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Lion Links: 1/13/19

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8 years ago

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Hey there, Mane Landers. I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Florida weather this weekend as you soak in some quality football like yesterday’s Florida Cup. Personally, I’ve just adopted a kitten! It’s been a plan in the making, but my trip to Germany held it off…but I’ve finally pulled the trigger. She’s a Tortie (Tortoiseshell), and she’s currently hiding in my elaborate L-shaped couch. I hope she comes out soon because I haven’t had the opportunity to introduce her to the litter box yet.

Regardless, I’m ecstatic to have a new furry companion. I haven’t yet landed on a name, but I think Java or Bean (Beanie) have potential. She’s beautiful, in brown, orange, black, and white, so if you have any nice suggestions, drop them in the comments section below.

Anyway, back to the reason you’re here; your Sunday serving of delicious Lion Links. Enjoy!

Lions Moving on from Diego

Despite having a three-year offer on the table that was agreed to in principle, Diego Ribas is mulling a new offer from Flamengo and Orlando City is done waiting for the talented No. 10. Diego was going to be a big part of what the Lions wanted to do in 2019 and would make a great mentor for a guy like Josué Colmán, but OCSC isn’t interested in waiting for him to finalize a decision, although the door is reportedly not all the way closed just yet.

“We’re done waiting,” the executive said. “Our offer is off the table because we cannot wait and we will not get into a bidding war. You can’t think twice about an offer that involves a life project like the one we did.”

Orlando Becoming a Hub for Soccer

With an ever-growing supporter base for the Lions and the Pride, notable tournaments like the Florida Cup, featuring internationally renowned clubs, are contributing to an expanding soccer culture here in the Orlando area. The R9 Ronaldo Academy, opened in 2015 by the legendary Brazilian striker of the same name, has seen tremendous growth in its admissions of prospects into its competitive programs. The sport is growing in the Central Florida area, and it’s only a matter of time before the results and development of our state’s youth players comes to fruition. One thing is certain: it’s a good time to be into soccer in the Central Florida area (despite the recent disappointing seasons from the city’s top clubs).

SeaWolves Exact Revenge on Florida Tropics

Gordy Gurson netted four goals and added an assist, and Osvaldo Rojas and Lewis Neal each added a brace to lead the Orlando SeaWolves to a huge 11-6 road win over the Florida Tropics in Lakeland. The ‘Wolves bounced back from a 9-6 defeat in their last trip to Lakeland and picked up their first ever road victory in MASL play. It was also the team’s largest offensive output of its short existence.

2019 MLS SuperDraft: Conservative?

According to mlssoccer.com’s Sam Stejskal, he thinks so. In a class lacking a clear number one and/or number two selection, teams didn’t feel the need to make any aggressive moves. The general feel was that the top seven to 10 prospects were of around the same caliber, which allowed teams to sit back and wait on their pick, rather than trading up to nab their guy. That made this year’s draft noticeably conservative compared to years past.

“I think it has to be a reflection of some of the over the top talent,” Columbus Crew SC president Tim Bezbatchenko told MLSsoccer.com on Friday. “I think in the past there’s been some players that really had something different and unique, and they did this year, but maybe not to the same level. It’s a bit of a reflection of that.”

That doesn’t mean there were no deals struck, of course, as there was plenty of movement. The difference? The movement wasn’t notable or captivating. Stejskal even goes on to hypothesize that the continuing emergence of MLS academies will stymie the quality of future MLS SuperDrafts, with teams looking towards developing their Homegrown talent.

“I think people are more confident with their academy players and people coming through in their USL programs, so maybe they’re not maneuvering as quickly and aggressively,” said Bezbatchenko.

Only time will tell…but what do you think, was this a conservative year for the MLS SuperDraft?

Who Owns Inter Miami?

That’s the question a lot of people are asking right now, as the club has failed to officially disclose its investors — an ethical problem that could potentially throw a huge monkey wrench in Miami’s future MLS plans. as it’s preventing the club from obtaining construction permits for their Miami Freedom Stadium. To boil it down, the local face of the club, Jorge Mas, MasTec chairman, and his brother Jose are investors and own 35% of the team. Sprint chairman Marcelo Claure owns another 35% of the team, with SoftBank’s CEO Masayoshi Son owning 20% and David Beckham owning the remaining 10%. No forms were filed to officially verify these claims however, and there is no evidence to corroborate the team’s investment group. Until the water is no longer muddy, Inter Miami is sitting at a red light — a really, really awkward and seemingly unnecessary red light.

