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Lion Links: 11/5/22

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4 years ago

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Welcome to Saturday, Mane Land fam! In case you quit watching MLS after Orlando City was eliminated, this is your friendly reminder that the MLS Cup final is happening today. While I definitely wish the Lions were playing in the match, soccer is soccer — so I’ll tune in nonetheless. I’m going with a scoring frenzy prediction of 3-2 to LAFC. Philadelphia Union will take an early lead, but LAFC’s bench will fight back and get the job done at home.

Before we head into the links, I would like to take a moment and wish my wife a happy anniversary! It’s hard to believe that it has already been 365 days since we teamed up for life. Here’s to many, many more. Now, on to today’s links!

Predicting the MLS Cup Winner

For the first time since 2003, the MLS Cup will be contested between the top seeds of each conference. The two clubs will battle it out in one final match today at Banc of California Stadium starting at 4 p.m. While many experts have given their predictions, they are fairly split on which club will wind up on top.

Historically, the home-field advantage has been a massive help to the team that earned it. The last time visitors won without needing a penalty shootout was in 2015 when the Portland Thorns beat the Columbus Crew at Mapfre Stadium. If you are wondering who the oddsmakers and bettors have their money on, BetMGM’s odds has LAFC as the favorite to win. Be sure to let us know in the comments below how you think this match will play out.

Two American Coaches Square Off in MLS Cup

No matter how the MLS Cup final plays out, both Steve Cherundolo and Jim Curtin have had strong seasons as coaches for LAFC and the Union, respectively. It will surely be a rough loss for whichever team falls short, but both coaches retain reputations as part of a rising generation of American coaches. Cherundolo and Curtin were both nominated for MLS Coach of the Year, with Curtin claiming the honor.

Curtin’s tenure with the Union over the past eight years has not always been filled with success. Winning today would be the magnum opus on his resume after years of building a squad that could compete at the highest level. Meanwhile, Cherundolo has reached the MLS Cup final in his first season with LAFC. Unlike Curtin, Cherundolo inherited a squad with enough talent to immediately compete and he evolved much of the tactical framework that made LAFC so successful. 

As the United States Men’s National Team features some of the best players in its history, it needs a strong manager to guide the team. Current USMNT Head Coach Gregg Berhalter will likely be on the hot seat during the World Cup later this month. Should the position become vacant, both Cherundolo and Curtin could be in the conversation to coach the USMNT.

U.S. Soccer Announces Members of Safety Taskforce

The United States Soccer Federation announced the members and immediate priorities for the Participant Safety Taskforce, which will help drive change across all levels of U.S. soccer.

Former U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Shannon Boxx and Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Executive Director Greg Smith will join Taskforce Chair Mana Shim as the group’s leadership. The group’s membership includes both current players, former players, and experts in fields such as human resources, law, and player safety.

“I am excited to work alongside these athletes, experts, medical professionals and advocates, who I know share my passion for action and change,” said Shim. “There is much to do, but I am confident we have a team with a wide range of experiences and viewpoints to change the culture in soccer from the ground up. Together, we will be defining new standards, policies, reporting systems and educational programs with the goal of eradicating abuse altogether from our sport.”

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

Players will have one final weekend of action before Berhalter names his World Cup roster on Wednesday, Nov. 9. If you are looking to catch any of your favorite national team players make one last case, there are plenty of opportunities to see them in action this weekend. Today, Fulham’s Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson will play on the road against Manchester City at 11 a.m. Giovanni Reyna, Tyler Adams, and Brenden Aaronson could also be in action today. Tomorrow could feature Christian Pulisic, Jordan Pefok, Yunus Musah, and Timothy Weah.

Not every American playing abroad is in the best of health though. USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner missed his third straight match Thursday for Arsenal due to injury. AC Milan right back Sergiño Dest is another worry for the USMNT ahead of the World Cup. These are just two of the latest in a string of injuries plaguing the Americans in the build up to the World Cup. Celta Vigo midfielder Luca de la Torre, Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie are also recovering from injuries. Forward Josh Sargent missed Norwich’s match against Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday, but is available for today’s match against Rotherham. Berhalter will analyze the status of injured players on a “case-by-case basis” ahead of naming his roster for the World Cup.

