Atlanta get scored on really makes the goal that much sweeter to watch.
- Marcus Rashford is reportedly aiming to join a Champions League team after this season. The 27-year-old is on loan with Aston Villa from Manchester United and should be an interesting name to keep an eye on this summer.
- Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace kept a few champagne bottles corked, as Liverpool would have won the league title if Arsenal lost. Liverpool now just needs a point when it faces Tottenham at home on Sunday.
- Real Madrid beat Getafe 1-0, but it came at the cost of injuries to both David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga. The Spanish club may now have a crisis at left back ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
That’s it for today’s links! Make sure to stay hydrated out there as we get closer and closer to summer. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/23/25
The Orlando Pride drop, OCSC Academy awards, USMNT characters, and more.

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. This weekend we have the most convenient schedule, with the Orlando Pride playing Friday night, Orlando City on Saturday night, and Orlando City B on Sunday night. It’s nice knowing what I’ll be doing each night. Now, I just need all three teams to get back on the winning side of things. Until then, let’s get to the links.
Bad Pride, Good Pride
It might have been the dumbest way to lose a match against the Washington Spirit, but — actually nevermind, there is no “but” about it. We can, however, decide to move forward rather than dwell on it after today. Unsurprisingly, the Pride dropped in the all-knowing power rankings. All for XI only dropped the Pride one spot to No. 2 since everyone has a bad day now and again. The CBS power ranking dropped the team to No. 3. That was the “bad.” The “good” is that we can revisit the puppies that showed up at Inter&Co Stadium. The loss still hurts, but it’s hard to stay mad after looking at the puppies.
The (OCSC) Academy Awards
Assuming you read Lion Links on Monday morning (or listened to The Mane Land PawedCast this week) you know that the Orlando City SC Academy U-18 team won the Generation Adidas Cup. Now we know that three of the very young Lions — Gustavo Caraballo, Jackson Platts, and Justin Ellis — were named to the U18 Best XI. Additionally, Caraballo and Ellis earned MVP and Top Scorer awards, respectively. It was truly the bright spot of an otherwise forgettable weekend.
Pochettino Prepares
The USMNT did not do well in the Concacaf Nations League, falling to Panama and then Canada in the third place match. Now, U.S. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has to prepare the team for the Gold Cup. Pochettino said that he needs the “right characters” on the squad, whether they are the most talented or not. He also spoke of the need for the players to fight for the badge and the flag. Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena said Pochettino may not be the right man for the job because he’s not an American. The USMNT’s next matches are friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland on June 7 and June 10, respectively.
MLS Transfer News
The Columbus Crew are making moves. The club received $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot. The club then sent DeJuan Jones to the San Jose Earthquakes for $425,000 in GAM and a 2025 international roster slot. Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City acquired forward Santiago Muñoz on loan from Liga MX side Santos Laguna.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City dropped a spot to No. 12 in MLSsoccer.com’s power rankings. Three 0-0 draws in a row will do that.
- Michael Buxbaum is suing the U.S. Soccer Federation for $100 million because the USWNT didn’t try to win the SheBelieves Cup. I wasn’t happy with the result either, but this is the definition of frivolous.
- Nani and Ali Krieger are both participating in The Soccer Tournament on seven-on-seven soccer teams. The matchups for the $1 million tournament have been set.
- Speaking of Krieger, she is settling in at her new gig at ESPN as an analyst for NWSL matches and co-host of “FutbolW.”
That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the full slate of matches coming up.
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