French Federation Hopes to Leave “Strong Legacy” for Women’s Sports

With the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup just around the corner, host country France and its Football Federation has expressed hopes of leaving a strong legacy in France, as they hope to emulate the United States in the respect that women’s footballers are looked up to as role models.

“What I like and what I wish we could bring in France is the atmosphere, the support of the game,” Georges said. “To have role models – because in France, now it’s starting, players are role models. When I came to the U.S. … it was already in the culture, a woman’s football player, you’re a role model.”

Brigitte Henriques, the French Federation’s vice president, and Laura Georges, the secretary general, gave an hour-long presentation in Chicago last Thursday, and spoke about the vast potential this tournament holds. They have their eye on highlighting the value of women’s soccer to their male counterparts, as well.

“What we expect is to have more men’s professional teams supporting the women’s game,” Georges said. “Make sure that they really think: ‘We are doing it because they ask us? No, we are doing it because it’s worth it.’”

Free Kicks

  • Last but certainly not least, we have American U-18 prospect Charlie Kelman netting an impressive goal from midfield after helping out in the tackle that won the ball. Take a bow, sir.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for you today, folks. Now, I need to go find this kitten. Have a great week!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 8/3/26

All of Orlando’s soccer teams lose, latest MLS transfer roundup, FIFA abandons plans to sell stakes in World Cup, and more.

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6 hours ago

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August 3, 2026

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Image of Tyrese Spicer dribbling the ball.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Hello, Mane Landers! I can’t believe it’s August already, and I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been keeping myself busy at work and catching up on Ted Lasso before the new season drops on Apple TV later this week. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Poor Start Dooms Lions in Loss at New York Red Bulls

Orlando City fell 3-2 to the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday. Mijahir Jimenez scored the opener for New York in the first half. The Red Bulls added another goal to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. In the second half, Tyrese Spicer pulled one back for Orlando, but Jimenez responded with his second goal of the match. Griffin Dorsey pulled the Lions back within one, however, New York held on for the win, and Orlando has not beaten the Red Bulls in its last seven matches. Orlando City’s next match will be its Leagues Cup opener Wednesday against Liga MX side Monterey at home.

Pride Suffer Heavy Defeat at North Carolina Courage

The Orlando Pride were blown away 5-0 by the North Carolina Courage on the road at First Horizon Stadium on Friday. Evelyn Ijeh recorded a hat trick, and Lauryn Thompson and Ashley Sanchez each added a goal apiece as the Courage dominated the Pride. Orlando’s offensive struggles continue as the club has lost three of its last four matches. The Pride will be home for their next match Friday to face Racing Louisville FC.

OCB Falls at Connecticut United

Orlando City B fell 4-2 to Connecticut United FC on the road at Reese Stadium in New Haven, CT, on Saturday. Landon Okonski scored the opener in the first half for the Young Lions. However, Connecticut scored two goals to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. In the second half, Connecticut scored twice again to take a 4-1 lead. Matthew Belgodere added a goal for the Young Lions in stoppage time, but Connecticut sealed its fifth consecutive victory. OCB has lost back-to-back matches and will have to wait until next week, on Aug. 11, to face New York City FC II on the road.

Latest MLS Transfer Roundup

Atlanta United has loaned forward Emmanuel Latte Lath to Union Berlin of the Bundesliga ahead of the 2026-2027 season. The loan deal is for one year and includes a purchase option. Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew are reportedly set to transfer wingback Max Arfsten to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough for a $7.5 million transfer fee. Hull City of the English Premier League has reportedly reached an agreement with the Colorado Rapids to sign defender Lucas Herrington.

