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Lion Links 1/5/24

Orlando City signs Nicolas Lodeiro, Luca Petrasso linked with loan move, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett join Gotham, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Welcome to the first Friday of 2024! I don’t have many plans beyond reading and sorting out a general budget guide for the year, but it should still be a pretty nice weekend. I also have some new furniture heading my way, which will be nice to finally have after a long wait. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City B defender Nabi Kibunguchy!

Nicolas Lodeiro Signs With Orlando City

Orlando City signed attacking midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro to a contract that will keep him in purple through 2024, with an option for 2025 as well. The Uruguayan is a solid signing by Orlando, as he won’t take up a Designated Player spot and knows what it takes to lift trophies in this league. Lodeiro brings plenty of experience and talent to Orlando after eight years with the Seattle Sounders, winning the MLS Cup twice and the Concacaf Champions League in 2022. He will replace Mauricio Pereyra, who parted ways with Orlando following this past season, as the team’s No. 10 and should bring a bit more of an attacking edge to the position. It will also be nice for Orlando’s younger attacking players to learn from the MLS veteran.

Luca Petrasso Linked With Loan to Italy

Orlando City left back Luca Petrasso is reportedly set to head out on loan to join a Serie B club in Italy. While the clubs interested in him weren’t specified, some time studying abroad should only benefit the 23-year-old.

Petrasso joined Orlando in November of 2022 in a trade with Toronto FC that saw up to $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) sent the other way. After starting in 21 regular-season games for Toronto in 2022, Petrasso only started in four games for Orlando this past season. While he did start in both of Orlando’s draws against Tigres in the Concacaf Champions League, Rafael Santos won the starting left back job as the season rolled on.

OCSC and Duncan McGuire Reportedly Negotiating New Contract

The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert detailed what he’s heard regarding MLS players so far this transfer window (paywall), and there were some interesting tidbits regarding Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire. The Lions and McGuire are reportedly in talks over a new contract while he receives interest from clubs abroad. Orlando has already rejected two loan bids from Blackburn Rovers, and a third is expected from the English club according to Bogert. I hope the club remains steadfast in keeping McGuire from heading to Europe too soon, not only for him to keep scoring in Orlando, but for him to get rest this off-season before what should be a busy year for club and country.

Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett Join NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC added two more notable free agents, signing American duo Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett to contracts through 2026. They both join the club after playing for OL Reign, which lost to Gotham in the 2023 NWSL Championship. Both players were on the USWNT roster that won the 2019 World Cup, with Lavelle scoring three goals and earning the Bronze Ball award. Lavelle should give a boost to a Gotham side that quietly only scored 25 goals in 22 games last season. Sonnett, who was traded to the Orlando Pride in 2020 but never played due to the pandemic, found a role as a defensive midfielder for the Reign. Gotham has been considerably active during free agency, getting Tierna Davidson’s and Crystal Dunn’s signatures this off-season as well. While the talent these players bring to Gotham is obvious, I’m curious to see if there will be any difficulty fitting all of these players into a team that just won the NWSL Championship.

Colorado Rapids Sign Zack Steffen, Reportedly Eye Djordje Mihailovic

The deal between the Colorado Rapids and Manchester City for American goalkeeper Zack Steffen has officially crossed the finish line, with the New England Revolution also receiving $50,000 in GAM from Colorado for his discovery priority. Steffen returns to MLS on a deal through 2026, with an option for 2027. The Rapids could have used a goalkeeper like Steffen last season, drawing in half of their 34 games and conceding 54 goals.

Colorado is also interested in improving its attack by bringing in American midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from AZ Alkmaar, according to The Athletic (paywall). Mihailovic will reportedly join Colorado as a Designated Player for a club-record transfer fee over $3 million. He’s played less than 300 minutes for AZ this season, and the Portland Timbers, Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, LAFC, and New York Red Bulls were also interested in him.

