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Lion Links: 7/28/18

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8 years ago

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Happy Saturday, Mane Landers. I hope you’re all enjoying your weekend. I sure am. I’m looking forward to seeing a good friend’s band play their farewell show later this evening, as their drummer is moving to Michigan. It should be a good time, or at least a much better time than having to sit through yet another frustrating Orlando City performance.

Things just keep spiraling out of control for the Lions, but I’ll continue to shout from the rooftops that there’s still plenty of time to right the ship. I mean, the ship’s taking on water too…but that’s beside the point. Let’s just remain positive, folks.

Before you jump in, we here at The Mane Land want to wish the Orlando Pride’s Ali Krieger (34) and the Lions’ Pierre Da Silva (20) a very special happy birthday!

That said, here’s your Saturday serving of Lion Links. Bon appetite.

Several Lions Facing Disciplinary Action

Following last Saturday’s dramatic (to say the least) 3-2 loss to the Columbus Crew, the MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued undisclosed fines to the Crew’s Zack Steffen, and City’s Joe Bendik and Uri Rosell for instigating and escalating a mass confrontation during the 94th minute of the Lions’ loss. Head Coach James O’Connor has been issued an official warning for the club’s violation of the League’s policy during the 2018 campaign and the club was fined for its second violation of that policy.

In addition, the same committee issued Orlando City midfielder Cristian Higuita an undisclosed fine for “simulation/embellishment” in the 64th minute of Thursday’s loss to New York City FC. There’s some controversy here, depending on which club you support, but have a gander at the video footage and decide on your own how you feel about the aforementioned disciplinary actions.

Personally? I feel the Lions have been shafted the entire season, and clearly frustrations are boiling over. Higuita clearly took contact in the box on the call in question, but I don’t think he did himself any favors by holding his face after clearly taking no contact to the face. Despite the theatrics, there was contact, and boy has the officiating in City matches been far more than inconsistent throughout the season. As for Uri and Joe, well, don’t do that guys…but I empathize. Once again: theatrics.

Pigeons’ Gaffer Not Happy After Win in Orlando

It’s a bit of salt in the wound, considering the Lions fell to the Pigeons at home, but New York City FC Head Coach Dome Torrent was not satisfied with his team’s performance following his side’s win in Orlando City Soccer Stadium. Apparently, the winning performance wasn’t even remotely close to the standard that Torrent has set for his players, and he was vastly dissatisfied with the match. It must be nice to be unhappy with your team that’s clearly in the playoff picture, a potential favorite to win the MLS Cup, that’s missing its best striker, and still take home three points from a road win. That’s not a frequency that’s been available to Orlando’s supporters — and to hear it from the rival side’s gaffer must certainly feel frustrating.

“I’m not happy tonight,” said the Spaniard postgame. “We were able to win, but I’m not happy with our performance because I can’t play that way. If you want to win MLS, even when [Orlando] play with 10 players [after Shane O’Neill’s ejection], we play bad, really bad. I say in the second half I don’t like to defend deep. I repeat a few times. But I don’t know what happened. Maybe it’s because we won 2-0 in the first half, I don’t know, but we have to improve, improve a lot. Believe me.”

USWNT Players had Concerns Over Jill Ellis Last Year

A report from Sports Illustrated has stated that players from the USWNT confronted then-federation president Sunil Gulati last year before the Tournament of Nations with concerns over Jill Ellis and the direction of the squad, fearing that complacency may have set in following the triumph during the 2015 World Cup final. The players, who haven’t been named, were apparently veterans, and were told that Ellis wouldn’t be going anywhere prior to next summer’s Women’s World Cup…in front of Ellis. It’s an interesting tidbit of news to leak out, especially during the tournament, but the players asked for changes in either Ellis’ leadership and communication methods, or for a new coach in general. Clearly, Ellis is still in charge. Hopefully things go well next summer.

Earnie Stewart Reflects

Stewart’s time as the sporting director of the Philadelphia Union will come to a close on Tuesday as he departs to become the USMNT’s new general manager. While there’s no doubt in the mind of most Union and MLS club supporters that Stewart performed admirably while with the Union, Stewart himself feels like he’s leaving behind an incomplete legacy.

“Building for the future is not something that happens in two and a half years. That takes a lot more time than it’s been,” he told the Inquirer and Daily News. “I wanted to be here for a longer time, because you can’t just build in two and a half years. You can build, but you’re not going to get the fruits from what you build.”

It’s an unfortunate truth for Stewart, but there is a silver lining for him: he might just see some familiar faces within the ranks of the USMNT in the future, perhaps even some from Philadelphia. Just recently, Derrick Jones and Auston Trusty represented the Stars and Stripes in the U-20 World Cup. Clearly, Stewart has an eye for talent and an aptitude for developing young talent.

