Connect with us

Lion Links

Lion Links: 7/24/20

Published

6 years ago

on

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope your work week is going well as we shift gears into the weekend and more Orlando City soccer. Actually, there is a lot of soccer across the board these next few days, with plenty to watch both in the U.S. and in Europe. Now, let’s get down to business with these links from around the soccer world.

Lions Facing New-Look Impact

Tomorrow, Orlando City will start the MLS is Back Tournament’s knockout round with a match against the Montreal Impact. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since over a year ago when the Lions won 3-0 in Canada. Plenty has changed for both teams since then, with Thierry Henry taking over as head coach for the Impact and injecting European talent across the roster. The biggest difference though may be the absence of striker Ignacio Piatti, who left the Impact after last season and was notorious for scoring against the Lions.

As for Orlando, the team should be near its full strength despite forward Dom Dwyer sitting out Monday with quad tightness and midfielder Junior Urso exiting early in Orlando’s last game. The Lions are keeping a close eye on their fitness levels, but aren’t afraid to take risks and press high tomorrow night.

Orlando enters the match with no losses in the group stage while Montreal only won once to secure third place. However, Montreal defender Rod Fanni likes the position his team is in with the pressure on the Lions.

Luiz Muzzi Pleased With Orlando’s Performance

Hired by OCSC near the end of 2018, Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi is watching his vision for the club become a reality during this tournament as fans start to see the fruits of his labor. After having Oscar Pareja take over as head coach and adding talented players such as midfielder Mauricio Pereyra and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, Muzzi has built a system that allows its players to play with confidence.

Orlando forward Chris Mueller has shined under Muzzi and Pareja’s system so far. With clear vision in place and a driving motivation for the team to make the playoffs, Mueller noticed a change in mentality for the Lions this year.

“This year’s different because the team has confidence in the other players who are playing,” attacker Chris Mueller said Thursday during a conference call. ”I think that we have an identity as to how we’re going to play on the field. And also the coach is good and has good ideas for the entire team. And for this reason I think the team is different and we have a different way of thinking on the pitch.”

Round of 16 Field Finalized

Only 16 teams remain in the MLS is Back Tournament with the group stage finished and the knockout stage starts tomorrow. The Vancouver Whitecaps booked their spot after a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire. The morning game featured a weather delay in the second half with both teams level and Vancouver Head Coach Marc dos Santos gave a pep talk to help his team score twice and advance.

Darwin Quintero gave the Houston Dynamo an early lead that they would hold onto all the way until stoppage time. The Dynamo gave up a late penalty that the LA Galaxy’s Cristian Pavon converted to end the game in a 1-1 draw. The result sunk both teams’ chances at claiming a third-place spot, with New York City FC advancing from Group A. Meanwhile, the Portland Timbers took on LAFC and drew 2-2 with a late header to win the group and secure a match with FC Cincinnati in the next round.

The entire bracket is now filled in, with each team learning its path forward. If Orlando beats Montreal then it will face the victor between the Seattle Sounders and LAFC. The other names on the Lions’ side of the bracket include the San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake, Columbus Crew, and Minnesota United.

National Women’s Soccer League Players Eye Europe

Sam Mewis reportedly signed with Manchester City in the Women’s Soccer League. The North Carolina Courage midfielder’s season is over after the club’s early exit in the NWSL Challenge Cup and Washington Spirit star Rose Lavelle could be headed to Manchester City as well.

The contract offer for both Americans is only for one year and I believe they won’t be the only ones making a move to Europe in the coming months. The NWSL Challenge Cup final between the Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars is Sunday, but the rest of the season is uncertain. Pride defender Ali Riley was loaned to FC Rosengård earlier this summer and NWSL players could follow suit with their seasons possibly over.

Free Kicks

  • Relive the Lions’ successful journey in the bubble and through the group stage.

  • You may not be able to head into Exploria Stadium for a game right now, but the club has a gift bundle that is a pretty good deal considering it includes a $20 gift card to Publix.

  • The Orlando Pride are bringing back the Golden Swans, so be ready to vote.

