Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/21/19

Happy Tuesday, Mane Landers, and for the first time in a great many weeks I mean that wholeheartedly! Not only did Orlando City SC snap a losing streak with a net-bursting win over FC Cincinnati, but Orlando City B also won its first game of the season, meaning that all Orlando teams in action over the weekend walked away with victories. As always, there’s lots to discuss so lets bask in the warm glow of victory and get to the links.
Recognition for Lions
A pair of Orlando players earned very justified recognition for their exploits over the last week. Chris Mueller is up for the MLS Goal of the Week for his superb left-footed solo effort in the Lions’ 2-1 loss on the road to Seattle last Wednesday. Tesho Akindele, meanwhile, was named to the bench of the MLS Team of the Week for his two-goal performance in Sunday’s 5-1 shellacking of FC Cincinnati. Akindele scored the team’s first goal courtesy of a quick turn and fortunate deflection off a Cincy defender, and the goal got Orlando back in the game. He then struck again for the team’s fourth goal when he was the first to react to a loose ball in the box after a corner kick, completing his brace. Congratulations to both men, and keep up the good work.
Dom Unavailable for Friday
Bad news and even worse timing for both Dom Dwyer and Orlando City as its been confirmed that Dom will be suspended for Orlando City’s home game this Friday against the LA Galaxy. The suspension really couldn’t come at a worse time as Sunday’s game saw Dwyer back among the goals for the first time since March, when he converted a really quite difficult header for the Lions’ fifth goal. Unfortunately, he did pick up a fifth yellow card of the year in Sunday’s game, but there was a little confusion over whether or not he would be suspended for the team’s next game or not, as he had gone five games without picking up a yellow card. That five-game stretch means that the league’s Good Behavior Incentive goes into effect, reducing the player’s yellow card tally by one, but only if the player concerned hasn’t received “… a yellow card, red card or supplemental discipline in such matches.” Since Dom was fined in Orlando’s 3-1 loss to the Montreal Impact the incentive doesn’t apply to him, and he’ll have to sit this one out.
Provisional Gold Cup Rosters Released
The 40-man provisional rosters have been released for each nation participating in this summer’s Gold Cup. On the U.S. roster there are plenty of familiar big names, with Christian Pulisic, Jozy Altidore, Josh Sargent, and Weston McKennie making the initial cut, among other names. While Orlando City has no players on the U.S. roster, the team is well represented elsewhere, with Benji Michel, Tesho, Will Johnson, Kamal Miller, Danilo Acosta, and Greg Ranjitsingh on the lists for Haiti, Canada, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively. With this year’s tournament kicking off on June 15, the final 23-man rosters will be announced in the first week of June. As exciting as it is to have Orlando players in the mix for their national teams, it’s also a double-edged sword, as it depletes reinforcements during the summer, a time when the Lions have been notoriously horrid. Thanks very much, wonky and non-FIFA-calendar-compliant MLS schedule (though it really should only affect the two matches in late June, at worst).
NYCFC Stadium Rumors
Yesterday was quite the day for anyone following rumors of a possible soccer-specific stadium for New York City FC. Early in the afternoon there were a pair of tweets that spoke about whispers being heard that a deal was done and an announcement was to be made soon. The rumor was/is that the stadium would be located in the Bronx, meaning that the team would be able to move out of Yankee Stadium at some point in the reasonably near future. Considering that I think playing games at that stadium is the worst setup in the league, and the only thing that I truly sympathize with NYCFC fans for, this would be a great step for the team and league as a whole. However, a second tweet soon after seemed to quash the earlier rumors, so basically no one knows what the hell is going on. Pour one out for NYCFC fans.
Contrary to reports/tweets that a new soccer specific stadium for #NYCFC is a done deal or even close, I can tell you unequivocally, that is not the case. #MLS
— Glenn Crooks (@GlennCrooks) May 20, 2019
Free Kicks
If anyone is yammering on about Nani being “over the hill” or some similar nonsense, show them this chart.
Non-penalty goals plus assists per 90 minute so far (min. 500 minutes). Keep in mind that Giovinco was at 1.10 in what was the greatest season of all-time back in 2015. pic.twitter.com/0CWmzzrDSz
— Ben Baer (@BenBaer89) May 20, 2019
- Orlando City B has moved from 10th to eighth in the USL League One rankings after getting its first win of the year.
- Houston Dynamo defender and captain DaMarcus Beasley has announced that he will be retiring after the end of the 2019 season, his 20th as a professional.
- Former Lion Jonathan Spector has been released by Hibernian FC.
