How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve been having a bit of a hectic week, but the rest of it should be fairly smooth sailing as we get ready for another weekend of Orlando soccer. Apart from the errands and work, I’ve been working on perfecting a buffalo chicken dip as summer nears its end. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for Minnesota United

The Lions are back in action on Saturday with a road match against Minnesota United to close out what has been a busy month for the team. This will be Orlando’s eighth match in August, but the Lions have at least been able to get some rest this week after winning 2-1 at home against Real Salt Lake on Saturday. Minnesota is also entering this match after a win, beating the San Jose Earthquakes 5-1 thanks to four goals in the second half. Orlando City defender Zakaria Taifi spoke on Orlando’s preparations for this away trip after a long string of games at home.

Dylan Judelson Loaned to Genoa CFC

Orlando City B midfielder Dylan Judelson was loaned to Genoa CFC in Italy’s Serie A through June of 2027. The loan includes an option to buy, with Orlando receiving undisclosed financial compensation and retaining a sell-on fee if Genoa exercises that option. Judelson helped the academy’s U-18 team win the Generation Adidas Cup in 2025 and participated in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game as well. The Canadian has also played internationally at the youth level, including at the Concacaf U-20 Championship this summer. Best of luck in Italy, Dylan!

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

American defender Naomi Girma scored in Chelsea’s 5-2 victory over Real Sociedad in Women’s Champions League qualifying. She captained the squad and Alyssa Thompson started for Chelsea as well. In men’s soccer, the EFL Cup third-round matchups were unveiled and Americans may clash when Chris Richards and Crystal Palace play against Middlesbrough, which has a trio of Yanks in Aidan Morris, Sebastian Berhalter, and Max Arfsten. Speaking of Middlesbrough, it’s reportedly close to signing American midfielder Rokas Pukstas from Hajduk Split as well. The club might have to start calling it soccer if this keeps up.

UEFA’s Boycott Reportedly Set to End

UEFA’s members are meeting today and are reportedly expected to end the confederation’s boycott of FIFA competitions. The possibility of a boycott has loomed over the sport due to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes of the World Cup to private investors, but UEFA has reportedly received assurances that the failed scheme won’t be revived. This news comes at an important time as six UEFA nations are set to take part in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in Poland on Sept. 5.

Free Kicks

• Enjoy this crazy goal courtesy of Ivan Angulo’s left foot in Orlando City’s training. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was inspired by Marco Pasalic constantly making that move.

• You’ll now be able to watch exclusive NWSL games for free on the Roku Sports Channel. It will be the home for eight Sunday night games this season and then 25 more games in 2027.
• Minnesota United midfielder Joaquin Pereyra won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his tricky rabona that beat San Jose goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
• Sporting Kansas City traded away up to $7.6 million to Austin FC in exchange for midfielder Owen Wolff. It’s a hefty amount of money, although only $4.5 million of it is guaranteed.
• The draw for this year’s UEFA Champions League takes place today at noon. The lack of groups takes some of the excitement out of the draw, but it should still be interesting to see how the chips fall.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Yesterday, we lost a great human being. Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80, and even though I’m not a country music fan I am still a fan of Dolly. She was a humanitarian who brought joy to many through her music, her philanthropy, and her genuine good nature. The world is a darker place without her glittering rhinestones and she will be missed by many.

I also feel that Dolly would want all of us to find our joy in life, and for me, that often involves soccer, and in particular, Orlando City and the Orlando Pride. So in Dolly’s honor, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Climbs

Orlando City has inched above the playoff line thanks to a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. The Lions have also climbed four spots to 18th in MLSsoccer.com’s MLS power rankings. Given how the season started, this is all good news. Next up for Orlando City is a trip to Minnesota. I always find it fascinating to see how the opposition looks at a matchup, and you can also check out what we expect to see on Saturday on the latest episode of The Mane Land PawedCast.

Orlando Pride News and Notes

Barbra Banda has yet to score a goal since returning from WAFCON, though she provided the assist to Haley McCutcheon in the Orlando Pride’s 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit. As such, Ashley Sanchez has taken the lead in the Golden Boot race. While there were plenty of interesting facts from NWSL Week 18, an important one for Pride fans is that Cosette Morché became the first keeper in Pride history to record a shutout in her debut. Next up for the Pride is a home match against the Utah Royals.

MLS Roundup

People in Europe are shocked by Breel Embolo’s move to Atlanta United. I assume it’s because he’s under 30 years old. The Seattle Sounders acquired striker Dejan Joveljić from Sporting Kansas City for $6 million. He will be a Designated Player. LA Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski has been fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for failing to leave the field in a timely manner. Here is the video of the incident.

