Connect with us

Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/24/20

Published

6 years ago

on

Happy Monday, Mane Landers. I’m going to start with a personal shout out to my Sunday league team, Orlando United FC, which held a clean sheet yesterday while scoring three times. It was an impressive showing from the boys, so congratulations are in order.
I managed to put a spot kick right down the center and the keeper saved it, but I did score a header off of a corner kick. Embarrassing is an understatement and I’m my biggest critic, so it’ll be on my mind until I bury the next one. But hey, even the greats miss on occassion (I’m looking at you, Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, and David Beckham).

Okay, enough about me. These links are for you! Welcome to a special serving of Monday links since I usually serve you on Sundays. Bon appétit.

A Beautiful Reunion: Tesho and Óscar

Some may already know, but Óscar Pareja drafted Tesho Akindele in 2014 in a surprise move with the sixth overall draft pick. For Akindele, this was a massive surprise as he expected to be drafted in the second round by the LA Galaxy. Akindele, who plied his trade in college’s D2 scene, was elated to be under Pareja and Pareja was happy to work with him for the first five years of his professional playing career. Flash forward to now and a beautiful reunion is upon us as the two both represent the purple Orlando City crest. Akindele’s learned a lot from Pareja and relishes the opportunity to work under his former gaffer for a second spell.

“It’s one of those lead-by-example things because you have no excuse not to be working hard if the boss is working hard,” Akindele said. “He can demand that his players work hard because he’s like, ‘I am putting in these hours; I have the receipts to show you I’m here all the time. I’m working as hard as anyone.’ So it just is it kind of a top-down mentality from there.”

2020: Year of the Foreign Coaches?

MLS has its nuances. It’s a tough league, historically, on foreign mangers that come from outside of the United States and Canada. This has changed in recent years though. Foreign head coaches are finding increased support and success in MLS, with coaches such as Tata Martino, who brought success to Atlanta United, ushering in a new era of management. Of the seven new coaches hired this off-season, six come from outside of the U.S. and Canada, including Orlando’s Pareja. Of those seven, four have no prior MLS experience.

A few years ago, the perception of these moves would be much different than they are now, as some seasoned coaches with ample experience in various leagues around the world failed to live up to club expectations. Now, the expectations remain high, but Tata and a few others have proven that foreigners can truly find success in MLS.

MLS’ Top Players

Are you kidding me, Greg Seltzer? How is Nani not a top winger in your list of the top five MLS players at each position? Given the captain’s 2019 season, I’m surprised but I’m sure he will use it as motivation this year. Orlando City, according to Seltzer, doesn’t have a single player noted on the list. I can’t argue too much, but Pedro Gallese certainly could be a top goalkeeper in the league once he gets going this seaso.

Ruan is also a borderline top right back in my eyes. Other than that, it’s tough to argue that the Lions have any top players. But Nani not being a top winger in the league disqualifies this list as rubbish in my opinion. Meanwhile, rookie Daryl Dike didn’t make it into the top 10 young players to watch in 2020. I’ve had enough, let’s move on to the next link.

MLS Clubs Sharing Fields

This isn’t an entirely new concept, as many MLS clubs share their home grounds with franchises in other sports, but this year is a bit different. The normal suspects remain the same with Atlanta’s soccer and football teams sharing the same turf and the same goes in Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, Toronto, Nashville, Vancouver, and Seattle. New York’s soccer team and the better baseball team also share a home field.

This year, we can add a few more clubs to that list with Los Angeles and D.C. now sharing their fields with newly-formed XFL teams. Seattle also has an XFL team joining the fray. So if the pitches look a bit strange this season, you’ll now know why. Thankfully, we have a beautiful stadium and pitch here in Orlando that is free from the XFL. Exploria Stadium is amazing and this makes me that much more grateful that we get to attend matches in it.

Free Kicks

  • I’m sure most of us are already well-versed, but in case you’re not, here’s an update on the rule changes coming to MLS for the 2020 season.
  • Four stars? Check. A champion’s badge? Check. That is all.

  • Meanwhile in Rio de Janeiro, Marta is rightfully being worshipped.

  • The San Jose Earthquakes requested permission to rename one of the streets near the stadium to “Wondo Way” as a nod to Chris Wondolowski and his legendary MLS career. Personally, I love this gesture and hope the request is granted.
  • Eden Hazard suffered an injury in Real Madrid’s shocking 1-0 loss at Levante yesterday. This comes just weeks after the 29-year-old Belgian icon returned from a different injury. Get well soon, Hazard!
  • In Paris, Edison Cavani continues to score. I can see Kylian Mbappe beating this record, but I think it’s far more likely that he leaves the club before doing so.

  • And to end our links, the notorious coronavirus has impacted even Barcelona ahead of tomorrow’s Champion’s League round of 16 tie against Napoli. The virus recently broken out in Italy and caused Serie A matches to be canceled. This prompted the Catalan club to go through tests today to ensure that they aren’t infected.