- Steve Clarke has been named the new manager of Scotland.
- Vincent Kompany will re-join Anderlecht as a player-manager next season.
That’ll be all for me today. It’s another busy week of Orlando soccer with Orlando City B starting things off on Wednesday with a home game against Richmond. Orlando City will be the meat in the proverbial soccer sandwich, as the team hosts the LA Galaxy Friday at 7 p.m. ET, and the Orlando Pride will close things out with a Saturday game away to Utah Royals at 8 p.m. ET. Y’all stay safe out there.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/22/25
Orlando City ousted from U.S. Open Cup, OCB’s Justin Ellis named Player of the Matchweek, Tottenham wins Europa League, and more.

Well, that could have gone better. It’s understandable to feel a bit deflated after Wednesday night’s game, especially after so many positive Orlando City results as of late. The good news though is that we’re another day closer to a holiday weekend that should include some good times or at least rest and relaxation. Let’s dive into today’s links!
Orlando City Eliminated from U.S. Open Cup
The Lions lost 3-2 at home to Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 16, ending the team’s run in the tournament. Orlando struck first in a rollercoaster of a match, and Ramiro Enrique pulled the Lions level after they fell behind, but rookie Wyatt Meyer scored the winner for the visitors. The loss snapped Orlando’s 12-game unbeaten streak across all competitions and Orlando looked like a team that played five other matches already this month. Orlando will need to shake off this loss as it prepares to host the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
Justin Ellis Named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchweek
Orlando City B midfielder Justin Ellis was selected as MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchweek for his role in the team’s 3-0 win over Inter Miami II. Ellis, who turned 18 years old last week, assisted on both of OCB’s first two goals before scoring from the penalty spot himself. It’s been quite the year so far for Ellis, as he also scored six goals in the Generation Adidas Cup to help Orlando win the U-18 title in April. The Young Lions are back in action Friday with a road match against rival Atlanta United 2.
U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 Results
Comebacks were a theme throughout the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 16. Minnesota United took the lead, gave it up, and ultimately advanced thanks to defender Anthony Markanich scoring two late goals to beat St. Louis City 3-2 at Allianz Arena. Markanich was traded from St. Louis to Minnesota last year, adding a little salt in the wound for the visitors. D.C. United and Charlotte FC battled in a back-and-forth match that ended up with D.C. winning the penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw. The match between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas also went the distance, with the Red Bulls winning the shootout. The Philadelphia Union won 4-1 against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to eliminate the last team from outside MLS. The draw for the quarterfinals will take place this morning.
Tottenham Hotspur Wins Europa League Final
Tottenham prevailed in this year’s Europa league final, winning 1-0 against Manchester United in Spain. Brennan Johnson’s goal was enough for Tottenham to end its 17-year wait for a major trophy. It was a bit of an underwhelming finish to what was a fairly exciting knockout stage, and this was United’s only loss in this year’s tournament. Tottenham has now qualified for next season’s Champions League despite currently being 17th in the English Premier League standings.
Free Kicks
- Christian Pulisic reportedly won’t play in the Concacaf Gold Cup so that he can recover from a lengthy season with AC Milan.
- Boston’s NWSL team will play its home games next year at Gillette Stadium due to delays with construction for its eventual home, White Stadium.
- NWSL Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Julie Haddon will leave the league this summer as part of the league’s restructuring. Chief Sporting Director Tatjana Haenni will exit in October as well.
- After winning the domestic treble in his first season in charge, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has extended his contract until 2027.
- Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham will undergo shoulder surgery once the Club World Cup is over.
- London City Lionesses were fined for messaging a Southampton player through social media without Southampton’s permission back in August. London City earned promotion this past season and will be the first fully independent women’s team in the Women’s Super League.
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: 5/21/25
The U.S. Open Cup journey resumes tonight, Javier Otero signs a new contract, Pride’s Sams and Abello called up, and more.

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It is match day with Orlando City hosting Nashville SC tonight in Inter&Co Stadium. I hope you are able to make it out to support the club, since I will have to watch it on television. If you listen to The Mane Land PawedCast you know how much I want Orlando City to focus on the U.S. Open Cup — even at the expense of the Leagues Cup. For now, let’s get to the links.
Nashville is Next
As I mentioned above, the Lions take on Nashville SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match tonight. Orlando City is riding a 12-match unbeaten streak through all competitions and has scored 14 goals in the past four games going back to its 5-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Lions will look to continue their goal scoring ways to advance to the quarterfinals.
