Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. The weather is getting a bit nicer. I’m actually able to have the windows open at night, which is delightful. However, the temperatures are rising a bit this week, which I find sad. I know we live in Florida, but gosh darn it, we’re only 10 days from Halloween. I should be wearing sweaters rather than shorts. I appreciate you allowing me to rant, now let’s get to the links.

Justin Ellis Named No. 5 of MLS 22 Under 22

Justin Ellis was rightly named to Major League Soccer’s 2026 22 Under 22 list. The Orlando City striker came in at No. 5 on the list. It’s not surprising, given the year he’s had. He’s busted into the starting lineup for Orlando City, and he has 16 goal contributions so far. He also received his first call-up to the USMNT, scoring a goal in his first match and two goals in the four-game window. He’s joined on the list by fellow USMNT teammates Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall. This is his second accolade in the last week as he was also named 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year.

New Orlando Soccer School Announced

Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are expanding the Orlando Youth Soccer Network with the addition of the Orlando Soccer School – Winter Haven. The organization is formerly known as the Winter Haven Soccer Club. The school will provide programming for boys and girls ages 3-19. This is an example of the top-to-bottom pipeline the organization is building to develop players for both the men’s and women’s clubs.

Orlando City B Season in Review

Like the Orlando Pride, Orlando City B did not make the post season in 2026. That doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t a success in other ways. Orlando City B is a developmental squad, and the reserve side did its job in developing prospects this season. Some OCB players made it into the first team, there were a record number of academy debuts, and the team saw several international call-ups. Given how inconsistent the squad was because of all the shuffling around, it’s not surprising the team struggled on the pitch at times. Hopefully, all the younger players getting time will set the team up for success next season.

USMNT to Face Jamaica in December

The USMNT added a friendly against Jamaica on December 13 in Miami. The match takes place outside of the international window, so we can expect Mauricio Pochettino to call up MLS players whose clubs have been eliminated from the playoffs. There’s also a possibility for some European-based players, but clubs are not required to release them. Prior to that, the team will be in action in against Haiti in the two quarterfinal legs of the Concacaf Nations League.

Free Kicks

• The Lions are up to 11th in the MLS power rankings following their 4-1 victory over D.C. United. Even the writer got distracted by Martin Ojeda’s amazing goal.
• Orlando City midfielder Luis Otavio is on the list to potentially be on next year’s MLS 22 Under 22. Hopefully, he plays well enough for that to come to pass.
• Pride striker Barbra Banda is on the list for the Women’s Ballon d’Or. The award ceremony takes place on Oct. 26.
• The Bundesliga has a new broadcast rights deal in the U.S. The league will try to leverage the visibility of soccer following the World Cup.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

Hello, Mane Landers! It was a great weekend for the Lions, while the Pride won but were finally knocked out of the playoffs with Seattle Reign FC’s defeat of the Chicago Stars. Let’s start today off by wishing Pride goalkeeper McKinley Crone a happy 28th birthday. It’s been a busy past few days, so let’s get to the links.

Griezmann, Ojeda Honored

For their efforts (and spectacular goals) in Orlando City’s 4-1 win over D.C. United on Saturday, both Antoine Griezmann and Martin Ojeda have received deserved honors. Griezmann was named MLS Player of the Matchday for his two-goal, one-assist performance, leading the way once again in what has been an impressive start to his career as a Lion. The man they call Grizi is up to 19 goal contributions in 14 matches. Griezmann was obviously also honored with a starting spot on the MLS Team of the Matchday, joining fellow Lion Martin Ojeda, who chipped in a goal and an assist against D.C. And what a goal it was! Ojeda’s crazy, leaping, spinning backheel goal from Griezmann’s chipped pass over the top is deservedly up for MLS Goal of the Matchday. There’s still time to cast your vote on Twitter.

In addition to Goal of the Matchday, Ojeda’s magical moment will likely be up for MLS Goal of the Year. Marco Pasalic’s late insurance goal was also important, and it gave the Lions a goal from all three Designated Players in the same game.

Lions Deemed Powerful, Entertaining

Orlando City is up to No. 9 in the latest version of the ESPN MLS power rankings after Wednesday’s road draw in Toronto and Saturday’s lopsided home win over D.C. United. It’s been a long climb up those power rankings, just like it’s been a long climb above the playoff line after Orlando’s terrible start to the season. The Lions still have a lot to do to secure a postseason spot, but at least at home, they’ve been strong in the second half of the season.

