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Lion Links: 7/13/20

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6 years ago

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Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! I didn’t take the time to go see how long it has been since I wrote Lions Links following an Orlando City victory, but it’s been quite a while. It feels good, doesn’t it? It was a great distraction from all the other things going on in the world and in our state. Fortunately, we only have one more day to wait until the Lions play New York City FC tomorrow at 8 p.m. Let’s get to the links!

MLS Match Postponed After Positive Tests

Toronto FC and D.C. United were supposed to play in the MLS is Back Tournament yesterday morning, however the match was postponed and then rescheduled for this morning at 9 a.m. One D.C. United player tested positive for COVID-19 and a Toronto FC player tested inconclusive on Saturday. MLS protocol is to test each player every other day, and on the day before a match. This is the second time the match was rescheduled after Toronto’s delayed arrival in Orlando moved the match from Friday to Sunday.

As teams are withdrawn and matches postponed, there are concerns about the tournament’s future. However, MLS is keeping a close eye on the tournament and it will continue. Orlando City defender João Moutinho weighed in on how he is feeling regarding the postponed match and the tournament itself.

“I feel good, to be honest,” defender João Moutinho said Sunday afternoon. “We’re all here, we stay in our rooms, we go to training, we come back. So I know that the likelihood of one of us getting infected is really, really slim. I think we’re even more protected here than if we were to stay at home. So I feel good, I feel confident. That’s something that I really don’t think much about. I’m just happy to be here and I’m happy that we get to play the tournament.”

MLS is Back Tournament Weekend Results

In the matches that were played this weekend, Saturday featured the New York Red Bulls defeating Atlanta United 1-0. The defeat marked the first time in 27 matches that Atlanta failed to score a goal. As satisfying as that result might be, it wasn’t the wildest match of the day. That honor went to the 4-0 drubbing the Columbus Crew gave FC Cincinnati. Lucas Zelarayán started the scoring for the Crew, Gyasi Zardes added a brace, and Youness Mokhtar finished it off. Cincinnati was completely outclassed and that doesn’t bode well for the club going forward in the tournament.

Even though the early match on Sunday was postponed, the two late matches did proceed as planned. In its match against Minnesota United last night, Sporting Kansas City was without Andreu Fontas due to a quad strain, midfielder Felipe Gutierrez thanks to season-ending knee surgery, and an unidentified player, who tested positive Thursday and is in quarantine.

The actual match was a bit of a wild affair, with SKC going up at the end of the first half after a Khiry Shelton goal. SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia was shown red in the 74th minute and it took Minnesota until stoppage time to score. After an own goal by Shelton, Kevin Molino scored in the dying moments of the match for the Loons to win 2-1.

In the late night match, Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids squared off. Albert Rusnak scored in the 27th minute and Damir Kreilach doubled the lead in the 76th minute in a dominant 2-0 win for Real Salt Lake.

In addition to the rescheduled Toronto FC and D.C. United match, the tournament continues tonight with LAFC taking on the Houston Dynamo at 8 p.m., and the LA Galaxy against the Portland Timbers in the 10:30 p.m. match.

NWSL Challenge Cup Results

The NWSL Challenge Cup continued Sunday as the Washington Spirit defeated the Houston Dash 1-0 after an early goal by Bayley Feist. The win lifted the Spirit into second place, though there are still other matches that will determine the standings heading into the quarterfinals. The second match of the day saw the Chicago Red Stars defeat the Utah Royals 1-0, with Casey Short scoring late to give the Red Stars their first win of 2020.

The final two matches of the qualification round are today and will have the Portland Thorns and OL Reign squaring off at 12:30 p.m. and Sky Blue FC facing the North Carolina Courage at 10 p.m.

Players and Fans Adapting to Tournament

While not a surprise to us, it’s very hot in Orlando. Toronto forward Jozy Altidore even tweeted about it. I’m not sure what you call it when someone whines in a tweet, but he’s not enjoying the warm welcome to Florida.

Of course, it’s not just the heat that teams are adapting to. As Jozy mentioned, there are the 9 a.m. matches as well. As professional athletes, players have sleep and meal schedules, and particular ways to prepare before matches. All of that has been thrown out the window for these early matches. It hasn’t been easy on supporters either. While we don’t have to get up too early to watch here in Orlando, others across the country have to get up before breakfast just to watch their team play.

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  • If you somehow haven’t seen what getting tested for COVID-19 looks like, here’s a closer look from the Orlando Pride’s Ali Riley.

  • We bid a sad farewell to England and Leeds United legend Jack Charlton, who passed away at the age of 85 years old. Charlton had 35 caps for England, including a victory in the 1966 World Cup. He also made a club record 773 appearances for Leeds over his 23-year career.
  • In a bit of good news, Andrés Reyes should be ready to play in Inter Miami’s next game following the injury he sustained in the match against Orlando City.
  • The hits keep coming for Inter Miami CF, as Chelsea’s Willian declined a three-year offer to play in South Florida.
  • It’s tough being an Orlando Pride supporter while the rest of the NWSL plays in the Challenge Cup. It’s also tough being the teams the club is rallying behind in each match, as the support is becoming a curse of sorts in matches.

I must say, it’s a bit weird writing about all this soccer stuff. It’s also very nice, so let’s keep things going by everybody being safe and wearing masks. Go City!

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Lion Links: 10/23/26

Orlando City prepares for New York City FC, Antoine Griezmann’s impact in Orlando, U.S. will host FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, and more.

