How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a fairly hectic week for me so far, but things are starting to wind down as we get ready for the weekend. I was at least able to catch “Coyote vs. Acme” in theaters and highly recommend it if needing a laugh or even just some motivation to keep on keeping on. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando Pride Prepare for Home Game Amidst Changes

The Orlando Pride will play their first game since Seb Hines’s departure on Sunday when they host the Houston Dash. Following their 2-1 loss to the Utah Royals, the Pride have fallen to 12th in the NWSL standings with eight games remaining this season. Sunday’s match will be interim head coach Yolanda Thomas’s first game at the helm and she spoke on how she and the team have been navigating the changes this week while still preparing to take all three points.

Gary Lewis Named Orlando City Academy Director

Orlando City named Gary Lewis as its new academy director to oversee the club’s development pathway for young players. He joins Orlando from the Chicago Fire organization, where he served as the technical director of that club’s academy. Before coming to the U.S. for stints with the Philadelphia Union, Seattle Sounders, and New York Red Bulls, he was Liverpool’s head of youth development and coached one of Everton’s youth teams as well. Hopefully he’ll be able to take Orlando’s academy to another level.

All U.S. MLS Clubs Will Participate in 2027 U.S. Open Cup

After a couple of years of only partial participation, it was announced that the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will feature all 27 MLS teams that are based in the U.S. The MLS teams will join the fray in the round of 64, which will take place in July against regional opponents from the first round. While the MLS NEXT Pro teams like Orlando City B that are affiliated with an MLS club can’t compete, the players will be able to play for their senior team in the tournament. With the shift in the MLS calendar starting next year, this tournament should be a nice way to showcase soccer across the country as the 2027-2028 MLS season gets rolling.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

The MLS secondary transfer window came to a close and several teams not named Orlando City made big moves as they prepare for the home stretch of the season. The Columbus Crew have a new Designated Player, signing midfielder Santiago Rodriguez from Botafogo in Brazil. St. Louis City also added some firepower, bringing in American forward Damion Downs on loan from Southampton through the 2027 Sprint Season with an option to buy. As for other players coming to the league, midfielder Giuliano Galoppo joined Atlanta United on loan from River Plate, FC Cincinnati signed midfielder David Doudera from Slavia Prague, and Inter Miami added 19-year-old forward Riquelme Fillipi from Palmeiras.

There were also notable moves between MLS clubs, with the Colorado Rapids receiving a club-record $12 million from St. Louis in exchange for Designated Player forward Rafael Navarro. Toronto FC acquired winger Lewis Morgan from San Diego FC for an international roster slot. San Diego also sent Sam Vines out on loan to the Houston Dynamo.

Free Kicks

• Enjoy Ivan Angulo and David Brekalo trading goals against each other in training.

• Pride forward Barbra Banda placed fourth on ESPN‘s power rankings of the top African women’s soccer players, finishing behind a trio of players from Malawi after the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
• Here’s everything you need to know as the United States U-20 Women’s National Team prepares for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off this weekend. The Yanks’ first game will be against Italy on Sunday.
• New York City FC II is moving to Middlesex County in New Jersey and will play under a new brand identity there starting in July of 2027.
• The Washington Spirit transferred defensive midfielder Rebeca Bernal to Manchester United in the Women’s Super League.

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

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s a little odd not having a midweek match this week, but given how congested the schedule is the rest of the month, we should probably enjoy it. Speaking of enjoying things, some have said that season 4 of Ted Lasso hasn’t been as good, but I think that each episode is better than the last. It can be tough to recapture the magic of a beloved show, but I think they’re doing it. Rant over. Let’s get to the links.

Thomas’ Tenure Begins

With the Orlando Pride parting ways with Seb Hines on Monday, Yolanda Thomas begins her stint as interim head coach. Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations & General Manager Caitlin Carducci said that the club believes the pieces are in place to win matches and make the playoffs, and that hopefully Thomas will be able to make that happen. As we said on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast, that might be a pretty tall order. In the latest ESPN NWSL power rankings, the Pride have fallen to the 12th spot. To be fair, Hines started as an interim head coach as well, so Thomas should be given the opportunity to earn the permanent position. Her first opportunity to prove she has the right stuff comes Sunday against the Houston Dash in Orlando.

Orlando City Falls

Orlando City is on the edge of the playoffs sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, but dropped to 19th in the MLSSoccer.com power rankings after dropping two points to Minnesota United FC in a match that almost saw them drop all three points. I think my feelings on power rankings are well known, but I think they may have gotten it correct this go-around.

MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Changes

With only three matches left until the playoffs begin, MLS NEXT Pro has updated the league’s playoff format for 2026 by adding a play-in round. The top seven teams from each conference on Decision Day will still make the playoffs. The 8th and 9th seeded teams will play for the final spot in the respective conference. The top four teams in each conference will still get to pick their opponent. As of today, the rule change puts Orlando City B one point out of the play-in round.

USWNT Soccer News

The 2027 Women’s World Cup is less than a year away, and while it’s likely that the USWNT will qualify, one shouldn’t take that for granted. Here is what Emma Hayes’ team will need to do to make it. The USWNT lost last time around but are the Yanks once again considered the favorite heading into 2027? We can also take a look at which players Hayes may call up for the World Cup are doing well and which are not. Speaking of call-ups, we now know which players U-17 Women’s National Team Head Coach Katie Schoepfer has chosen for the September training camp.

Free Kicks

• Gotham has reportedly re-signed Rose Lavelle through 2029 using the High Impact Player rule that allows a team to spend up to $1 million in additional funds outside of the salary cap on a player.
• The Portland Timbers are reportedly acquiring veteran center back Joel Waterman. Wait a minute. teams can add experienced center backs? Has anyone told Orlando City?

• The New York Red Bulls have transferred midfielder Dennis Gjengaar to Norwegian club Vålerenga.
• Folarin Balogun’s transfer to Everton has hit a snag as the USMNT striker has failed his medical. As such, Balogun will stay at Monaco.
• The summer transfer window closed Tuesday and here are the biggest winners and losers among the European clubs.

That will do it for today. Check back with The Mane Land as we get you ready for the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

Good morning, everyone. It was a mixed bag for Orlando’s three soccer teams, as they combined to go 1-1-1 and take four of the nine available points on offer. All three teams will be back in action this weekend, and hopefully the defenses will be stingier than they were last time out. We’ve got plenty to talk about this morning, so let’s get into the links.

Orlando Pride Make Coaching Change

The Orlando Pride announced on Monday afternoon that the club has parted ways with both head coach Seb Hines and goalkeeper coach Paul Crichton. Assistant Coach Yolanda Thomas has been named interim head coach. Hines led the team to a historic double-winning season in 2024, as the club captured the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. Following a fourth-place finish and semifinal exit in 2025, the team has struggled this year for a number of reasons, and is currently five points below the playoff line in 12th place.

Lions Earn Recognition

While Orlando’s result on Saturday was a frustrating one, two Lions have earned some props for the part they played in rescuing a point on the road. First up is Antoine Griezmann, who was named to the starting XI of the MLS Team of the Matchday. The Frenchman bagged a goal and a crucial stoppage time assist as he now has four goal contributions in his last two games. Tyrese Spicer’s game-tying goal in stoppage time off Griezmann’s stellar long pass has been named the Moment of the Matchday. That strike continued Spicer’s excellent post-World Cup form, as he repeatedly finds a way to contribute regardless of if he’s starting or coming off the bench. Congratulations to both players, and here’s hoping their good form continues!

Takeaways from Matchday 23

Major League Soccer’s 23rd matchday is in the books, and there are plenty of lessons to be learned from the weekend’s action. Allan Saint-Maximin bagged his first goal for Charlotte FC and so far he’s looked lively and involved for his new team, which is riding a four-game unbeaten streak. Dejan Joveljic continues to score for fun regardless of who he’s playing for, as he marked his debut for the Seattle Sounders with a brace. The Sounders couldn’t hold onto all three points and had to settle for one, but he should help them in terms of firepower. Finally, the New England Revolution are clicking nicely, and had very little trouble in brushing aside the Columbus Crew on the road. Matt Turner is playing well, Carles Gil is still doing his thing, and the Revs are up to fourth in the East.

Recapping Recent Transfers

The transfer deadline for many European leagues is later today, and that means the market has been moving at the speed of light. We start with American Folarin Balogun, who will reportedly be joining Everton for a deal that could rise as high as $54 million with add-ons and incentives. Staying in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur is said to be interested in signing Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo from Chelsea. St Louis City SC is reportedly signing American striker Damion Downs on loan from Southampton. Real Salt Lake is reportedly signing Taylor Booth from FC Twente.

Finally, Stoke City is reportedly finishing up a deal to sign Jack McGlynn from the Houston Dynamo.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City rose one spot to no. 16 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
• Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer.
• Joshua Kushner says he regrets his participation in the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

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