Lion Links
Lion Links: 12/26/18

Happy day after Christmas, everyone. I have to go back to work today for the first time after 11 straight days off, so I’m not going to be in the best of moods this morning, especially since five of those days were at sea on a cruise. But I suspect I’ll muddle through, somehow.
I hope Santa brought everyone what they asked for this year. Me, I’d still like an Orlando Pride head coach pretty soon and some exciting player signings.
While we wait for Luiz Muzzi to rebuild the Lions and solidify the Pride, let’s check out some reading material.
Lions Spread the Holiday Cheer
As you’d expect, our club was out in the community on Christmas, lifting the spirits of those who need it most — in this case, the patients at Arnold Palmer Hospital. First came the preparation:
Santa had a little extra help from Orlando City SC at @orlandohealth @APHospital this holiday season! 🎄 pic.twitter.com/Xg4MztygVF
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 25, 2018
Then came the visit.
Kingston is all about spreading the Christmas cheer with our friends at @orlandohealth and @APHospital! #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/stsrMfZU8j
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 25, 2018
I’m not sure it’s wise to have Kingston around anyone with a heart condition, as he’s easily the most terrifying mascot in MLS, but it’s always great to see the club doing good work. (However…#FreeOldKingston)
Learn More About New Lion Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith’s story is pretty well known to the fans of Louisville City FC, but Orlando City supporters may not be quite as aware of his soccer journey. This story in the Lexington Herald-Leader paints the picture of Smith’s long odds at reaching the top flight here in the U.S. Smith didn’t get much fanfare out of high school and attended tiny Division III Transylvania University — under 1,000 students, per Wikipedia — in Lexington, KY, which sounds more like a movie about a vampire attending college than a place to play soccer.
Smith played for the Cincinnati Dutch Lions while working as an accountant for two years and ended up paying for two different tryouts with Louisville City before earning a tryout. The rest is history. Here are some words that should make Orlando fans happy:
Smith credited O’Connor and his assistants for creating a great team culture at Louisville City, and he’s hoping they bring the same to Orlando. He’s glad he made a big enough impression with them in Louisville to tag along.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Orlando and playing in front of all the fans,” Smith said. “I’m hoping we can win games and make the playoffs and eventually win the (MLS) Cup.”
Tim Weah to Go on Loan — Likely to Celtic
Rising young USMNT star Tim Weah is understandably having difficulty earning playing time for star-studded Paris Saint-Germain. As a result, rumors have swirled recently about a loan move and Weah confirmed that on Christmas day. French radio reports have Weah moving to Celtic in Scotland — which would make me happy as a fan of The Bhoys — on a six-month loan. It would be good for Weah’s development to get steady minutes with a club like Celtic, and it would be good for the USMNT in the long run.
“I just want to take the time to talk to everyone about the decision my family and I made about going on loan this winter,” Weah wrote in French on Instagram. “First of all, I want to thank the fans for their constant support, as well as the coaching staff and my teammates for making me feel part of the family.
Adams Wants to be Eventual USMNT Captain
Sticking with the USMNT for a moment, Tyler Adams told Grant Wahl on the Planet Futbol Podcast that he’d like to become captain of the national team one day.
“My eyes are set on that,” he said. “Why not aim to be a captain of the national team and continue to be an important stable piece for this team?”
I love Tyler’s ambition and drive and I think he’s going to be an outstanding USMNT regular for years to come.
Free Kicks
- Did you get a Christmas present this cool yesterday?
Best Christmas gift ever!!! @Ashlyn_Harris @ORLPride #ashlynharris #orlandopride pic.twitter.com/JcNta2gFXy
— Lisa Kemple (@LisaKemple) December 25, 2018
- Juventus will rest Cristiano Ronaldo against Atalanta.
- In case you missed it while making merry with family, the San Jose Earthquakes released a stellar holiday video,
ripping offpaying homage to such holiday movie classics as Home Alone, Elf, A Christmas Story, and Die Hard. (Yes, it is a Christmas movie. Shut up.) - Those born on this date include TV host and comedian Steve Allen (1921), baseball’s Carlton Fisk (1947) and Ozzie Smith (1954), Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich (1963), film critic Matt Zoller Seitz (1968), Tottenham and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (1986), Game of Thrones star Kit Harington (1986). Russia/Valencia winger Denis Cheryshev (1990), and Wales/Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey (1990).
That’s all from me today. Enjoy the Boxing Day matches on television if you’re at home today and enjoy streaming them on the down low if you’re at work today. Just don’t let the boss catch you.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/8/25
Orlando City steamrolls the Tampa Bay Rowdies in I-4 Derby, Orlando Pride aim to bounce back, U.S. Open Cup results, and more.

