How’s it going, Mane Landers? I haven’t done too much this week beyond working, but I did manage to put together a cat tree that my cat has already sent crashing into a wall twice so far. Pet ownership has been a joy, I must say. Let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Learning More About Ramiro Enrique

Orlando City put a spotlight on forward Ramiro Enrique with a nice video showcasing what he brings to the team for the 2025 season. Along with interviews from Enrique and Head Coach Oscar Pareja, the video includes highlights of his some of his biggest moments as a Lion so far. The 23-year-old spoke on how his father, World Cup winner Hector Enrique, is a major inspiration for him and how he’s both a scorer and Orlando’s first line of defense. Pareja praised both Enrique’s natural talent and his commitment to improving himself moving forward. It’s a pretty well-produced video and I’m looking forward to seeing the profiles for other Lions as well throughout the season.

USWNT Falls to Japan in SheBelieves Cup

The United States Women’s National Team lost its final game of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, falling 2-1 to Japan in San Diego. Japan took an early lead, but Ally Sentnor tied things up soon after with her second goal of the tournament. Toko Koga then scored for Japan in the 50th minute and the U.S. was unable to find the back of the net again against Japan’s solid defense. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams did not play in the match despite a strong showing against Australia on Sunday. It’s the USWNT’s first loss under Head Coach Emma Hayes and its first time losing the tournament since England won it in 2019.

In what was effectively the third-place match, Colombia beat Australia 2-1 to finish the tournament on a high note. Australia’s Hayley Raso equalized things in the second half, but Catalina Usme gave Colombia its winner a few minutes later.

Bay FC Scouting Director Resigns Amid Backlash

Graeme Abel, who was hired as Bay FC’s director of domestic scouting last week, has resigned from his position. This decision comes after backlash from his hiring due to reported allegations of abuse by former players from his time as the University of Oregon’s women’s soccer coach. A report last April detailed allegations of verbal abuse that included threatening to revoke scholarships, having players kicked off the team, and throwing objects, with players stating that they dealt with suicidal ideation while playing there.

Concacaf Champions Cup Results

Real Salt Lake was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup after losing 2-1 at home to Costa Rican club Herediano. The MLS side took the lead in the first half, but Herediano leveled things in the second half and sealed victory with a late penalty kick. FC Cincinnati took care of business at home in a 1-1 draw against Honduran club Motagua, with Kevin Denkey scoring in his third straight game for his new team. The Seattle Sounders also reached the next round, beating Guatemala’s Antigua GFC 3-1. Cincinnati will face Tigres in the round of 16, while the Sounders will take on Cruz Azul. The first round wraps up tonight when the Vancouver Whitecaps host Saprissa for the final spot in the round of 16, which kicks off on Tuesday.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride will unveil their new home jersey for the 2025 season today and I’m pretty excited to see what they’ve come up with. I’m also looking forward to seeing the team sport a shiny new star after winning last year, as teased by Marta.

• The Pride gave a shoutout to coaches Seb Hines, Giles Barnes, and Yolanda Thomas this Black History Month.

• In its hunt for a striker, Real Salt Lake reportedly inquired about Duncan McGuire, with Orlando City rejecting the offer.
• The U.S. U-19 Women’s National Team beat Spain in a penalty shootout in its last game of the L’Albir U-19 Women’s International Tournament.

• The MLS season’s first Goal of the Matchday went to Atlanta United midfielder Edwin Mosquera for his late winner against CF Montreal.
• The Portland Thorns announced that Morgan Weaver, Nicole Payne, and Marie Muller were all placed on the season-ending injury list.
• D.C. United added 18-year-old winger Fidel Barajas on loan from Chivas Guadalajara through June of this year, with an option to extend the loan through the rest of 2025.
• Brian White, who has led the Whitecaps with 55 goals across all competitions since joining the team in 2021, signed a contract extension that will keep him in Vancouver through 2027.
• Australian radio host Marty Sheargold was fired for his disparaging remarks about Australia’s women’s soccer team and the SheBelieves Cup.
• Juventus was eliminated by Empoli in the Italian Cup quarterfinals, falling in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Americans Weston McKennie and Tim Weah both started, but neither took penalty kicks in the shootout.
• Marseille President Pablo Longoria was suspended for 15 games by Ligue 1 after accusing referees of corruption following his team’s 3-0 loss to Auxerre.
• We end our links with some Pictionary between Enrique and Rodrigo Schlegel. While I’m convinced neither of them know how to play beyond Enrique’s insistence on drawing nothing but shirts, it’s entertaining.

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

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. I hope you’re recovering from the season opener. I find it best to look for the positives or just pretend none of it ever happened. I’m certain one of those two is a healthy way to process your feelings. The good news is that the season is underway, the Orlando Pride are close to starting their new campaign, and we get to watch the USWNT play tonight. See? It isn’t all bad. Let’s get to the links, but first, let’s wish Pride midfielder Morgan Gautrat a happy birthday.

Tsukada Out for the Season

Yutaro Tsukada has been placed on the Season-Ending Injury list for Orlando City following successful surgery on his left ACL. The young midfielder sustained the injury in the preseason match against CF Montreal. While we expected this news, it doesn’t make it any easier for Tsukada, the club, or any of us. It’s another blow to the depth of Orlando City in a season that has only just begun. We wish Tsukada a full and speedy recovery.

