Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/27/23

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. It was a weekend of mixed results, but it definitely could have been worse. Two victories and one loss isn’t perfect, but given all three games were on the road, I’ll take it. We also have the USMNT hosting El Salvador tonight at Exploria Stadium. Let’s get to the links.
Martin Ojeda Up for Player of the Matchday
Plenty of MLS clubs had players gone on international duty this weekend. Orlando City and the Philadelphia Union were both without some of their key players, but the Lions were able to get the job done on the road. Designated Player Martin Ojeda stepped up, scoring a goal and adding an assist within the first 10 minutes of the match. As a result, Ojeda was nominated for Player of the Matchday alongside some of the other top scorers this past weekend.
Orlando Pride Fall on the Road
The Orlando Pride’s 2023 NWSL season got off to a rough start in a 4-0 loss on the road to the Portland Thorns. Four different Thorns players scored goals and Orlando’s offense wasn’t able to find the back of the net. Rookies Messiah Bright and Emily Madril both started for the Pride, with Caitlin Cosme and Adriana making their NWSL debuts as well. This was always going to be a tough first match for the Pride and they will aim to bounce back at home against Angel City FC this Sunday.
Orlando City B Victorious
The Young Lions decided to one-up the senior team by beating Philadelphia Union II at Subaru Park, 3-1. Orlando City draft pick Abdi Salim scored the first goal and celebrated much like fellow draft pick Duncan McGuire did earlier this year.
Cristofer Acuña scored his first OCB goal later in the first half to double Orlando’s lead. Acuña provided the assist on OCB’s third goal, although it’s unclear if Moises Tablante or Jack Lynn scored due to issues with the stream. According to the club, Lynn scored his first goal of the season. In their next match, the Young Lions will host Huntsville City FC on Friday.
USMNT Faces El Salvador Tonight in Orlando
The United States Men’s National Team is coming off of a 7-1 rout of Grenada as it gets ready to take on El Salvador at Exploria Stadium tonight at 7:30 p.m. The U.S. will need to either win or draw to win their group in the Concacaf Nations League. The USMNT has a 19-1-7 all-time record against El Salvador, although the last meeting was a 1-1 draw last June that included an equalizer from Jordan Morris in stoppage time. The Yanks will look to keep their offense firing on all cylinders to secure advancement to the finals this summer. Former Orlando City striker Daryl Dike will be available for the U.S. and spoke on how his time as a Lion has led to this opportunity ahead of the match.
“Thinking back to when I first started playing in Orlando vs. where I am now, I think I have grown so much as a player, just naturally from experience, of course, but from all the different situations I’ve been in, whether it be at Barnsley, West Brom, different managers, national team, there’s been definitely tons of different systems, different tactics, and different teachings I’ve learned that have made me the player I am. And obviously, Orlando City and MLS was the foundation for all of that.”
Free Kicks
- The international break tested the depth of clubs across MLS. Some teams struggled without their stars, but others thrived thanks to young players who rose to the occasion.
- Antonio Conte has left Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent after 16 months with the club. Conte’s assistant, Cristian Stellini, has been named acting head coach for the remainder of Tottenham’s season.
- Alyssa Thompson’s first NWSL goal was a great one and gave Angel City an early lead against NJ/NY Gotham FC. However, Gotham battled back and scored twice in the second half to win 2-1.
- Mexico booked its place in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals after a 2-2 draw with Jamaica at the Azteca.
- Euro 2024 qualifying continued this weekend and Kazakhstan mounted an impressive comeback to beat Denmark, 3-2. Kazakhstan scored three goals in the last 17 minutes of the match to take all three points.
That will do it for today. I hope you’re all able to make it out for the USMNT’s match against El Salvador tonight.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/9/25
Orlando City’s next U.S. Open Cup match date revealed, MLS matches to watch, top soccer club valuations, and more.

Welcome to Friday! I hope the week has treated you well as we get ready for a Mother’s Day weekend packed with soccer. Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are both in action at the same time on Saturday, so make sure to plan accordingly depending on how you want to enjoy the action. Let’s dive into today’s links!
Orlando City Will Face Nashville in USOC on May 21
Orlando City will officially host Nashville SC on May 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16. That match is sandwiched between a road game against Inter Miami on May 18 and a home game against the Portland Timbers May 24, so at least there won’t be much travel during that week during an already jam-packed month. The Lions reached this stage of the tournament after beating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 5-0 Wednesday, while Nashville won 1-0 against the Chattanooga Red Wolves on Tuesday.
