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Lion Links: 11/19/22

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4 years ago

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Happy Saturday, Mane Landers. Did you know that on this day in 2013 Orlando City was announced as the 21st MLS club? While that might feel light years away now, the World Cup is not — it is finally upon us.

The news keeps coming down the pipeline. Some of it is good, and some of it is bad. The drama of the world’s greatest tournament is primed to start on Thanksgiving week (tomorrow, actually), and for that I am truly grateful. Soon, you will find me sitting on the couch with a plate of turkey and dressing and enjoying the beautiful game along with a delicious meal. Maybe it is too soon to say, but I might be more inclined for a Thanksgiving World Cup viewing than traditional Thanksgiving football.

Now that you are all salivating and dreaming of the perfect Thanksgiving meal, it’s on to the links!

Sebas Méndez Prepares for World Cup

Former Orlando City defensive midfielder Sebas Méndez was traded mid-season to LAFC. As Méndez struggled to earn back his starting spot from newcomer César Araújo, the club moved him on to LAFC for $300,000 in General Allocation Money. With a new club, Méndez began to find minutes on the pitch and eventually an MLS Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup, and 2022 FIFA World Cup call-up.

Méndez played an important role in Ecuador’s qualification for the World Cup. The move to LAFC rekindled his form and helped land him an official spot on Ecuador’s final World Cup roster. He will be part of the third-youngest roster in Qatar with an average age of 25.6 years. Only Ghana and the United States have a younger average age. According to Méndez, the squad’s youth compared to other teams at the tournament will be an advantage rather than a handicap.

“I think that in the beginning, no one trusted maybe that such a young team could do what we did,” the 25-year-old midfielder said. “But there is a very important factor named Profe Alfaro. From that moment, to have the confidence of a new coach who didn’t care how old you were and played you, I think we realized that we could put together a good group.”

While having the weight of a whole country on your shoulders can be a large task, Méndez knows that trips to the World Cup can come few and far between. He intends to relish every moment of it and make the most of the opportunity.

“We have to enjoy this with the responsibility that comes with representing your country,” said Méndez. “We have something very beautiful to face and we hope to do it the best way possible.”

USMNT Welcomes Special Guests

During its first week of training ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Men’s National Team has turned Al Gharafa Stadium into its home base. On Tuesday night, eight USMNT players and two coaches hosted 20 migrant workers who helped build the infrastructure behind the World Cup for some fun on the field. The next day, the team welcomed nearly 1,000 United States military and embassy staff based in Qatar to the team’s training session for a special experience.

The match event was organized by the Q22 Worker’s Welfare Department, with the players being chosen based on their success in participating in previous Worker’s Cup soccer tournaments held in Qatar. For the following day’s training session, USMNT Head Coach Gregg Berhalter and the team wanted to show their appreciation to all those serving the United States in Qatar and extended an invitation for them to watch Wednesday’s training session. Berhalter addressed the crowd at the start of training and thanked them for their service before midfielder Weston McKennie spoke. McKennie’s father is a United States serviceman, and he himself met USMNT legends Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan when the team visited Ramstein Air Base in Germany ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now 16 years later, he will compete on the global stage himself.

MLS Coaches’ USMNT Predictions

We are just a day away from the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Soccer fans and experts all over the world are anxiously awaiting the first whistle and making bold predictions at how the whole tournament will play out. MLSsoccer.com spoke with MLS coaches to see if they had any insight on the United States Men’s National Team players and odds.

Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes thinks Borussia Dortmund attacker Giovanni Reyna, a one-time New York City FC academy star, will be the USMNT’s X-factor. He even went so far as comparing him to USMNT legend Landon Donovan in 2002. Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson noted the previous success of former USMNT goalkeepers as a usual strength for the Americans. He mentioned that a difference maker could be Arsenal backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, who joined the Premier League leaders from the New England Revolution this summer.

Hendrickson also laid out a clear path to the Round of 16. If the USMNT does not beat Wales, the Americans’ odds of moving on will be much less likely. He thinks the match on Monday is definitely the one to watch.

“If the assumption is England will win the group, then it means you must beat Wales,” he said. “If you don’t win it, then it becomes a little sketchy going forward. If you win that game and you go into England with three points in the bag, then maybe you tie and you’re likely looking at at least second place going into the Round of 16. But if you don’t come out with points in the Wales game, it can be a very, very difficult task to now try and get four more points after and get out of the group.”

Who do you think is going to be the most crucial player for the USMNT this tournament? What match are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.

