Lion Links
Lion Links: 10/1/22
Welcome to Spooky Season, Mane Landers! If you are anything like me, you were counting down the days until FIFA 23 released yesterday. Luckily, I had the day off from work and was able to spend it relaxing and playing the latest edition. For this year, I decided to take on the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney challenge of putting Wrexham AFC into English Football League Two and attempting to continue winning leagues and promotions until I finally lift the Premier League trophy. Don’t fear though as I have not fully abandoned Orlando City! For my Ultimate Team online mode side hustle, I am working towards acquiring all the purple cosmetic items, club jerseys and badge, and of course making Ted Lasso Orlando City’s newest manager. But enough of my FIFA goals, enjoy these links from around the soccer world.
Orlando Pride Close Season Tonight
The Orlando Pride end their 2022 campaign tonight with a match at Lumen Field at 10 p.m. In the first match-up with OL Reign, the Pride dropped points by giving away a 92nd-minute goal to fall 2-1.
“It’ll be a competitive game. We know what to expect with the way that the Reign play, we experienced it not long ago at our own stadium,” Interim Head Coach Seb Hines said. “It’ll be a tough game, another challenge for us and something that we can build from from our last game with San Diego. We want to continue to play the way that we want to play and there’s no better way to do it than at Seattle.”
The loss to OL Reign also snapped a seven-match unbeaten streak, which finished tied for the second longest in club history. The Pride have found themselves in a poor run of form since the loss but were able to at least halt their losing streak Sunday against the San Diego Wave with a draw. While tonight’s game will conclude the 2022 season for the Pride, the Reign will surely be firing on all cylinders to secure all three points with the potential for the NWSL Shield still within reach.
Orlando City Hunts For Home Playoff Game
The Lions of Orlando City travel to Red Bull Arena to take on New York City FC Sunday at 1 p.m. While both teams are playing away from “home,” NYCFC will still feel as if it has the home field advantage, being local and not needing to travel far despite statistics begging to differ.
The silver lining for the Lions, however, will be a full-sized pitch compared to that of Yankee Stadium, where the Pigeons usually play matches. With a win, Orlando City threatens to knock NYCFC out of the top four in the Eastern Conference and make a run at hosting a home playoff match. FC Cincinnati is also only three points behind NYCFC at the time of this writing and banging on the door. Sunday’s stakes are high, as an NYCFC win solidifies a first-round playoff bye for New York side, while Orlando City could either greatly strengthen or jeopardize its postseason position.
MLS Players Locked in for Qatar
The United States Men’s National Team just wrapped up the final tune-up camp before the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With the final stretch run of the MLS season soon coming to a close, many domestic players are wondering if they will get a ticket to be on the plane to Qatar. ESPNFC’s Jeff Carlisle gives his take on which MLS-based USMNT players will be guaranteed to make the trip.
Nashville SC’s Walker Zimmerman has done well to claim a place on the back line. FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira continues to make his case to be Head Coach Gregg Berhalter’s No. 9 in the attack. Midfielder Kellyn Acosta of LAFC has show his own versatility as a depth player and can fill in as a holding midfielder or at one of the No. 8 spots. The real question marks at this point are for NYCFC’s Sean Johnson as a third-string goalkeeper, FC Dallas winger Paul Arriola, and Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan.
With matches still to be played in the MLS season and playoffs to come, many factors are still in play. A player could take a knock, fall out of form, find incredible form, or even work his way out of his club’s good graces. It still might be too far to know for sure, but let us know in the comments which MLS players you think are locked in for the World Cup.
Jesse Marsch Loves Leeds United
Leeds United Head Coach Jesse Marsch is an American soccer legend currently leading his club in the Premier League. Prior to his coaching days, Marsch played 14 seasons as a midfielder in MLS with D.C. United, the Chicago Fire, and Chivas USA, while collecting three league titles and four U.S. Open Cup trophies along the way. Since then, he has written quite the resume as a coach and USMNT fans have taken notice.
In 2010, Marsch retired from his playing career and became an assistant coach for the USMNT under Bob Bradley, reaching the Round of 16 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He then became the inaugural head coach of the Montreal Impact upon their entry to MLS in 2012. And in 2015, Marsch was hired as head coach of the New York Red Bulls and stayed in the role through the first half of the 2018 MLS season. In his first year coaching the Red Bulls, the club won the Supporters Shield and he was named MLS Coach of the Year.