NWSL Revises Competitive Guidelines for 2024

The NWSL announced big changes for the league and it has doubled its salary cap, raising it to $2.75 million. The increase in the salary cap coincides with the announcement that teams have until the final day of 2026 to spend their Allocation Money, as that system is being phased out. As part of that, Allocation Money is now no longer required to pay for trade and transfer fees. A soft cap for spending on transfer fees will be in place as well, with clubs losing cap space if they spend over $500,000. Teams can also now add four players through the Under-18 Entry Mechanism introduced last year.

Free Kicks

  • Former Lion Kamal Miller was officially traded from Inter Miami to the Portland Timbers in exchange for up to $775,000 in GAM and an international roster spot.
  • The New England Revolution bolstered their back line by signing center back Jonathan Mensah as a free agent. The 33-year-old now reunites with Head Coach Caleb Porter in New England.
  • American forward Timothy Weah scored his first goal for Juventus in incredible fashion in his team’s 6-1 win over Salernitana in the Italian Cup’s round of 16.

Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/1/25

Barbra Banda’s continued importance, Americans in midweek action, USWNT announces friendly, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Good morning everyone! It was a great weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both won, meaning that we got treated to a six-point weekend (OCB was off). As always we have plenty to talk through this morning, so let’s get into today’s links.

Barbra Banda Keeps Rolling in 2025

After a wildly successful debut season with the Orlando Pride in 2024, Barbra Banda has showed no signs of slowing down this year. A brace in the season opener meant that she picked up right where she left off last year, and the team has continued to be successful too. The Pride have made it three wins from three to start the 2025 season, and while Banda hasn’t scored since the opener, her blend of pace, power, dribbling, passing, and movement have continuously helped open things up for her teammates, and she drew a penalty that led to the Pride’s game-winning goal Saturday. She isn’t the Pride’s only offensive weapon, but the team clicks into a different gear when she’s at her best.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing in games during the working week, and there are some very important clashes on hand. Things get going later today when Antonee Robinson and Fulham visit Arsenal in Premier League play as the Cottagers are in hot pursuit of a coveted European place. Wednesday has Chris Richards, Matt Turner and Crystal Palace facing Southampton, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth take on Manchester City. Also on Wednesday, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will face Inter Milan in a Coppa Italia semifinal. Things finish up on Friday as Aidan Morris and Middlesborough travel to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.

USWNT Announces Canada Match

The United States Women’s National Team has announced another friendly taking place this summer, as the team will face Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C. The match will be the third that the USWNT will play during the window, following a pair of friendlies against Ireland in late June. The neighboring countries will meet at Audi Field with the match designated as the Allstate Continental Clasico, with this being the first time that the match will feature the USWNT. The U.S. faced Canada twice in 2024, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws and the USWNT emerging victorious in shootouts.

Concacaf Champions Cup Preview

The Concacaf Champions Cup returns this week, with the first legs of the four quarterfinal matches set to be played today and tomorrow. Things get started tonight with what should be an exciting match between Club America and Cruz Azul, with the crosstown rivals two of the winningest teams in the competition. Cruz Azul’s Angel Sepulveda leads the CCC’s golden boot race with four tallies. The late game sees the LA Galaxy taking on Tigres as the Galaxy will try to distract themselves from a difficult start to their MLS Cup title defense. Wednesday’s slate has the Vancouver Whitecaps taking on Pumas UNAM in Canada in what will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The late game will be an all-MLS affair as LAFC hosts Inter Miami in the first meeting between the two sides in CCC play.

Sporting Kansas City Fires Peter Vermes

The longest-tenured coach in Major League Soccer is out of work, as Sporting Kansas City announced the firing of Peter Vermes on Monday morning. It’s an end of an era in Kansas City, as Vermes was the head coach since 2009, back when the team was still called the Kansas City Wizards, and he had been named the club’s technical director three years earlier in 2006. He guided the team to an MLS Cup win in 2013; claimed U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015, and 2017; and helped the team be consistently competitive for a majority of his tenure. Despite all of that, SKC missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and was mired in the midst of a 13-game winless streak in all competitions that stretched back to Sept. 18 of last year. After being an assistant on Vermes’ staff, Kerry Zavagnin will take over as interim head coach.

