How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve knocked out all of my shopping except for one gift I’m still trying to procure. I have a lead on it though and high hopes that I can get a literal bow on it before traveling to visit my family next week. For now though, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Getting Ready for the MLS SuperDraft

The 2025 MLS SuperDraft will take place on Friday and the league released the list of 477 eligible players clubs can choose from. This year’s Generation Adidas class includes Cornell forward Alex Harris, North Carolina left back Tate Johnson, Wisconsin forward Dean Boltz, and UC Santa Barbara defensive midfielder Manu Duah. Those players likely won’t be on the board by the time Orlando City’s 27th overall pick rolls around, but the team has proven in the past it isn’t afraid to make a trade for a top prospect.

Here’s a nice position-by-position breakdown of some of the best players available on Friday. I personally think Orlando could use some depth at center back, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the team rolls the dice on a center forward given its track record. Unfortunately, we’ll have to follow along with each pick on the league’s website rather than a stream.

MLS Transfer Roundup

After falling in the MLS Cup final earlier this month, the New York Red Bulls have added some firepower by signing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as a Designated Player. The 35-year-old heads to MLS after playing for Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Stoke City, and Schalke 04 over the past 10 years. The Red Bulls now have a fairly dangerous trio of Designated Players in Choupo-Moting, Emil Forsberg, and Dante Vanzeir.

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the New England Revolution added midfielder Jackson Yueill as a free agent. The 27-year-old signed a three-year contract that includes options for 2028 and 2029. D.C. United traded away $150,000 in General Allocation Money to Nashville SC in exchange for defender Lukas MacNaughton. FC Dallas signed midfielder Ramiro Benetti, who has spent the past two seasons with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Brazil. Veteran defender Nick Lima has returned to the San Jose Earthquakes, signing a two-year contract with the club.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

The injuries continue to rack up for the Americans, as Tim Weah will miss some time after sustaining a thigh injury earlier this week in Juventus’ win over Cagliari. In better news for Americans plying their trade abroad, forward Ricardo Pepi scored twice in PSV Eindhoven’s 8-0 win against Koninklijke HFC in the KNVB Cup. Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool are all reportedly interested in left back Antonee Robinson, who turned some heads with a pair of assists on Sunday.

EFL Cup Semifinals Nearly Set

The EFL Cup semifinals are setting up to be a heavyweight affair, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle all advancing from the quarterfinals. The day belonged to Gabriel Jesus, who scored his first hat trick for Arsenal in a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace. Liverpool extended its unbeaten streak to 20 games across all competitions after a 2-1 win over Southampton, while Newcastle United beat Brentford thanks to a brace from Sandro Tonali. The final semifinalist will come from today’s match between Manchester United and Tottenham, with the draw taking place afterwards.

Free Kicks

• The NWSL Shield and Championship trophy paid a visit to WFTV’s studios, and it’s still a bit surreal that the Orlando Pride secured both pieces of silverware this season.

• The Columbus Crew announced that they will play Inter Miami in Cleveland at Huntington Bank Field rather than its home stadium next season. The “home” game is a good two-hour drive north and reportedly has no opt-out option for season ticket holders, so this decision has not gone over well with some Crew fans.
• Forward Lynn Williams is reportedly expected to be traded from NJ/NY Gotham FC to the Seattle Reign so that she can close out her career on her home coast.
• We now know the eight quarterfinalists for the Women’s Champions League, with the draw set for Feb. 7. The usual suspects like Barcelona, Wolfsburg, and Lyon all made it, which should make for an exciting knockout stage.
• Real Madrid beat Pachuca to win the Intercontinental Cup, giving Carlo Ancelotti his 15th title with the club.
• Here’s a look at the absurd amount of minutes players like Federico Valverde and Jules Kounde have logged this year. Just seeing those numbers makes my legs tired.

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

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!