Despite his success at the club level, Marsch claims he would not leave Leeds now if he was offered a position at the helm of the USMNT for the 2026 World Cup cycle.
“I don’t want to leave. If I got an offer to go anywhere in the world right now to coach football I wouldn’t leave this spot,” Marsch, who coaches USMNT stars Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams at Leeds, said on Friday.
“I’m more happy in my career than I’ve ever been and I’m very thankful to be here, and my total focus and our total focus is just trying to maximize what we’re achieving every day.”
If Berhalter does not get out of the group stage at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, there will be plenty of vocal fans calling for his dismissal. Jesse Marsch is sure to be on the short list of coaches to take over the position. Let us know in the comments who you think should be Berhalter’s successor. Or, do you think Berhalter should be the coach all the way through the 2026 cycle?
Free Kicks
- Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja updated player injuries and storm experiences in his Friday press conference.
Speaking with #OrlandoCity HC Oscar Pareja.
The players made it out okay through the storm, but his thoughts are with the people still suffering.
Robin Jansson is still day-by-day. The team is waiting on medical staff to clear him.
Cesar Araujo is back training with the team pic.twitter.com/ipSTOQVfcY
— Austin David (@AustinDavid22) September 30, 2022
- Orlando City minority owners, the DeVos Family, will donate $1 million to Hurricane Ian relief efforts.
- Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor announced his retirement after 18 seasons.
- Chicago Fire midfielder Jairo Torres is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing a successful surgical procedure to stabilize a left tibia stress fracture.
- Check out this list of potential surprises and outcomes for Week 33 leading into MLS Decision Day.
- Alex Roldan of the Seattle Sounders speaks on his choice between three countries and making his own path in professional soccer.
- Portland Thorns FC has signed defender Becky Sauerbrunn to a one-year contract extension for the 2023 NWSL season.
- Five women’s soccer players from a visiting team claimed racial chants were directed at them and their teammates from the crowd during a game at BYU in 2021.
That’s all I have for you today. After that opening paragraph, I’m sure you know where to find me this weekend. I will be kicked back and couch-coaching my virtual teams to victory. Of course, I will take a break to catch the Lions and Pride play, though. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/13/26
Pride and OCB win, Maxime Crepeau to compete in MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, Latest MLS transfer roundup, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work, but I look forward to watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals and final this week. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Pride Shut Out Kansas City Current at Home
The Orlando Pride defeated the Kansas City Current 3-0 at Inter&Co Stadium Friday night, bouncing back from a tough outing at Angel City the previous week. After a scoreless first half, Marta scored the opener from long distance to give Orlando the lead. Hannah Anderson and Barbra Banda added a goal apiece as the Pride have won three out of their last four league matches. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse earned a clean sheet in her 100th appearance for the club. Orlando remains eighth in the NWSL table with 20 points. The Pride will be back in action at home Wednesday, taking on Boston Legacy at Inter&Co Stadium.
OCB Wins at FC Cincinnati 2
Orlando City B beat FC Cincinnati 2 by a 2-1 scoreline at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, KY on Sunday. Issah Haruna’s goal gave the Young Lions the lead in the first half. In the second half, Cincinnati leveled the match, but Matthew Belgodere scored the winner on the road. That result pulls the Young Lions into third in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings with 33 points, just one point off leaders Chattanooga FC. OCB will be away for another road test Saturday against Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium.
Orlando City Reportedly Submits Transfer Offer for Alex Moreno
Orlando City has reportedly submitted a transfer offer to sign Girona defender Alex Moreno. No agreement has been reached between the two sides, and conversations remain ongoing, according to reports. Moreno made 31 appearances for Girona last season in La Liga and recorded three assists. The 33-year-old left back remains under contract with Girona through 2027, but the club was relegated from La Liga to La Liga 2 last season. Several European clubs have also expressed interest in signing Moreno, including La Liga sides Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano.
Crepeau to Compete in MLS All-Star Skills Challenge
Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau will compete in the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge at Truist Field in Charlotte on July 28, the club announced Friday. The competition will feature top players from Major League Soccer and Liga MX competing to test their soccer skills on the pitch. Five skills challenge competitions are featured, including the All-Star Goalie Wars, All-Star Crossbar Challenge, and the MLS vs. Liga MX Relay Challenge. Each competition will crown its own champion this year, switching from the traditional MLS-versus-opponent format used in previous years.
