Lion Links
Lion Links: 12/8/18

Happy MLS Cup Final Day, everyone! Tonight the 2018 Major League Soccer season comes to a close when Portland takes on Atlanta for the trophy. Sadly, it’s also the anniversary of John Lennon’s death. I know I’ve been a big morbid in my intros this week but with Atlanta in the final can you really blame me?
There’s soccer news coming in from all corners of the globe so let’s get on it.
Pride Striker Alex Morgan is USWNT Player of the Year
After scoring 18 goals in 19 games for her country, it’s no surprise that Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Morgan, who finished at No. 7 on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best female footballers in the world, scored against nine different teams in 2018, with six multi-goal games and a hat trick against Japan in the Tournament of Nations. She previously won the award back in 2012. Hopefully Morgs will get the kind of service with the Pride in 2019 that she got in 2018 from her USWNT teammates. Also, hopefully she’ll help the U.S. repeat as World Cup champions in 2019. It was fitting that Morgan was honored yesterday, on the 10th anniversary of this:
10 years ago today. #U20WWC Final. The world meets @alexmorgan13 🤯pic.twitter.com/1zdtNi1TYT
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 7, 2018
Oh by the way, Tierna Davidson was named U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year — a deserved honor for the Stanford defender.
Orlando City B Learns Opening USL League One Opponent
The first year of OCB in the new USL League One will kick off at home against FC Tucson on March 30 — a Saturday — at 7:30 p.m. OCB will play its home games at Montverde Academy. The USL announced the opening weekend games yesterday. The league’s first ever game will be played the night before, with South Georgia Tormenta FC, the league’s first founding member, hosting Greenville Triumph. Each of the league’s 10 teams will play 28 regular-season matches before the playoffs start in October.
Garber’s State of MLS Address Suggests More Expansion, More Selling
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber gave his annual address yesterday in Atlanta and one of the major topics was expansion. He mentioned the league’s 28th team would be decided “in the next 12 months.” He also said that the league is in discussions about whether to move beyond 28 teams.
“I don’t expect or anticipate there will be an announcement coming out of that, but there’s no doubt in my mind that we can support having more than 28 teams in Major League Soccer. No doubt in my mind.”
Garber also sang a new tune on the topic of selling players. Previously, MLS seemed to be promoting the idea that the league should be a destination for players. Now with players such as Tyler Adams, Miguel Almiron, Alphonso Davies, and Zack Steffen being sought out by clubs in Europe, the narrative has evolved.
“We have been buying for so long, and then as we’ve gone through the analysis, it’s hard to justify that investment and the investment that we have to make in player development,” Garber said. “We’ve got to have something that turns this model around, or else it’s going to be unsustainable.”
Josh Sargent Scores on Bundesliga Debut
It didn’t take young U.S. striker Josh Sargent long to make his mark in Germany’s top flight. Sargent scored on his first touch, just 86 seconds after coming on as a substitute for Werder Bremen in a win over Dusseldorf. It’s been a while since I got hyped for a young, up-and-coming striker on the USMNT, but Sargent looks like he’ll be the real deal.
Free Kicks
- The draw for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is today at noon Eastern. Here’s how you can watch it to see who the USWNT draws in its group.
- It turns out that flamingos and loons are birds of a feather. Minnesota United FC has announced that Forward Madison FC is the club’s USL League One affiliate. It’s a one-year deal.
- Club Tijuana introduced Oscar Pareja to the press on Friday and the former FC Dallas boss said he was intrigued by the challenge of testing himself in another league with the Xolos.
- A 10-team field of top high school teams will compete at Montverde Academy today in the Women’s Invitational Showcase Tournament in front of college scouts from across the nation.
- Apparently a video has surfaced of Arsenal players hitting nitrous oxide and the club has “released a statement confirming that they will issue warnings to some of their star players.” Hey, whatever gets you unbeaten in 20 games, right?
