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Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. New England Revolution

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3 years ago

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Another Friday means that there’s another Orlando City game right around the corner. Tomorrow the New England Revolution come to town for the second match-up of the season between the two teams.

A visit from the Revs means that I spoke to Jake Catanese, one of the senior editors over at SBNation’s The Bent Musket. As always, Jake did a great job of getting us caught up on the Revs.

I was a little surprised to see the news about Sebastian Lletget being traded to FC Dallas after joining the Revs in the off-season. Can you give us some insight into the reason for his departure? Who will step up to replace him now that he’s gone?

Jake Catanese: The Bruce Arena/USMNT trio of Lletget, Jozy Altidore, and Omar Gonzalez that were signed to bolster the Revs for their CCL campaign in the off-season did not pan out, but Lletget was at least actually good to — at times —great for New England. His late runs and off the ball movement are elite in this league and in a different situation, I think he would have played a few years here, but obviously the Revs and Bruce have other ideas and found him a great landing spot in Dallas and suddenly made that team better. New England was always likely to take a step back in 2022 after their record-setting Shield run last year, but the team has just lacked so much cohesion between turnover and injuries that even someone like Lletget, who featured pretty regularly, just wasn’t going to have the same impact.

Assuming the Revs will stick with their 4-2-3-1, the one name that jumps out as getting more minutes to me is Homegrown Damian Rivera. He’s logged just under 300 league minutes this year between three starts and a handful of cameo appearances off the bench, but an extended run of play for him would be very beneficial for his development and offers another speed option opposite newcomer Dylan Borerro. Otherwise you’ll see a platoon of veterans like Tommy McNamara, Arnor Traustason (if he doesn’t transfer back to Europe this month), and Ema Boateng offer a more box-to-box role rather than attacking mid or true winger on one side of the Revs’ formation.

Like Orlando City, New England has had a shaky run of results lately and hasn’t won since June 19. What do you think the biggest reason is for the current run of form?

JC: Goals, and a lack thereof, specifically. The Revs have notched three 0-0 draws in the last month or so and at times just sit back and fail to generate the big chances we’ve come to expect from them over the years. Carles Gil is still pulling the strings and racking up key passes, but the Revs’ shooting and xG numbers have been woefully bad at times. Obviously losing Adam Buksa midseason hurts a lot and it’s going to take some time for the Revs’ squad to adjust to Giacomo Vrioni up top, but game plan and tactics wise, New England has been too passive for my liking. This is a team that I don’t think counter attacks often enough despite having the opportunities to do so and instead waits for numbers to get forward and allows the defense to get set. That’s been a no-go for the Revs for a while as far as breaking down eight or nine players behind the ball, as they do their best work when there’s a significant amount of chaos going on and someone gets lost in the box. If not for the heroics of Petrovic in goal, the Revs might have a couple more losses from those 0-0 games.

Also like Orlando, the Revs seem to be stalling a bit while teams around them start to figure things out. What needs to change in order for New England to make the playoffs?

JC:

Points dropped from winning positions in MLS this season:

1. LAFC – 0 (!!!)
2- Inter Miami – 2
3. NYCFC – 4

…

T-27. FC Cincinnati – 15
T-27. FC Dallas – 15
28. New England Revolution – 24

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 17, 2022

Stop losing leads. New England is great at scoring first, but in the early part of the year especially, was exceptionally bad at holding leads and hasn’t turned that around yet. Now the pendulum has swung too far the other way and the Revs are too cautious going forward and aren’t scoring. There needs to be a balance and if Bruce can figure it out I do think this is a team that can be a threat in the playoffs. Gil is still the reigning MVP, Vrioni will have a couple of months to get up to form, Gustavo Bou can fire in a winner from just about anywhere, and Djordje Petrovic might literally be the Serbian god of goalkeeping. Some luck and staying healthy would do the Revs some good — two things they had a lot of last year, save for the month or so Gil missed in the middle of the year, but this team just can’t grind out a win like they did in 2021. The middle of the Eastern standings is a mess, so all it takes is a couple of wins in a row and you can gain a lot of separation from the pack.

Are any players unavailable to injuries, suspensions, etc.? What is your projected starting lineup and score prediction?

JC: The Revs lost backup/Revs II keeper Jacob Jackson to an ACL injury and brought in Clement Diop as deep cover at that spot with Brad Knighton and Earl Edwards Jr. also available behind Petrovic. Jon Bell and Gustavo Bou are still listed on the injury list, so my guess would be they are still unavailable.

4-2-3-1: Djordje Petrovic; DeJuan Jones, Henry Kessler, Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye; Wilfrid Kaptoum, Matt Polster; Dylan Borerro, Carles Gil, Arnor Traustason; Giacomo Vrioni.

