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Lion Links: 5/7/22

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4 years ago

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Happy Away Day, Mane Landers. It is a quiet weekend in Exploria Stadium as both the Lions and Pride are away. Orlando City heads to Montreal for a 4 p.m. start time this afternoon, while we will be staying up late on Sunday to see the Pride face Angel City at 8 p.m. So start getting your at-home tailgating supplies ready, because it is going to be a long weekend on the couch. But before we fire up the grills, we will stop and take a moment to wish Orlando Pride forward Sydney Leroux a very happy birthday! May it be Syd’s best year yet, and may her son Cassius be celebrating with backflips in our academy soon. Now, on to the links!

Orlando City Heads North

The Lions take on CF Montréal today at 4 p.m. in Stade Saputo. Montréal is knocking on the door of the third place position in the Eastern Conference, sitting only three points behind Orlando. Head Coach Oscar Pareja is ready for the second time the clubs face off this season, noting both Decision Day of last year and this year’s home opener in a budding rivalry.

“We’re good, excited and working towards this game in Canada against Montréal, a rival that we’ve already played here at home in our opener. It’s a place that brought us good memories from our last game of the regular season last year when we clinched [the playoffs],” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. “At the same time, we do respect them a lot. They’re a good team that has good coaching there too and I see a very clear model in the way they do their things, so we have been preparing this week for that like always.”

Montréal is coming off a 2-1 home victory over Atlanta United. Former Lions left back Kamal Miller scored in the fourth minute and later assisted the game-winner in the 82nd. The makeshift Lions back line will be without Robin Jansson this week as he serves his yellow card accumulation suspension, and the backups must keep all eyes on Djordje Mihailovic, who leads Montréal with four goals and four assists this season.

Pride Fly Across the Country

Familiar faces will be on the other side of the ball Sunday night, as former Pride players Ali Riley, Dani Weatherholt, Jasmyne Spencer and Brittany Isenhour all line up for Angel City FC. In its first NWSL match, ACFC won 2-1 over the North Carolina Courage with goals from Vanessa Gilles and Jun Endo.

Tomorrow will serve as the first-ever meeting between the Pride and Angel City. The match is set to kick off at 8 p.m. at Banc of California Stadium. With no history between the two clubs, we can only look at what Orlando has done in similar situations against expansion teams. Last year, Orlando finished with a 3-1-2 record in all competitions against the expansion clubs. This is a very different roster build though and lacks firepower as the Pride look for their first goal of the 2022 season.

It is always bittersweet to see former players lined up against the club. However, the match also will be a homecoming of sorts for some of the Orlando squad and staff. Head Coach Amanda Cromwell and Assistant Coach Sam Greene return to Los Angeles where they previously coached UCLA. In addition, Sydney Leroux, Megan Montefusco, Darian Jenkins, and Viviana Villacorta are all former UCLA players. Former USC graduates Leah Pruitt and Kaylie Collins will also be making their return to the city.

USMNT, Mexico Battle for Dual-Nationals

Mexico called in three Mexican-American dual-national players for their recent friendly vs. Guatemala and is now reportedly attempting to have playmaker Alex Mendez to switch his allegiance as he finds his form in the Primeira Liga for F.C. Vizela. But overall, USMNT Head Coach Gregg Berhalter is not worried. He just wants his players to find a genuine connection with who they choose to represent.

“The thing is, I always say, I want them to choose with their heart. I want them to feel good about it,” he explained. “And could you imagine growing up with parents and having a really strong cultural background and then being able to play for the country of that background? I think that’s special. Even though the United States has given them that opportunity, there’s still this deep connection to their country, and some of them have to leave their country and want to go back, but they can’t. And so for me, if a guy really chooses that, I’m happy. I’m happy for him because that’s what he feels in his heart.”

In his tenure with the USMNT, Berhalter has a great track record in finding and landing talent and encouraging that connection among the camp. Players like Ricardo Pepi and Jesus Ferreira have both chosen to represent the United States.

