Lion Links
Lion Links: 11/9/18
How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s another Friday and the start of what will hopefully be an amazing weekend for you. I still can’t believe November is already here and 2018 will be over before we know it at this rate. So let’s make the next month and a half or so count and spend it doing the things we love with the people we love. But before you start attacking your weekend, let’s start the day off right with some links!
Looking Back Through the Lens at 2018
It was a rough year if you were a fan of Orlando City fan, with disappointment and letdowns at practically every juncture of the season. However, club photographer Eric Thompson captured some of the more nostalgia-filled moments of this past year. Maybe they’ll help you remember some of the preseason excitement or reminiscence on what could have been in a season loaded with potential. Either way, the pictures are beautiful and definitely worth checking out.
USWNT Wins 500th Game in Friendly
Although Alex Morgan did not score in the contest as she nears her 100th goal, the USWNT made history in another way after beating Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon. The win marked the 500th in the team’s history, with Jessica McDonald scoring the lone goal in the friendly affair to have the U.S. reach the milestone. The team will look to make it 501 on Nov. 13 when it plays its final game of the year against Scotland at 2 p.m. ET.
Chioma Ubogagu Scores in English Debut
Some eyebrows were certainly raised when Orlando Pride forward Chioma Ubogagu was unexpectedly called up to the England Women’s National Team last week. However, in her first game with the Lionesses, Ubogagu scored the opening goal in what would be a 3-0 rout over Austria. Chi and the rest of England will play again this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET against Sweden.
A debut goal for @ChiAlreadyKnow! 🤩#lionesses pic.twitter.com/3Ydhd0AZFq
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 8, 2018
NWSL College Draft Day to be Held in Chicago
The date and venue of the 2019 NWSL College Draft has been revealed, with the event set to be held during the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago on Jan. 10. The draft will be made open to the media and public and will also be live streamed so keep an eye out for more details as we approach next year. In usual fashion, the Pride will have little to do on the day of the draft, with only one pick to be made in the third round and another in the fourth. Hopefully the team will have a head coach by then.
Portland Advances to Western Conference Finals
If you didn’t stay up last night to see the playoff game between the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders then you really did yourself a disservice. It was probably one of the best games I’ve ever seen. The Sounders technically won the game, 4-3, but the Timbers advanced in the penalty shootout to reach the Western Conference final.
I could talk for hours about this game filled with dramatic goals, hand balls, and the Timbers thinking they had won it after extra time and not realizing the game was going to penalties. It was wild, insane, and a game I won’t forget for a very long time.
Free Kicks
- In preparation for Orlando City B’s return in 2019, the scouting team was on the move last night to find the next great talent.
Evening of scouting for OCB! Memphis vs. SMU followed by UCF vs. UCONN in American Athletic Conference Semi-Finals. #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/evjTLDOM8n
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) November 8, 2018
- Young Lion Chris Mueller is already working towards a strong 2019 season and is training with the retired Eddie Johnson.
- James O’Connor’s former team, Louisville City FC, defeated Didier Drogba and Phoenix Rising FC, 1-0 to become USL champions for the second straight year.
- The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team overcame a slow start to score six goals in the second half in a 6-0 win against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Concacaf U-20 Championship.
- Orlando won a soccer championship…sort of. The Orlando Pirates Five won the national championship in South Africa. The team is in no way affiliated with OCSC and is not officially a part of the Orlando Pirates first team, instead they are just sponsored by them. Congratulations on the championship, Orlando. It feels nice to be able to type that out.
That’s all from me folks. I hope you all have an amazing Friday and a relaxing weekend!
Lion Links
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.
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!
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.
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.
Free Kicks
- Griezmann was noted as an MLS star who is driving their team toward success during the playoff race. The Lions have built a gap between themselves and the playoff line, but avoiding the play-in round is paramount at this point.
- Orlando City academy players Maximiliano Alvarez and Carson Starrett were both called up for the U.S. U-16 National Team’s training camp in California.
- St. Louis City won its first trophy since joining MLS by winning a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in Columbus to capture the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. St. Louis secured a spot in the next Concacaf Champions Cup and won the shootout 5-4 despite star goalkeeper Roman Burki being stretchered off during the match.
- Forge FC beat CF Montreal in penalties to win the Canadian Championship, becoming the first Canadian Premier League team to win the title.
- The Houston Dynamo signed Head Coach Ben Olsen to a contract extension through the 2027-2028 season. The Dynamo are fifth in the Western Conference and have secured a spot in the playoffs already.
- Footy Analytics Musings dove into how MLS injury designations have gotten more uncertain over the years. From analyzing the notoriously vague lower body injuries to seeing just how rarely players who are designated as questionable actually end up playing, it’s an interesting read to say the least.
- Despite a loss and draw to Spain this month, the United States Women’s National Team remained in second in the latest FIFA rankings.
- The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team beat Ireland 2-0 to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 IFCPF World Cup.
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: 10/21/26
Justin Ellis recognized, the Orlando Youth Soccer Network expands, the USMNT adds a friendly, and more.
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.
Free Kicks
- The Lions are up to 11th in the MLS power rankings following their 4-1 victory over D.C. United. Even the writer got distracted by Martin Ojeda’s amazing goal.
- Orlando City midfielder Luis Otavio is on the list to potentially be on next year’s MLS 22 Under 22. Hopefully, he plays well enough for that to come to pass.
- Pride striker Barbra Banda is on the list for the Women’s Ballon d’Or. The award ceremony takes place on Oct. 26.
- The Bundesliga has a new broadcast rights deal in the U.S. The league will try to leverage the visibility of soccer following the World Cup.
That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!
Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. New York City FC
Lion Links: 10/23/26
Orlando’s October Outburst Originated Months Ago
-
Opinion2 weeks agoOrlando City’s Final Playoff Push Filled with Challenges
-
Orlando City2 weeks agoOrlando City vs. Columbus Crew: Five Takeaways
-
Orlando City2 weeks agoOrlando City vs. Columbus Crew: Final Score 3-2 as Angulo Wins It Late for the Lions
-
Orlando City2 weeks agoOrlando City vs. Columbus Crew: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando City1 week agoOrlando City vs. Toronto FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Lion Links2 weeks agoLion Links: 10/9/26
-
Lion Links2 weeks agoLion Links: 10/13/26
-
Orlando City6 days agoOrlando City vs. D.C. United: Final Score 4-1 as Griezmann Leads Lions to Win