OCB Striker Signing

When I said I wanted Orlando City to sign a new striker, I should have been more specific. The club acquired the SuperDraft Priority to forward Dyson Clapier from Sporting Kansas City. In return, Sporting Kansas City gets Orlando City’s natural second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. Following the acquisition, Clapier was signed to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2025, with a club option in 2026.

SheBelieves Cup Finishes Tonight

The USWNT will need a victory against Japan tonight to win the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. Japan holds the advantage thanks to a plus-seven goal differential as compared to the plus-three goal differential of the U.S. The match is set for 7:30 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. There are on air and streaming options available to watch the match. If the USWNT can pull out the victory, it will be the sixth SheBelieves title in a row. Emily Sams got the start and went the full 90 minutes against Australia on Sunday. Hopefully, the Orlando Pride defender will see more action this evening.

Ream is a Believer

With the 2026 World Cup coming up next year, the USMNT wants to make a big splash. Longtime U.S. defender Tim Ream says that Mauricio Pochettino is the right man to do the job. Ream will certainly be an integral part of the next World Cup squad, and he asserts that Pochettino will evolve the USMNT to the next level.

Free Kicks

• Linda Henry has left the ownership group of Boston’s NWSL expansion club. It was the whole “BosNation FC” thing, wasn’t it Linda?
• San Diego FC continues to build its new squad.

• Casey Krueger’s time with the USWNT appears to be done. Emma Hayes is going younger.
• The MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended and fined Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez for one match.

• Gutierrez wasn’t the only player fined by DisCo. The only thing I’m certain of is that the fine wasn’t big enough.

• Congratulations to Chris and Alyssa Mueller on the birth of their new baby.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the match this weekend. As for today, go USA!

Happy Tuesday, everyone. It was a rough start to the season for Orlando City, but that (hopefully) means that there’s nowhere to go but up. Regardless of if that proves to be true or not, the only way out is through, which means we need to start getting ready for Toronto FC on Saturday. We have lots to talk about today though, so let’s get into the links.

Marco Pasalic Recognized on TotM Bench

Marco Pasalic made his competitive debut for Orlando City in the team’s 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday and was one of the bright spots in a rough performance as he scored both of the team’s goals. He was justifiably rewarded with a place on the bench in the first MLS Team of the Matchday of the 2025 season. In addition to the goals, the Croatian was a threat all evening, as he put four of his seven shots on target and also provided two key passes. Sean Rollins named him Man of the Match for his performance, and it’s nice to see him getting some love on the larger stage as well. Hopefully this is just the first of many times he earns weekly recognition like this.

Americans in Midweek Action

We’ve got a lot of Americans who will be taking part in games during the working week, so make sure you get everything you want to see marked down on your calendar. Things start Wednesday with Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace hosting Aston Villa in the Premier League, while Antonee Robinson and Fulham travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wednesday sees Richy Ledezma and PSV Eindhoven host Go Ahead Eagles in the KNVB Cup semifinals, while PSV’s other three Americans remain out injured. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus will also host Empoli in a Coppa Italia quarterfinal. The other big match of the week is on Thursday, as Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan try to bounce back from a wobbly run of form as they visit Bologna in Serie A play.

U.S. Announces Preliminary Nations League Roster

Along with the other three semifinalists in the competition, the United States Men’s National Team has released its preliminary roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League semifinals. Currently standing at 60, the roster will be cut down to 23 by March 10, with the USMNT taking on Panama on March 20. The usual suspects are all present, like Pulisic, McKennie, Robinson, Tyler Adams, and Matt Turner, with plenty of young names like Aidan Morris, Diego Kochen, Jackson Ragen, and Jack McGlynn. The most intrigue will take part at striker. While Josh Sargent is almost surely a lock to make the team, any one of Patrick Agyemang, Brandon Vazquez, and Jordan Morris could easily find themselves included or missing out.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

Despite most winter transfer windows being closed, there are still plenty of rumors we need to keep tabs on. First up, AC Milan is said to be monitoring the contract situations of stars Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, and Rafael Leao, and could be open to selling all three of them if the club does not qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season. Elsewhere, Vitor Roque’s proposed transfer from Barcelona to Palmeiras is reportedly off, as La Liga rules prevent Roque’s loan at Real Betis being cut short since the league is currently not in a registration period. Meanwhile, Manchester City has reportedly identified FC Porto netminder Diogo Costa as the man to replace current goalkeeper Ederson. Finally, Real Madrid is allegedly one of the teams in regular contact with Yamine Lamal’s agent, although Los Blancos have reportedly been told that Barcelona (unsurprisingly) refuses to sell him to its Spanish rivals.

Free Kicks

• Former Orlando City manager Adrian Heath took a trip down memory lane during his time at the season opener on Saturday.

• Inter&Co Stadium opened its doors just over eight years ago.

• The Seattle Sounders have announced an initiative to try to get more new fans to attend games.

• This is a very worthwhile read about Black Players for Change, the organization that fights for equality both inside and outside of Major League Soccer.
• Manchester United will make another 200 positions at the club redundant in the latest round of cost-cutting measures.

That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!