- Those born on this date include Mary, Queen of Scots (1542), cotton gin inventor Eli Whitney (1765), Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925), Kung Fu star David Carradine (1936), Doors singer Jim Morrison (1943), Gregg Allman (1947), legendary movie makup effects master Rick Baker (1950), singer Dan “I Can Dream About You” Hartman (1950), Kim Basinger (1953), comedian Sam Kinison (1953), Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen (1957), actress Teri Hatcher (1964), Sinead O’Connor (1966), NASCAR’s Kevin Harvick (1975) and Ryan Newman (1977), football’s Philip Rivers (1981), Nicki Minaj (1982), hoops star Dwight Howard (1985), and England/Manchester City star Raheem Sterling (1994).
That’s all I’ve got for you today. Enjoy the MLS Cup final and your weekend.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/2/25
Alex Freeman earns recognition, Orlando City prepares for the Chicago Fire, Jarrod Dillon named 2024 Downtowner of the Year, and more.

Happy Friday! We’ve made it through the week and have plenty of Orlando soccer ahead of us to enjoy. I don’t have many plans this weekend beyond working, but it should still be a nice couple of days. Before we get to today’s links, we have a trio of birthdays to celebrate. Let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City’s Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Orlando Pride midfielder Luana, and Orlando City B defender Hayden Sargis!
Alex Freeman’s Breakout Season Highlighted
The folks over at Stars and Stripes FC have shined their spotlight on Orlando City right back Alex Freeman, who is enjoying a breakout season this year with the Lions. The 20-year-old has started in nine of the team’s 10 games this season and has three goals and an assist under his belt so far. He helped the United States U-19 Men’s National Team win the Slovenia Nations Cup in 2022 and could factor into the 2026 World Cup plans for the USMNT if he continues to improve as a player.
Orlando City Faces the Chicago Fire on Saturday
Orlando City will take a seven-game unbeaten streak to Soldier Field for a match on Saturday against the Chicago Fire. The Lions are coming off an April that included three scoreless draws and an emphatic 3-0 rivalry win over Atlanta United. The Fire have not won at home yet this season and have conceded 22 goals, which is tied with D.C. United for the most in the league. Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on the team’s preparations, as well as how players returning to full fitness should help give depth as the team gets ready to balance the U.S. Open Cup with the regular season.
Jarrod Dillon Receives Downtowner of the Year Award
OCSC President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon was named 2024 Downtowner of the Year by the Downtown Orlando Partnership for his contributions to the success of downtown Orlando. Amid historically successful seasons by both the Lions and Pride last season, Dillon secured a new naming rights partner for the club’s stadium and has helped bring events like the FIFA Club World Cup and Copa America to the City Beautiful. Dillon joined the club in 2022, and it’s great to see that he’s already had an impact in the community.
Analyzing the Longevity of NWSL Parity
Jeff Kassouf of ESPN took an interesting dive into how future expansion in the NWSL can affect parity in the league going forward. The league’s parity has certainly been a positive aspect of the NWSL compared to leagues in Europe that are dominated by the same teams year in and year out. However, expansion could thin the depth of talent throughout the NWSL, and other variables like the elimination of the college draft may make it harder for teams at the bottom to climb out. While I don’t think the league’s competitive balance will be in jeopardy any time soon, I agree that it will be an interesting thing to keep an eye on in the coming years, especially if the NWSL expands too fast too soon.
Free Kicks
- The game ball for Orlando’s win over Atlanta went to the recently promoted Ricardo Moreira, as it was his first win as the club’s general manager and sporting director.
- NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Esther González was named NWSL Player of the Month after scoring an impressive seven goals in April.
- Seattle Sounders star Jordan Morris will be out for an estimated six weeks due to a hamstring injury according to Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. Jesus Ferreira is also nursing an adductor injury and is questionable to play on Saturday.
- Both of the English clubs dominated in the first legs of the Europa League semifinals. Manchester United beat Athletic Club 3-0 on the road, while Tottenham won 3-1 at home against Bodo/Glimt.
