Orlando City finally got back in the win column after three matches without a victory and it was the new guys who helped the most with that. Luis Muriel scored his first two MLS goals and picked up his first (secondary) MLS assist, while Nico Lodeiro had the primary assist on all three goals in City’s 3-2 road win over the Philadelphia Union. Along the way, the Lions had to overcome several close plays ruled in Philly’s favor and two penalty kicks for the opposition in order to close out the Union. It was an exciting match and a good road game by the Lions, who opted to go fullback-free rather than plugging in Kyle Smith and Alex Freeman to start. We review the match, check on our score predictions, and make our choices for Man of the Match.

We also discussed the Lions honored as both a candidate for Goal of the Matchday and those picked for the Team of the Matchday.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about the grass at Inter&Co Stadium, the formation Oscar Pareja used on Saturday, and the new MLS injury rule. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Finally, we turned our attention to Inter Miami, which visits Orlando Wednesday night. Why is everyone amazed at what Lionel Messi is doing in MLS? He should be tearing up MLS (and he is). Same with his Barcelona buddies. We look at the game’s key matchups and make our score predictions. It was a rare case of us predicting the same result.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

Here’s how No. 418 went down:

0:15 – We unpack the Lions’ win over Philadelphia, but what is the cost? We’ll have to wait for more definitive news on Robin Jansson’s injury.

38:29 – Our mailbagbox asks us about Orlando’s pitch and formation among other things.

54:57 – The Lions prepare for the Orlando installment of the 2024 Tropic Thunder series.

Orlando City had a tough enough task waiting on Saturday with a trip to Philadephia to face the Union. That job got even more difficult given the news that fullbacks Dagur Dan Thorhallsson is in concussion protocol and Rafael Santos didn’t train Thursday. We break down Oscar Pareja’s options and talk more in depth about the likelier ones. Without the Rodrigo Schlegel red card, a three-man back line was in play, and could still happen, but it seems unlikely. Kyle Smith and Michael Halliday are the likely starters Saturday night, and Orlando will have to get a big night from them both to help stifle Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza, and Michael Uhre.

OCB played a midweek game, hosting New York Red Bulls II. It was just the second match this season for the Young Lions at Osceola County Stadium, but they jumped out to a good start and then survived a lot of turnovers of their own making en route to a 3-1 win. We discuss the excellent night from Yutaro Tsukada and, of course, it’s always nice to see Shak Mohammed score.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Halliday’s expanding role with Thorhallsson sidelined, and we were also given the task of designing a new third kit for Orlando City (we present two ideas, actually). Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Finally, we turned our attention to Orlando City’s visit to the greater Philly area to take on the Union Saturday, complete with our key matchups for the game — on which we agreed — and our score predictions. [Note: We did not take into account that Julian Carranza is out on suspension for yellow card accumulation, so apologies for the error, but Philly will still be difficult.]

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

Here’s how No. 417 went down:

0:15 – A look at Orlando City’s options with Santos and Thorhallsson likely out, and a breakdown of OCB’s first home win of 2024.

21:54 – Our mailbagbox asks about Halliday and the third kits we’d like to see for OCSC.

34:20 – Our preview of the Lions’ trip to Philadelphia to face the Union.

The Orlando Pride keep winning. We aren’t used to that, but we’re here for it. Barbra Banda has brought her lethal finishing to the City Beautiful and her fourth goal in three games was just enough for the Pride to squeak past previously undefeated Racing Louisville, 1-0. We check in on our score predictions, discuss the game in detail, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week wants us to visit Tampa for some women’s soccer. It also includes questions about the tackiness level of a hat, the sustainability of Orlando’s offense, lineup changes when players get healthy, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

After the mailbagbox, we suddenly remembered we forgot to talk about the North Carolina match. So, we checked in on our predictions, discussed the 4-1 win, and made our Player of the Match selections. Better late than never!

We finished the show with our previews and our score predictions for the Pride’s upcoming, first-ever meeting with expansion side Bay FC. The newcomers have been leaking goals, but also scoring them. Orlando will need to avoid a letdown to stay undefeated on Saturday at home.

Here’s how Episode 42 went down:

0:15 – The Pride weren’t at their best Sunday against Racing Louisville, but they still managed to grind out their fifth straight win. We discuss!

15:18 – The mailbagbox contains both questions and offers to host your faithful hosts.

39:26 – We forgetful rubes remembered there was another game since our last podcast and dive into Orlando’s win over the Courage, and we close with a Bay FC preview and predictions.