I think a 1-1 draw is in the cards. The Revs on the road likely will sit back more, but I think they do finish their one big chance in this game — something they did not do against TFC at home last week. If the Revs can steal this game it would be a big three points and would bring New England level with 30 points, with the Revs having a game in hand, but I think New England will spend August still figuring things out.

Big thanks again to Jake for the great update on the Revs. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 4/3/25

Martin Ojeda in the MLS MVP mix early, Orlando Pride players won’t play for Zambia this window, Tierna Davidson out for the NWSL season, and more.

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5 hours ago

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April 3, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope this week has been going well for you as we gear up for a busy Saturday filled to the brim with soccer to enjoy. Despite my blender’s protests, I’ve finally figured out how to make frozen coconut mojitos and plan on having those get me through the rest of the week. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy 28th birthday to Orlando City legend Rodrigo Schlegel!

Martin Ojeda’s MVP Credentials

Orlando City’s Martin Ojeda placed second in Sacha Kljestan’s MLS MVP power rankings this week. With four goals and three assists so far this season, Ojeda leads the league in goal contributions and is a major reason why the Lions have scored a league-high 15 goals. It’s great to see the 26-year-old take the reins of the offense after Facundo Torres’ departure. Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez tops Kljestan’s rankings, despite only having a goal in five games this season. Tai Baribo, Evander, and Lionel Messi round out the top five in what could be an interesting MVP race this year.

Pride Players Won’t Join Zambia For International Duty

Zambia will be without four NWSL players when it takes part in the Yongchuan International Tournament in China this month. Along with Bay FC forward Rachael Kundananji, Orlando Pride trio Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, and Prisca Chilufya were withdrawn from international duty, with the Football Association of Zambia stating it was due to additional travel measures by the current U.S. administration. FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga expects the quartet to be available for future matches and both Banda and Kundananji played in friendlies in Zambia in February. Restrictions like this may limit the appeal of the NWSL to foreign players in the future.

Fan Banned For Hateful Language Towards Banda

NJ/NY Gotham FC announced that the fan who directed hateful language towards Banda has been banned following an investigation that included interviewing witnesses and reviewing security footage. The incident took place at the Pride’s match against Gotham on March 23 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The fan was found to be in violation of the NWSL Code of Conduct and their season ticket was revoked as well. Gotham also encouraged fans to report inappropriate behavior through the team’s encrypted text message service to inform the stadium’s incident management team.

USWNT Defender Tierna Davidson Out for the NWSL Season

American center back Tierna Davidson will miss the remainder of the 2025 NWSL season after tearing the ACL in her left knee in the club’s draw against the Houston Dash. It’s tough news for her, Gotham, and the United States Women’s National Team, as she captains the NWSL club and featured heavily in the Olympics last year. Davidson sustained an ACL injury in her right knee back in 2022, which contributed to her missing out on the 2023 World Cup. Gisele Thompson replaced Davidson for the USWNT’s upcoming friendlies with Brazil, and Pride defender Emily Sams will likely receive more playing time as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup.

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  • Orlando City received $100,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for former academy goalkeeper Zack Campagnolo’s Homegrown Player rights. The Lions will receive another $100,000 in GAM if conditions are met, and they retain a sell-on percentage if Campagnolo is transferred.
  • San Diego FC added Milan Iloski on loan from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark through July of this year. Iloski is a San Diego native and won the USL Golden Boot for Orange County SC in 2022.
  • New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his free kick against the New York Red Bulls.
  • El Farolito SC, which is named after a burrito chain and bar local to San Francisco, has reached the third round of the U.S. Open Cup for the second straight year. The National Premier Soccer League side took down Monterey Bay FC to reach this point of the tournament.
  • Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 to book its ticket to the Copa del Rey final, where it will face rival Real Madrid on April 26.

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

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Lion Links: 4/2/25

Orlando Pride players on International duty, NWSL power rankings, USWNT friendlies, and more.

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1 day ago

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April 2, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. There is plenty of Orlando Pride news today, which is good considering we’re heading into an international break. That means we can look forward to some women’s international matches in addition to Orlando City’s next bout against the Philadelphia Union. Before we jump into today’s news, please join us in wishing Orlando City midfielder Cesar Araujo a happy 24th birthday. Let’s get to the links.

International Duty, Pride Edition

Four players from the Orlando Pride have been called up for international duty. Anna Moorhouse (England), Angelina (Brazil), Emily Sams (U.S.), and Zara Chavoshi (U.S. U-23 training camp) will all head to their respective national teams. Moorhouse’s England will compete in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, while Angelina and Sams will face off in a pair of friendlies between the USWNT and the Brazil Women’s National Team.

