Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. For those that celebrate Christmas, we’re only a week out, so I hope you’ve gotten your shopping done. If not, no judgement from me, just encouragement. I know you can do it! I think we can all do with a little more encouragement these days. For now, let’s get to the links.

Torres Deal Done?

WESH is reporting that the Facundo Torres to Palmeiras deal is done. As of this writing, there has been no confirmation from either club, but it is reasonable to think where there’s this much smoke, there’s fire. Torres may have scored his last goal in purple, and will leave as the club’s all-time leader in that category after three seasons. According to the report, Torres signed a five-year deal with the Brazilian club. We will provide updates as information becomes available.

Marta Wins Marta Award

In the most appropriate award selection in history, Marta has won the inaugural FIFA award for the best goal in women’s soccer, aptly named The FIFA Marta Award.

The award winning goal came in Brazil’s international friendly against Jamaica in June, as the Brazilian made a nice move to clear a defender and then sent in a long-range shot. Check it out.

Marta received the award at FIFA’s “The Best” Award ceremony in Doha, Qatar.

USWNT Legend Becky Sauerbrunn Retires

Former USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn is retiring from professional soccer. The legendary defender has played in the NWSL in every year of it’s existence. She retires having won three championships, one NWSL Shield, multiple Women’s World Cups, and Olympic medals. Sauerbrunn is definitively one of the best to ever wear a U.S. jersey.

NWSL, MLS NEXT Pro Expand

The NWSL is entering into exclusive negotiations with a Denver-area group regarding the league’s next expansion franchise. Denver was picked above both Cincinnati and Cleveland. The expansion fee is in the $105-$120 million range.

MLS NEXT Pro is also adding another new team. Until a new name, logo, and brand are settled on, the team will be called West Michigan Soccer. The team will be the sixth independent club in MLS NEXT Pro. Orlando City B won’t have the opportunity to play the new team until 2027.

Free Kicks

• Torres’ goal against Nashville made it into a compilation of volleyed goals from the MLS Twitter account.

• Vitor Pereira will be the new coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers following the departure of former boss Gary O’Neil. Pereira will have his work cut out for him getting Wolves out of the relegation zone.
• Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been suspended after testing positive for a banned substance in a recent drug test. Mudryk stated he has never knowingly used such substances, and hopes an investigation will clear up the matter.
• The Washington Spirit have signed free agent midfielder Narumi Miura to a two-year contract. Miura spent the last two years with the North Carolina Courage.
• The Columbus Crew re-signed goalkeeper Evan Bush through the 2025 season.
• New name, same idea. The European Super League is back as the “Unity League.” A proposal has been submitted to UEFA and FIFA.

That will do it for today. Keep checking in as our Orlando City and Orlando Pride Season in Review pieces continue. Vamos Orlando!

Happy Tuesday, everyone. I hope you all had a good weekend, and haven’t been putting your Christmas shopping off until the last minute, which is something I’m definitely guilty of. Despite it being the off-season, we have plenty of Orlando soccer news to cover today, so let’s jump right into the links.

Orlando City Signs Homegrown Player

On Monday afternoon, Orlando City announced that the club has signed midfielder Colin Guske to a Homegrown Player contract. Guske is a defensive midfielder who spent the year with Orlando City B this season, playing 2,044 minutes across 24 appearances in MLS NEXT Pro. With Felipe and Jeorgio Kocevski leaving and Heine Gikling Bruseth getting pinched in the MLS Expansion Draft, there’s a need for depth in the midfield. Whether or not that’s what the club is intending for Guske this year remains to be seen, as he’s still only 17 years old. That being said, he was with the senior side for its preseason training camp this year, played well enough to make the MLS NEXT Pro All-Star Game, and has represented the United States at the youth level, so he does have potential. Either way, he becomes the Lions’ 16th Homegrown Player signing.

Orlando City Linked With Midfielder Noah Levis

According to Transfermarkt‘s Manuel Veth, Orlando City has signed young midfielder Noah Levis. The 18-year-old currently plays for Mikkelin Palloilijat in Finland’s second division and would reportedly join OCB to develop. Only time will tell if Levis will become a Lion, but he would give Orlando a young player who could hopefully make an impact with the first team down the line.

Barbra Banda Wins CAF Women’s Player of the Year

Barbra Banda was named 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year. The award caps an outstanding year for her, as she helped the Orlando Pride win the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship, was included in the league’s Best XI, was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, and also made the FIFPRO World XI. She also scored four goals for Zambia in the Olympics this summer, and she’s the first Zambian player to win this award. Banda was up against NWSL MVP Temwa Chaminga, whose Kansas City Current were beaten by the Pride in the semifinals. Congrats to Banda on a deserved win!

Orlando City B Announces Roster Updates

Orlando City B announced the roster status of its squad following the 2024 season. Contracts have expired for six OCB players, but they could still sign new deals and return to the team next season. Zakaria Taifi, Jhon Solis, and Gustavo Carballo remain under contract, while, as mentioned earlier, Guske has been signed to the first team. As is usually the case, next year’s OCB roster will be largely composed of academy players and guys who have been signed to contracts with the senior side.

