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Lion Links: 9/18/20

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6 years ago

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How’s it going, Mane Landers? The work week is nearly over and there’s plenty to look forward to this weekend. Tomorrow will feature Orlando City, the Orlando Pride, and Orlando City B, so go ahead and get any weekend chores out of the way tonight or save them for Sunday so you don’t miss out. But for now, let’s get into today’s links!

Orlando City Preparing for the Chicago Fire

After facing the same three opponents for six straight games, Orlando City hosts the Chicago Fire tomorrow night for the first time this year. The two clubs last faced off on Oct. 9, 2019, when the Fire beat the Lions 5-2 in Exploria Stadium. A lot has changed since then, with Orlando riding a five-game unbeaten streak into this match. A win tomorrow would also give the Lions their best 12-game start to a season since joining Major League Soccer.

Meanwhile, the Fire have only won twice this season and have conceded the most goals (18) in the Eastern Conference. That being said, the Fire are coming off a decent 2-2 draw at home against the Columbus Crew. Orlando is unbeaten at home this season and center back Robin Jansson should be ready to defend the fortress after missing the previous game.

Marc Skinner Details Alex Morgan’s Move

The Orlando Pride will play their first game of 2020 tomorrow on the road against the North Carolina Courage, but they will be without most of their regular starters. Thirteen players are on loan or on short-term contracts for the rest of 2020, including forward Alex Morgan who signed with Tottenham. While it would have been nice to see Morgan play for the Pride during the NWSL Fall Series, Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner and others involved in the decision agreed that her move to England was the right choice to prepare her for the Pride’s preseason in 2021. Skinner told our Michael Citro and David Rohe on this week’s Mane Land PawedCast that it made more sense to get Morgan multiple games in England than perhaps three exhibitions in the NWSL. He said as much in this week’s press conference as well.

“The decision for Alex was pretty simple,” Skinner said. “It was either a sustained period of growth over a number of games or exposure to four games over a short period of time. I think it will benefit Orlando and benefit Alex, as well as of course the national team, by Alex gaining that experience and playing more games.”

Although most of the starters are playing elsewhere, there are still a handful of Pride veterans who will play in the NWSL Fall Series. Marta, Sydney Leroux, Ali Krieger, and Ashlyn Harris are all expected to play, but Skinner noted defender Toni Pressley as an unsung hero on the team. Pressley battled back from breast cancer last year and brings both excellent crosses and leadership to a young squad that will lean on its veterans.

Orlando City B Gets Graded

The USL League One season is halfway over and Orlando City B sits near the bottom of the standings with only one win and six points from nine games. OCB’s only win this season was a 2-0 result over New England Revolution II and that was the only time the Young Lions scored more than one goal or had a clean sheet. On the other side of that coin, OCB has been shut out three times and conceded multiple goals on three occasions. It’s far from great, but the results have been by narrower margins than OCB’s record may suggest. The league gave the team a D grade for the season so far, but the team has a chance to turn that around starting tomorrow when it faces the Richmond Kickers on the road.

FIFA Releases New World Rankings

For the first time in six months, FIFA updated its men’s rankings. With the pandemic limiting the amount of international friendlies this year, there was little movement. The United States dropped one spot to 23rd, while Mexico maintained its spot in 11th. Portugal managed to infiltrate the top five, taking Uruguay’s spot. Russia was the biggest mover after a strong performance in the UEFA Nations League, moving up six spots to 32nd.

Free Kicks

  • The MLS Reserve chose Kaká as the greatest Orlando City player ever (timestamp 4:25). Do you agree with their choice or does another star deserve the title as Orlando’s greatest player? Let me know in the comments below.
  • The new FIFA ratings were released and there was definitely strong Orlando representation, with Nani, Mauricio Pereyra, and Pedro Gallese recognized. But there was an odd snub as Ruan didn’t make the list of the fastest players in the league. Rookie forward Daryl Dike is also curious if the folks at EA Sports have watched the Lions this year.

  • MLS teamed up with Black Players for Change and the MLS Players Association to launch an initiative called MLS United to Vote. It’s an effort to educate and bring the MLS community together before the national and local elections this year.
  • After goalkeeper Tyler Miller’s season-ending injury and with former Lion Greg Ranjitsingh nursing a knee injury, Minnesota United traded away $100,000 in General Allocation Money and a fourth-round pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft to Nashville SC in exchange for Adrian Zendejas.
  • St. Louis City SC received a record-setting 50,000 season ticket deposits in the first 24 hours they were offered, with 30,000 of those coming in the first 15 minutes.
  • Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien is suing the club after his firing last month, claiming the club did not fulfill the terms of his contract. In more Barcelona news, there’s a coup of sorts going down during all of this. Over 20,000 signatures were submitted calling for a vote of no confidence against President Josep Bartomeu.
  • Former Atlanta United head coach Frank de Boer is set to become the new manager for the Netherlands.
  • We’ll finish our links with some interesting news out of Germany. In the Lower Saxony region’s 3.Kreisklasse, about the 11th division in Germany’s soccer pyramid, SG Ripdorf/Molzen didn’t want to play against SV Holdenstedt II due to concerns about the coronavirus. Holdenstedt II refused postponing the match and in order to avoid a 200 euro fine, Ripford only fielded seven players and they maintained social distancing from other players, resulting in a 37-0 loss.

That’s going to do it for today’s links. I hope you all get plenty of rest today in preparation for the weekend, it’s sure to be a fun one.

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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

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September 11, 2026

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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!

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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!

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