- There’s plenty to tune in for in this weekend’s final matchday of the EFL Championship regular season. There are five teams in contention for the two open playoff spots, including Haji Wright’s Coventry City and Aidan Morris’ Middlesbrough. The Americans will collide in a crucial match between the two sides Saturday morning.
- Bayern Munich’s women’s team, which secured the Bundesliga title this past weekend, completed its domestic double after beating Werder Bremen 4-2 in the German Cup final. It’s a nice way to go out for Head Coach Alexander Straus, who is set to become Angel City FC’s head coach in June.
- Barcelona defender Jules Kounde could miss time due to a hamstring injury, which would make things difficult for Barcelona in the La Liga title race and Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend. Go Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/1/25
Orlando Pride prepare for the Portland Thorns, Vancouver Whitecaps reach Concacaf Champions Cup final, Lorne Donaldson fired, and more.

Welcome to May, Mane Landers! The months are flying by and I’m all for it. I was able to get some belated spring cleaning done this week and have been flexing my interior decorating muscles a bit as well. My cat’s not a fan of all of the furniture being shuffled around, but I’m sure he’ll get used to it. Let’s get this month started with today’s links from around the soccer world!
Orlando Pride Prep for Portland
The Orlando Pride are back in action Saturday in a road match against the Portland Thorns. Orlando is coming off of a dramatic 3-2 win at home against Angel City FC, which featured the team’s stars and substitutes linking up to come back and win. As for Portland, the Thorns are unbeaten at home so far this season and have scored seven goals across their past two games. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on Orlando’s preparations for this match and how the Pride will need to maintain momentum against a young Portland team that’s finding its groove offensively.
Vancouver Whitecaps Seal Spot in Concacaf Champions Cup Final
The Vancouver Whitecaps went on the road and beat Inter Miami a second time, winning 3-1 to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup final. An early goal by Jordi Alba gave Miami life in the series, but Vancouver scored three unanswered goals in the second half to win 5-1 on aggregate. The star of the show was 23-year-old midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who provided assists on Vancouver’s first two goals before scoring one himself to put the nail in the coffin. The Whitecaps have had a brutal path to reach the final, taking down Monterrey and Pumas UNAM in the previous two rounds. In the final on June 1, they’ll face whichever Liga MX team comes out on top tonight between Tigres and Cruz Azul.
Chicago Stars Fire Lorne Donaldson
Lorne Donaldson’s time as the Chicago Stars’ head coach has come to a close, with the Stars firing him just six games into the season. The Stars have lost five of their six games this year, including a 6-0 defeat to the Orlando Pride to open the season. Donaldson joined the club in December of 2023 and helped the team squeeze into the playoffs in his first year as head coach. Assistant coach Masaki Hemmi will serve as interim head coach while the club hunts for a replacement.
Brian White Wins MLS Player of the Month
Scoring in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals capped off an impressive month for Vancouver forward Brian White, who was named MLS Player of the Month. The American had five goals in league games this April and became the first player in club history to score four times in one game when he did so against Austin FC on April 12. He’s been a major reason behind the club’s ascent to the top of the Western Conference this year. It will be interesting to see how his continued success this year factors into his role at the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer.
Free Kicks
- In case you missed it, enjoy this full interview from Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira.
- Following a 2-2 draw, CF Montreal beat Toronto FC in penalty kicks to reach the quarterfinals of this year’s Canadian Championship.
- FC Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey predictably won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his bicycle kick to complete his brace against Sporting Kansas City.
- Nashville SC promoted Mike Jacobs to serve as the club’s first president of soccer operations and general manager.
- The United States Women’s National Futsal Team beat Honduras 7-0 in its first game of the Concacaf W Futsal Championship, with Sarah Martin scoring the team’s first-ever hat trick.
- FC Barcelona and Inter Milan battled to a 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal matchup. Plenty of praise is understandably being given to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, while Inter captain Lautaro Martinez is doubtful for the second leg in Italy after an injury in this game.
- Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 to secure its sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title.
- Here’s everything you need to know for today’s Europa League semifinals. Manchester United will take on Athletic Club, while Tottenham will play against Bodo/Glimt.
- League One side Birmingham City broke an English Football League record by beating Blackpool 2-0 to reach a whopping 108 points this season, with a game still to be played this weekend too.
- An unnamed player who plays for Mazatlan’s women’s soccer team in Mexico has been banned for six years after an investigation into match manipulation.
That’s all I have for you this time around. Make sure to stay hydrated out there, as this heat isn’t playing around. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/30/25
The U.S. Open Cup approaches, the Pride are back on top, USMNT and USWNT news, and more.

Welcome to the last Wednesday of April, Mane Landers. May promises to be a busy month for Orlando City. You will have as many matches as you want to watch over the next few weeks. I’m certainly not complaining, but we could use a little help here at The Mane Land if you’d like to join the staff. I promise you’ll enjoy it. For now, let’s get to the links.
The U.S. Open Cup Beckons
We’re only a week away from Orlando City’s match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies to start the Lions’ 2025 U.S. Open Cup campaign. Of course, the Lions aren’t the only MLS squad entering the tournament in the Round of 32. Starting Tuesday, 16 MLS clubs join the competition, with Orlando City playing on Wednesday. While we’re waiting for the next Orlando City match, enjoy the sights and sounds from the victory over Atlanta United.
Pride Back on Top
The Orlando Pride back on top of the NWSL standings, though the Kansas City Current are technically listed No. 1 thanks to the alphabet. Of course, we all know that power rankings are actually more important than actual results. Fortunately, the Pride are top of the pops in the Goal.com power rankings and in the All For XI power rankings. Just so you know that sometimes the internet isn’t always accurate, Sports Illustrated kept the Pride in the No. 2 spot.
USMNT Concerns and Commendations
Various people in the U.S. soccer community are calling out the USMNT players for lacking the desire, drive, or passion to be successful. Former USMNT forward Herculez Gomez is the latest, though not only one to do so. At the same time, players like Christian Pulisic and Josh Sargent are making a difference at their European clubs. Pulisic is likely to sign a contract extension with AC Milan that will include a hefty pay bump. Sargent was named to the EFL Championship Team of the Season after scoring 15 goals for Norwich City. Alexi Lalas has suggested Mauricio Pochettino bring in Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. If Pochettino is looking for “characters” for his squad, perhaps he should give Orlando City’s Alex Freeman a look?
USWNT Players Thriving
USWNT players are making an impact on both sides of the pond as they wait for their next match against China at the end of May. Emily Fox’s Arsenal squad advanced past Lindsey Heaps’ Olympique Lyon Sunday in the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals. It’s not all bad news for Heaps, who was named to the Women’s French Premiere Ligue Awards Team of the Season. Meanwhile, Lily Yohannes continues her growth after becoming the youngest starter in group-stage history of the UEFA women’s Champions League late last year for her club, Ajax.
Free Kicks
- Hey! We’ve got more power rankings! Orlando City jumped five spots up to No. 7 in both MLSsoccer.com’s rankings, and Goal.com’s power rankings.
- File this under “I’m glad our club cares about our women’s side”: Wolves’ front office did not apply for the team to play in the Championship if the team had earned promotion. Ultimately, the team lost out on promotion to Nottingham Forest, but that’s still not a good look by the powers that be.
- Defender Erik Sviatchenko re-signed a contract with the Houston Dynamo through 2026 with a club option for 2027.
- Occasionally, even an organization like FIFA does something potentially good. FIFA will fund a year-long study into anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women’s football.
- Thanks to a 3-0 victory over Charlton on Saturday, Wrexham AFC earned promotion to the EFL Championship. Wrexham is the first team to earn back-to-back-to-back promotions, and the club will get a financial windfall for joining the Championship.
That will do it for today. Check back with us as we get you ready for the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!
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