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s not often we get to celebrate an Orlando City victory in the middle of the week these days, but hopefully it’s a habit we get used to. The Lions took care of business in my neck of the woods, and it’s given some nice optimism to finish this week strongly. Let’s dive into the big win and more in today’s links!
Orlando City Trounces Tampa Bay Rowdies
Take a bow, Gustavo Caraballo! The 16-year-old was the star of the show in Orlando City’s dominant 5-0 U.S. Open Cup win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, scoring twice to jumpstart Orlando’s attack and making history along the way. There’s plenty of scoring to enjoy, so be sure to check out our full recap!
Hopefully this game was a nice shot in the arm for Orlando’s offense and something to build on in league play. It’s always nice to take down the Rowdies and the Lions are now the last Floridian team standing in the tournament. They’ll host Nashville SC in the round of 16 later this month in what should be a good game in the City Beautiful.
Orlando Pride Aim to Bounce Back in North Carolina
After a 1-0 loss on the road to the Portland Thorns, the Orlando Pride will look to return to their winning ways when they face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday. It’s going to be another tough environment for the Pride to play in, although the Courage have lost two of their three home games so far this season. Pride defender Emily Sams spoke on the team’s mentality heading into this match and how the team can raise its level after a disappointing loss in Portland.
U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 Wraps Up
MLS teams mostly cruised in the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 32, but it was still an exciting round of soccer filled with drama. In a vintage “cupset,” the Pittsburgh Riverhounds beat New York City FC 1-0 thanks to a goal in stoppage time from Orlando native Beto Ydrach. Indy Eleven nearly took down the Philadelphia Union, but the MLS side converted all five kicks in the penalty shootout to advance after a 1-1 draw.
The New England Revolution escaped Pawtucket with a 2-1 road win against Rhode Island FC, with 17-year-old Cristiano Oliveira scoring a late winner. Minnesota United squeezed past Louisville City 1-0, the Chicago Fire put Detroit City to the sword in a 4-0 win, and FC Dallas won 3-1 against USL League One side AV Alta FC.
UEFA Champions League Final Set
Paris Saint-Germain did everything it needed to and more at home against Arsenal, winning 2-1 to advance to the UEFA Champions League final. Great saves by Gianluigi Donnarumma and goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi propelled PSG to victory, with Bukayo Saka providing Arsenal’s only goal of the two-leg series. PSG will take on Inter Milan in the final on May 31 and it should be an interesting matchup at Allianz Arena to close out the tournament. Will PSG lift its first Champions League trophy only a year after Kylian Mbappe left the club, or will Inter come out on top after finishing as runner-up in 2023? I can’t wait to find out.
Free Kicks
- Congratulations to United States Women’s National Team star Mallory Swanson and her husband Dansby Swanson, as the couple announced that they’re expecting their first child!
- Racing Louisville announced that goalkeeper Katie Lund and midfielder Maddie Pokorny will both miss the remainder of the season due to hip injuries. Jordyn Bloomer, who had five saves in Friday’s win over the Houston Dash, will serve as the team’s goalkeeper in Lund’s stead.
- The Columbus Crew signed Daniel Gazdag to a contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028 as well.
- Arsene Wenger proposed a change to the offside rule so that attacking players are onside so long as any part of their body is lined up with the last defender. We’ll see if anything comes of this, but it could lead to more goals in the future.
- Here’s what to watch for in the second legs of the Europa League semifinals. Manchester United will host Athletic Club with a three-goal lead in aggregate, while Tottenham will aim to defend its two-goal advantage in Norway against a Bodo/Glimt side that has key players returning from suspension.
- Tottenham will be without James Maddison, who is out for the rest of the season after a knee injury sustained in the first leg against Bodo/Glimt.
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 5/7/25
Orlando City takes on the Rowdies, sponsors like MLS, the NWSL is growing, and more.

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s match day as the Lions begin their 2025 U.S. Open Cup campaign. I’ve repeatedly said on The Mane Land PawedCast that I want Oscar Pareja to focus on this competition more than another one (*cough* Leagues Cup *cough*). That all starts tonight, and I hope you’re as excited as I am. Let’s get to the links.
I-4 Derby Tonight
Orlando City enters the 2025 U.S. Open Cup tonight against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Lions make the perilous 112-mile trip along I-4 — which feels approximately like flying to Seattle — to take on an old geographical rival. We’re likely to see a rotated lineup for this match, but Pareja said he has confidence in the younger players to get the job done. If you’re not making the trip to Tampa here is how you can watch the match. We will have our normal match coverage for you tonight.
