Lion Links
Lion Links: 10/27/19

Howdy Mane Landers, and happy Sunday! With the USL and MLS playoffs in full swing, it sure does hurt to be an Orlando soccer fan, huh? The “what ifs” have really set in for me, but I suggest you don’t fall down that rabbit hole because it sucks having to climb back out of it. Trust me. Regardless, there’s still some quality soccer being played around the States that warrants coverage, alongside some noteworthy news, so let’s dive right in.
You know the deal. Here’s your Sunday serving. Bon appétit.
Vlatko Andonovski Wins NWSL Coach of the Year
The Macedonian-born Andonovski is the first coach to take home the National Women’s Soccer League accolade with two different clubs — first bringing home the honor during his time steering FC Kansas City in 2013, and now this year with Reign FC. Andonovski won with about 53% of the vote, while the North Carolina Courage’s Paul Riley snagged around 27%, and the Washington Spirit’s Richie Burke received about 20% of the vote.
“It was an emotional and challenging year for our team,” said Andonovski. “But also a very satisfying year in that we dealt with a lot of adversity and many of our players performed at their best and gave their best efforts, which is all we can ask as coaches. Success is a team effort and individual awards are of course a reflection of the players and theentire organization, so I thank them, as well as our assistant coaches, our ownership and all the staff.”
An additional interesting tidbit to this award is that Andonovski is set to become Jill Ellis’s successor at the helm of one of the greatest national teams, men or women, of all time: the U.S. Women’s National Team. It appears that the program will be in good hands. I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table for our defending World Cup champions.
Also be sure to catch the NWSL final today between the North Carolina Courage and the Chicago Red Stars at 3:30 p.m. ET. Will Chicago’s Sam Kerr capture her first NWSL crown? I think not. My money’s on the Courage (as per usual).
Heroes will emerge. Legends will be made. And one team will be crowned champion. #NWSLPlayoffs | #NWSLChampionship pic.twitter.com/249nZS0GnJ
— NWSL (@NWSL) October 13, 2019
Christian Pulisic Shines in London
Things started shaky, and I fully anticipate there to be ups, downs, and bumps in the road, but it appears that American phenom and Chelsea starlet Christian Pulisic has finally begun to settle in to his new home in London. Facing off against a stout Burnley side that’s just outside of the top 10 in the Premier League, Chelsea ran rampant thanks to Pulisic’s perfect hat trick (left foot, right foot, header). He’s the second American to ever notch three goals in a single Premier League match. Clint Dempsey holds the honors as the first. The feat had him so excited that he almost forgot to bring the match ball home with him. Something tells me he’ll remember next time.
The USL Championship Playoff Update
In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks (or you just don’t care, which is fair I suppose), the 2019 USL Championship season has ended and we’re now in the midst of the playoffs. Yesterday was chock full of USL action, with a total of eight matches being played to narrow the field down to four teams. Here’s what the slate looked like, and how those matches turned out.
The Eastern Conference
- Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Birmingham Legion FC: (7-0 Riverhounds)
- Louisville City FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies: (2-1 Louisville)
- Indy Eleven vs. New York Red Bulls II: (1-0 Indy)
- Nashville SC vs. Charleston Battery: (3-1 Nashville)
The Western Conference
- Real Monarchs SLC vs. Orange County SC: (6-2 Real)
- Reno 1868 FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC: (3-1 Sacramento)
- Phoenix Rising FC vs. Austin Bold FC: (0 (8)-0 (7) Phoenix on penalties)
- Fresno FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC: (3-2 El Paso)
Next up, the USL conference finals and then the big dance. Who do you see taking home silverware?
What’s Happened to Miguel Almiron?
Okay, so I stole Kristen Henage’s headline, but I mean, is there a more accurate headline? What’s happened to Almiron since his move from that team in Georgia to Newcastle United, and how has it gone so wrong? MLS received approximately $27 million from Newcastle to secure the midfielder’s services, which is quite the pretty penny for anyone, let alone a young and inexperienced midfielder coming from MLS. The once-highly touted Almiron has seen his share of successes and setbacks so far in England. Notably, injuries hampered his debut season and then the man who brought him over to Newcastle, former manager Rafa Benitiz, left the club following an impasse with the controversial owner. These two factors are the most likely culprits in Almiron’s decline in form, exposure, and overall public perception.
