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Lion Links: 2/9/20

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7 years ago

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Happy Sunday, Mane Landers. As you read this, I’m most likely playing a match with my own club team, Orlando United FC! Today marks the season opener for the Central Florida Soccer League, and I couldn’t be any happier. Adding to that happiness? A Nani backflip! That’s right, the Portuguese star was shining brightly last night, as Orlando City SC won a preseason match. Ah, the positivity and optimism is flowing. What a time to be alive.

All right, let’s do this thing. Here’s your Sunday helping of Lion Links. Enjoy!

Lions Down the Impact in Open Door Scrimmage

The Lions played host to the Montreal Impact last night in preseason play at Exploria Stadium and managed to walk out with a 1-0 win courtesy of a peach of a goal from Nani. He notched a goal for the Lions with a free kick and followed it up with his favorite celebration: the Nani backflip (which, I love, but holy hell do I get nervous when he does this). The match was a back and forth affair, but the Lions looked strong and appeared to be the deserved winners. The last few minutes of this one were particularly chippy, which is an interesting takeaway from a preseason match that doesn’t actually mean anything, but I expect nothing less from both professional clubs.

Nani Beat the Odds

Speaking of Nani, the man himself opened up in a recent interview, touching on the long, crazy, and unlikely path he took to become a professional soccer player. Apparently, young Nani fell in love with the sport at the tender age of seven thanks to his brother. Due to a friend of his in school, he decided to join a club and begin training. It wasn’t an easy journey for a young child, as his new training ground wasn’t close to him and he was forced to walk or run to the facility, which was about an hour and a half from his home. Upon arrival, he wasn’t received as you would expect. He was laughed at and mocked initially, but he quickly proved himself and turned his doubters into believers. He didn’t stick around there for long, though, as he revealed that it wasn’t sustainable on an everyday basis. Nani then reveals that, against his mother’s demands, he found a new group of friends that he could travel with to a different club in order to train. That club quickly recognized the inherent talent that the young Nani brought to the pitch, and in the middle of a training session, he was taken away to sign his first soccer contract. The club promised to work with he and his mother to ensure that it works out for all parties involved. The rest is history that we’re all more than aware of. Legend.

The U.S. Women Face Off with Canada Today

With qualification for the Olympics already in the bag, the U.S. Women’s National Team will host the Canadian National Team in Los Angeles in qualification play. I would expect to see a few fresh faces in this one, as the Yanks have already qualified. This should, ideally, serve as a valuable experience for some of the women on the roster who don’t see regular minutes for the national team. Canada has also qualified, meaning this could be a match with new names on the pitch for both sides — and an exciting opportunity to look into the future of each team. It’s definitely one to keep an eye on, and I can only hope that both sides avoid injuries in the buildup to what’s bound to be an exciting Olympic tournament this summer.

MLS Standing Sections: Orlando Set the Trend

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Orlando City was first! That’s right, we won something! Orlando City created the first large-scale safe standing section in North America when the club’s grounds opened in 2017. And now? The LA Galaxy, D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls, and MLS newcomers Inter Miami will all include similar standing sections for their respective stadiums in 2020. It should be noted that the San Jose Earthquakes have had a section for standing that they’ve dubbed the “Supporter’s Terrace,” but it’s quite small in comparison to Exploria Stadium’s famed purple wall. The trend may pick up even more steam in 2021, as Austin FC should feature a similar section. But hey, the Lions did it in MLS first. Just saying.

Free Kicks

  • In case anyone was wondering, former Lions captain Kaká still has that magic touch in his boots. If you listen closely, you’ll hear someone directing him to “cut back.” As Mr. T would say, “I pity the fool.”

  • Andres Iniesta lifted the Japanese Super Cup yesterday in historic fashion, as both Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F. Marinos performed dreadfully in the penalty kick shootout, with the two teams missing a combined nine consecutive pens. Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe finally claimed the win on pens, 3-2. Iniesta, of course, made his.
  • The Italian Serie A race is now considered to be wide open, as Juventus dropped to Hellas Verona yesterday, 2-1. Cristiano Ronaldo did, however, set a record at Juve by scoring in a 10th consecutive league match.
  • I’m sure you’ve heard about the coronavirus and its fatal impact, so this shouldn’t really be too surprising. New Manchester United loanee Ighalo won’t be making it to the club’s warm weather training camp in Spain due to his possible (major emphasis on possible) exposure, as he was in China prior to his recent move to Manchester. The fear from the club is that he’ll have his travel restricted, as everyone coming from the area are at the moment.
  • Let’s end on a funny, shall we? Everton’s Djibril Sidibe was forced to make a quick substitution when Theo Walcott went down due to an injury, and well, let’s just say that it wasn’t actually quick. The man forgot his left sock in the dressing room, so he ran back to grab it before jumping out onto the pitch minutes later. Carlo Ancelotti was left fuming, at least at first, but I’m confident that the three points taken away from the match will calm that a bit. Let this be a lesson to all of us: always have your gear ready to go!
  • Also, what a play by the father here…cheeky is an understatement, but the lads walked away with a souvenir that’s priceless! Well played, sirs, well played.