Mane Landers, that’s it for today. Enjoy your Monday and kick some butt this week. I believe in you just as much as Lebron James believes in Jayson Tatum. Go Celtics.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/14/26

The Orlando Pride hire a new GM, Luis Muriel departure rumors heat up, USMNT news, and more.

Published

4 hours ago

on

January 14, 2026

By

Image of Luis Muriel bringing the ball forward against the LA Galaxy.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It has felt like the off-season has been in slow motion despite several signings. Recent developments make it feel like things are going to start speeding up. So keep your head up as the preseason is underway, and the season is just around the corner. For now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando Pride Name Caitlin Carducci VP & GM

The Orlando Pride hired Caitlin Carducci as the club’s new vice president of soccer operations and general manager. Carducci was most recently the general manager for the Kansas City Current. Like the recently departed Haley Carter, Carducci is proven commodity, having built trophy-winning teams. She has an impressive resume, having worked at multiple levels of soccer including with U.S. Soccer, the NWSL, and as an attorney and former compliance officer. This is a move that proves the commitment of the Wilf family regarding the Orlando Pride.

Muriel Exit Rumors Heat Up

It’s one of those things where everyone knows something is coming, but we still have to wait for it to actually happen (see Carlos Coronel). It’s a known secret that Orlando City and Luis Muriel want to mutually move on from each other, and now it looks like it might be happening. Of course, we don’t have anything confirmed by the club yet, but when Tom Bogert posts something like this, it’s usually a good indication.

USMNT News

Josh Sargent has been doing very well with Norwich City scoring 13, 16, and 15 goals for the Canaries in the last few seasons. Now, he may be on his way to MLS as Toronto FC is trying to bring him to North America for an $18 million fee. In other news, Timothy Weah spoke out about the costs of World Cup tickets being too high. It’s not exactly a hot take, but good on him for addressing the issue.

NWSL Notes

Now that the Orlando Pride have a new general manager, we eagerly await the new player signings. Until then, let’s check out other NWSL happenings. Seattle Reign FC signed head coach Laura Harvey to a new contract through the 2028 season. Angel City decided that having Emily Sams wasn’t enough, so the club signed rookie forward Riley Tiernan to a contract extension through the 2028 season. The disturbing trend of Brazilian players signing with clubs other than Orlando City continued, as Ludmila was traded by Chicago to the San Diego Wave for $800,000 in transfer fee funds and up to an additional $200,000 in conditional transfer fee. She signed a three-year contract with the club.

Free Kicks

  • I think we may get the 2026 NWSL season schedule on Thursday, but I’m just speculating.
  • It’s called the City Beautiful for a reason.
  • Orlando City had a special guest at training, as Brazilian legend Zico stopped by to visit.

That will do it for today. Check back with The Mane Land as there’s going to be plenty of news as the new seasons for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride get closer. Vamos Orlando!

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/13/26

Orlando City opens preseason training, Orlando City B signs a striker, MLS transfer news, and more.

Published

1 day ago

on

January 13, 2026

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Good morning, everyone! As strange (and soon) as it seems, we’ve now got day one of Orlando City’s preseason in the rearview mirror. The season opener will be here before we know it, but for now we’ve got a lot of things to talk through today. Let’s wish a happy birthday to OCSC goalkeeping coach Cesar Baena, and get started on today’s links!

Orlando City Begins Preseason Training

Things looked a little different than they did the last few years when Orlando City opened preseason training on Monday. The new faces include Maxime Crepeau, Braian Ojeda, and Tiago, but the team is more than ready to get to work despite the off-season changes. Oscar Pareja says the club has high expectations for the year and took a moment to acknowledge all the people at the club who helped make the Lions into a playoff staple over the last six seasons, saying, “We’re ready to keep pushing with this journey, and it looks different, for sure, because we have had those players who have been here for many years and have brought a long, big, big history here. So again, our respect to them, and we promise that we will keep pushing together, because the most important thing is the team.” Of the new signings, Luis Otavio was the only one not present at Monday’s training, while several Orlando City B players were training with the first team, with Justin Ellis, Titus Sandy Jr., and Juan Rojas among them.

OCB Adds Brazilian Striker

Not to be outshone by the senior side, Orlando City B got the week started on a strong note by announcing the signing of striker Pedro Leao from Flamengo’s U-20 team. Leao came up through Flamengo’s academy before making his debut for the U-20 team in August of 2024. He then proceeded to score 20 goals and provide six assists in over 3,000 minutes for the U-20 side, and helped it win the 2024-2025 iteration of the U-20 Intercontinental Cup. The striker was also called up three times to represent Brazil’s U-16 side, logging three assists across those friendly matches. Welcome to Orlando!