“That means we went in the right direction,” Stewart said. “There’s a lot of talent coming behind that. Hopefully they hit some national teams and make a lot of minutes [played] within the Philadelphia Union, and ultimately win games.”

Let’s just hope his ambition and abilities translate to consistent and quality play from the USMNT moving forward. I have a good feeling, but I guess I’m playing the optimist here.

Free Kicks

  • Not only is it Ali Kreiger’s birthday, but she’s also just an excellent individual in general. I can’t wait to see her next career move, whether that be coaching, commentating, or anything else relating to the club and sport she’s dedicated her life to. Double cheers to you, Ali. We love you!

🙌

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  • Speaking of the World Cup, remember that Russian youngster that blew the minds of millions with his pacy runs, tenacious play, and eye for goal? Well, Aleksandr Golovin’s World Cup exploits have paid off, as he’s officially made the move to Ligue 1 side Monoco. Well deserved, Aleksandr. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for you next.
  • This is incredible to even think about…but the upcoming La Liga season will be the first time since the 1999-2000 season that Real Madrid will not have a Ballon d’Or winner within their ranks.

That’s just about all I’ve got for you today, folks. Remember to check back in periodically to stay up to date on all things Orlando City and Orlando Pride, and most importantly, enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

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Lion Links: 10/23/26

Orlando City prepares for New York City FC, Antoine Griezmann’s impact in Orlando, U.S. will host FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, and more.

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17 hours ago

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October 23, 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

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! It’s been a pretty nice week for me, as I was able to watch all of Slow Horses and finish reading Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, both of which were brilliant. Attention now turns to this weekend’s soccer, with both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride playing at home over the next couple of days. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for New York City FC

The Lions host New York City FC on Saturday in one of the marquee matchups in MLS as the regular season nears its conclusion. Plenty has changed since Orlando’s 5-0 loss to NYCFC on March 7. The Lions have clawed their way up the table while the Pigeons have only won once in their past 13 league games. NYCFC enters this match after a 1-1 draw with LAFC that included an equalizer by former Lion Andres Perea to give the team a valuable point amid the playoff race. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau, Luighi, and Benie Traore are all NYCFC players the Lions will need to keep in check, or else it could end up being another high-scoring affair in the City Beautiful.

Antoine Griezmann’s Impact on Orlando’s Offense

Orlando’s wait for Antoine Griezmann to join in the summer has proven to be well worth it, as he’s transformed Orlando’s attack into a force to be reckoned with just as the playoffs near. Although Griezmann wasn’t able to enjoy a fairytale ending with Atletico Madrid by lifting the Copa del Rey or Champions League trophies this year, he’s breathed life into an Orlando side that struggled mightily prior to his arrival. The 35-year-old has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in just 14 appearances this season. Not only has he excelled when it comes to getting the ball in the net, but he’s done well in terms of defensive metrics and intangibles as well.

U.S. Will Host Women’s Club World Cup

The inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be held in the U.S. in January of 2028 with the host cities still to be determined. There will be 19 clubs taking part, with Gotham, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Club America having already qualified along with three other teams so far. This tournament is sandwiched between the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, so there’s plenty of exciting women’s soccer to look forward to in the coming years.

U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Wins at World Cup

The United States U-17 Women’s National Team won 6-1 against Kenya in the group stage of the FIA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, clinching a spot in the round of 16. Maggie DiMaria scored four goals to bring her total to 10 across just two games. The U.S. will play its final group game on Sunday against China PR, which also won both of its games against Kenya and Samoa to secure a spot in the knockout stage. The winner of this group will get to avoid a match with Spain in the round of 16, so there’s still plenty to play for before the next round gets underway.

Free Kicks

  • The first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal between the United States Men’s National Team and Haiti has been moved from Kingston to Miami. Haiti has had to play games outside of the country due to unrest and submitted a request to Concacaf to play in the country of its opponent.
  • American center back Naomi Girma is now dealing with a calf injury that may sideline her for a few weeks according to Chelsea Head Coach Sonia Bompastor. She missed out on the team’s recent friendlies against Spain and may be absent for the Concacaf W Championship quarterfinal against El Salvador next month too.
  • The United States Women’s Cerebral Palsy National Team beat Ireland 15-0 to advance to the IFCPF Women’s World Cup final, which takes place today against Australia. Annie Wickett scored five goals with four other players scoring braces.
  • The San Diego Wave signed defender Mimi Van Zanten to a contract extension through the 2029 season. She’s made 27 appearances for San Diego during her rookie season, helping the club keep pace in the NWSL Shield race.
  • After being stretchered off the field due to a head injury in the U.S. Open Cup final, St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki is alert and in good spirits, according to the club.

