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Lion Links: 11/2/18

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8 years ago

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What’s up, Mane Landers? I hope you all are ready for the first weekend of the off-season. Even though the Lions will be off the field, there is still plenty to be excited about with the MLS playoffs heating up and plenty of soccer all over the world to keep us busy until 2019. But first, let’s kick off your Friday on the right foot with some links!

New Orlando City Training Complex to Open in Kissimmee

In surprising news, Orlando City announced that a new training complex is set to open in July 2019 in Osceola County. The announcement is unexpected to say the least considering Lake Nona was the rumored home for a training complex expected to rival the ones of other clubs in MLS. Instead it seems the club will be going with renovating the Osceola Heritage Park, which served as the spring training grounds for the Houston Astros.

The approximately 20-acre area will be set up to be the exclusive training ground for both the Lions and the Orlando Pride. The complex will feature four full-size grass fields, a film room, a lounge and dining area for players, and roughly 30,000 square feet of office space for staff. You can check out some of the early renderings released by the club.

James O’Connor Determined to Disprove Doubters

James O’Connor is well aware that his 2-12-3 record as head coach for the Lions is far from the future he, the OCSC front office, players, and supporters are expecting for this club. A lot will likely change this off-season, but O’Connor will remain at the helm of a team that needs an improvement both in performance and in attitude. Some don’t think that O’Connor can complete such an overhaul in just one off-season but he’s spoken to the front office and the players who will be staying with the team and the Lions are ready to prove the doubters wrong. This is what O’Connor had to say to fans whose faith may be lacking after 2018:

“I would ask for one more opportunity, to really be given an opportunity to show you what we will be like in preseason, what we will be like at the start of next year,” O’Connor said. “I would candidly tell you, you’re probably going to miss out on a fantastic and very, very special year.”

MLS Playoff Conference Semifinals are Set

Only eight teams remain in the MLS playoffs as the knockout round finished up last night. In the earlier game, it took penalty kicks to decide a winner in a tight match between D.C. United and the Columbus Crew. After 90 minutes, the score was level at 1-1 and both teams were able to score again in extra time to push the game into penalty kicks where the Crew held on to defeat Wayne Rooney and D.C. to move on to the next round.

Meanwhile in California, Real Salt Lake stunned LAFC with a 3-2 victory on the road. Real’s Damir Kreilach stole the show with a brace and a crane kick goal that would even make the karate kid jealous.

A deflected shot from Jefferson Savarino caused an own goal and that was all the difference for Real Salt Lake to make its way to the next stage and give LAFC an early exit.

The quarterfinals of the playoffs start this Sunday when the first legs of the round begin. The Columbus Crew are set to host the Supporters’ Shield winning New York Red Bulls while New York City FC will look to maintain momentum when Atlanta United heads to Yankee Stadium.

In the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake will hope to upset the best team in the conference when Sporting Kansas City comes to town. But the most exciting series will undoubtedly be the clash of rivals as the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers face off.

USL League One Schedule Format Unveiled

The competition format for the anticipated USL League One that will feature the return of Orlando City B has been revealed. The 28-game regular season will begin on March 29 and end by Oct. 13, with the playoffs consisting of four teams and starting on Oct. 17. Each of the 10 clubs will play eight other clubs three times and will have one club they play four times. More news is sure to follow in the time between now and the season starts so keep an eye out for when the full schedule will be released and who the 10th and final founding member will be.

Carson Pickett’s Resilience Leads to Australian Success

Born with a left arm that stops at the elbow, Carson Pickett has had to work harder than most to become a defender for the Orlando Pride and Brisbane Roar. The 25-year-old credits a strong support system and a “never say never” attitude, for why she refuses to back down from challenges. So despite her position as a defender, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that when the Roar were trailing late against the Perth Glory it was Pickett who was there to level the score and get a result.

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  • Orlando City Youth Soccer released a brand new website for you to check out where you can learn more about the academy system, the Little Lions program, and even check out upcoming tournaments.
  • Both Christine Nairn and Dani Weatherholt played a full game to help the Melbourne Victory win 2-1 against Emily van Egmond and the Newcastle Jets in the W-League. Although she didn’t score or have an assist, Nairn did all the little things and led the team in touches, passes, tackles, and she created eight chances. The game also featured this incredible goal by Melina Ayres from way out.

  • Voting is open for MLS Goal of the Year and Save of the Year. Although the Lions didn’t make the cut for a top save, Scott Sutter did land on the ballot for one of the best goals of the season
  • Another young Chicago Fire defender is hanging up his cleats as 25-year-old Christian Dean announced he will be retiring after a season plagued with injuries.
  • The United States opened the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship with a dominant 7-1 win over Puerto Rico. The U.S will need to finish at the top of its group to advance to the next stage and the Young Yanks will continue their campaign tomorrow night (6 p.m. ET) against the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Usain Bolt’s trial has ended with the Central Coast Mariners in Australia and the track superstar is leaving the team.