Qatar Reverses Course, Bans Beer

The 2022 World Cup host nation of Qatar has once again found itself in the media in a negative light. Aside from the deaths of migrant workers, moving the event to winter (due to the obvious failure to get air conditioning technology that didn’t exist into outdoor stadiums), the questionable tracking app, shipping container lodging, and overpriced food, the country’s government has now decided to disallow beer sales on site and at stadium perimeters during the World Cup. Qatar, like many Muslim countries, has very strict laws prohibiting alcohol.

Since the nation bid to host the tournament, many questioned how alcohol sales — among other things — would work with an event like the World Cup. Initially, a compromise was made in which fans could still purchase alcohol in designated fan areas, bars, and in areas outside of stadiums. This was a mend designed to bend the rules for foreigners, while keeping them intact for locals. However, FIFA has now announced Qatar’s backslide on the policy while trying to keep the peace with one of its major sponsors, Budweiser.

Free Kicks

  • Spezia Calcio is reportedly in talks to sign defender Joao Moutinho from Orlando City, though the Lions announced they are in talks to bring him back. His return likely depends on what kinds of offers the fullback gets from Europe.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have an awesome weekend. If you’re traveling early for Thanksgiving, please drive safely and share the road. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 8/21/26

Orlando Pride prepare for the Washington Spirit, MLS playoff changes reportedly coming, Hall of Fame finalists unveiled, and more.

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2 days ago

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August 21, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! It’s been a bit of a rough month for all three of Orlando’s soccer teams, but hopefully they can turn things around this weekend. Things haven’t been great, but surely that just means things can only go up from here, right? Let’s get to the links!

Orlando Pride Prepare for the Washington Spirit

The Orlando Pride are on the road this weekend for a match against the Washington Spirit on Sunday. It’s been a cruel summer for the Pride, as they’ve lost four of their past five games and are currently 13th in the league standings. Despite being on a three-game winless streak, the Spirit are second in the standings and will be a tough opponent for the Pride to face on the road. Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on where the team needs to improve in order to get a result away from home against one of the league’s top teams.

Changes Reportedly Coming to MLS Playoff Format

For the umpteenth time, MLS is reportedly planning on overhauling its playoff format. The changes would go into effect when the league changes its calendar and they include allowing 20 teams to qualify for the playoffs, with the overall league standings being used to determine those top 20 teams. After a play-in round, the remaining 16 teams will play in a double elimination format that also features reseeding between rounds. If these changes do come to pass, hopefully the league decides to stick with it rather than constantly fiddling it with it.

National Soccer Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

The finalists for the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s class of 2027 were announced, with nine candidates making the list in their first year of eligibility. Former Orlando Pride player Ali Krieger is one of those nine, along with Megan Rapinoe, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore. Central Florida native Graham Zusi was also named as a finalist. The two players who receive the most votes and are on at least half the ballots will make the Hall of Fame, with a third player able to make it if they’re on 75% of ballots.

Storylines Ahead of English Premier League Season

The English Premier League season begins today with Arsenal starting its title defense at home against Coventry City. Arsenal has a talented team once again, but it will be interesting to see how much of a challenge Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City can pose with new managers at the helm. Managers seem to be a focal point this season, as other storylines include whether or not Michael Carrick and Unai Emery can keep succeeding at Manchester United and Aston Villa, respectively. I’m just hoping we have an exciting title race by the time spring rolls around.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City’s Antoine Griezmann tied with Robert Lewandowski for the second-highest rating of all MLS players in EA Sports FC 27.

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

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Lion Links: 8/20/26

Orlando City defeated at home, Simone Jackson loaned to FC Rosengard, U.S. U-20 Women’s World Cup roster unveiled, and more.

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3 days ago

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August 20, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

I think we can confidently say Orlando City’s Wednesday night excellence has come to an end after last night’s loss. I’m not going to claim the new kits are cursed after just two games, but I’ve bought some sage just in case. Before we get to that match and more in today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman.

Orlando City Falls at Home

The Lions hosted the Chicago Fire and got burned in a 2-1 loss that included a lengthy weather delay that paused things right before halftime. The Fire struck first with an early goal, but Orlando leveled things after the lightning storm passed. However, Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty kick from a needless foul in the box for the winner, with the Lions failing to claw their way back a second time. It’s a disappointing result at home and Orlando will need to figure things out before hosting Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Simone Jackson Heads to Sweden on Loan

The Orlando Pride loaned forward Simone Jackson to FC Rosengard in Sweden through June of 2027. Jackson was signed by the Pride in 2025 after four years playing collegiately at the University of Southern California and she has since made 20 appearances for the club. Hopefully this move gives her some more minutes to develop her game abroad so that she can make an impact with the Pride when she returns next summer.