Additionally, the Lions are an entertaining watch, win or lose, according to Joseph Lowery over at the league’s website. Lowery’s argument is compelling, noting that both the Orlando attack and the defense keep things exciting by either scoring or conceding in bunches. He also notes the number of ways the Lions can operate with personnel moving around to give the team multiple attacking options.

Pride in the Power Rankings

The Orlando Pride picked up a 2-1 win in Houston on a big day from Solai Washington, but it wasn’t enough to keep the team in contention for the postseason as Seattle defeated Chicago to seal the Pride’s fate. In addition to the Pride being 11th in the standings after the win, the latest version of ESPN’s NWSL power rankings have them in the same spot, which seems fair. Orlando will play out the string starting Sunday with a matinee against first-place Gotham FC before finishing the season on Nov. 1 at Seattle.

Americans Abroad in European Tournaments

Several Americans will be in action this week, so make sure you’ve got all the games you need to see written down somewhere, so you won’t miss any of the action. Tyler Adams faces Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah in Europa League action Thursday as AC Milan travels to AFC Bournemouth. Chris Richards and Crystal Palace also play in a Europa League tilt against Besiktas, and the defense is being held up as a reason for their struggles. Tanner Tessman is also one to look for in Lyon’s matchup against Hoffenheim in a Europa League tilt. Villarreal heads to Liverpool in Champions League action and we’ll see if the club’s manager continues to ride Alex Freeman’s hot run as he has yet to start a Champions League game.

Free Kicks

• UEFA is asking for answers about the relationship between U.S. President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino
• The U.S. U-17 women set a record in a 17-0 win over Samoa, posting the most lopsided win in World Cup history at any level. The Yanks had 10 different goal scorers in the match.
• Atlanta City FC has hired its first chief soccer officer for the club’s NWSL debut in 2028.

That’s the wrapup for today. Check back with us tomorrow for more futbol news.

The offense dazzled while the defense avoided having its customary lapses become costly in Orlando City’s 4-1 home win over D.C. United. Daryl Dike, Martin Ojeda, and Antoine Griezmann combined on the best team goal all season for the opener, while Ojeda got cheeky with the second goal on a scorpion kick.

Let’s take a look at how Orlando City’s players rated in their matchup against D.C. United.

Starters

GK, Maxime Crepeau, 6.5 — It was a fairly quiet night for the Canadian goalkeeper as he only had to make three saves and the goal against him was from the penalty spot. In the moments when the lapses in the defense showed up, he was out there, correcting the mistakes. Two of his three saves came in the eighth minute on the only significant onslaught from D.C. all night. Crepeau had two successful long balls on the night and 76% passing accuracy.

D, Ivan Angulo, 6 — While Angulo brought all of his usual energy and endurance, his touches and decisions mostly let him down all night. He contributed on the defensive end but was mostly off on the offensive end. That said, even with his touch being off, his presence widens a defense and allows for the type of goals the Lions put in the net all night. Angulo was dispossessed three times and passed at a 91% percent rate while adding five defensive contributions and nine recoveries, showing the work put in on the defensive end.

D, Iago, 6 — It was a standard night for Iago, as he had a great long through ball in the 11th minute to break the defense but also had a bad giveaway at the 26-minute mark. As the central clearing house for the team, he had the most touches at 102 and passed at a 93% clip. He added a tackle, a block, and seven clearances. Of the two center backs, he was the more commanding one over David Brekalo and showed why, if given time, he could turn into a dependable center back.

D, David Brekalo, 5.5 — Brekalo had almost as many touches as Iago but there were multiple instances when D.C. United had free headers from his marks. None of them converted, but that doesn’t let him off the hook. He also had a bad turnover in the 85th minute. He was 86% accurate on his passes with two tackles, one block, and seven clearances.

D, Zakaria Taifi, 6.5 — The lineup was a little more standard with Taifi lining up in his right back role instead of forcing Angulo over there. Taifi didn’t stand out but, in a season of defensive miscues, not standing out can be a good thing. He was a willing runner, spreading out the D.C. defense, and provided a good outlet at times. In one of his aggressive moments, he ended up in the middle of the pitch and acted as an outlet to cycle the ball and got a secondary assist on Martin Ojeda’s goal. He only finished with a 77% passing rate but added two tackles and four clearances.

MF, Martin Ojeda, 8.5 — Orlando City’s all-time scoring leader would win Man of the Match in most games with an assist and an electrifying goal, but Griezmann exists doing Grizi things. Martin looped in a ball on a great give-and-go for the opening goal and then added his own goal in the 22nd minute that should win MLS Goal of the Week and potentially be on the ballot for MLS Goal of the Year. His passing accuracy was 86% and he’s rounding into form at the right time if this team is to do anything in the playoffs.