USMNT Player Stock Rising/Falling

With midweek matches looming, let’s look back at how USMNT players — including Orlando City’s Justin Ellis — did both abroad and here in the States. Some players, like Zavier Gozo and Matt Freese, saw their stock rise, while others, like Tyler Adams, did not. Stu Holden shared who he thinks should be the faces of the USMNT going forward, and it’s hard for me to disagree with his assessment.

Free Kicks

• The Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire opened the first joint women’s sports complex. The training facility will have two soccer pitches and two full-sized basketball courts along with other amenities.
• The Chicago (Red) Stars will play their 2027 home schedule at Northwestern’s Martin Stadium.

• Austin FC named Khaled El-Ahmad the club’s new chief soccer officer & sporting director. He recently held a similar position with Minnesota United.
• Finally, proof that Mason Stadjuhar is Forever a Lion. Well done, StadjuHeart. You make us proud.

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

Good morning, everyone. It was an improved, but not perfect weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams, as the three sides combined to take six of the nine points on offer. The midweek games have finally ceased for the time being, but Orlando City and the Orlando Pride will both be back in action on Saturday, while Orlando City B will try to get things back on track on Sunday. We’ve got a whole host of things to cover this morning, so let’s get into the links. But before we do, we want to give a big shout out and thank you to Barry, our latest TAM-level subscriber at The Mane Land’s subscription service at Buy Me a Coffee. If you’d like to check out what’s on offer to see if it’s for you, click here (you can also just make a donation if you want to support us and subscribing isn’t for you).

Antoine Griezmann Named MLS Player of the Matchday

Designated Player Antoine Griezmann played a starring role in Orlando City’s win over Real Salt Lake, as the Frenchman bagged a second-half brace to complete the Lions’ comeback and secure a vital three points. He’s been rewarded for his efforts with not just a starting spot in the MLS Team of the Matchday, but with his first MLS Player of the Matchday nod as well. Griezmann’s double makes it three goals and two assists in six league games since joining the team following the World Cup break, and while the team’s form hasn’t been flawless, it certainly looks a lot better with him in the fold. Here’s hoping his good form continues!

Pride Players Up for Weekly Honors

Sticking with the topic of weekly awards, Barbra Banda has been nominated for the NWSL Assist of the Week. The striker is most known for her prolific goal scoring, but she turned provider in the Orlando Pride’s 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit. Banda drove at the defense in the opening moments of the game before playing a beautiful ball across the face of the box, where it found an onrushing Haley McCutcheon, who put her effort into the back of the net. It was a great all-around effort from Banda, as she made a tackle and won the ball on the halfway line before leading the break up the field and playing the key pass.

Speaking of McCutcheon, the Pride’s goal scorer has been nominated for the NWSL Player of the Week. McCutcheon took her goal well, and had a chance to tack on a late insurance goal, but her effort was saved by Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. Make sure you go vote for both players to win their respective awards!

Lessons from MLS Matchday 22

Matchday 22 is in the books for Major League Soccer, and there were plenty of things to be gleaned from the weekend’s action. Griezmann did a little bit of everything for Orlando City once again, but he wasn’t the only MLS newcomer that made a difference. Josh Sargent scored his first goal for Toronto FC since May as he helped the Reds knock off Inter Miami on the road, and Jack Harrison marked his first game against former team New York City FC with a gorgeous secondary assist on the game’s opening goal. He’s got five assists in four games since joining during the summer window and so far looks like a Designated Player spot smartly used by the New England Revolution.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing matches during the working week, so make sure you get everything marked down on your calendars. Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten, and Aidan Morris get things going later today when their Middlesborough side travels to face Doncaster in the Carabao Cup. Things continue on Wednesday when Tanner Tesssmann and Lyon play Fenerbahce in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League qualifying tie, with the matchup finely balanced at 1-1 after the first leg. Thursday will see Folarin Balogun and Monaco try to hold onto a 3-2 lead over Gornik Zabrze in the second leg of UEFA Conference League qualifying, before Yunus Musah (and possibly Christian Pulisic, if he’s recovered from injury) and AC Milan face Gianluca Busio and Venezia in Serie A play.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City took a big leap in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings, as the Lions rose seven spots to no.17.
• The Orlando Pride rose two spots of their own in the same outlet’s NWSL power rankings, and now sit at no. 11, which is where they are in the league table.
• Amanda Vandervort is leaving her position as president of the USL Super League.
• Samuel Eto’o has spoken out in favor of Gianni Infantino and his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!