What to Watch In MLS This Weekend
We’ll all be tuned in for Orlando City’s match on Saturday against the New England Revolution, but there’s plenty more MLS action to look forward to as well. Before Orlando’s match, Inter Miami will head to St. Paul to take on a Minnesota United team that leads the league with six clean sheets this season. Another notable match this weekend is a clash between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference standings when the Philadelphia Union host the Columbus Crew. That game has Daniel Gazdag written all over it. Sunday night’s match should be a doozy between two heavyweight Western Conference teams, as LAFC will hit the road to take on the league-leading Vancouver Whitecaps.
MLS Clubs Listed Among World’s Most Valuable
Sportico announced the valuations for the top 50 most valuable soccer clubs in the world, and a whopping 19 MLS teams made the list. The Lions aren’t included, but it’s still neat to see some clubs like Minnesota, Sporting Kansas City, and Charlotte FC listed. LAFC is the highest listed MLS side, coming in at 16th with a $1.28 billion valuation. Real Madrid tops the list at $6.53 billion, and six of the top 10 are from the English Premier League. While valuations aren’t exactly hard evidence of success or influence, I think this is a testament to the growth and parity of MLS through an international lens.
English Clubs Reach Europa League Final
This year’s Europa League final will feature a pair of EPL teams as Manchester United and Tottenham breezed through the semifinals. United overcame a shaky first half to beat Athletic Club 4-1 at Old Trafford, with Mason Mount scoring two of the team’s four goals in the second half. Tottenham avoided an upset in Norway by winning 2-0 against Bodo/Glimt. The final will take place on May 21 in Spain, and there’s both a trophy and Champions League qualification on the line. Both United and Tottenham struggled this season and are respectively 15th and 16th in the league standings, but winning the Europa League is all that matters now.
Free Kicks
- American midfielder Johnny Cardoso played every minute of Real Betis’ 2-2 result against Fiorentina to advance to the Europa Conference League final, where the Spanish club will face Chelsea on May 28. Enjoy this goal from Antony to help his side prevail.
- In honor of Mother’s Day, AC Milan players will wear their mothers’ last names on the back of their jerseys in today’s match against Bologna. I love this idea and hope more clubs follow suit moving forward.
- An ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville acquired Salford City of England’s League Two.
- Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra’s MMA debut will have to wait, as the 43-year-old’s fight set for May 23 in Paris was postponed.
- We’ll end our links with what looks to be some unexpected Orlando Pride representation in Vatican City!
That’s all I have for you this time around. Have a fantastic Friday and enjoy the holiday weekend!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/8/25
Orlando City steamrolls the Tampa Bay Rowdies in I-4 Derby, Orlando Pride aim to bounce back, U.S. Open Cup results, and more.

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s not often we get to celebrate an Orlando City victory in the middle of the week these days, but hopefully it’s a habit we get used to. The Lions took care of business in my neck of the woods, and it’s given some nice optimism to finish this week strongly. Let’s dive into the big win and more in today’s links!
Orlando City Trounces Tampa Bay Rowdies
Take a bow, Gustavo Caraballo! The 16-year-old was the star of the show in Orlando City’s dominant 5-0 U.S. Open Cup win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, scoring twice to jumpstart Orlando’s attack and making history along the way. There’s plenty of scoring to enjoy, so be sure to check out our full recap!
Hopefully this game was a nice shot in the arm for Orlando’s offense and something to build on in league play. It’s always nice to take down the Rowdies and the Lions are now the last Floridian team standing in the tournament. They’ll host Nashville SC in the round of 16 later this month in what should be a good game in the City Beautiful.
Orlando Pride Aim to Bounce Back in North Carolina
After a 1-0 loss on the road to the Portland Thorns, the Orlando Pride will look to return to their winning ways when they face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday. It’s going to be another tough environment for the Pride to play in, although the Courage have lost two of their three home games so far this season. Pride defender Emily Sams spoke on the team’s mentality heading into this match and how the team can raise its level after a disappointing loss in Portland.
U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 Wraps Up
MLS teams mostly cruised in the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 32, but it was still an exciting round of soccer filled with drama. In a vintage “cupset,” the Pittsburgh Riverhounds beat New York City FC 1-0 thanks to a goal in stoppage time from Orlando native Beto Ydrach. Indy Eleven nearly took down the Philadelphia Union, but the MLS side converted all five kicks in the penalty shootout to advance after a 1-1 draw.
The New England Revolution escaped Pawtucket with a 2-1 road win against Rhode Island FC, with 17-year-old Cristiano Oliveira scoring a late winner. Minnesota United squeezed past Louisville City 1-0, the Chicago Fire put Detroit City to the sword in a 4-0 win, and FC Dallas won 3-1 against USL League One side AV Alta FC.