The man who replaced Benitez hasn’t done Almiron any favors, either, deploying him as a striker or a winger, instead of his preferred position in the middle of the park. I’ll be honest. I’ve always liked Almiron, even when he wore red and black. When you compare his behavior and professionalism with that of players like Ezequiel Barco (See: courting your teammate’s girlfriend), he’s pure class. Couple that with his deft touch and skill on the ball – the dude’s likable. I hope he finds a home that suits him well, or finds a way to succeed with Newcastle.
Free Kicks
- Here’s your official MLS guide to the potential MLS Cup finals. Spoiler: The Lions aren’t tipped to make it very far. You couldn’t hear it, but I groaned out loud as I typed that.
- Will Zlatan stay in Los Angeles? I don’t know, you probably don’t know, and I bet these guys don’t either.
- Stay up to date on the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and the current standings! The young Americans will be seeing Japan, Senegal, and the Netherlands in the group stage — quite a difficult group to emerge from. Also, here’s the schedule (because that’s also important).
- It appears the Galaxy’s Uriel Antuna is generating interest overseas, with Benfica reportedly tracking the 22-year-old’s progress. Keep an eye on the Galaxy this off-season. There’s bound to be a lot of change.
- Check out this absolute gem of a golden goal, scored by Providence University’s Paulo Lima in the 98th minute of extra time.
NOW THAT'S A GOLDEN GOAL. 🌟#NCAASoccer | @PCFriarsMSoccer pic.twitter.com/awSm6a35TZ
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) October 27, 2019
All right folks, I’m out. Have a great week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/25/25
Orlando City gets ready for Atlanta United, Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira promoted, NWSL MVP candidates, and more.

Happy Friday! Today starts three straight days of Orlando soccer to enjoy, so make sure to plan your weekend accordingly. It was a fairly fast week for me, and I was able to read three books somehow. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a very happy 21st birthday to Orlando City winger Nicolas Rodriguez!
Orlando City Gets Ready for Rivalry Match
The Lions are back in action Saturday night against rival Atlanta United in what should be one of the more interesting matchups of the weekend. Both teams are looking for answers on offense heading into this match, as Orlando is coming off of three straight scoreless draws and Atlanta hasn’t won since March. Taking on a rival at home could be just what’s needed for the Lions to jumpstart their attack and return to the form they had earlier this season. Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on how it’s an important game to win for Orlando, as well as how the offense needs to exercise some calmness to finish its chances.
Orlando City Promotes Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira
Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira were both promoted by Orlando City, with Moreira taking over as the club’s general manager and sporting director and Muzzi becoming senior advisor to ownership, global soccer ventures. It’s a natural step up for Moreira, who joined the club in 2018 and has helped build a competitive roster that’s made the playoffs for the past five seasons. Muzzi’s new role is a bit of a mouthful, but he’ll be taking on an advisory role focused on the growth of the club while working closely with ownership.
“I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as Orlando City Soccer Club’s EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager for seven seasons, and I am excited to continue my journey with the club in this new role,” said Luiz Muzzi. “I look forward to working alongside the Wilf family and the leadership team to help shape the future of the club and its continued success, both on and off the field, and I know Orlando City’s Soccer Operations will be in great hands under Ricardo’s leadership.”
Orlando Pride Players in the NWSL MVP Hunt
Now that we’re over a month into the NWSL season, ESPN‘s Jeff Kassouf highlighted the league’s early MVP candidates, and there are a couple of familiar faces in his rankings. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda is predictably in the mix in sixth on the list, as she has three goals and an assist to her name so far. But a surprise inclusion is midfielder Haley McCutcheon, who has impressed on both sides of the ball to earn ninth place in the rankings. While I think the MVP race will ultimately be between scorers like Banda, Temwa Chawinga, Ashley Hatch, and Debinha, it’s pretty great to see McCutcheon receive deserved praise for her performance this year.