MF, Wilder Cartagena, 5 — It was a mixed night for Wilder. He failed to clear a dangerous cross in the 40th minute that fortunately turned into nothing. He then, inexplicably, bear hugged Sean Nealis on a corner kick, which referee Pierre-Luc Laziere awarded as a penalty when Nealis went to the ground. On the other hand, his aerial header forward on a D.C. clearance up the pitch led to the opening goal. Cartagena, who often dropped back as a de facto third center back to allow Angulo to go forward, passed at a 94% clip but that was the only item on the stat sheet. He was replaced by Joran Gerbet at halftime.

MF, Luis Otavio, 6.5 — Otavio continues to grow into his enforcer role in the midfield. While not shining in any moment, he was almost always present when D.C. was trying to move the ball forward and made himself a nuisance. He picked up a yellow card in the 38th minute with a tackle from behind that he thought he got cleanly. He passed at an 87% rate and recorded two tackles and two interceptions. He was subbed out for Braian Ojeda in the 70th minute.

MF, Eduard Atuesta, 6 — The team structure didn’t force Atuesta into defensive positions as often at it did in Wednesday’s game against Toronto FC and, as a result, Atuesta had a better game. While he was only 83% accurate with his passes, he tallied three key passes to open up the D.C. United defense. That includes a nice grounded cross that Angulo couldn’t finish. He was replaced by Adrian Marin in the 70th minute as Orlando City shifted into a more defensive shape.

F, Daryl Dike, 6.5 — In a rare start for the target forward, Dike was instrumental in setting up the first goal as he controlled the entry pass before laying it off to Griezmann. It was really his only positive control of the night as he seemed to not have the footwork to combine receiving a pass into an opportunity, but his holdup play was good, as he chested long balls down for his midfielders to run onto. Dike passed at a 61% clip and only touched the ball three times in the box. He was active defensively, chipping in two tackles and four clearances.

F, Antoine Griezmann, 9 (MotM) — The superlatives continue for the Frenchman and he has unofficially taken over Lionel Messi’s hold on the top-rated player in MLS according to FotMob. This game was a masterpiece worthy of the Louvre. A magnificent give-and-go to open the scoring, an excellent pass to Martin Ojeda for the second, and then active pressing work to pick off an errant pass in the D.C. defensive end for the third goal. Two goals, one assist, four key passes, three shots (all on target), and 83% passing all add up to a phenomenal game.

Substitutes

MF, Joran Gerbet (46′), 6 — Gerbet came on at halftime and helped provide more relief through the midfield. He missed just one of his 40 passes for a 98% passing rate but also didn’t add a ton defensively with a single tackle making up all of his defensive contributions.

MF, Braian Ojeda (70’), 6 — The Lions flexed their midfield depth all night as Braian Ojeda came on for Otavio. He was a perfect 15-for-15 on his passes and added a tackle and an interception.

D, Adrian Marin (70′), 5.5  — As Orlando City shifted into a more defensive shape late, Marin came on to act as the left side of the back three for his first appearance in almost two months. It didn’t go much better than his previous stints as he made a bad pass in the 87th minute that almost led to a breakaway. He finished with four defensive contributions, which is impressive in 20-plus minutes but it’s almost always the mistakes that make you wince at Marin.

F, Justin Ellis (70’), 6.5 — Ellis returned after nursing a small injury and continued to show the skills he brings. He logged two key passes in his limited time on the field, including the line-breaker to Marco Pasalic that led to the fourth goal. He connected on nine of his 11 passes and will surely work his way back into fitness to return to the starting lineup.

MF, Marco Pasalic (86’), N/A — Pasalic only played for nine minutes and, as such, won’t receive a grade but that doesn’t diminish his movement in the last action of the game. As Orlando City was clearing D.C. United’s attack, Pasalic went sprinting up the middle, opening a lane for Ellis to place a perfect ball at his feet. Pasalic took it in one-on-one vs D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson and slotted it by him. Pasalic is a tough player to figure out how to place in the lineup, as his game is more suited to taking chances throughout a game but, if he can prove a dangerous sub, Orlando City will have plenty of options late in the game.

That’s what I’ve got for the players in a celebration of an evening. Let us know how you saw the game in the comments below, and don’t forget to vote for your Man of the Match.