Orlando City had a tough enough task waiting on Saturday with a trip to Philadephia to face the Union. That job got even more difficult given the news that fullbacks Dagur Dan Thorhallsson is in concussion protocol and Rafael Santos didn’t train Thursday. We break down Oscar Pareja’s options and talk more in depth about the likelier ones. Without the Rodrigo Schlegel red card, a three-man back line was in play, and could still happen, but it seems unlikely. Kyle Smith and Michael Halliday are the likely starters Saturday night, and Orlando will have to get a big night from them both to help stifle Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza, and Michael Uhre.

OCB played a midweek game, hosting New York Red Bulls II. It was just the second match this season for the Young Lions at Osceola County Stadium, but they jumped out to a good start and then survived a lot of turnovers of their own making en route to a 3-1 win. We discuss the excellent night from Yutaro Tsukada and, of course, it’s always nice to see Shak Mohammed score.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Halliday’s expanding role with Thorhallsson sidelined, and we were also given the task of designing a new third kit for Orlando City (we present two ideas, actually). 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.

Finally, we turned our attention to Orlando City’s visit to the greater Philly area to take on the Union Saturday, complete with our key matchups for the game — on which we agreed — and our score predictions. [Note: We did not take into account that Julian Carranza is out on suspension for yellow card accumulation, so apologies for the error, but Philly will still be difficult.]

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Here’s how No. 417 went down:

0:15 – A look at Orlando City’s options with Santos and Thorhallsson likely out, and a breakdown of OCB’s first home win of 2024.

21:54 – Our mailbagbox asks about Halliday and the third kits we’d like to see for OCSC.

34:20 – Our preview of the Lions’ trip to Philadelphia to face the Union.

The Orlando Pride keep winning. We aren’t used to that, but we’re here for it. Barbra Banda has brought her lethal finishing to the City Beautiful and her fourth goal in three games was just enough for the Pride to squeak past previously undefeated Racing Louisville, 1-0. We check in on our score predictions, discuss the game in detail, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week wants us to visit Tampa for some women’s soccer. It also includes questions about the tackiness level of a hat, the sustainability of Orlando’s offense, lineup changes when players get healthy, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

After the mailbagbox, we suddenly remembered we forgot to talk about the North Carolina match. So, we checked in on our predictions, discussed the 4-1 win, and made our Player of the Match selections. Better late than never!

We finished the show with our previews and our score predictions for the Pride’s upcoming, first-ever meeting with expansion side Bay FC. The newcomers have been leaking goals, but also scoring them. Orlando will need to avoid a letdown to stay undefeated on Saturday at home.

Here’s how Episode 42 went down:

0:15 – The Pride weren’t at their best Sunday against Racing Louisville, but they still managed to grind out their fifth straight win. We discuss!

15:18 – The mailbagbox contains both questions and offers to host your faithful hosts.

39:26 – We forgetful rubes remembered there was another game since our last podcast and dive into Orlando’s win over the Courage, and we close with a Bay FC preview and predictions.

Saturday night did not go as planned for Orlando City, and that’s something that can be said for several Saturdays already during this trying 2024 MLS regular season. In fact, if things don’t start to turn around soon, there may only be a regular season for the Lions in 2024.

We looked back at another unhappy result for Orlando City, although there is a lot to be said for the team’s attitude despite being down both a man and a goal for the majority of the match. We checked in on our score predictions and made our selections for Man of the Match. We also discussed the fullback injuries that could change the look of the team for the coming weeks.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Concacaf Champions Cup balance, Orlando City in the English football pyramid, beer, 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.

Finally, we turned our attention to Orlando City B’s matchup against Chattanooga FC on Saturday. Many people were making their way to Inter&Co Stadium for the senior team’s match against FC Cincinnati, so it’s understandable if you missed it. The Young Lions remain unbeaten on the road this year, but the performances need to be better, especially in shootouts, after another road draw. OCB held Chattanooga 1-1 but then lost the shootout, 5-4.

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.

Here’s how No. 416 went down:

0:15 – We look back at a game that got ruined pretty early but one from which the Lions still could have taken some points.

26:15 – Our mailbagbox meandered through a variety of topics and we were happy to answer all questions.

49:25 – A quick look at OCB’s trip to Chattanooga.