Connect with us

Lion Links

Lion Links: 12/2/20

Published

6 years ago

on

Good morning, Mane Landers. I hope the day finds you well. We’ve got a lot to cover, but before we jump in let’s all take a moment to wish Mason Stajduhar a happy birthday!

The Lions We Love are Back

Orlando City has begun announcing some of its roster moves ahead of the upcoming season. The club has secured a permanent transfer of center back Antonio Carlos, signing him to a three-year deal with an additional option year.

“The presence and stability Antonio Carlos brought to our back line was a key piece of the team’s defensive success during this last season,” Orlando CIty Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “Negotiating a deal with Palmeiras to his rights was a key focus for us this off-season and we are happy to get this deal, not only completed, but to secure Antonio Carlos as a member of Orlando City for the foreseeable future.”

Additionally the club has announced that Uruguayan midfielder Mauricio Pereyra has signed a one-year contract extension and will be back with the Lions for the 2021 season.

“We are very excited to have Mauricio continue with us in Orlando for another year,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He has shown himself to be incredibly creative and a driving force behind our attack. Mauricio is a very important piece on our roster and we look forward to seeing how he continues to elevate his game with the club next season.”

Andrés Perea Called up to the USMNT

U.S. Soccer confirmed yesterday that FC Cincinnati midfielder Frankie Amaya has tested positive for COVID-19. Orlando City’s very own Andrés Perea has been called up to replace him. Perea is a dual citizen of Colombia and the U.S. He played at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup and would require a one-time change to represent the U.S. in international competition.

Speaking of those Lions representing the U.S.A., I spy with my little eye, Chris Mueller and Daryl Dike arriving to camp.

This U.S. Men’s National Team roster showcases all but one player coming from MLS. Matthew Doyle says this USMNT roster could be geared toward the Olympics as the Yanks prepare for a busy year. With so many new faces to the roster, now would be a great time to get to know the newbies.

NWSL Draft Order Announced

The National Women’s Soccer League announced the opening of player registration for the rebranded 2021 NWSL Draft yesterday. The 2021 NWSL Draft will stream on the NWSL’s Twitch channel Wednesday, Jan, 13 at 7 p.m. The draft order has been determined by the reverse standings after the preliminary stage of the Challenge Cup. Exceptions being made for Louisville, which will take the first slot as the league’s expansion team, and Orlando going fourth as agreed upon by the NWSL Board of Governors.

Marta Makes WICC Best XI

The Women’s International Champions Cup unveiled its Best XI. An advisory board of soccer experts picked the 11 people across the globe who are doing the most to advance women’s soccer, not just players. Orlando Pride and Brazil star Marta made the list, with the board citing her longevity and push for the sport.

The complete list:

  • Megan Rapinoe
  • Marta
  • Wendie Renard
  • Jean-Michel Aulas
  • Kelly Simmons
  • Moya Dodd
  • Meg Linehan
  • Bibiana Steinhaus
  • Jill Ellis
  • Sarai Bareman
  • Khalida Popal

USWNT Updates

The United State’s Women’s National Team and the U.S. Soccer Federation have settled and will not go to court right now.

“We are pleased that the USWNT players have fought for — and achieved — long overdue equal working conditions,” said USWNT spokeswoman Molly Levinson in a statement. “We now intend to file our appeal to the court’s decision which does not account for the central fact in this case that women players have been paid at lesser rates than men who do the same job. We remain as committed as ever to our work to achieve the equal pay that we legally deserve. Our focus is on the future and ensuring we leave the game a better place for the next generation of women who will play for this team and this country.”

Speaking of the UWNT, with eight months off it would be easy to believe the team could be rusty, but the win over the Netherlands last week proved they’re anything but. As the team prepares for the Olympics, here are the 2020 takeaways.

One USWNT regular who is reportedly on the move is right back Kelley O’Hara, who may finally be making her long-awaited transfer from Utah to the Washington Spirit.

Free Kicks

  • Former Lion Shane O’Neill scored the game’s only goal to push the Seattle Sounders past FC Dallas 1-0 and into the Western Conference final.

  • Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney surprisingly stepped down from the club on Tuesday.
  • Former Lion Amobi Okugo has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
  • LAFC announced its roster changes. Notably, former Lion Mohamed El-Munir is out of contract and Bradley Wright-Phillips’ option wasn’t picked up.
  • NYCFC has announced its roster moves ahead of the 2021 season, including declining Gary Mackay-Steven’s option.
  • U.S. Soccer and Volkswagen teamed up for Giving Tuesday to help empower and advance female coaches.
  • The Montreal Impact are reportedly changing their name to Montreal FC. The club has yet to comment on the reports.
  • All right, Finland, we see you ladies. Sorry, Scotland.

That’s going to do it for me this morning, everyone. Be sure to check in as we start our 2020 Season in Review player pieces today. Have a great week and stay safe.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Lion Links

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.

Published

10 hours ago

on

October 23, 2026

By

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.

Free Kicks

  • 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!

Continue Reading

Lion Links

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

1 day ago

on

October 22, 2026

By

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.

Free Kicks

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

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/21/26

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

Published

2 days ago

on

October 21, 2026

By

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.

Free Kicks

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

Continue Reading

Trending