UEFA Champions League Final Set
Paris Saint-Germain did everything it needed to and more at home against Arsenal, winning 2-1 to advance to the UEFA Champions League final. Great saves by Gianluigi Donnarumma and goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi propelled PSG to victory, with Bukayo Saka providing Arsenal’s only goal of the two-leg series. PSG will take on Inter Milan in the final on May 31 and it should be an interesting matchup at Allianz Arena to close out the tournament. Will PSG lift its first Champions League trophy only a year after Kylian Mbappe left the club, or will Inter come out on top after finishing as runner-up in 2023? I can’t wait to find out.
Free Kicks
- Congratulations to United States Women’s National Team star Mallory Swanson and her husband Dansby Swanson, as the couple announced that they’re expecting their first child!
- Racing Louisville announced that goalkeeper Katie Lund and midfielder Maddie Pokorny will both miss the remainder of the season due to hip injuries. Jordyn Bloomer, who had five saves in Friday’s win over the Houston Dash, will serve as the team’s goalkeeper in Lund’s stead.
- The Columbus Crew signed Daniel Gazdag to a contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028 as well.
- Arsene Wenger proposed a change to the offside rule so that attacking players are onside so long as any part of their body is lined up with the last defender. We’ll see if anything comes of this, but it could lead to more goals in the future.
- Here’s what to watch for in the second legs of the Europa League semifinals. Manchester United will host Athletic Club with a three-goal lead in aggregate, while Tottenham will aim to defend its two-goal advantage in Norway against a Bodo/Glimt side that has key players returning from suspension.
- Tottenham will be without James Maddison, who is out for the rest of the season after a knee injury sustained in the first leg against Bodo/Glimt.
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
Lion Links 5/7/25
Orlando City takes on the Rowdies, sponsors like MLS, the NWSL is growing, and more.

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s match day as the Lions begin their 2025 U.S. Open Cup campaign. I’ve repeatedly said on The Mane Land PawedCast that I want Oscar Pareja to focus on this competition more than another one (*cough* Leagues Cup *cough*). That all starts tonight, and I hope you’re as excited as I am. Let’s get to the links.
I-4 Derby Tonight
Orlando City enters the 2025 U.S. Open Cup tonight against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Lions make the perilous 112-mile trip along I-4 — which feels approximately like flying to Seattle — to take on an old geographical rival. We’re likely to see a rotated lineup for this match, but Pareja said he has confidence in the younger players to get the job done. If you’re not making the trip to Tampa here is how you can watch the match. We will have our normal match coverage for you tonight.
Nobody Likes Nil-Nil
You know something is going on when Orlando City attracts the attention of the national media. Unfortunately, that thing is the overabundance of 0-0 draws in four out of the last five matches. The theory is that the Lions aren’t getting enough service out of the midfield for the players up top. It may be as simple as players getting healthy for Orlando City to reignite the offense. For the sake of a certain The Mane Land editor’s sanity, I hope that is the case.
MLS News and Notes
Soccer’s popularity is growing in the United States. Are decades of being America’s next big sport finally paying off? It seems to actually be the case, at least when it comes to the sponsors. With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, brands are investing in MLS and soccer in America. EA Sports is in on the action, partnering with MLS and Apple TV to show four live matches within the EA FC mobile gaming app this season
NWSL Keeps Growing
Big things are also happening in the NWSL. The growth has prompted the league to move its headquarters from one New York office to a bigger New York office. Part of that growth comes from owners like the Washington Spirit’s Michelle Kang. The billionaire is investing in the NWSL, U.S. Soccer, and other leagues and countries throughout the world. On a slightly different scale, Mikaela Shiffrin — the most decorated alpine skier of all time — has invested in the Denver NWSL expansion side.
Free Kicks
- Club America and LAFC will play a match to see which club qualifies for the Club World Cup after the Club Leon/Pachuca/Alajuelense appeals were denied.
- Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 4-3 (7-6 on aggregate) to cap a wild two-legged tie to advance to the UEFA Champions League final. They will face either PSG or Arsenal.
- While not a done deal, it’s looking like Christian Pulisic will sign a new contract with AC Milan. Pulisic managed to have a good season, even though the club fell short of expectations.
- Pulisic isn’t the only USMNT player in demand. Weston McKennie may also put pen to paper to stay with Juventus for a while longer.
That will do it for today. Check back for our coverage of tonight’s match as well as the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!
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