U.S. U-20 Women’s World Cup Roster Announced

United States U-20 Women’s National Team Head Coach Vicky Jepson called up 21 players for the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next month, including eight from NWSL clubs. Goalkeeper Evan O’Steen, midfielders Kennedy Fuller and Nyanya Touray, and forward Emeri Adames are a few of the U.S. players to keep an eye out for this tournament.

The team will be without notable eligible players like Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, and Jordyn Bugg though, as youth tournaments take place outside of official FIFA windows when teams are required to release players. United States Women’s National Team Head Coach Emma Hayes also spoke on the importance of tournaments like this one to develop talent while uncertainty looms over the event due to UEFA’s boycott of FIFA competitions. The U.S. is set to start its campaign on Sept. 6 against Italy.

Americans to Watch in the English Premier League

The English Premier League season kicks off this weekend and there are a number of Americans to root for across the league. Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards, and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson are all still in the league but have new managers at the helm of their respective teams. Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United avoided relegation last season and will look to build on that, while Haji Wright and Coventry City will fight to stay after earning promotion last season. Unfortunately, Wright will miss multiple weeks at the start of the season due to a quad injury.

Free Kicks

  • Alhassan Yusuf scored a hat trick in the New England Revolution’s 3-0 win over D.C. United, with Jack Harrison recording three assists.
  • Americans Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty both played every minute of Celtic’s 3-0 win over LASK in the first leg of its matchup against the Austrian club in UEFA Champions League qualifying
  • Bay FC announced that the club and midfielder Tess Boade mutually agreed to terminate her contract, which was set to end after this season. Boade had been with the club since being selected in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft and was the captain last season.
  • Aston Villa signed goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for a reported $40 million transfer fee. Suzuki played for Japan at the recent World Cup and it will be interesting to see what this move means for Emiliano Martinez’s future at the club.
  • Brighton is covering the cost of tickets for its fans who will be making the trip to the Arctic Circle for its UEFA Conference League playoff match against Tromso in Norway.

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

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Lion Links: 8/19/26

Orlando City match day, Colin Guske reportedly being loaned to RSL, Banda is an MVP candidate, and more.

Published

4 days ago

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August 19, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Orlando City plays in a midweek match that thankfully isn’t a Leagues Cup match. There are those who will say they’re sad the Lions are out of Don Garber’s cash grab competition, but I’m not one of them. The U.S. Open Cup and the MLS regular season provide plenty of fixtures for now. The schedule congestion is real, as we can see this week. Let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Match Day

Orlando City hosts Robert Lewandowski and the Chicago Fire tonight in an Eastern Conference clash. Defending against Lewandowski and Philip Zinckernagel will be a tough task for the Lions’ defense. Orlando City will need its offense to keep pace with the Fire if the Lions are going to take any points from the match. It will be interesting to see both Antoine Griezmann and Lewandowski on the pitch at the same time. Here is your official match guide from the club. Our match preview will drop later this morning at 11 a.m. You can also listen to our thoughts on the match on The Mane Land PawedCast.

Go West, Young Guske

It appears that Orlando City is loaning midfielder/defender Colin Guske to Real Salt Lake, according to Tom Bogert. This is not entirely surprising given how crowded Orlando City’s defensive midfield is with Joran Gerbet and Wilder Cartagena healthy and Luis Otavio rounding into form, not to mention Eduard Atuesta and Braian Ojeda once they return. It’s a good opportunity for Guske to get some minutes, given he’s a bit down on the depth chart with the senior team — far enough down to see more minutes recently at center back with the first team than in the midfield.

MVP Candidate Banda

Despite being away for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and not scoring in her first game back, Barbra Banda maintains her slim lead in the Golden Boot competition and is still a League MVP candidate. If she hopes to win either of those accolades, she will need to resume scoring. The upcoming match against the Washington Spirit this Sunday is the perfect opportunity to extend that lead.

U.S. National Team News

USMNT defender Mark McKenzie is reportedly returning to the Philadelphia Union and will occupy a Designated Player spot. Real Salt Lake’s 19-year-old forward Zavier Gozo has been signed by Premier League club Crystal Palace. Of course, there are other USMNT players already playing in Europe, and some are making a quick return to form following the World Cup. USWNT players are also experiencing ups and downs in the NWSL.

Free Kicks

  • Former Lion Nicholas Gioacchini is headed to CE Sabadell FC of the Segunda División in Spain.

That will do it for today. You can follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for match updates and we will also have a recap of the match. Vamos Orlando!

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