MLS Transfer Moves

With the beginning of the Major League Soccer season creeping closer and closer, teams are completing transfer business in every direction you look. We start with FC Cincinnati, which has signed free agent forward Tom Barlow on a contract that runs through the end of 2027. Continuing the theme of free agent signings, the New York Red Bulls have signed defender Robert Voloder, with the former Sporting Kansas City player joining on a deal that runs through the end of 2028. The Houston Dynamo signed midfielder Agustin Bouzat from Velez Sarsfield on a deal that runs through June 2028 and has an option through June 2029. Up north, 38-year-old Maxi Moralez is back yet again for New York City FC, as he has signed a new contract that runs through the 2026 season. Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Timo Werner as a Designated Player.

Americans in Midweek Action

As usual, a number of American players will be in action during the working week, so let’s take a look at some of the matchups. Things get going today when Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen travel to Hamburger SV in Bundesliga action. Gio Reyna, Joe Scally, and Borussia Monchengladbach hit the road to take on Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Wednesday, while Kevin Paredes and Wolfsburg host James Sands’ St. Pauli side in the same competition. Thursday has Christian Pulisic and AC Milan in a road tilt against Como in Serie A play, and the week finishes up Friday with Folarin Balogun and Monaco squaring off against Lorient in Ligue 1.

Free Kicks

  • Check out some of the scenes from the first day of preseason training.

That’s all I’ve got for today. Vamos Orlando!

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/12/26

Pride trade Emily Sams to Angel City, MLS transfer news, FA Cup roundup, and more.

Published

2 days ago

on

January 12, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work, covering high school bowling and playing video games such as EA FC 26. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Pride Trade Emily Sams to Angel City FC

The Orlando Pride announced Friday that the club has traded 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year Emily Sams to Angel City FC. In exchange, the Pride received a club-record $650,000 in intraleague transfer funds. Sams had requested a trade and departs Orlando after three seasons with the club. The Pride had given Sams a contract extension 11 months ago through the 2027 NWSL season. She made 86 appearances for the Pride across all competitions, scored one goal and added two assists, and played a crucial role on the back line to help Orlando secure both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship during the 2024 season. Sams also earned seven caps with the U.S. Women’s National Team. Orlando will now need to focus on finding a replacement at center back.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

We’ve got plenty of MLS moves to catch you up on from the last few days. Nashville SC announced Friday the club has signed former San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Cristian Espinoza to a Designated Player contract through 2028 with options through 2028-2029 and 2029-2030. The Earthquakes have signed Cristian “Chicho” Arango to a new contract through 2027, with club options for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 season. Austin FC has reached an agreement with midfielder Dani Pereira on a contract extension through 2027-2028 with an option for 2028-2029. D.C. United announced the transfer of midfielder Boris Enow to Israeli Premier League side Beitar Jerusalem. San Diego FC has acquired Osvald Soe from Danish Second Division side Boldklubben af 1893. Soe is under contract through the 2027-2028 MLS season with options through 2029-2030. Meanwhile, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is reportedly not in San Diego FC’s plans for the upcoming 2026 MLS season. Lastly, Toronto FC has reportedly submitted a transfer bid to Norwich City for forward Josh Sargent.

Third Round FA Cup Recap

There was plenty of drama and some notable upsets in the third round of the FA Cup. On Friday, Wrexham knocked out Premier League side Nottingham Forest 4-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. On Saturday, Macclesfield FC, which plays in the sixth tier of English football, defeated defending FA Cup champion Crystal Palace 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets of the weekend. Manchester City demolished Exeter City 10-1, while Tottenham Hotspur fell 2-1 to Aston Villa. On Sunday, former Lion Daryl Dike played 60 minutes as West Bromwich Albion defeated Swansea City 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to move on to the fourth round. Brighton & Hove Albion beat Manchester United 2-1, and Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat trick as Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 victory against Portsmouth. Today, Liverpool hosts Barnsley, and Salford City takes on Swindon Town Tuesday to conclude the third round of the FA Cup.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals Results

The quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations concluded in Morocco, with four teams booking their spots in the semifinals. On Friday, Senegal edged Mali 1-0, with Iliman Ndiaye scoring the lone goal for Senegal to advance. Host Morocco shut out Cameroon 2-0 to advance to the semifinals. On Saturday, Nigeria defeated Algeria 2-0 with Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams scoring in the second half to advance to the next round. Egypt held on for a 3-2 win against Ivory Coast to eliminate the defending champions. Mohamed Salah scored a goal and added an assist as Egypt booked its spot in the semifinals with the win. The semifinals will kick off on Wednesday with Senegal facing Egypt and Morocco taking on Nigeria.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City players report today for preseason training at Osceola Heritage Park.
  • Orlando City forward Yutaro Tsukada revealed to his teammates that he is married.
  • Robin Jansson, Duncan McGuire, and the Orlando City technical staff shared their thoughts on the importance of preseason training camp.
  • Benfica has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring former Lion Facundo Torres, who is currently playing for Palmeiras.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

Continue Reading

Trending