“When I speak to guys like Ricardo and Jesus, and Jonathan Gomez, and have conversations with them, they feel a connection,” said the coach. “It’s not always easy, though. I think that, in general, I would like for our Latin players to be pushed more, in a positive way, that we’re looking to develop them more and that we’re putting more effort into developing the Latin community as well, because I think it’s important. We talk to all these guys. We talk constantly to all these players. We’re very engaged in this process, really engaged in the process.”

Time will soon tell if all of the recruiting and nurturing of the young players will pay off. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup just on the horizon, we will see if the U.S. has in fact grabbed the best attackers in Pepi and Ferreira when goals are needed and hardware is on the line.

New Eras for RSL and Nashville

Nashville SC opened its new stadium, GEODIS Park, last weekend as it welcomed in 30,000 fans. How do you get 30,000 people to show up for what is still a relatively new club? CEO Ian Ayre thinks it’s simple.

“We approached this team and bringing it to this community in that way: Being good people who do good stuff. Not surprisingly when we took that attitude, it resonated with the city. We got a following we hoped for and then some.”

They also have tied in the Nashville “bad boy” of music vibe with the build-out of their club. This is most notable in their recent contract extension of USMNT and Designated Player Walker Zimmerman.

“We’re a team that when the opposition are preparing scouting reports, they’re going to talk about how they hate to play against us,” general manger Mike Jacobs said. “Whether it’s being stingy defensively, tough players, guys with dynamic pace and guys with personalities who relish being the bad guy and wearing the black cowboy hat. It’s a group that’s relentless.”

Similarly, the newest ownership of David Blitzer and Ryan Smith have made changes to the experience Real Salt Lake fans have come to know, all within two months of buying the club prior to the home opener. This started with a focus on making needed updates to Rio Tinto Stadium but also the overall fan experience.

“I still remember walking around this arena with Ryan six, seven weeks ago,” said Blitzer. “Ryan’s got a really good eye and he’s pointing out X and Y, and we can change that if we fix that, and we can make a better fan experience by doing that. And frankly, John [Kimball, RSL’s president] and his team jumped on it. Yeah, there’s plenty to go, but they did a really nice job in a short period.”

RSL has also started to partner up with local youth soccer to invite children out to games and even club captain Damir Kreilach has donated 100 tickets to each game to youth of underpriviledged backgrounds. This number has since grown to 400 tickets, thanks to matching donations.

While both of these clubs continue to mold into what they want their future to hold, one thing is certain — the future of current MLS clubs, along with expansion, is brighter when it is fan-first and fan-focused.

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  • The USMNT 2022 Home and Away kits might just have been leaked.

That just about wraps it up. What is your favorite away day tradition or at-home tailgate food? Let me know in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/10/26

MLS hands out two lifetime bans for gambling, Americans in midweek action, Sergino Dest injury update, and more.

Published

17 hours ago

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March 10, 2026

By

Image of Duncan McGuire reacting to his goal against Toronto FC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Good morning, everyone. It was a mixed bag for Orlando’s soccer teams over the weekend, as Orlando City took a brutal beating on the baseball diamond at Yankee Stadium, while Orlando City B knocked off Chicago Fire II at home to pick up its first win of the young season. We’ve got a busy week ahead of us, as the Young Lions take on Carolina Core on Saturday afternoon, OCSC is at home against CF Montreal later that night, and the Orlando Pride kick off the season against the Seattle Reign on Sunday. We’ve got a lot to discuss this morning, so let’s get into the links.

MLS Bans Two Players for Life

Major League Soccer has given lifetime bans to Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah for violating the league’s gambling policy. The pair “engaged in extensive gambling on soccer,” with the kicker being that they placed bets on games in which their own teams were involved. The bets took place during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, with a particular instance highlighted in the Columbus Crew’s 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 19, 2024, in which both players bet on Jones to be given a yellow card, which he received in the 35th minute. Neither player is currently under contract with an MLS team.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing matches during the working week, and the knockout rounds of continental competitions are once again in the spotlight. Things get going this afternoon when Yunus Musah and Atalanta host Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, while Johnny Cardoso and Atletico Madrid play Tottenham Hotspur in the same competition. Wednesday has Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen playing Arsenal in the UCL, while former Lion Daryl Dike and West Brom take on Southampton in the Championship. Thursday sees Tanner Tessman and Lyon travel to play Celta Vigo in the Europa League, while Chris Richards and Crystal Palace take on AEK Larnaca in the Conference League. Things conclude on Friday when Alex Freeman will hope to break a streak of four games as an unused substitute when Villarreal travels to Deportivo Alaves in La Liga.