Latest MLS Transfer Roundup
According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, Sporting Kansas City has emerged as a potential option to sign former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
D.C. United has reportedly acquired forward Nathan Ordaz from LAFC.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders have reportedly traded defender Cody Baker to the New England Revolution.
Free Kicks
- Former Lion Silvester van der Water has signed with Cambodian Premier League side Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC.
- Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez, who plays Dani Rojas in the show, made his professional debut for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive over the weekend.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the organization will examine expanding the men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams after the 2026 tournament concludes.
- Senegal has fired manager Pape Thiaw following its Round of 32 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/10/26
Duncan McGuire reportedly being traded, Orlando Pride host Kansas City tonight, Steve Cherundolo named U.S. U-23 men’s coach, and more.
Happy Friday, Mane Landers! The Orlando Pride are in action tonight and we also have an Orlando City B game on Sunday to look forward to. It’s been a bit of a hectic week on my end, but it’s at least helped make the U.S.’s World Cup loss feel like old news. Orlando City putting the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the sword in a friendly didn’t hurt either. Let’s get to the links!
Orlando City Reportedly Trading Duncan McGuire
Forward Duncan McGuire is reportedly being traded by Orlando City to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for $1.25 million in General Allocation Money, with another $1.15 million heading Orlando’s way if performance metrics are reached per Tom Bogert of The Athletic.
Selected by Orlando with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, McGuire has scored 29 goals across four seasons with the Lions. Injuries have plagued him in recent years, but let’s hope he can have a renaissance of sorts with Houston and hit those performance requirements if this move comes to pass. Orlando would be even lighter on options up top, but the money could help the club improve at a few positions.
Orlando Pride Host the Kansas City Current Tonight
Following a 2-0 loss to Angel City FC, the Orlando Pride will look to bounce back tonight when they host the Kansas City Current in the first meeting this season between the past two NWSL Shield winners. The Current are on a three-game win streak, with Michelle Cooper scoring twice in a 3-0 win over the Denver Summit last week. Temwa Chawinga also scored in that match to bring her tally to eight as she closes the distance on Pride forward Barbra Banda in the Golden Boot race. Hopefully the Pride can keep Kansas City’s offense in check and get back on track with a win at home.
Steve Cherendulo Named U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team Coach
U.S. Soccer appointed Steve Cherendulo as the head coach of the United States U-23 Men’s National Team as preparations begin for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Cherundulo is no stranger to success in the City of Angels, leading LAFC to a league title and MLS Cup victory in 2022 before winning the 2024 U.S. Open Cup as well. He represented the U.S. as a player starting at age 18 and played in three World Cups, which should be valuable experience to get these younger players ready to make an impact with the senior team. Tahir Reid-Brown, Justin Ellis, and Colin Guske are a few Orlando City players to keep an eye out for as possible Olympic roster candidates as they develop their games.
France Advances to World Cup Semifinals
France became the first team to secure its spot in the World Cup semifinals, beating Morocco 2-0. After a scoreless first half, Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the tournament to give France the lead and then provided the assist on Ousmane Dembele’s goal a few minutes later. While the offense is understandably grabbing headlines, the defense has now had a clean sheet in three straight games during this knockout phase. In the semifinals, France will take on whichever nation advances from today’s match between Spain and Belgium.
Free Kicks
- Less than 24 hours after scoring for Orlando City in a friendly, Antoine Griezmann was in Boston for France’s World Cup match.
- The Orlando Pride will have a new sponsor on the back of their jerseys, as Orlando-based company AluCup became the club’s official aluminum cup supplier.
- Christian Pulisic was reportedly diagnosed with a microfracture and bone bruise in his leg and he may miss several weeks as a result. The injury bug refuses to let go of him it seems.
- The Washington Spirit added Cameroonian midfielder Monique Ngock, signing her to a three-year contract.
- American right back Bryan Reynolds is reportedly being signed by Stade Rennais from Westerlo for a transfer fee around $5 million.
- Crystal Dunn, who set records at Florida State University before her storied professional career, joined the Tallahassee Reckoning’s ownership group. The organization aims to provide more opportunities for youth soccer players and improve the pathway towards playing professionally.