All right folks, that’s it for me today. Vamos Orlando (City and United!) and have a great week.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/15/26

Orlando City concedes late in draw with Toronto FC, Justin Ellis earns praise, U.S. Soccer announces Crest Cup for women’s soccer, and more.

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2 hours ago

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October 15, 2026

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Image of Antoine Griezmann and Justin Ellis celebrating a goal against Real Salt Lake.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How are you feeling after last night’s Orlando City game? I don’t think my thoughts have ever been as mixed, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles at times when supporting the Cardiac Cats. It could’ve gone worse though, and being able to watch Antoine Griezmann work his magic is always a treat. Today marks nine years since Kaká’s final game with Orlando City, and I’ve loved being able to see world class players like him, Griezmann, Nani, and more over the years in Orlando. Let’s get to the links.

Lions Blow Lead Late in Dramatic Draw

Orlando City went on the road to Canada and played to a 3-3 draw against Toronto FC in a rollercoaster of a match. The Lions clawed their way back to equalize twice and managed to take the lead late in the match, but couldn’t close things out despite another solid performance by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau behind a leaky defense. Make sure to check out our match recap of what was an exciting, yet frustrating, match that at least featured a couple of great Orlando goals.

Justin Ellis Earns Praise During Breakout Season

The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert ranked his top 22 MLS players under the age of 22 and Orlando City forward Justin Ellis ranked eighth on his list. The 19-year-old has 10 assists and a goal to his name this season, thriving in the attack with an intriguing combination of creativity, strength, and positioning. He’s also already scored for the United States Men’s National Team, doing so in Orlando last month against Peru. Bogert predictably has Philadelphia Union phenom Cavan Sullivan at the top of his list and Julian Hall in second. We’ll see if Ellis lands a bit higher than eighth when the annual MLS 22 Under 22 list is unveiled later this year.

U.S. Soccer Announces Crest Cup

A new club tournament is coming to women’s soccer. U.S. Soccer announced the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup for women’s soccer teams across the country to compete against each other in a single-elimination format. Official details such as when this will take place and which teams will be allowed to participate haven’t been unveiled at this point, but it does seem like it will at least include teams from both the NWSL and USL Super League. The winner of the Crest Cup will receive $1.1 million and qualify for the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Toothpaste jokes aside regarding the name, I’m excited for a tournament that puts a spotlight on more women’s soccer teams.

Takeaways From USWNT Friendlies

The United States Women’s National Team may not have beaten Spain in either of its two friendlies against the European powerhouse, but it at least finished strong by rallying to a 2-2 draw in the second meeting. Not many of the problems the USWNT faced were unexpected either. Naomi Girma’s absence was felt on defense, neither Claudia Dickey nor Phallon Tullis-Joyce emerged as the clear starter in goal, and the midfield looked suboptimal against the best team in the world. Head Coach Emma Hayes has multiple decisions to make before the Women’s World Cup next summer, with the USWNT’s next match coming on Nov. 27 against El Salvador in the Concacaf W Championship quarterfinals.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The UEFA Champions League returned this week and there were plenty of good games across Europe. In one of the bigger matchups of this round, Paris Saint-Germain went to England and beat Manchester City 4-2 to move to the top of the table. Elsewhere, Real Madrid mounted a late comeback to beat AS Roma 4-3 in Italy, Bradley Barcola scored a hat trick in Liverpool’s 6-3 win over LAK Linz, and Bodo/Glimt won 1-0 in Norway against Borussia Dortmund. The teams will play again on Tuesday and Wednesday, with PSG going up against Barcelona and Bayern Munich hosting Arsenal as two of the heavyweight showdowns.

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  • Congratulations to Orlando Pride newlyweds Rafaelle and Hailie Mace on tying the knot!

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

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Lion Links: 10/14/26

Orlando City plays Toronto FC, Orlando Pride prepare for Houston, the USWNT draws Spain, and more.

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1 day ago

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October 14, 2026

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Image of Iago passing the ball against Toronto FC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s also match day for Orlando City. As the regular season winds down, the tension ramps up. The Lions are currently above the playoff line, but it’s a precarious perch. With two matches this week, earning crucial points will be even more difficult. We will have more match prep later today, but for now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Visits Toronto FC Tonight

Orlando City travels to the Great White North tonight for a match against Eastern Conference opponent Toronto FC. Points are at a premium as both teams chase a playoff appearance. Rest assured that Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman is making sure the team is prepared and taking it one match at a time. It is a double match week so we’ll see how Perelman rotates the starting lineup.