Sergino Dest Injury Update

Sergino Dest went down in the 55th minute of PSV Eindhoven’s league win over AZ Alkmaar on Saturday and had to be helped off the field while putting minimal weight on his left leg. PSV coach Peter Bosz confirmed that it was a hamstring injury, and while the club has made no official statement about how much time he might miss, the fullback said in a statement that he is confident he’ll be fit again near the end of the season. His injury means that the right back situation for the USMNT is suddenly a more interesting one, as Freeman hasn’t been playing much with Villarreal, and guys like Joe Scally will be keen on seizing any potential opportunities.

Iranian Soccer Players Granted Asylum

Five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team have been granted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia after they escaped from the people assigned to keep an eye on them following the team’s final match in the Women’s Asian Cup. The group, which includes team captain Zahra Ghanbari, had been in contact with Australian officials for a number of days, who made it clear that the remaining members of the team would also be welcomed by the country if they chose to stay. The five players that chose to leave are now protected by the Australian Federal Police and consented to have their names and faces published. It is not currently known when the remainder of the team is set to depart from Australia.

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  • Marco Pasalic has been called up to represent Croatia.

Getting ready for the World Cup 🇭🇷Marco has been called up by Croatia for World Cup preparation matches against Colombia and Brazil in Orlando on March 27 and 31 👏

— Orlando City SC (@orlandocitysc.com) 2026-03-09T18:57:23.294Z

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/9/26

Lions fall to New York City FC, Pride beat Fort Lauderdale United in final preseason match, OCB beats Chicago Fire II, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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March 9, 2026

By

Image of the OCB squad before the team's game March 8, 2026 vs. Chicago Fire II.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Justin Glatt

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work. It was a rough weekend for our beloved Lions, but OCB got a win over the weekend. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando City defender Nolan Miller, who turned 22 Sunday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Suffer Heavy Defeat at New York City FC

Orlando City fell 5-0 to New York City FC on the road Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau received a red card early in the first half. New York capitalized on the man advantage and the Lions trailed 3-0 at halftime. Keaton Parks scored twice in the second half as New York City FC secured its second straight win, while Orlando remains winless after three matches to start the season. The Lions were shut out for the first time in 25 matches. Orlando City will face CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium Saturday. Before the match, Orlando City announced it had signed midfielder Dylan Judelson to a short-term contract as Colin Guske was suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Inter Miami.

Orlando Pride Beat Fort Lauderdale United in Preseason Finale

In their final preseason match, the Orlando Pride beat USL Super League side Fort Lauderdale United 2-1 Saturday at Beyond Bancard Field in Fort Lauderdale. Seven Castain scored the opener in the first half, and Summer Yates added another from outside the box in the second half. Fort Lauderdale United pulled one back, but Orlando held on for the win.

The 2026 NWSL season will kick off this weekend as the Pride hosts the Seattle Reign Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride also announced that goalkeeper McKinley Crone, who was on loan with Fort Lauderdale United, has returned to the club by mutual consent.

OCB Beats Chicago Fire FC II

Orlando City B defeated Chicago Fire FC II 2-1 at Osceola County Stadium Sunday to secure its first win of the season in MLS NEXT Pro. Pedro Leao scored the opener for the Young Lions, however, Chicago equalized just before halftime. In the second half, Justin Ellis scored to give OCB the lead and the Young Lions held on for all three points. OCB’s next match will be on the road, taking on Carolina Core FC Saturday at Truist Point Stadium.

