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Lion Links: 6/21/20

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6 years ago

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Happy Sunday, everyone, and happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there in Lion Nation. Hopefully you fathers out there are taking seriously your responsibility to raise your children as rabid Orlando City and Orlando Pride fans.

It’s a game week! We’re now just six days away from the return of Orlando Pride soccer — hopefully. The last few days have been worrisome, as we’ve seen reports of positive COVID-19 tests from an unknown NWSL player, a PGA golfer, a couple of NHL players, five players from MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies, a couple of NASCAR team staffers, and 23 (!) players on the Clemson Tigers football team.

The virus hasn’t just magically disappeared, folks, so please be smart and do your part. Wear your mask in public. It’s not only mandated in Orange County, but knocking down these infection numbers is also the only way we’re ever going to get back into the stadium to see our team play live, barring a vaccine. Maybe you’re not in a high-risk category, but chances are you love someone who is. Keep them safe and let’s keep the return of U.S.-based team sports on track. If you won’t do it for them, do it for your love of seeing live soccer at the stadium.

Let’s get to the news of the day.

Inter Miami, Atlanta United Players Test Positive for COVID-19

In addition to those sports figures mentioned above, a player for Inter Miami and two more from Atlanta United have tested positive for COVID-19. As MLS prepares for its upcoming return to play in Orlando, the signs continue to trend in a troubling way. All three players are reportedly asymptomatic and teams continue non-contact training.

Wil Trapp Says Orlando Match-Up is “Almost Too Perfect”

Inter Miami midfielder Wil Trapp — who I keep forgetting isn’t on the Columbus Crew anymore because there have been no soccer games since March — indicated that he is excited about Miami’s first ever meeting with Orlando City when he spoke with Taylor Twellman on Banter this week.

“Look, it’s almost too perfect that this game was the first game of the tournament, that we were drawn in the same group as Orlando,” Trapp told Twellman. “And look, it’s still early, we have a rivalry because we’re in-state, but I would say nothing’s been foraged yet, nothing’s really been put together yet.

“It’s something, we obviously as players are very passionate about winning this first game — not only for the tournament, but also for the legacy moving forward of what that rivalry will become. 20, 30, 40 years down the line, we hope that we’ll be on the right side of history, for sure.” 

Yeah, the “draw” sure was “almost too perfect.” Hopefully the Lions will get this series off on the right foot when the teams meet July 8.

U.S. Youth Defender Makes Bayern Munich Debut

Defender Chris Richards made his Bayern Munich debut on Saturday in a 3-1 win over SC Freiburg. Richards, a former F.C. Dallas prospect, is just 20 years old and could have a bright future ahead of himself with the U.S. Men’s National Team setup. Richards has 10 appearances with the U-20 USMNT. Richards entered Saturday’s match in the 84th minute for Javi Martinez.

“I was very excited when I heard my name to come over to the bench,” Richards told CBS Sports. “Once I got the instructions from the coach then the nerves started to kick it, but after my first action I felt right at home.”

NYRB Bid for League One’s Leading Scorer Rejected

The New York Red Bulls tried to add scoring punch to the team but saw their bid for League One leading scorer Ivan Toney rejected by Peterborough United. The Red Bulls put in a sizable bid of £4 million but the English side is waiting for bigger offers to come in after the 2019-2020 season. The 24-year-old has 26 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.

Free Kicks

  • As Jack Burton said in Big Trouble in Little China, it’s all in the reflexes.

  • Gio Reyna got his first assist in his first Bundesliga start with this sweet one-touch flick to Erling Haaland.

  • This is not a tribute I expected, but it is cool:

  • Best dummy ever?

  • Those born on this date include Jean-Paul Sartre (1905), The Love Boat actor Bernie Kopell (1933), Mariette Hartley (1940), Ray Davies of The Kinks (1944), Family Ties mom Meredith Baxter (1947), Family Ties dad Michael Gross (1947) — yes, seriously, they were born on the same day! — American football coach Wade Phillips (1947), Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer (1950), E Street Band guitarist Nils Lofgren (1951), Kip Winger (1961), basketball’s Derrick Coleman (1967), Juliette Lewis (1973), John Mitchell — one of my favorite prog rock guitarists — (1973), Chris Pratt (1979), Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers (1981), and also my mother (R.I.P. Mom, I miss you every day).