That’s all from me, I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a relaxing weekend.

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Lion Links: 10/15/26

Orlando City concedes late in draw with Toronto FC, Justin Ellis earns praise, U.S. Soccer announces Crest Cup for women’s soccer, and more.

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3 minutes ago

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October 15, 2026

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Image of Antoine Griezmann and Justin Ellis celebrating a goal against Real Salt Lake.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How are you feeling after last night’s Orlando City game? I don’t think my thoughts have ever been as mixed, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles at times when supporting the Cardiac Cats. It could’ve gone worse though, and being able to watch Antoine Griezmann work his magic is always a treat. Today marks nine years since Kaká’s final game with Orlando City, and I’ve loved being able to see world class players like him, Griezmann, Nani, and more over the years in Orlando. Let’s get to the links.

Lions Blow Lead Late in Dramatic Draw

Orlando City went on the road to Canada and played to a 3-3 draw against Toronto FC in a rollercoaster of a match. The Lions clawed their way back to equalize twice and managed to take the lead late in the match, but couldn’t close things out despite another solid performance by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau behind a leaky defense. Make sure to check out our match recap of what was an exciting, yet frustrating, match that at least featured a couple of great Orlando goals.

Justin Ellis Earns Praise During Breakout Season

The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert ranked his top 22 MLS players under the age of 22 and Orlando City forward Justin Ellis ranked eighth on his list. The 19-year-old has 10 assists and a goal to his name this season, thriving in the attack with an intriguing combination of creativity, strength, and positioning. He’s also already scored for the United States Men’s National Team, doing so in Orlando last month against Peru. Bogert predictably has Philadelphia Union phenom Cavan Sullivan at the top of his list and Julian Hall in second. We’ll see if Ellis lands a bit higher than eighth when the annual MLS 22 Under 22 list is unveiled later this year.

U.S. Soccer Announces Crest Cup

A new club tournament is coming to women’s soccer. U.S. Soccer announced the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup for women’s soccer teams across the country to compete against each other in a single-elimination format. Official details such as when this will take place and which teams will be allowed to participate haven’t been unveiled at this point, but it does seem like it will at least include teams from both the NWSL and USL Super League. The winner of the Crest Cup will receive $1.1 million and qualify for the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Toothpaste jokes aside regarding the name, I’m excited for a tournament that puts a spotlight on more women’s soccer teams.

Takeaways From USWNT Friendlies

The United States Women’s National Team may not have beaten Spain in either of its two friendlies against the European powerhouse, but it at least finished strong by rallying to a 2-2 draw in the second meeting. Not many of the problems the USWNT faced were unexpected either. Naomi Girma’s absence was felt on defense, neither Claudia Dickey nor Phallon Tullis-Joyce emerged as the clear starter in goal, and the midfield looked suboptimal against the best team in the world. Head Coach Emma Hayes has multiple decisions to make before the Women’s World Cup next summer, with the USWNT’s next match coming on Nov. 27 against El Salvador in the Concacaf W Championship quarterfinals.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The UEFA Champions League returned this week and there were plenty of good games across Europe. In one of the bigger matchups of this round, Paris Saint-Germain went to England and beat Manchester City 4-2 to move to the top of the table. Elsewhere, Real Madrid mounted a late comeback to beat AS Roma 4-3 in Italy, Bradley Barcola scored a hat trick in Liverpool’s 6-3 win over LAK Linz, and Bodo/Glimt won 1-0 in Norway against Borussia Dortmund. The teams will play again on Tuesday and Wednesday, with PSG going up against Barcelona and Bayern Munich hosting Arsenal as two of the heavyweight showdowns.

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  • Congratulations to Orlando Pride newlyweds Rafaelle and Hailie Mace on tying the knot!

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

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Lion Links: 10/14/26

Orlando City plays Toronto FC, Orlando Pride prepare for Houston, the USWNT draws Spain, and more.

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1 day ago

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October 14, 2026

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Image of Iago passing the ball against Toronto FC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s also match day for Orlando City. As the regular season winds down, the tension ramps up. The Lions are currently above the playoff line, but it’s a precarious perch. With two matches this week, earning crucial points will be even more difficult. We will have more match prep later today, but for now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Visits Toronto FC Tonight

Orlando City travels to the Great White North tonight for a match against Eastern Conference opponent Toronto FC. Points are at a premium as both teams chase a playoff appearance. Rest assured that Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman is making sure the team is prepared and taking it one match at a time. It is a double match week so we’ll see how Perelman rotates the starting lineup.