  • United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter is eager to bring 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna into the fold when able to do so.
  • A day after Charlotte FC’s reveal, the NFL’s Washington Football Team was announced as the temporary name for the team while the organization works on a more permanent brand. However, the team’s jersey reveal took a little more inspiration from soccer than just a generic name.

  • The one team that absolutely nailed its logo and name was the NHL’s expansion team from Seattle, which even made a cinematic intro video.

  • Arrests were made after fans gathered a little too closely together to celebrate Liverpool’s English Premier League title and Leeds United’s promotion.
  • Before the two square off Sunday with a spot in the Champions League on the line, Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel defended Manchester United’s David de Gea against criticism over errors in the FA Cup.

That’s going to be it for today, Mane Landers. Have a great Friday and an even greater weekend!

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/11/26

Antoine Griezmann makes Team of the Matchday, reliving the Pride’s win over Houston, academy players head to U.S. training camp, and more.

Published

2 days ago

on

September 11, 2026

By

Image of Antoine Griezmann watching his shot go in the net against FC Dallas in a friendly.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Today is the first of three straight days of games featuring Orlando soccer and hopefully the teams can replicate their impressive results last weekend as they push for the playoffs. Apart from working and enjoying the soccer, I plan on making some pasta by hand, so wish me luck in that endeavor. For now though, let’s get to the links!

Antoine Griezmann Makes Team of the Matchday

Orlando City star Antoine Griezmann was the only Lion to make the MLS Team of the Matchday following Orlando’s 3-2 win over Atlanta United. He scored twice and came up with a crucial goal-line clearance to lead the Lions to victory on the road. Griezmann has now scored in four straight games and already has seven goals so far this season despite only playing nine games. Hopefully he can keep finding the back of the net when Orlando hosts a Toronto FC side that has only lost once since the World Cup break.

Reliving the Pride’s Victory Over Houston

The Orlando Pride released a video of the sights and sounds from the team’s 3-1 win against the Houston Dash. It was interim head coach Yolanda Thomas’ first game at the helm and the team was able to get a win after an emotional week. From the different angles of Orlando’s goals to Thomas’ speech to the team following the win, it’s a great watch. The Pride will aim to make it another three points tonight when they play on the road against the Kansas City Current tonight.

Orlando City Academy Players Head to Camp

There are four Orlando City academy players heading to Georgia for the U.S. U-15 and U-16 boys national teams’ training camps at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center. Goalkeeper Luan Silva and defender Zorian Civil were called up for the U-16 team, while goalkeeper Mario Martinez Reyes and forward Molina Baladi will be joining the U-15 team. Hopefully they’ll all be able to impress at camp as they continue to develop for both club and country.

Uncertainty Looms Over Racing Louisville’s Future

Racing Louisville ranks near the bottom of the NWSL in both attendance and spending and there are questions circling the club regarding its investment and future in the league. Along with this, forward Emma Sears reportedly requested a trade from the club this summer and 2025 NWSL Coach of the Year Bev Yanez’s contract is set to end after this season. A sale may very well be in the club’s future, with relocation possibly on the table as well. Louisville made the playoffs for the first time last year, but the club has lost 14 games so far this season and is 13th in the league standings.

Free Kicks

  • The Orlando Pride moved up a spot to 11th in the CBS Sports NWSL power rankings after beating the Houston Dash.
  • American right back Sergino Dest scored the equalizer in PSV Eindhoven’s 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk.

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

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/10/26

Orlando City beats Atlanta United, Orlando’s soccer history, U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team draws against Japan, and more.