That’s my time for today. Enjoy your Father’s Day.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/25/26

Lions fall to FC Cincinnati, Pride and OCB win, USMNT World Cup roster leaked, and more.

Published

35 minutes ago

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May 25, 2026

By

Image of Martin Ojeda fighting for the ball against LAFC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Memorial Day, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work over the holiday weekend, covering high school lacrosse playoff games. The Lions, Pride, and OCB were all in action over the weekend, and the World Cup is less than three weeks away. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get into the links.

Lions Suffer Heavy Defeat at FC Cincinnati

Orlando City fell 6-2 to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium Saturday in another embarrassing road display. Martin Ojeda scored the opener for the Lions in the first half before Cincinnati scored twice to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. Ojeda equalized for Orlando early in the second half. However, it was all Cincinnati from that point as Evander scored his second goal of the match and added three assists as Orlando suffered a heavy defeat on the road for the fourth time this season. The loss snapped the Lions’ three-match unbeaten streak. Orlando City will be off until late July due to the MLS World Cup break. The Lions’ next match will be on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on July 22.

Payne’s Goal Lifts Pride over San Diego Wave

The Orlando Pride defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 at Snapdragon Stadium Sunday and snapped their two-match losing streak. Nicole Payne scored the lone goal in the match for Orlando, which moved above the Seattle Reign on goal difference to eighth in the NWSL table with 14 points. The Pride will return home Friday to take on Bay FC at Inter&Co Stadium.

OCB Beats Inter Miami II

Orlando City B defeated Inter Miami II 4-1 at Osceola County Stadium on Sunday. The Young Lions got off to a flying start in the first half as Ignacio Gomez scored the opening goal. Bernardo Rhein added another, and OCB got an own goal by Miami defender Daniel Sumalla to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. In the second half, Zakaria Taifi scored for OCB and Miami pulled one back, but the Young Lions had the match wrapped up by then. OCB will take on Chattanooga FC Sunday at Osceola County Stadium.

USMNT World Cup Roster Leaked

According to Jeff Rueter and Pablo Maurer at The Guardian, the full 26-man U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was leaked over the weekend, just days before the official announcement. Former Lion Alex Freeman, Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Tim Weah were notable mentions, while other players reportedly making the cut include Alejandro Zendejas, Gio Reyna, Sebastian Berhalter, Brenden Aaronson, Mark Mackenzie, and goalkeeper Matt Turner. Diego Luna, Tanner Tessmann, and Aidan Morris were left out of the squad. The U.S. Soccer Federation will officially announce the USMNT roster Tuesday, while the final deadline to submit the roster to FIFA for the World Cup is June 1.

Free Kicks

  • Wilfried Zaha will reportedly depart from Charlotte FC this summer when his loan deal expires.
  • Josef Martinez will reportedly become a free agent after reaching an agreement to part ways with Liga MX side Tijuana.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/22/26

Orlando City prepares for FC Cincinnati, Angelina receives an additional suspension, Orlando City B signs Albright Chikamso, and more.

Published

3 days ago

on

May 22, 2026

By

Image of Angelina launching a long pass.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! There’s a smorgasbord of Orlando soccer waiting for us this weekend and I’m looking forward to it. Along with enjoying the games, I plan on spending the weekend tearing my way through the rest of Kristen Perrin’s murder mystery series after devouring “How to Solve Your Own Murder.” I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of whodunits. Now, let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for FC Cincinnati

The Lions are back in action on Saturday with a road match against FC Cincinnati in the last match for both clubs before the World Cup break. Orlando enters this match with plenty of momentum after beating Atlanta United 4-1 in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, but the team has struggled playing away this year and Cincinnati is a tough opponent. Both offenses are flying high as of late, and the only team in the league that has conceded more goals this season than Cincinnati is Orlando, so a high-scoring affair might be in the cards for us before the break.

Angelina Suspended for an Additional Game

The NWSL Disciplinary Committee handed Orlando Pride midfielder Angelina an additional one-game suspension for a violation of “Major Game Misconduct.” Angelina received a red card following video review in Orlando’s 3-1 loss to the Denver Summit after she pulled Delanie Sheehan’s hair. The Pride will now be without her for both Sunday’s game against the San Diego Wave and the game on May 29 against Bay FC, meaning she won’t be available for selection until after the summer break.