Orlando Pride News and Notes

Yolanda Thomas is getting the Orlando Pride ready for Sunday’s road match against the Houston Dash. Of course, there are several players on international duty before then. Oihane got the start for Spain against the USWNT (see below) on Tuesday night. Barbra Banda scored a brace for Zambia in a 4-1 win over Uganda in an Olympic qualifier. Ally Lemos contributed two assists in the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team’s 5-0 dismantling of the Dominican Republic.

USWNT Comes from Behind to Draw Spain

The USWNT played its second friendly against top-ranked Spain Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Philadelphia. Much like the previous match, Spain was able to build a 2-0 lead before the end of the first half. Unlike last time, the U.S. was able to score two goals to draw Spain. Ashley Sanchez scored in the 49th minute in her first USWNT start in nearly two years, and Mallory Swanson added the second goal in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, the USWNT wasn’t able to get a third, but a 2-2 draw is still a better result than last time and coming back from two goals down made it feel more like a win in the end.

USMNT Players in Club Action

Former Orlando City defender Alex Freeman came on in the 63rd minute of Villarreal’s 3-1 victory over Napoli in the UEFA Champions League. Johnny Cardoso played all 90 minutes for Atletico Madrid in his club’s 2-0 win over Manchester United. He almost scored a goal, but it was disallowed after video review. Sergino Dest’s PSV lost 1-0 to RB Leipzig. Dest is Top 10 when it comes to Champions League appearances by U.S. players. There are a few more USMNT players making appearances in the matches today.

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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!

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Lion Links: 10/13/26

Orlando City players named to MLS Team of the Matchday, USWNT takes on Spain tonight, Americans in action this week, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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October 13, 2026

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Image of Ivan Angulo playing against D.C. United.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a bit of a pep in my step so far this week after Orlando City’s win this weekend. Hopefully, the soccer we have ahead of us tonight and Wednesday night doesn’t end up dimming that enthusiasm. Let’s go ahead and dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Lions Make MLS Team of the Matchday

Orlando City players Maxime Crepeau and Ivan Angulo were both named to the MLS Team of the Matchday, with Antoine Griezmann landing on the bench. Crepeau was immense in Orlando’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew, recording a club-record 12 saves. Angulo also excelled with a goal and an assist, with his late winner landing a spot on Sports Illustrated‘s top five goals of the week as well. Griezmann also chipped in a goal and an assist. There are a couple of familiar faces on the bench with Griezmann, with former Orlando goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. earning the honor after making nine saves for the San Jose Earthquakes and former Lion Shak Mohammed recording a goal and an assist in Nashville’s win.

USWNT Aims to Bounce Back Against Spain Tonight

After a 2-0 loss to Spain on Saturday, the United States Women’s National Team will play the top team in the world again tonight. It will be interesting to see what lineup changes Head Coach Emma Hayes makes following the loss, particularly with regard to the defense to help stop Spain’s potent attack. Spain got off to a hot start in Saturday’s match, but the team’s physicality likely won’t catch the U.S. by surprise this time around. Orlando Pride defender Oihane, who is with Spain for these friendlies, said she expects the U.S. to be more aggressive in this rematch.

Spain's Oihane Hernández on what she expects from the #USWNT in Tuesday's rematch:"I honestly expect like a really more physical game. I think they're gonna be more aggressive."(I would expect the same.)

— Jeff Kassouf (@jeffkassouf.bsky.social) 2026-10-12T15:37:35.556Z

Americans in Action Abroad This Week

The UEFA Champions League and Europa League return this week and there are many Americans to keep an eye out for across Europe. Former Lion Alex Freeman, who earned plenty of praise for his performance against Real Madrid on Saturday, could start in his first UEFA Champions League game today when Villarreal hosts Napoli. We may also see more of 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert when Borussia Dortmund plays Bodo/Glimt as he continues to impress at such a young age. Sergino Dest and Johnny Cardoso are other Americans who could play in the Champions League, while Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, and Tim Weah may suit up for Europa League play.

U.S. Soccer Announces Referee Development Program

U.S. Soccer unveiled a new program aimed at improving referee development and making the pathway for aspiring officials more consistent. Named R90+, the program will give referees access to mentors and coaches for them to improve across multiple aspects of officiating, such as game management, physical preparation, and tactical awareness. The first edition of this program will take place in the South, with 10 of the 60 officials coming from Florida. Hopefully this investment in officiating improves things for everyone involved.

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That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

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