It was a big night for Orlando City right back Alex Freeman and his United States National Team mates, as the Yanks dominated Uruguay 5-1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Freeman scored the USMNT’s second and third goals of the night to break open a close game and the United States went on to put Uruguay on full blast at the expense of Freeman’s former Orlando City teammate, Facundo Torres, who came on as a second-half sub for Uruguay.

Sebastian Berhalter, Diego Luna, and Tanner Tessmann also scored for the United States.

“Obviously, I think it was something special, playing in my home state,” Freeman said about the brace in a television interview on TNT after the match. “Playing in Florida, I think it was something I had to show out. For my career, it’s just something I can add to my column, you know, getting this match ball and being able to get a goal for my national team, especially with my family here. So, it’s just been a good thing and I hope we can build on it.”

The U.S. led 1-0 on a well-worked set piece goal by Berhalter when Freeman struck for the first time in a USMNT uniform. Berhalter served in a beautiful corner kick service that the defender rose to meet, sending a header back against the grain and into the net in the 20th minute to double the lead.

Freeman extended the U.S. lead to 3-0 in the 31st minute, taking a pass near the left corner of the penalty area, losing his defender, and powering a shot into the back of the net.

From there, the USMNT cruised, despite giving up a late goal in the first half to make it 4-1 just moments after Luna had made it 4-0. The U.S. took complete control in the second half after Uruguay went a man down through a straight red card. Tessman tacked on a fifth for the only goal of the second half off a fantastic assist from substitute Gio Reyna.

The team wrapped up 2025 in the right way. It was easily the best performance by the U.S. since Mauricio Pochettino took over as head coach and a great sign that the United States can be effective against good opponents heading into 2026.

“I feel like it’s important to build our chemistry, but also to build our confidence,” Freeman said. “As a national team we need to build confidence with one another. It’s been a couple of different rosters (in this window). I feel like the last two games, not only did we play good, but I feel like we dominated the games. And so to be able to get those wins in those situations, it’s great for the team.”

With his brace, it was no surprise that Freeman was named Man of the Match.

Orlando City left it late again. Tyrese Spicer reprised his role from the Nashville game by providing the assist for a goal late in stoppage time, but this time it was a different goal scorer and a road draw instead of a home win. Alex Freeman played great against FC Cincinnati, so it was fitting that he literally pulled a point out of thin air on a Sunday night that saw the Lions squander numerous good opportunities to score while allowing the hosts only one Kevin Denkey strike.

We look back at the key moments, players, and plays of a critical road match, check our score predictions, and make our selections for Man of the Match, splitting the vote

This week’s mailbagbox asked us a pair of trivia questions and added an individual question for each host. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

OCB got two points at Carolina Core FC when it needed three, but it did enough to stay alive in the postseason race but there is no margin for error. The Young Lions fell behind by two goals, battled back to get level, conceded again, and once again equalized on the road. Carlos Mercado then helped his team win the penalty shootout on his birthday to claim the extra point. OCB must beat FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday at home and get help to reach the postseason.

Finally, Orlando City returns home with another game against a good team from the Buckeye State, as the Columbus Crew visits Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. Whether Diego Rossi plays or not, the Crew are always a difficult opponent. We break down the series history, look at the battle ahead, provide our key matchups, and make our predictions for the final score.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

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Here’s how No. 506 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City didn’t seem to want to put the ball in the net, but maybe that’s because it wasn’t yet the death of stoppage time. Earlier goals are OK too, guys!

27:55 – The mailbagbox offers trivia, but no prizes if we get them right.

39:11 – OCB was listening to Meat Loaf and thinking two out of three ain’t bad, and the senior Lions prepare for Columbus.

I couldn’t tell you why this show is nearly an hour other than the fact that we are verbose. Orlando City crashed out of Leagues Cup with back-to-back losses in games that had a Concacaf Champions Cup berth on the line. The Lions did almost nothing in the first half against the LA Galaxy on the road, and threw Martin Ojeda’s second-half equalizer away just seven minutes after he scored it with a horrendous turnover in their defensive third.

We discuss Orlando City’s 2-1 road loss, which featured one of Pedro Gallese’s best-ever saves as a Lion, although it ultimately didn’t matter much, looked back at our score predictions, and made our selections for Man of the Match.

We also discussed Seattle’s 3-0 win over Inter Miami in the final and the shenanigans that the Herons pulled after losing.

Ramiro Enrique was not in uniform Sunday night in the wake of reports that he’s about to be sold for a reported $3 million to a Saudi team. Although the timing isn’t perfect, it would be a good return for the Argentine striker.

This week’s mailbagbox asked about ice cream, donuts, Carlos Mercado vs. Javier Otero, and more. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

OCB picked up a much-needed three points with a home win over Crown Legacy at the death that nearly immediately became a draw at the even more death. Mercado was sensational in the match for the Young Lions and Thalles scored the timely goal to push the club over the playoff line for the time being. I nearly started to preview an OCB game that is more than a week ago, but the important thing is I stopped myself, otherwise the show would have been even longer.

The senior Lions are also off this week, so we’ll see you next week!

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

If you’d like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we’d love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how No. 502 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City looked to be following the same script as in the win at LA back in March, but then coughed up the ball in a dangerous spot to one of the Galaxy’s best scorers.

29:36 – The mailbagbox is trying to make us fat(ter).

46:38 – OCB has put together two consecutive late wins as the Young Lions try to get back into playoff contention after several rough weeks.