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That’s all I have for you today. I hope you have a great weekend and find some enjoyment in the final MLS match of the year today. Next year, I’m sure the Lions will be on the hunt!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/20/26

Orlando City defeats Atlanta United, Anna Moorhouse called up, Arsenal wins EPL championship, and more.

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50 minutes ago

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May 20, 2026

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Image of Griffin Dorsey preparing to shoot on a breakaway against Atlanta.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. I love the U.S. Open Cup. I love the history, the cupsets, and the magical moments. I especially love it when my team wins and wins big like Orlando City did Tuesday night. It was unexpected result but a very welcome one. Let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Advances to USOC Semifinals

Orlando City defeated rival Atlanta United 4-1 in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. The Lions unleashed an offensive firestorm in the first half against Atlanta United, scoring four goals before halftime. Frankly, it could have been more. The Lions were unable to add to the lead in the second half and conceded one goal to Atlanta, but it was more than enough to secure the victory.

Moorhouse Called Up

Anna Moorhouse has once again been called up by England for Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. It is always an honor for a player to represent their country. We are happy that Moorhouse will have the opportunity.

World Cup News

We are only weeks away from the start of the World Cup and we know who most of the players representing their countries will be. For example, Granit Xhaka will captain Switzerland in the tournament. Most of us are primarily concerned with the USMNT and which players are in form for club and, hopefully, country.

Premier League News

The 23-year wait is over as Arsenal won the English Premier League championship following a 1-1 draw between Bournemouth and Manchester City on Tuesday. It is all but certain that Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City this summer. It’s not the ending that Guardiola wanted for his time at Manchester City, but he leaves the club in a good position. While the Gunners celebrate, Tottenham Hostpur is fighting relegation.

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

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Lion Links: 5/19/26

Lions set for international duty, lessons from MLS matchday 14, Austin FC makes changes at the top, and more.

Published

1 day ago

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May 19, 2026

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Image of Marco Pasalic saluting the fans.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Good morning, everyone! It wasn’t a particularly successful weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams, but we don’t have time to dwell on the past. Orlando City is set for a big U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against Atlanta United tonight, and all three teams will be back in action over the weekend. We’ve got a whole host of things to talk about today, so let’s jump straight into the links.

Lions Called Up for International Duty

A busy summer break from MLS is almost upon us, and that means that the international call-ups are starting to roll in. Gustavo Caraballo will be joining Venezuela’s U-20 outfit as it gets ready for an upcoming youth tournament.

In addition, Marco Pasalic has been named to Croatia’s World Cup squad, so Orlando City will be represented on the biggest stage.

Congrats to both players!

Lessons from Matchday 14

Matchday 14 is officially in the books for Major League Soccer, so let’s take a look at what we learned from the weekend’s action. For one thing, despite a slightly slow start to the season by his high standards, Hany Mukhtar’s hat trick against LAFC proved that he should still be considered among the league’s elite. Marco Reus flashed his versatility in the LA Galaxy’s 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders, as he played striker and got an assist on LA’s first goal. Finally, while its too early to say things are definitely turned around for Sporting Kansas City, back-to-back wins means that there’s at least something to get excited about, and that’s very welcome in a season that’s been difficult for the most part. The spine of Sporting’s midfield looked improved on Saturday, and having Dejan Jovelic up top is never going to hurt a team’s chances.

Austin FC Makes Personnel Changes

Austin FC followed in the footsteps of the Columbus Crew by announcing the firing of head coach Nico Estevez on Monday. Where Austin went a step further was by also firing sporting director Rodolfo Borrell. The team has begun searches for permanent appointments to both positions immediately, while naming Davy Arnaud as interim manager in what will be his second stint in that role with the club. Austin has endured a difficult start to the season and is currently 13th in the Western Conference with a record of 3-6-5 and 14 points from 14 matches. The 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday seems to have been the final straw, and Austin will now be seeking its third permanent head coach since becoming an MLS club.