FIFA Abandons Plans to Sell Stakes in World Cup

On Friday, FIFA announced it will not proceed with plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private equity investors after facing significant backlash. FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal had received strong opposition from the UEFA, Concacaf, and AFC confederations. If the plan was to move forward, UEFA stated that all 55 of its members would boycott FIFA competitions, including future World Cups. According to reports, UEFA and Concacaf have questioned Infantino’s future leadership in FIFA, raising the possibility that he may face a challenger in the 2027 elections, while other associations such as Wales have reportedly withdrawn support for his re-election.

Meanwhile, UEFA has reportedly threatened legal action against FIFA over its recent proposal to sell off the World Cup.

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That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

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Lion Links: 7/31/26

Yutaro Tsukada loaned to Rhode Island FC, Orlando Pride play the North Carolina Courage tonight, NWSL ends deal with Victory+, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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July 31, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! It’s the final day of July, and I’m hoping that the Orlando Pride can close out the month on a positive note tonight. We also have both Orlando City and Orlando City B to look forward to Saturday night. Let’s jump right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Yutaro Tsukada Loaned to Rhode Island FC

Orlando City loaned forward Yutaro Tsukada to Rhode Island FC in the USL Championship for the remainder of the 2026 season. Selected by Orlando in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Tsukada signed a first-team contract that August after impressing with Orlando City B. Unfortunately, he missed all of last season due to a knee injury and has only made two appearances for the Lions this season. Hopefully, he can make the most of his playing time in Rhode Island.

Orlando Pride Visit North Carolina Courage Tonight

The Orlando Pride are on the road tonight for a game against the North Carolina Courage. Road wins have been hard to come by for Orlando this season, as the Pride have only won two games away from the City Beautiful this year. While the Pride have struggled when visiting WakeMed Soccer Park over the years, they did manage to draw 1-1 against the Courage there last year. Orlando generated plenty of opportunities in its 1-0 win over the Chicago Stars, and midfielder Haley McCutcheon spoke on how that’s a positive sign heading into this match.

“I think we can either look at our chances and not converting them as a frustration point, or we can look at it as confidence that we’re creating these chances,” she said. “We’ve taken it into this week as: okay, we’re creating, and now we just need that final piece. Especially without Barbra here, it gives other players an opportunity to step up and be the finisher.”

NWSL Terminates Agreement With Victory+

Starting on Sunday, all NWSL games that were scheduled to stream on Victory+ will instead be streamed for free on NWSL+ after the league terminated its media rights agreement with the broadcast partner. The multi-year agreement lasted less than a year and the termination is reportedly due in part to unfulfilled payments to the NWSL. You can check out games on NWSL+ through the league’s website or its app.

UEFA Agrees to Boycott FIFA Events

In response to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s scheme to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors, UEFA’s 55 member nations convened and agreed to boycott all FIFA competitions. Concacaf also released a statement rejecting Infantino’s proposal, expressing concern over the lack of due process and more. We’ll see where the dominoes fall from here, with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup set to take place in Poland starting on Sept. 5. While it’s tough seeing women’s soccer events at risk in this game of chicken, it’s nice to see that the confederations aren’t just shaking their heads while going along with the plans.

Free Kicks

  • Barbra Banda and Zambia will face off against Nigeria in Casablanca on Saturday in a critical Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match.
  • The Philadelphia Union transferred South African defender Olwethu Makhanya to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership for a reported $4.5 million fee. The 22-year-old has been with the Union for three years and was part of South Africa’s World Cup roster.
  • FC Cincinnati midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela was suspended for an additional game and fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for his violent conduct against the Columbus Crew on July 25. As a result, he’ll miss out on the match against Orlando City on Aug. 15.
  • Talks are reportedly taking place for American attacker Giovanni Reyna to move from Borussia Monchengladbach to Strasbourg in France.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Lion Links: 7/30/26

Orlando City prepares for New York trip, Orlando Pride face the Courage on Friday, Pride support the community, and more.

Published

4 days ago

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July 30, 2026

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Image of Zara Chavoshi playing for the Orlando Pride.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? All three of Orlando’s soccer teams are on the road this weekend, so be sure to plan accordingly to enjoy all of the action. Whether it’s in your comfiest armchair or at your favorite bar, it should be a nice time to watch some soccer and relax. Feel free to let us know in the comments below if you have a go-to food plan for watching the games. I usually take the easy road and grab a pizza on the way home, but I am looking to switch it up. Let’s get to the links!