Nobody Likes Nil-Nil
You know something is going on when Orlando City attracts the attention of the national media. Unfortunately, that thing is the overabundance of 0-0 draws in four out of the last five matches. The theory is that the Lions aren’t getting enough service out of the midfield for the players up top. It may be as simple as players getting healthy for Orlando City to reignite the offense. For the sake of a certain The Mane Land editor’s sanity, I hope that is the case.
MLS News and Notes
Soccer’s popularity is growing in the United States. Are decades of being America’s next big sport finally paying off? It seems to actually be the case, at least when it comes to the sponsors. With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, brands are investing in MLS and soccer in America. EA Sports is in on the action, partnering with MLS and Apple TV to show four live matches within the EA FC mobile gaming app this season
NWSL Keeps Growing
Big things are also happening in the NWSL. The growth has prompted the league to move its headquarters from one New York office to a bigger New York office. Part of that growth comes from owners like the Washington Spirit’s Michelle Kang. The billionaire is investing in the NWSL, U.S. Soccer, and other leagues and countries throughout the world. On a slightly different scale, Mikaela Shiffrin — the most decorated alpine skier of all time — has invested in the Denver NWSL expansion side.
Free Kicks
- Club America and LAFC will play a match to see which club qualifies for the Club World Cup after the Club Leon/Pachuca/Alajuelense appeals were denied.
- Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 4-3 (7-6 on aggregate) to cap a wild two-legged tie to advance to the UEFA Champions League final. They will face either PSG or Arsenal.
- While not a done deal, it’s looking like Christian Pulisic will sign a new contract with AC Milan. Pulisic managed to have a good season, even though the club fell short of expectations.
- Pulisic isn’t the only USMNT player in demand. Weston McKennie may also put pen to paper to stay with Juventus for a while longer.
That will do it for today. Check back for our coverage of tonight’s match as well as the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/6/25
Pedro Gallese earns recognition, Zara Chavoshi up for Save of the Week, Americans in midweek action, and more.

Well it wasn’t the greatest weekend that Orlando’s soccer teams have ever had. The three squads picked up just one of the nine points on offer, and it was very much a trio of matches to forget. Luckily we won’t have to linger on them for very long, because the action continues almost immediately with Orlando City facing the Tampa Bay Rowdies Wednesday night in the U.S. Open Cup. We have plenty of news to talk through today, so let’s jump into the links.
Pedro Gallese Earns Recognition
Pedro Gallese was outstanding while backstopping OCSC in its 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire over the weekend, and his performance earned him a place in the starting XI of the most recent edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday. Orlando’s octopus made eight saves on the night, including two double saves, and if not for him the Fire would have run away with the game long before they were eventually reduced to 10 men. He’s now just the fourth goalkeeper since 2020 to earn five straight clean sheets, His efforts earned him the Man of the Match award by a country mile in Andrew DeSalvo’s Player Grades piece, and it’s nice to see him getting some love on the larger stage as well.
Zara Chavoshi Nominated for Save of the Week
In a piece of news that you don’t necessarily see every day, Orlando Pride defender Zara Chavoshi has been nominated for the NWSL Save of the Week. You can’t say she doesn’t deserve it either, as Chavoshi made a goal-line clearance with the net empty in the 38th minute to keep the deficit at 1-0 against the Portland Thorns. While the Pride weren’t able take advantage of her efforts by making a comeback, it was still an outstanding hustle play. Hopefully she won’t need to make too many more of those as the season progresses, but congratulations are in order all the same!
Americans in Midweek Action
A number of Americans will be playing games during the working week, so let’s run down some games to keep an eye on. Diego Kochen will likely be on the bench for the second leg of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League semifinal tie against Inter Milan later today. Wednesday has Alejandro Zendejas and Club America facing Pumas in the Liga MX Clausura playoff quarterfinal. Thursday has Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis traveling to Fiorentina in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League semifinals, in which they hold a 2-1 lead after the first leg. Things then wrap up on Friday with Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan hosting Bologna in Serie A.
Leon’s Club World Cup Verdict is Expected Today
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to deliver a verdict today on whether or not Leon will be able to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup this summer. As things currently stand, FIFA will not allow the Mexican side’s participation, and is preparing a one-off game between LAFC and Club America to determine which team will take Leon’s place. FIFA’s rules for the tournament prohibit more than one team having the same owners, but Leon and Pachuca are both owned by Grupo Pachuca. Leon were even drawn into a group with Chelsea, Esperance, and Flamengo at the end of last year, but FIFA excluded them during a ruling in March, which prompted Leon to appeal their case to the CAS.
Free Kicks
- The Orlando Pride remained at the no.1 spot in ESPN.com’s NWSL power rankings.
- Orlando City rose one spot to no.13 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer and is widely expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
- Ary Borges has been suspended an additional three games for making contact with an official.
That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
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