MLS Transfer Roundup

There are a few pieces of MLS transfer news that we need to catch up on. First, the Chicago Fire officially signed defender Jack Elliott as a free agent. He’s been handed a deal that runs through 2025 and has an option year for 2026. Up next, D.C. United signed winger Joao Peglow on a deal that runs through 2027 with an option for 2028. The 22-year-old joins from Polish side Radomiak Radom and is a former Brazilian youth international. Finally, the Philadelphia Union have put a contentious subject to rest by re-signing club captain Alejandro Bedoya on a one-year deal.

Free Kicks

• Plenty of American players will be playing midweek games, so make sure you have everything noted down on your calendar.

• Folarin Balogun will miss around four months after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. As a result, he will likely be unavailable for the Concacaf Nations League next year.
• The draw for the UEFA European Women’s Championship is complete and England was drawn into a tough group with France, Wales, and the Netherlands.
• Lamine Yamal will miss up to a month after injuring his right ankle.

That’s all I have for this morning. Vamos Orlando!

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy working at Under Armour and am pushing through as we get close to Christmas. I also have high school basketball and ice hockey to cover later this week, so that will keep me busy as well. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Palmeiras Reportedly Finalizing Deal to Sign Facundo Torres

Orlando City forward Facundo Torres looks set for a move to Brazil, as Palmeiras is reportedly finalizing the deal to sign him. The Brazilian club will reportedly pay Orlando a club-record fee of $14 million, and Orlando will retain a sell-on clause. Last week, Orlando City reportedly reached an agreement with Palmeiras, which still had to sort out personal terms with Torres. Liga MX side Cruz Azul was also in the mix, but Orlando remained committed to its deal with Palmeiras.

Duncan McGuire to Miss 4-5 Months after Shoulder Surgery

Orlando City announced on Friday that forward Duncan McGuire underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder, which will sideline him for four to five months. McGuire sustained the injury during Game 3 of Orlando City’s playoff series against Charlotte FC on Nov. 9 when Djibril Diani pulled him down. The forward played a crucial role this season, recording 10 goals and three assists to help the Lions make the playoffs. With McGuire set to miss the first half of the 2025 season, the Lions will have to consider their options to replace his production until he can return. The Lions could draft a striker, sign a free agent, start Luis Muriel as the main striker, or move Jack Lynn into the attack.

Lions Sign Defender Kyle Smith to New Contract

Orlando City defender Kyle Smith will return for another season. The club announced Friday that it re-signed Smith to a new one-year contract through the 2025 season. The Lions had negotiated with Smith since Dec. 5 to bring him back for a seventh season. Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi gave some insight on the importance of bringing Smith back for another run with the Lions.

“Bringing Kyle back to Orlando for 2025 is a great step in our project for next season,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He’s been such a vital piece of our successes over the last few seasons with his versatility and work rate both on and off the field. He’s a player that we know we can always depend on, and we’re excited to have him back with us next year.”

Smith has played six seasons with Orlando City, making 180 appearances for the club across all competitions. Having Smith back will help the back line with his versatility. He fits in with the team’s culture, can play several positions, and can come off the bench late to help close out matches for the Lions.

MLS Transfer News Recap

We have some MLS transfer news to catch you up on from over the weekend. The New England Revolution acquired center back Brayan Ceballos from Brazilian side Fortaleza. Ceballos signed a deal through the 2027 season with an option for 2028. Atlanta United re-signed defender Ronald Hernandez through 2025 with an option for the 2026 season. Greek clubs Panathinaikos and Olympiacos are reportedly targeting Toronto FC Designated Player Federico Bernardeschi for a possible transfer move. The Chicago Fire are reportedly close to signing former Philadelphia Union center back Jack Elliott as well.

Free Kicks

• The Washington Spirit reached an agreement to sign former Orlando Pride goalkeeper Kaylie Collins to a new one-year contract for the 2025 season.
• The MLS Cup final between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls reportedly drew a record-low viewership of 533,000 viewers from MLS Season Pass, FOX, and FOX Deportes.
• The Vancouver Whitecaps’ ownership group, which includes Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett, and Steve Nash, has announced plans to sell the club.
• Atlanta United has reportedly named Chris Henderson as the club’s new sporting director.
• Pachuca defeated Al Ahly 6-5 on penalties after a scoreless draw in the Challenger Cup and will face Real Madrid in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final on Dec. 18. in Qatar.

• AC Milan is reportedly negotiating a new contract for USMNT star Christian Pulisic.

• Gio Reyna scored the opening goal for Borussia Dortmund in his first Bundesliga start of the season, but Hoffenheim fought back with a late equalizer to escape with a 1-1 draw.
• Celtic defeated Old Firm derby rival Rangers 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw to win the Scottish League Cup.
• Manchester United defeated Manchester City 2-1, getting two late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo to seal the victory in the Manchester derby. Pep Guardiola’s side has now lost eight of its last 11 matches across all competitions.
• Wolverhampton has fired manager Gary O’Neil after a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town on Saturday. The club is winless in its last four matches and remains in the relegation zone, sitting 19th in the Premier League table.
• In another coaching change in the Premier League, Southampton has fired manager Russell Martin after its 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

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