Crepeau Stays Hot at MLS All-Star Game

Maxime Crepeau’s strong restart to league play continues. The Canadian international played 30 minutes with the MLS All-Star Team to close out the 2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte on Wednesday. The defense in front of Orlando City’s starting goalkeeper was porous, as Crepeau finished with six saves (equaling the total saves by Matt Freese and Brian Schwake combined) and allowed one goal. MLS beat Liga MX 4-3. After shutting out San Jose and Nashville and then winning the Goalie Wars championship at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge on Tuesday, he turned in a great All-Star Game performance capping an outstanding eight days for Crepeau.

Here are two of his saves:

Orlando City Rides Momentum to Road Match

The Lions are flying high after a pair of great wins last week, shutting out both the San Jose Earthquakes and Nashville SC. Orlando’s next match will be on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls in a rematch of the season opener, which New York won 2-1. Plenty has changed since then, with the most notable difference being the addition of Antoine Griezmann to Orlando’s lineup. Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman provided some insight on the team’s preparations for this match before the Leagues Cup begins next week.

Orlando Pride Get Ready for North Carolina

Following a 1-0 win at home, the Orlando Pride will aim to carry some momentum on the road for a match against the North Carolina Courage on Friday. They’ll face a North Carolina side that has lost its past three matches, scoring just once and conceding nine goals during that stretch. Hopefully, the Pride can also find the back of the net against the Courage while Barbra Banda is away on international duty. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on how the team will need to capitalize on its opportunities in a tough environment on the road.

Orlando Pride Support Local Community

The Orlando Pride and Heart of Florida United Way announced that $7,000 was donated to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free support to those dealing with mental health challenges, emotional distress, and more. This was done as part of the club’s Assists for Good campaign that began this year, with the club donating $500 toward good causes in the community for each assist the Pride record this season. For the remainder of the season, Pride assists will result in donations to The Thanksgiving Project as well.

Orlando Pride defender Zara Chavoshi is also making a difference in the local community. She was nominated for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award this year and detailed the work she does for Habitat for Humanity to build homes. I’ve volunteered with Habitat for Humanity a few times and it was incredibly enriching work that I recommend at least looking into.

U.S. and Mauricio Pochettino Reportedly Near New Deal

An agreement is reportedly close to being reached between U.S. Soccer and Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino for him to stay on through the 2030 World Cup. While the U.S. won its first World Cup knockout game since 2002 this summer, the Yanks failed to make it past the round of 16 after a 4-1 loss to Belgium. Failing to win the 2025 Concacaf Nations League or 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup were other low points for the team under Pochettino, but a strong World Cup group stage performance and friendly wins over Japan, Uruguay, and Senegal showed some of the heights the U.S. could reach with him at the helm.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City B players Clovis Archange and Dylan Judelson both started and played the full 90 minutes in Canada’s match against Honduras at the Concacaf U-20 Championship. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Canada atop their group on four points through two of the three group-stage match days.
  • The Portland Timbers signed Dutch forward Vincent Janssen to a contract through the 2027-2028 season. The 32-year-old has spent the past four seasons with Royal Antwerp, recording 64 goals and 27 assists across all competitions with the Belgian club.
  • Liverpool is reportedly preparing a bid for French forward Bradley Bracola, who had 13 goals and seven assists with Paris Saint-Germain this past season.
  • Victor Gabriel was the player involved in the challenge that resulted in Gabriel Pec’s broken leg in Brazil’s Serie A and the defender has been suspended from playing until Pec returns to training. It’s an unorthodox punishment, but I think it’s fitting.
  • Roberto Mancini was once again hired as Italy’s head coach, even though he left the team to coach Saudi Arabia in 2023 the last time he was in charge. Surely retreading old ground is the right choice for a federation that hasn’t played a World Cup game in over a decade.
  • FIFA lodged three disciplinary charges of assault against Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, two against defender Nahuel Molina, and one against coach Roberto Ayala for their actions in the skirmish following the World Cup final.

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

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