MLS Transfer News Roundup
The transfer deadline may be over for MLS clubs, but deals that crossed the finish line are still coming in. The Columbus Crew added yet another forward by sending up to $1.2 million to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for Aliyu Ibrahim. The 23-year-old will maintain his U22 Initiative Player status in Columbus and recorded 12 goals and nine assists across 90 appearances for Houston. LAFC signed 26-year-old midfielder Ryan Raposo, who spent the past five seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps and was a free agent this year. St. Louis City also made things official with Simon Becher by making his loan move a permanent one so that he stays with the club.
Free Kicks
- Enjoy this intriguing article that shines a light on how MLS team administrators manage the chaos of the transfer window. I would devour a television series following these kinds of crises throughout the season.
- St. Petersburg is exploring demolishing Al Lang Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, to make room for an amphitheater. The proposed demolition would take place after 2028, so we’ll see if this comes to pass.
- Jamie Vardy is leaving Leicester City, ending a 13-year tenure there that will be remembered for winning the English Premier League title in 2016.
- Here’s everything you need to know before the second legs of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals on Sunday. Chelsea will take on Barcelona before Lyon and Arsenal square off, with both English clubs trailing after the first legs.
- Real Sociedad announced that Head Coach Imanol Alguacil will step down following this season. Alguacil was hired in December of 2018 and led the team to victory in the 2020 Copa del Rey.
- Manchester United will take part in the inaugural women’s seven-a-side tournament next month, joining Bayern Munich, Ajax, Benfica, and four other teams yet to be determined.
- NBA Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd has joined Everton’s ownership group. I too would be looking for anything to take my mind off of the Dallas Mavericks’ season.
- Former Pride players Sydney Leroux and Ali Riley announced a weekly podcast, with the first episode set for Monday.
That’s all I have for you this time around. Mother’s Day is less than a month away, just as a warning. If the mothers in your life like romance books and you’re looking for a gift, I can’t recommend The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center enough. Have a great Friday!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/24/25
Orlando Pride prepare for Angel City FC, MLS deadline day deals, OCB slips in power rankings, and more.

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a few days since a rough weekend for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride. Time heals all wounds, but let’s also hope it heals offenses considering both teams were shut out. Let’s go ahead and manifest some good officiating this weekend as well while we’re at it. That might be a tall order, but I’m feeling optimistic. Let’s get to the links!
Orlando Pride Prepare for Angel City FC
The Orlando Pride will look to bounce back when they welcome Angel City FC to the City Beautiful for a home game Friday night. Orlando lost its first game of the year and first home game since 2023 last week against the Washington Spirit, falling 1-0. Angel City is also coming off of its first loss of the season, falling 4-0 at home to NJ/NY Gotham FC at home. Pride defender Kerry Abello spoke on how the Pride will need to create better chances compared to last week as they prepare to right the ship with a home victory.
Orlando City B Drops a Spot in Power Rankings
Although OCB fell from third to fourth in the latest MLS NEXT Pro power rankings, the Young Lions are solidly in the top five teams in the league. OCB was on a bye last weekend, so not moving too much in the rankings can be expected. While the Young Lions fell 3-2 in their last league game against Inter Miami II, spirits are likely high with the team due to the Orlando City U-18 team’s success in the Generation Adidas Cup. Let’s hope the Young Lions can ride that momentum into Sunday night’s match with New York Red Bulls II.
MLS Deadline Day Transfer News
The MLS transfer deadline day has come and gone and there were some notable moves to catch up on. Real Salt Lake’s deal with Boavista for forward Robert Bozenik reportedly collapsed, but the club still added striker William Agada from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for $500,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money and another $350,000 in GAM if he re-signs. Inter Miami traded winger Robert Taylor to Austin FC in exchange for up to $750,000 in GAM, with only $50,000 of that being conditional. Atlanta United traded winger Xande Silva to St. Louis City SC for up to $250,000 in GAM as well.
The Houston Dynamo also have a new forward, signing Toyosi Olusanya from Scottish club St. Mirren. The New England Revolution traded Noel Buck to the San Jose Earthquakes for up to $650,000 in cold, hard cash, reuniting the 20-year-old with Bruce Arena. Frankie Amaya is back in MLS, joining LAFC on loan from Toluca. As of this writing, Minnesota United are reportedly in hot pursuit of Miami’s Julian Gressel.
Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad
The race for a place in the English Premier League is heating up in the EFL Championship and Americans are right in the thick of it. Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United have already secured promotion, along with Burnley. Forward Haji Wright has scored 12 goals for Coventry City this season, and his club currently holds the final playoff spot. Midfielder Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough are three points behind, while former Lion Daryl Dike and West Brom will need to win their remaining two matches for a shot at sneaking in.
In Italy, Christian Pulisic started in AC Milan’s 3-0 victory over rival Inter to book a spot in the Italian Cup final on May 14. Fellow American Yunus Musah was an unused substitute. Catarina Macario scored twice and Mia Fishel added a goal as well in Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Crystal Palace, helping their team get ever closer to winning its sixth straight Women’s Super League title.
Free Kicks
- German legend Thomas Muller, who is set to leave Bayern Munich this summer, reportedly rejected an offer from FC Cincinnati and Fiorentina.
- Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his volleyed strike against Atlanta. Seeing Atlanta get scored on really makes the goal that much sweeter to watch.
- Marcus Rashford is reportedly aiming to join a Champions League team after this season. The 27-year-old is on loan with Aston Villa from Manchester United and should be an interesting name to keep an eye on this summer.
- Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace kept a few champagne bottles corked, as Liverpool would have won the league title if Arsenal lost. Liverpool now just needs a point when it faces Tottenham at home on Sunday.
- Real Madrid beat Getafe 1-0, but it came at the cost of injuries to both David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga. The Spanish club may now have a crisis at left back ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
That’s it for today’s links! Make sure to stay hydrated out there as we get closer and closer to summer. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/23/25
The Orlando Pride drop, OCSC Academy awards, USMNT characters, and more.

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. This weekend we have the most convenient schedule, with the Orlando Pride playing Friday night, Orlando City on Saturday night, and Orlando City B on Sunday night. It’s nice knowing what I’ll be doing each night. Now, I just need all three teams to get back on the winning side of things. Until then, let’s get to the links.
Bad Pride, Good Pride
It might have been the dumbest way to lose a match against the Washington Spirit, but — actually nevermind, there is no “but” about it. We can, however, decide to move forward rather than dwell on it after today. Unsurprisingly, the Pride dropped in the all-knowing power rankings. All for XI only dropped the Pride one spot to No. 2 since everyone has a bad day now and again. The CBS power ranking dropped the team to No. 3. That was the “bad.” The “good” is that we can revisit the puppies that showed up at Inter&Co Stadium. The loss still hurts, but it’s hard to stay mad after looking at the puppies.
The (OCSC) Academy Awards
Assuming you read Lion Links on Monday morning (or listened to The Mane Land PawedCast this week) you know that the Orlando City SC Academy U-18 team won the Generation Adidas Cup. Now we know that three of the very young Lions — Gustavo Caraballo, Jackson Platts, and Justin Ellis — were named to the U18 Best XI. Additionally, Caraballo and Ellis earned MVP and Top Scorer awards, respectively. It was truly the bright spot of an otherwise forgettable weekend.
Pochettino Prepares
The USMNT did not do well in the Concacaf Nations League, falling to Panama and then Canada in the third place match. Now, U.S. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has to prepare the team for the Gold Cup. Pochettino said that he needs the “right characters” on the squad, whether they are the most talented or not. He also spoke of the need for the players to fight for the badge and the flag. Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena said Pochettino may not be the right man for the job because he’s not an American. The USMNT’s next matches are friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland on June 7 and June 10, respectively.
MLS Transfer News
The Columbus Crew are making moves. The club received $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot. The club then sent DeJuan Jones to the San Jose Earthquakes for $425,000 in GAM and a 2025 international roster slot. Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City acquired forward Santiago Muñoz on loan from Liga MX side Santos Laguna.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City dropped a spot to No. 12 in MLSsoccer.com’s power rankings. Three 0-0 draws in a row will do that.
- Michael Buxbaum is suing the U.S. Soccer Federation for $100 million because the USWNT didn’t try to win the SheBelieves Cup. I wasn’t happy with the result either, but this is the definition of frivolous.
- Nani and Ali Krieger are both participating in The Soccer Tournament on seven-on-seven soccer teams. The matchups for the $1 million tournament have been set.
- Speaking of Krieger, she is settling in at her new gig at ESPN as an analyst for NWSL matches and co-host of “FutbolW.”
That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the full slate of matches coming up.
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