Pride Still on Top

It seems that there are more outlets providing NWSL power rankings every week, but as long as they keep the Pride on top, I’ll keep letting you know about it. Given that the Pride are undefeated, with the most goals scored and the best goal differential, it isn’t surprising that the club is sitting atop the official standings along with these “highly scientific” power rankings. Goal.com, Sports Illustrated, and All For IX all rank the Pride in first place just above the Kansas City Current. I suppose even power rankings are occasionally correct.

Orlando’s Various World Cup Ties

You probably know that Orlando wasn’t selected to be one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As disappointing as that was, there’s still a chance that the city, and Orlando City SC’s training grounds at Osceola Heritage Park will host team training during the event. The top notch facilities, plus the relatively close proximity to host cities Miami and Atlanta, make Orlando a good option.

On a more positive note, Orlando was chosen as a host city for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Camping World Stadium will see Club León vs. CR Flamengo, and Juventus vs. Manchester City. The Group H runner-up vs. Group G winner match and one of the quarterfinal round matches will also be in Orlando. There’s plenty to see and do in the City Beautiful, including some great soccer.

USWNT Youth Movement

Sams won’t be the only younger player in Emma Hayes’ lineup for the friendlies against Brazil. Hayes wants to deepen the player pool, which means bringing in players with an average age of just over 25 years old, and the average number of appearances is less than 35. Hayes also believes this is a chance for the younger players who appeared in the loss to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup. The first of the two matches is this Saturday at 5 p.m., with the second coming up Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Orlando City and OCB matches this weekend. Hopefully, you have two screens since the match start times overlap. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/1/25

Barbra Banda’s continued importance, Americans in midweek action, USWNT announces friendly, and more.

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2 days ago

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April 1, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Good morning everyone! It was a great weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both won, meaning that we got treated to a six-point weekend (OCB was off). As always we have plenty to talk through this morning, so let’s get into today’s links.

Barbra Banda Keeps Rolling in 2025

After a wildly successful debut season with the Orlando Pride in 2024, Barbra Banda has showed no signs of slowing down this year. A brace in the season opener meant that she picked up right where she left off last year, and the team has continued to be successful too. The Pride have made it three wins from three to start the 2025 season, and while Banda hasn’t scored since the opener, her blend of pace, power, dribbling, passing, and movement have continuously helped open things up for her teammates, and she drew a penalty that led to the Pride’s game-winning goal Saturday. She isn’t the Pride’s only offensive weapon, but the team clicks into a different gear when she’s at her best.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing in games during the working week, and there are some very important clashes on hand. Things get going later today when Antonee Robinson and Fulham visit Arsenal in Premier League play as the Cottagers are in hot pursuit of a coveted European place. Wednesday has Chris Richards, Matt Turner and Crystal Palace facing Southampton, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth take on Manchester City. Also on Wednesday, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will face Inter Milan in a Coppa Italia semifinal. Things finish up on Friday as Aidan Morris and Middlesborough travel to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.

USWNT Announces Canada Match

The United States Women’s National Team has announced another friendly taking place this summer, as the team will face Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C. The match will be the third that the USWNT will play during the window, following a pair of friendlies against Ireland in late June. The neighboring countries will meet at Audi Field with the match designated as the Allstate Continental Clasico, with this being the first time that the match will feature the USWNT. The U.S. faced Canada twice in 2024, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws and the USWNT emerging victorious in shootouts.

Concacaf Champions Cup Preview

The Concacaf Champions Cup returns this week, with the first legs of the four quarterfinal matches set to be played today and tomorrow. Things get started tonight with what should be an exciting match between Club America and Cruz Azul, with the crosstown rivals two of the winningest teams in the competition. Cruz Azul’s Angel Sepulveda leads the CCC’s golden boot race with four tallies. The late game sees the LA Galaxy taking on Tigres as the Galaxy will try to distract themselves from a difficult start to their MLS Cup title defense. Wednesday’s slate has the Vancouver Whitecaps taking on Pumas UNAM in Canada in what will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The late game will be an all-MLS affair as LAFC hosts Inter Miami in the first meeting between the two sides in CCC play.

Sporting Kansas City Fires Peter Vermes

The longest-tenured coach in Major League Soccer is out of work, as Sporting Kansas City announced the firing of Peter Vermes on Monday morning. It’s an end of an era in Kansas City, as Vermes was the head coach since 2009, back when the team was still called the Kansas City Wizards, and he had been named the club’s technical director three years earlier in 2006. He guided the team to an MLS Cup win in 2013; claimed U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015, and 2017; and helped the team be consistently competitive for a majority of his tenure. Despite all of that, SKC missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and was mired in the midst of a 13-game winless streak in all competitions that stretched back to Sept. 18 of last year. After being an assistant on Vermes’ staff, Kerry Zavagnin will take over as interim head coach.

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That’s all I have for this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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