USWNT Wins SheBelieves Cup

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Colombia 1-0 to win the 2026 SheBelieves Cup Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. Alyssa Thompson scored the lone goal for the U.S. and was named the SheBelieves Cup MVP. With the win, the USWNT claimed its eighth title in the competition, went undefeated in the tournament, secured an eighth straight shutout, and finished atop the group with nine points. Canada finished second with five points after defeating Argentina 3-2 on penalties following a scoreless draw. Colombia finished third and Argentina came in last.

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That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/6/26

Leagues Cup schedule unveiled, Orlando Pride sign Reagan Raabe, USWNT prepares for Colombia, and more.

Published

5 days ago

on

March 6, 2026

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Happy Friday! It’s been a bit of a hectic week but I’m looking forward to spending the weekend enjoying some soccer and visiting my family for a birthday. Hopefully Orlando City can get a win on the road on Saturday and bring points back to the City Beautiful. Before we get started, we want to give a shout out to “Flip,” the latest subscriber at the TAM Player level in our Buy Me a Coffee membership program. Thanks for your support and welcome to The Mane Land family! Now, let’s jump right into today’s links!

Orlando City’s Leagues Cup Schedule Revealed

The schedule for this summer’s Leagues Cup is out and we now know which Liga MX teams Orlando City will play against. All three of Orlando’s games in the first phase of the tournament will be at Inter&Co Stadium, starting with a match against Monterrey on Aug. 5. The Lions will then take on Club Leon on Aug. 8 before playing San Luis on Aug. 12. Of the 18 MLS clubs taking part in the Leagues Cup, only the top four will advance to the knockout stage. Last year, the Lions went unbeaten across their four matches against Mexican teams before falling in the semifinals and the third-place match.

Orlando Pride Sign Reagan Raabe 

The Orlando Pride signed forward Reagan Raabe to a short-term contract that will last through June of this year. The 24-year-old has been with the club throughout its preseason as a non-roster invitee. Raabe joins the Pride following a collegiate career with the University of Nebraska, recording four goals and six assists in her final season after missing a couple of years due to injury. Hopefully she can continue to impress the coaching staff and make an impact this year.

Analyzing Colombia Ahead of USWNT Match

The United States Women’s National Team will play Colombia on Saturday in the final game of this year’s SheBelieves Cup. Colombia lost 4-1 to Canada in its first match but bounced back with a 1-0 win over Argentina. One of the top nations in South America, Colombia finished second in last year’s Copa America and boasts a versatile attack that does well with possession or in transition. The U.S. will need to limit Real Madrid forward Linda Caicedo as much as possible. The 21-year-old has scored in both of Colombia’s games this tournament and has the talent to create opportunities out of seemingly nothing.

WAFCON Postponed Until July

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which was set to begin on March 17, has been postponed until July 25 and is set to last through Aug. 16. This decision comes amid reports that Morocco wished to withdraw as the tournament’s host and it’s unclear at this time if Morocco will still host it later this year. Many NWSL players are impacted by this change, including Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, whose Zambian side will face Nigeria, Malawi, and Egypt in the group stage. The tournament doubles as qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the quarterfinalists directly securing a spot in Brazil next summer.

Free Kicks

  • We have some rumored numbers to put to how much Orlando City was offering to pay Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann. Even if the move doesn’t come to pass, I can appreciate the club taking a big swing.
  • Nothing is official yet, but the United States Men’s National Team’s jersey for the upcoming World Cup may have been spotted in the wild. It looks like the Waldo kit with a twist, literally.
  • Toronto FC officially added center back Benjamin Kuscevic on loan from Fortaleza in Brazil’s second division.
  • Walid Regragui stepped down as Morocco’s head coach with only a few months to go before the World Cup. Mohamed Ouahbi will take over for Regragui and it will be his first time coaching a senior team.
  • Relegation is growing into a real possibility for Tottenham, which lost its fifth-straight match after a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
  • Cristo Fernandez, who plays Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso, made a splash with a pair of goals in an exhibition match while training with Chicago Fire II.

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

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