Published

3 days ago

on

September 10, 2026

By

Image of Inter&Co Stadium at night.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’m feeling pretty good after Orlando City’s win on Wednesday and am hoping the good times keep rolling through this weekend’s games. After a rough August, September has thankfully been kind to Orlando’s soccer teams. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Beats Atlanta United On the Road

The Lions are coming back to Orlando with all three points after winning 3-2 against rival Atlanta United. It looked like it would be a rough night for Orlando after an early own goal, but Antoine Griezmann continues to excel in purple (or gold, as was the case on Wednesday night). Atlanta made it close in the end because of a second own goal, but Orlando ultimately secured the win to climb further up the MLS standings. The Lions will be back in action on Saturday with a home game against Toronto FC before traveling to play the Columbus Crew in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

Orlando’s History as a Soccer City

The United States Men’s National Team will play at Inter.co Stadium later this month in its first match since the World Cup. The soccer-specific stadium has been no stranger to hosting the U.S national teams since opening in 2017 and has also hosted Concacaf Gold Cup and FIFA Club World Cup games, along with the NWSL Championship and NCAA Women’s College Cup final. The City Beautiful has been a place for soccer for decades, hosting World Cup and Olympic soccer while also having club teams at various levels over the years. Orlando City lifting the U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2022 and the Orlando Pride winning the double in 2024 have helped solidify the city’s reputation as a soccer city as well.

U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team Held to Draw

The United States U-20 Women’s National Team drew 2-2 against Japan in its second game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U.S. struck first thanks to a goal from Ainsley McCammon in the first half, but Japan equalized in the 74th minute. Alex Buck restored the U.S. lead a minute later, but Japan knotted things up again and the Yanks could not find a winner despite some late chances. It’s a tough result for the U.S., which lost its first group game against Italy. It can still qualify for the knockout round, but would need some help from other results even if it wins against New Zealand on Saturday.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The UEFA Champions League’s league phase is underway this week and there still has yet to be a draw so far. VfB Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirovic was the standout performer from Wednesday’s slate of games, scoring a hat trick within a 12-minute stretch in a 3-1 win against Viking FK. Elsewhere across Europe, Arsenal edged past Napoli in a 1-0 win in Italy, Barcelona got its campaign started with a big 5-1 win against Feyenoord, and Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda remains an NWSL MVP candidate, although Ashley Sanchez is starting to run away with it with 18 goals so far this season.

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

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/9/26

Orlando City plays Atlanta, Griezmann gets fined, Banda a Ballon d’Or contender, and more.

Published

4 days ago

on

September 9, 2026

By

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

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s also match day for Orlando City. The fixture congestion is back for the next couple of weeks which means plenty of opportunity to watch the Lions in action. I’m looking forward to seeing Martin Ojeda fully integrate back into the offense with Antione Griezmann. We will have more match prep later today, but for now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Heads to Atlanta

Orlando City is headed north to take on Atlanta United tonight. Both teams have been playing better of late, but this is still an opportunity for the Lions to get all three points from a rival on the road. Atlanta has struggled to score goals this season, and Orlando City’s offensive weapons are many, and the team is rising up the MLS power rankings, thanks to the win over San Diego FC. It’s a double match week, so it will be interesting to see how Atlanta rotates players based on availability.

Grizi Gets Fined

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Orlando City’s Antoine Griezmann an undisclosed amount for violating the League’s policy regarding throwing/kicking an object toward fans in the match against San Diego FC. Here is the “incident” in case you missed it during the match.

If the fine was more than a dollar, it was too much. That’s not true, a dollar is also too much.

Pride in the News

The Orlando Pride made history in the 3-1 win over the Houston Dash. The victory made Yolanda Thomas the first Black woman in a head coach’s role in NWSL history, and only the fourth female coach to win their first-ever NWSL match in charge. It also comes as no surprise that Barbra Banda is a nominee for the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

Pochettino’s Big Plans

Mauricio Pochettino wants to make the USMNT one of the “most powerful” international teams in the world. That is a pretty ambitious goal, though I like the high aspirations. Pochettino is now in charge of the procedural and developmental sides of the game. He will have some time to experiment before the next World Cup, including utilizing more MLS homegrowns.

Free Kicks

  • Marco Pasalic has been called up to the Croatian National Team for the UEFA Nations League matches later this month and in the first part of October. Croatia will be playing Czechia, England, and Spain.
  • Ivan Angulo will be sporting a new look at the match tonight. Hopefully it helps him score goals on his breakaway opportunities.

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!

Continue Reading

Trending