Orlando Pride News and Notes

Yolanda Thomas is getting the Orlando Pride ready for Sunday’s road match against the Houston Dash. Of course, there are several players on international duty before then. Oihane got the start for Spain against the USWNT (see below) on Tuesday night. Barbra Banda scored a brace for Zambia in a 4-1 win over Uganda in an Olympic qualifier. Ally Lemos contributed two assists in the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team’s 5-0 dismantling of the Dominican Republic.

USWNT Comes from Behind to Draw Spain

The USWNT played its second friendly against top-ranked Spain Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Philadelphia. Much like the previous match, Spain was able to build a 2-0 lead before the end of the first half. Unlike last time, the U.S. was able to score two goals to draw Spain. Ashley Sanchez scored in the 49th minute in her first USWNT start in nearly two years, and Mallory Swanson added the second goal in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, the USWNT wasn’t able to get a third, but a 2-2 draw is still a better result than last time and coming back from two goals down made it feel more like a win in the end.

USMNT Players in Club Action

Former Orlando City defender Alex Freeman came on in the 63rd minute of Villarreal’s 3-1 victory over Napoli in the UEFA Champions League. Johnny Cardoso played all 90 minutes for Atletico Madrid in his club’s 2-0 win over Manchester United. He almost scored a goal, but it was disallowed after video review. Sergino Dest’s PSV lost 1-0 to RB Leipzig. Dest is Top 10 when it comes to Champions League appearances by U.S. players. There are a few more USMNT players making appearances in the matches today.

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That will do it for today. You can follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for live match updates and we will also have a recap of the match tonight and more coverage tomorrow. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 10/13/26

Orlando City players named to MLS Team of the Matchday, USWNT takes on Spain tonight, Americans in action this week, and more.

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2 days ago

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October 13, 2026

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Image of Ivan Angulo playing against D.C. United.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a bit of a pep in my step so far this week after Orlando City’s win this weekend. Hopefully, the soccer we have ahead of us tonight and Wednesday night doesn’t end up dimming that enthusiasm. Let’s go ahead and dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Lions Make MLS Team of the Matchday

Orlando City players Maxime Crepeau and Ivan Angulo were both named to the MLS Team of the Matchday, with Antoine Griezmann landing on the bench. Crepeau was immense in Orlando’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew, recording a club-record 12 saves. Angulo also excelled with a goal and an assist, with his late winner landing a spot on Sports Illustrated‘s top five goals of the week as well. Griezmann also chipped in a goal and an assist. There are a couple of familiar faces on the bench with Griezmann, with former Orlando goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. earning the honor after making nine saves for the San Jose Earthquakes and former Lion Shak Mohammed recording a goal and an assist in Nashville’s win.

USWNT Aims to Bounce Back Against Spain Tonight

After a 2-0 loss to Spain on Saturday, the United States Women’s National Team will play the top team in the world again tonight. It will be interesting to see what lineup changes Head Coach Emma Hayes makes following the loss, particularly with regard to the defense to help stop Spain’s potent attack. Spain got off to a hot start in Saturday’s match, but the team’s physicality likely won’t catch the U.S. by surprise this time around. Orlando Pride defender Oihane, who is with Spain for these friendlies, said she expects the U.S. to be more aggressive in this rematch.

Spain's Oihane Hernández on what she expects from the #USWNT in Tuesday's rematch:"I honestly expect like a really more physical game. I think they're gonna be more aggressive."(I would expect the same.)

— Jeff Kassouf (@jeffkassouf.bsky.social) 2026-10-12T15:37:35.556Z

Americans in Action Abroad This Week

The UEFA Champions League and Europa League return this week and there are many Americans to keep an eye out for across Europe. Former Lion Alex Freeman, who earned plenty of praise for his performance against Real Madrid on Saturday, could start in his first UEFA Champions League game today when Villarreal hosts Napoli. We may also see more of 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert when Borussia Dortmund plays Bodo/Glimt as he continues to impress at such a young age. Sergino Dest and Johnny Cardoso are other Americans who could play in the Champions League, while Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, and Tim Weah may suit up for Europa League play.

U.S. Soccer Announces Referee Development Program

U.S. Soccer unveiled a new program aimed at improving referee development and making the pathway for aspiring officials more consistent. Named R90+, the program will give referees access to mentors and coaches for them to improve across multiple aspects of officiating, such as game management, physical preparation, and tactical awareness. The first edition of this program will take place in the South, with 10 of the 60 officials coming from Florida. Hopefully this investment in officiating improves things for everyone involved.

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That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

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