Orlando City B Signs Albright Chikamso

Defender Albright Chikamso has signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Orlando City B that will last through 2028. The academy product has made four appearances with OCB already and scored in his first start with the team on Oct. 10 of last year. It’s nice to see the club’s youth program continue to develop players so that they can move up the pipeline. Hopefully Chikamso can continue to impress with the Young Lions this season.

Chris Richards Injury Update Before World Cup

American defender Chris Richards tore ligaments in his ankle according to Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who confirmed that he won’t be available for the team’s season finale on Sunday. There’s notably still a chance that he plays in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday. However, the World Cup is only a few weeks away and United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce the team’s roster on Monday. Richards has been a critical part of the U.S. defense under Pochettino and we wish him a speedy and smooth recovery.

Free Kicks

  • MLS players will wear personalized jerseys this weekend in recognition of the upcoming World Cup, with an auction to follow.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/21/26

Orlando City will face the Columbus Crew in U.S. Open Cup semis, USMNT roster predictions, Casemiro linked with Inter Miami, and more.

Published

4 days ago

on

May 21, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’m still riding high from Orlando City’s big win over Atlanta United and am hoping to keep carrying that momentum through these next couple of days before a busy weekend. It will be the last time all three of Orlando’s soccer teams are in action during the same weekend for a while due to the World Cup, so savor every minute of it. For now though, let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Will Face Columbus Crew in U.S. Open Cup

We now know Orlando City’s opponent for the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, with the Columbus Crew advancing after a 1-0 win over New York City FC. After a scoreless first half, Max Arfsten scored the game’s only goal and the Crew held on for a big win at home just a few days after Henrik Rydstrom was fired as head coach. The Lions will be on the road for the semifinal against the Crew in September. Should Orlando win, it will host the final no matter which team from the other side of the bracket advances.

Predicting the USMNT World Cup Roster

We’re less than a week away from United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino announcing the 26-player roster for this year’s World Cup. Most of the team seems fairly locked in, but midfielders Giovanni Reyna, Aidan Morris, and Diego Luna are all on the bubble, with Tanner Tessmann possibly still in the mix despite an injury. SBI Soccer projects Aidan Morris making the cut, while former USMNT player Alejandro Bedoya has Luna and Jack McGlynn on his projected roster. As for the defense, we’ll see if the center back group is too crowded for Miles Robinson or Noahkai Banks to be included. I don’t expect any big surprises from Pochettino on May 26, but forwards Zavier Gozo and Julian Hall are young players who could bring a spark off the bench in a tournament setting.

Casemiro Linked With Inter Miami

Inter Miami is reportedly close to signing Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who announced he is leaving Manchester United once his contract expires this summer. One of the interesting wrinkles in this reported move is that the LA Galaxy hold Casemiro’s discovery rights and that issue is not yet resolved. Miami also does not have an open Designated Player slot, so I expect some more “creative” roster structuring to take place in order to fit him in if this comes to pass. The 34-year-old has scored nine goals for United this season and was named to Brazil’s World Cup roster.

Aston Villa Wins UEFA Europa League

Aston Villa beat SC Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final to win silverware for the first time since 1996. Emiliano Buendia had a goal and an assist in the match, with Villa scoring twice late in the first half and the defense doing its part for a shutout victory. This was Unai Emery’s fifth time winning the Europa League as a manager, lifting the trophy three years in a row with Sevilla and once with Villarreal before doing it again now with Villa. It’s wild that all three clubs have “villa” as part of their names.

Free Kicks

  • ESPN ranked the top 50 American men’s soccer players and former Orlando City defender Alex Freeman placed 15th on the list.
  • After playing in the USL Super League for two seasons, Spokane Zephyr FC announced that it will not be continuing operations.
  • MLS has spoken with the International Football Association Board to trial stopping the clock during matches for injuries, substitutions, and set pieces. I already get annoyed when the broadcast shrinks the game on the screen to try selling me cars and beer, so I don’t know if I could handle an actual commercial break.
  • Sporting Kansas City’s Stephen Afrifa won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his curling winner to lift his team to a 2-1 win over Austin FC.
  • Wyland, the artist whose mural was painted over for a World Cup display in Dallas, is taking legal action over the act.

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

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