- English defender Jarell Quanash was given a two-game suspension for the serious foul play that earned him a red card against Mexico. He’ll miss Saturday’s quarterfinal against Norway and also England’s semifinal if it advances.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend. Go Pride!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/9/26
Orlando City crushes the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Maxime Crepeau becomes an MLS All-Star, Anna Moorhouse recognized, and more.
How’s it going, Mane Landers? After nearly a full month of daily World Cup soccer, it felt a bit weird not having a game to watch on Wednesday. Only eight games remain in this year’s tournament, and each one should be a doozy as some of the top nations square off. We also have plenty of Orlando soccer to get excited about as the summer rolls on. Let’s get to the links!
Orlando City Dominates Tampa Bay in Friendly
The Lions returned to action with a friendly against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and cruised to a 6-0 victory at home. It was Antoine Griezmann’s first game as a Lion and he showed Orlando supporters and Season Ticket Members what he’s capable of with a goal and an assist in the match. The team’s younger players picked up where the starters left off once subbed on in the second half, with Justin Ellis providing three assists to help pile on more goals. Friendlies should always be taken with a grain of salt, but it’s hard not to feel excited for the second half of the season. The Lions will play another friendly on the road against FC Dallas on Wednesday before league play resumes, and that match might give us a more accurate picture than Wednesday’s game.
Maxime Crepeau Named to MLS All-Star Roster
Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was chosen to be a part of the 2026 MLS All-Star roster as a coach’s selection by Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith. Crepeau started in all five of Canada’s World Cup games this summer and has recorded 63 saves as a Lion so far. While Orlando’s defense has done him few favors this season, it’s still a bit surprising to see Crepeau included, considering the Lions have conceded a league-high 44 goals this season. The All-Star Game will take place in Charlotte on July 29 and will once again pit the MLS against the top players from Liga MX.
Anna Moorhouse Nominated for Save of the Week
Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was up for NWSL Save of the Week for catching a hard shot from Jun Endo at fairly close range in the team’s 2-0 loss to Angel City FC. She ended up finishing fourth in the voting, but it’s still nice to see a Pride player recognized in at least some capacity after a rough result.
The honor ultimately went to the Houston Dash’s Jane Campbell, who made a nice diving save to deny a glancing header following a corner kick. Moorhouse and the Pride will look to turn things around in a home match against the Kansas City Current on Friday.
Gabriel Pec Transferred to Cruzeiro
The LA Galaxy have transferred Brazilian winger Gabriel Pec to Cruzeiro for a club-record transfer fee reported to be around $13.5 million. The 25-year-old joined the Galaxy prior to the 2024 season and was named MLS Newcomer of the Year that year, helping LA win the league title. He’s recorded 42 goals and 28 assists in 101 appearances with the Galaxy, and he now returns to Brazil’s top flight. Along with that hefty transfer fee, Pec’s exit notably opens up a Designated Player spot for the Galaxy as well.
Predicting the USMNT’s 2030 World Cup Roster
The United States Men’s National Team’s 2026 World Cup campaign came to a close a few days ago and the focus has now shifted on what the team will do to improve by 2030. While Mauricio Pochettino’s inclusion is arguably the biggest question mark looming over the team, Ben Wright from SixOneFive Soccer examined what the roster could look like for the next World Cup. Former Lion Alex Freeman was the youngest player on the USMNT this time around and was predicted to return in 2030, while aforementioned Orlando City forward Justin Ellis is in the mix of young attackers on the rise like Julian Hall, Zavier Gozo, and Cole Campbell. Plenty can change between now and then, and it will be interesting to see just how different the two rosters will be.
Free Kicks
- American goalkeeper Matt Turner is returning to the New England Revolution on loan from Olympique Lyonnais once again. The loan will last through the 2026 season, with an option to buy.
- Enjoy this analytical dive into the impact Mauricio Pochettino had on the USMNT’s success and failures at the World Cup.
- The World Cup quarterfinals kick off today with an intriguing matchup between France and Morocco, who squared off in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup.
- Zlatko Dalic’s time as Croatia’s head coach has come to a close. Under Dalic, Croatia was a World Cup finalist in 2018 and claimed third in 2022.
- Rafael Marquez was officially announced as Mexico’s next head coach for the 2030 World Cup.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links: 7/13/26
Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati 2: Final Score 2-1 as OCB Claims Three Road Points
Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current: Final Score 3-0 as Pride Bounce Back with Win
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Orlando Pride2 weeks agoOrlando Pride vs. Angel City FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
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