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: 10/22/26

Martin Ojeda wins MLS Goal of the Matchday, MLS award contenders, sights and sounds from the Orlando Pride’s win, and more.

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2 days ago

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October 22, 2026

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Image of Maxime Crepeau taking a goal kick against Atlanta.
Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

How’s it going, Mane Landers? The temperatures have gotten just cool enough here in Florida as of late for me to feel like it’s truly autumn. While it would be nice if our leaves changed colors to really sell the fall feeling, a pumpkin candle and apple cider have definitely helped. Let’s get to the links!

Martin Ojeda Wins MLS Goal of the Matchday

Orlando City Designated Player Martin Ojeda predictably won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his fantastic finish in the team’s 4-1 win over D.C. United, garnering 71.7% of the vote. Ojeda’s acrobatic backheel capped off a smooth series of passes by the Lions and it will likely be in the running for MLS Goal of the Year as well. It was Ojeda’s 15th goal of the season and he has scored in five of Orlando’s past six games.

MLS Year-End Award Voting Begins

The voting for this year’s MLS Year-End Awards has opened and the finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 12. Former MLS star Bradley Wright-Phillips weighed in on who he thinks the contenders for each award are and there were a few Lions mentioned. Antoine Griezmann is in the running for Newcomer of the Year alongside Houston Dynamo attacker Guilherme, who has 16 goals and 10 assists this season. Maxime Crepeau may make the list of finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year for his incredible run of form since the World Cup, but it’s hard to see him winning it given just how many goals the Lions have conceded compared to other teams. Justin Ellis was also an honorable mention for the Young Player of the Year award for his breakout season.

Sights and Sounds From the Orlando Pride’s Victory

The Orlando Pride released a video showing the sights and sounds from their 2-1 win on the road against the Houston Dash. The video includes huddle talks from Marta and interim head coach Yolanda Thomas, as well as the goals by Luana and Solai Washington. It’s been a difficult year for the Pride and it’s nice to see some highlights as they aim to close out the season strongly after being eliminated from playoff contention.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The third round of matches in the UEFA Champions League’s league phase wrapped up and we’re getting a better sense of where the teams stand. Bayern Munich and Arsenal played to a 2-2 draw in Germany, with Declan Rice scoring a late equalizer for Arsenal. Elsewhere across Europe, Manchester United was beaten 4-1 by Como, Inter scored while down a man to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0, and Austrian club LASK won its first Champions League game by upsetting Sporting CP 3-2. Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Real Betis all won to remain perfect in the tournament as well.

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

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Lion Links: 10/21/26

Justin Ellis recognized, the Orlando Youth Soccer Network expands, the USMNT adds a friendly, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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October 21, 2026

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Image of Justin Ellis dribbling the ball trying to beat a Philadelphia Union defender.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. The weather is getting a bit nicer. I’m actually able to have the windows open at night, which is delightful. However, the temperatures are rising a bit this week, which I find sad. I know we live in Florida, but gosh darn it, we’re only 10 days from Halloween. I should be wearing sweaters rather than shorts. I appreciate you allowing me to rant, now let’s get to the links.

Justin Ellis Named No. 5 of MLS 22 Under 22

Justin Ellis was rightly named to Major League Soccer’s 2026 22 Under 22 list. The Orlando City striker came in at No. 5 on the list. It’s not surprising, given the year he’s had. He’s busted into the starting lineup for Orlando City, and he has 16 goal contributions so far. He also received his first call-up to the USMNT, scoring a goal in his first match and two goals in the four-game window. He’s joined on the list by fellow USMNT teammates Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall. This is his second accolade in the last week as he was also named 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year.

New Orlando Soccer School Announced

Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are expanding the Orlando Youth Soccer Network with the addition of the Orlando Soccer School – Winter Haven. The organization is formerly known as the Winter Haven Soccer Club. The school will provide programming for boys and girls ages 3-19. This is an example of the top-to-bottom pipeline the organization is building to develop players for both the men’s and women’s clubs.

Orlando City B Season in Review

Like the Orlando Pride, Orlando City B did not make the post season in 2026. That doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t a success in other ways. Orlando City B is a developmental squad, and the reserve side did its job in developing prospects this season. Some OCB players made it into the first team, there were a record number of academy debuts, and the team saw several international call-ups. Given how inconsistent the squad was because of all the shuffling around, it’s not surprising the team struggled on the pitch at times. Hopefully, all the younger players getting time will set the team up for success next season.

USMNT to Face Jamaica in December

The USMNT added a friendly against Jamaica on December 13 in Miami. The match takes place outside of the international window, so we can expect Mauricio Pochettino to call up MLS players whose clubs have been eliminated from the playoffs. There’s also a possibility for some European-based players, but clubs are not required to release them. Prior to that, the team will be in action in against Haiti in the two quarterfinal legs of the Concacaf Nations League.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

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