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20 hours ago

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October 23, 2026

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Image of Antoine Griezmann taking a set piece against Monterrey in Leagues Cup action.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! It’s been a pretty nice week for me, as I was able to watch all of Slow Horses and finish reading Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, both of which were brilliant. Attention now turns to this weekend’s soccer, with both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride playing at home over the next couple of days. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for New York City FC

The Lions host New York City FC on Saturday in one of the marquee matchups in MLS as the regular season nears its conclusion. Plenty has changed since Orlando’s 5-0 loss to NYCFC on March 7. The Lions have clawed their way up the table while the Pigeons have only won once in their past 13 league games. NYCFC enters this match after a 1-1 draw with LAFC that included an equalizer by former Lion Andres Perea to give the team a valuable point amid the playoff race. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau, Luighi, and Benie Traore are all NYCFC players the Lions will need to keep in check, or else it could end up being another high-scoring affair in the City Beautiful.

Antoine Griezmann’s Impact on Orlando’s Offense

Orlando’s wait for Antoine Griezmann to join in the summer has proven to be well worth it, as he’s transformed Orlando’s attack into a force to be reckoned with just as the playoffs near. Although Griezmann wasn’t able to enjoy a fairytale ending with Atletico Madrid by lifting the Copa del Rey or Champions League trophies this year, he’s breathed life into an Orlando side that struggled mightily prior to his arrival. The 35-year-old has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in just 14 appearances this season. Not only has he excelled when it comes to getting the ball in the net, but he’s done well in terms of defensive metrics and intangibles as well.

U.S. Will Host Women’s Club World Cup

The inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be held in the U.S. in January of 2028 with the host cities still to be determined. There will be 19 clubs taking part, with Gotham, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Club America having already qualified along with three other teams so far. This tournament is sandwiched between the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, so there’s plenty of exciting women’s soccer to look forward to in the coming years.

U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Wins at World Cup

The United States U-17 Women’s National Team won 6-1 against Kenya in the group stage of the FIA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, clinching a spot in the round of 16. Maggie DiMaria scored four goals to bring her total to 10 across just two games. The U.S. will play its final group game on Sunday against China PR, which also won both of its games against Kenya and Samoa to secure a spot in the knockout stage. The winner of this group will get to avoid a match with Spain in the round of 16, so there’s still plenty to play for before the next round gets underway.

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  • The first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal between the United States Men’s National Team and Haiti has been moved from Kingston to Miami. Haiti has had to play games outside of the country due to unrest and submitted a request to Concacaf to play in the country of its opponent.
  • American center back Naomi Girma is now dealing with a calf injury that may sideline her for a few weeks according to Chelsea Head Coach Sonia Bompastor. She missed out on the team’s recent friendlies against Spain and may be absent for the Concacaf W Championship quarterfinal against El Salvador next month too.
  • The United States Women’s Cerebral Palsy National Team beat Ireland 15-0 to advance to the IFCPF Women’s World Cup final, which takes place today against Australia. Annie Wickett scored five goals with four other players scoring braces.
  • The San Diego Wave signed defender Mimi Van Zanten to a contract extension through the 2029 season. She’s made 27 appearances for San Diego during her rookie season, helping the club keep pace in the NWSL Shield race.
  • After being stretchered off the field due to a head injury in the U.S. Open Cup final, St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki is alert and in good spirits, according to the club.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Lion Links: 10/22/26

Martin Ojeda wins MLS Goal of the Matchday, MLS award contenders, sights and sounds from the Orlando Pride’s win, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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October 22, 2026

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Image of Maxime Crepeau taking a goal kick against Atlanta.
Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

How’s it going, Mane Landers? The temperatures have gotten just cool enough here in Florida as of late for me to feel like it’s truly autumn. While it would be nice if our leaves changed colors to really sell the fall feeling, a pumpkin candle and apple cider have definitely helped. Let’s get to the links!

Martin Ojeda Wins MLS Goal of the Matchday

Orlando City Designated Player Martin Ojeda predictably won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his fantastic finish in the team’s 4-1 win over D.C. United, garnering 71.7% of the vote. Ojeda’s acrobatic backheel capped off a smooth series of passes by the Lions and it will likely be in the running for MLS Goal of the Year as well. It was Ojeda’s 15th goal of the season and he has scored in five of Orlando’s past six games.

MLS Year-End Award Voting Begins

The voting for this year’s MLS Year-End Awards has opened and the finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 12. Former MLS star Bradley Wright-Phillips weighed in on who he thinks the contenders for each award are and there were a few Lions mentioned. Antoine Griezmann is in the running for Newcomer of the Year alongside Houston Dynamo attacker Guilherme, who has 16 goals and 10 assists this season. Maxime Crepeau may make the list of finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year for his incredible run of form since the World Cup, but it’s hard to see him winning it given just how many goals the Lions have conceded compared to other teams. Justin Ellis was also an honorable mention for the Young Player of the Year award for his breakout season.

Sights and Sounds From the Orlando Pride’s Victory

The Orlando Pride released a video showing the sights and sounds from their 2-1 win on the road against the Houston Dash. The video includes huddle talks from Marta and interim head coach Yolanda Thomas, as well as the goals by Luana and Solai Washington. It’s been a difficult year for the Pride and it’s nice to see some highlights as they aim to close out the season strongly after being eliminated from playoff contention.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The third round of matches in the UEFA Champions League’s league phase wrapped up and we’re getting a better sense of where the teams stand. Bayern Munich and Arsenal played to a 2-2 draw in Germany, with Declan Rice scoring a late equalizer for Arsenal. Elsewhere across Europe, Manchester United was beaten 4-1 by Como, Inter scored while down a man to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0, and Austrian club LASK won its first Champions League game by upsetting Sporting CP 3-2. Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Real Betis all won to remain perfect in the tournament as well.

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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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Lion Links: 10/21/26

Justin Ellis recognized, the Orlando Youth Soccer Network expands, the USMNT adds a friendly, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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October 21, 2026

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Image of Justin Ellis dribbling the ball trying to beat a Philadelphia Union defender.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

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.

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

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