Americans in Midweek Action

Most major European seasons have already wrapped up or will be doing so shortly, but there’s still a number of Americans who will be competing during the working week. Things get started later today when Tyler Adams and Bournemouth play host to Manchester City in Premier League action. The stakes ratchet up considerably on Thursday when Kevin Paredes and Wolfsburg play Paderborn in the first leg of the Bundesliga’s promotion/relegation tie. Things then finish up on Friday when Yunus Musah and Atalanta travel to take on Fiorentina in Serie A.

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

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Lion Links: 5/18/26

Lions draw Atlanta United, Pride and OCB lose, Americans abroad, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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May 18, 2026

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Image of Griffin Dorsey playing against Nashville.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve had a busy week covering high school playoff water polo and soccer. Our beloved Lions, Pride, and OCB were all in action over the weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Draw Atlanta United

Orlando City drew Atlanta United 1-1 Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium. Griffin Dorsey scored the opener for the Lions in the first half. Orlando was moments away from securing back-to-back wins. However, the Lions could not hold onto the lead, as Jay Fortune scored a late equalizer for Atlanta, and both teams ended up with a point. It will be a busy week for Orlando City, facing Atlanta United again Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup at home, followed by a road trip to take on FC Cincinnati Saturday at TQL Stadium.

Pride Fall to Denver Summit

The Orlando Pride fell 3-1 in their first road match against Denver Summit FC at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday. It’s the second consecutive match in a week the Pride have lost to a 2026 NWSL expansion team on the road, following a defeat to Boston Legacy FC on Tuesday. Orlando conceded the first goal and trailed 1-0 at halftime. In the second half, Janine Sonis scored a penalty kick goal to give Denver a 2-0 lead. Angelina was sent off with a red card before Barbra Banda pulled one back, but Sonis added her second goal immediately after the Pride scored to put away Denver’s first-ever home win. The Pride will look to bounce back on the road, taking on the San Diego Wave Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium.

OCB Concedes Late in 1-0 Road Loss to New England Revolution II

Orlando City B fell 1-0 to New England Revolution II on the road Sunday at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, RI. Both teams struggled to score throughout the match, and it looked like the match was heading to a 0-0 draw and a shootout. However, Judah Siqueira scored a winner for New England in the dying moments of the match for the hosts. The result ends the Young Lions’ four-match points streak. OCB will return home to face Inter Miami II Sunday at Osceola County Stadium.

Americans Abroad

Auston Trusty played a full 90 minutes and helped Celtic overturn a 1-0 deficit to complete the comeback and defeat Hearts 3-1 to secure the club’s fifth straight Scottish Premiership title. Antonee Robinson scored his first Premier League goal for Fulham in a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Chris Richards came off the bench and played 29 minutes for Crystal Palace in a 2-2 draw against Brentford but suffered an ankle injury toward the end of the match. Christian Pulisic made his return to AC Milan after being sidelined with a lower back injury and came off the bench in the second half in a 2-1 win against Genoa. Ricardo Pepi scored for PSV Eindhoven in a 5-1 win against FC Twente. George Bello and Sam Adeniran helped LASK capture its first Austrian Bundesliga title since 1965, defeating Austria Vienna 3-0 and booking a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League playoff round.

Manchester City Defeats Chelsea to Win FA Cup

Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium Saturday to win the English FA Cup. After a scoreless first half, Antoine Semenyo’s lone goal in the second half was enough to pull Manchester City to victory and keep the club’s domestic treble hopes alive. It’s Manchester City’s second FA Cup trophy in four years.

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  • Orlando City midfielder Gustavo Caraballo has been called up to the Venezuela U-20 Men’s National Team for the upcoming Maurice Revello Tournament in France.
  • Orlando Pride defender Kylie Nadaner gave birth to her first child over the weekend.

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

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