Javier Otero Has a New Contract
Orlando City signed goalkeeper Javier Otero to a new contract through the 2026 season with options for 2027 and 2028. Otero joined the Orlando City Academy in 2017, moving his way up to Orlando City B and, eventually, the first team. The signing secures Orlando City’s backup keeper for the immediate future.
Pride USWNT Call-Ups
Emily Sams and Kerry Abello were both called up to the USWNT training camp. This is Abello’s first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team. Sams and Abello make up two of Emma Hayes’ 24-player roster for the upcoming friendlies against China and Jamaica. Other notable players include Naomi Girma, Lynn Biyendolo, and Lo’eau LaBonta.
USMNT Gold Cup News
Mauricio Pochettino has yet to name the final 26-player list for the Gold Cup. He has even put out there that he may give playing time to a goalkeeper other than Matt Turner. Pochettino sees the Gold Cup as a great opportunity for the team to bond during the last competition before the World Cup. Prior to the Gold Cup, the team has friendlies with Türkiye and Switzerland.
Free Kicks
- The Kansas City Current may have defeated the Pride last match, but they paid dearly for it.
- In sad news, former Sporting Kansas City player Gadi Kinda passed away. Kinda had been dealing with “a complex medical battle.”
- In the “I’m not at all surprised” category, Lionel Messi was not fined by the league for any of his antics during or after the loss to Orlando City, including his criticism of officials, which is usually an automatic fine.
- Congratulations to former USWNT player Becky Sauerbrunn who announced she is expecting a baby in October.
That will do it for today. Check back for our pre-match and post-match coverage tonight. You can also follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for match updates. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/20/25
Lions earn weekly recognition, preliminary Gold Cup rosters released, Americans in midweek action, and more.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Life always feels a little brighter after your team wins a soccer game, even more so when it’s against a hated rival, so I hope you’ve had as good a start to your week as I have. We have no time to rest on our laurels though, because Orlando City is straight back into action tomorrow with a U.S. Open Cup match at home against Nashville SC. Let’s get into today’s links.
Lions Earn Weekly Recognition
Several Orlando City players are getting some deserved plaudits following the team’s 3-0 win over Inter Miami on Sunday. Pedro Gallese has been named to the starting XI of the MLS Team of the Matchday, while Joran Gerbet is on the bench and Oscar Pareja is the coach of the side. Gallese made four saves while keeping a clean sheet and also assisted Luis Muriel on the first goal of the game. Gerbet did an excellent job of helping to minimize the impact of Lionel Messi, while Oscar Pareja was the man who who masterminded it all. Alex Freeman got some love as one of the standout young players of the matchday, and also had a nice piece written about him in The Athletic (paywall). All the Lions are deserving of their praise, and here’s hoping this isn’t the last time we see them getting some love.
Freeman Named to USMNT Preliminary Gold Cup Roster
The preliminary rosters have been announced for the 16 teams set to participate in this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup. Most of the usual suspects are present for the United States Men’s National Team, with the exceptions of Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna, whose teams are participating in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Of note for Orlando City fans is Alex Freeman’s inclusion on the preliminary roster. That being said, this early list contains 60 names and will need to be cut down to 26 by June 4. With Sergino Dest and Joe Scally both on the 60-man list, Freeman is probably an outside shot to be included, but you never know.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a number of Americans playing matches during the working week, so make sure you have everything marked down on your calendar. Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace host Wolverhampton Wanderers in their penultimate Premier League game later today, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth do the same against Manchester City. Wednesday has Jordan Pefok and Reims visiting Metz in a playoff to decide which team will play in Ligue 1 next season. Alex Zendejas and Club America take on Toluca in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura final on Thursday, and Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis host Valencia in La Liga play on Friday.
Transfer Rumor Roundup
The summer transfer window will be upon us before we know it, so let’s take a look at what the transfer rumor mill is saying these days. Manchester United is said to be on the verge of signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and has reportedly agreed to terms on a deal. Man City has reportedly ended its interest in signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, and has instead turned the club’s attention to Barcelona’s Dani Olmo. Finally, Rodrygo is reportedly considering leaving Real Madrid in the summer, with some outlets saying that he “has one foot out of Real Madrid”.
Free Kicks
- Some of the takeaways from the recent round of MLS matches include Orlando City’s continued good play, Marco Reus stepping up, and the trio of strong teams atop the Eastern Conference.
- Kaká has said he is ready to join Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil staff if he’s asked to do so.
- Orlando City rose six spots to no.8 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
- The Orlando Pride held fast at no. 2 in ESPN.com’s NWSL power rankings.
- Enough said.
That does it for me today. Vamos Orlando!
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