Free Kicks


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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/31/25

Lions and Pride win, NWSL weekend recap, FA Cup quarterfinals, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work but will attend the Chicago Cubs’ home opener at Wrigley Field later this week. Our Lions and Pride won while OCB was off this weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Beats LA Galaxy on the Road

On Saturday, Orlando City fought back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat the LA Galaxy 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy struck early in the first half to jump on top. In the second half, the Lions were awarded a penalty kick after Eduard Atuesta was taken down in the box, and Martin Ojeda buried the spot kick to tie the match at one. In the 90th minute, Luis Muriel scored the winning goal on a long-range free kick to complete the comeback. Orlando is on a three-match unbeaten streak and beat the LA Galaxy for the third consecutive time. Orlando City’s next match will be on the road Saturday against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.

Orlando Pride Defeat San Diego Wave at Home

The Orlando Pride defeated the San Diego Wave 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Inter&Co Stadium and extended their win streak to three matches to start the season. After a scoreless first half, Haley McCutcheon scored to give Orlando the lead. The Wave equalized before Marta converted a penalty kick goal to seal the win for Orlando. The Pride are off to a great start this season, outscoring their opponents 10-1, and are atop the NWSL standings ahead of the Kansas City Current on goal difference. The Pride are off this weekend due to the international break but will be on the road in their next match against the Seattle Reign on April 12.

NWSL Weekend Recap

The National Women’s Soccer League’s third week of matches is in the books. On Friday, the Houston Dash and NJ/NY Gotham FC match ended in a scoreless draw. The Washington Spirit defeated Bay FC 2-0, with Ashley Hatch scoring both goals. On Saturday, the Kansas City Current defeated the Utah Royals 3-0, while the Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage match ended in a scoreless draw. On Sunday, the Chicago Stars fell 1-0 to Racing Louisville and remain winless, while Angel City FC edged the Seattle Reign 2-1 to secure its first win of the season.

FA Cup Quarterfinals Recap

The FA Cup quarterfinals wrapped up with thrilling drama as four clubs booked a spot in the semifinals. Crystal Palace cruised to a 3-0 victory against Fulham, while Nottingham Forest edged Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw to advance. Aston Villa dominated Preston North End as Marcus Rashford scored twice to seal a 3-0 win, while Manchester City edged Bournemouth 2-1. The FA Cup semifinals are set for April 26 as Crystal Palace faces Aston Villa while Nottingham Forest will take on Manchester City.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City GM Luiz Muzzi provided some insight in an ESPN.com article on player transfers and highlighted the importance of building connections with different clubs to facilitate transfers.
  • Former Lion Benji Michel is going to play for HJK Helsinki.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/28/25

Orlando Pride prepare for the San Diego Wave, NWSL weekend matches, USMNT roster predictions, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

We made it to Friday! Celebrate however you see fit, whether that’s an indulgent breakfast or just your favorite cup of coffee. This week has flown by a bit for me and I’m looking forward to a weekend filled with soccer. I’ll be spending the next few days working, reading a new book or two, and working out the kinks of making a frozen coconut mojito. My blender hates me. Let’s get to today’s links!

Orlando Pride Prepare for the San Diego Wave

The Orlando Pride will look to extend their 2025 win streak to three games — and their overall win streak to seven — on Saturday when they host the San Diego Wave at noon. Orlando has looked the part of a defending champion so far, leading the league with eight goals without conceding a single one in two games. The Pride will take on a revamped San Diego team that is unbeaten under Head Coach Jonas Eidevall. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke about how Orlando will need to set the tone early on at home against the Wave and keep up the momentum.

NWSL Provides Entertaining Slate of Weekend Matches

While it’s far too early to think about the NWSL Shield race, it never hurts to check out how the Pride’s competitors are doing while enjoying some great soccer. Tonight features a pair of matches at the same time, with the Washington Spirit hosting Bay FC and the Houston Dash playing on the road against NJ/NY Gotham FC. Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga will have a chance to tie her own record of scoring in eight straight games when her team plays the Utah Royals on Saturday. On Sunday, we’ll get to see if the Seattle Reign’s solid start continues against an unbeaten Angel City FC team searching for its first win of the season.

USMNT Roster Predictions for Concacaf Gold Cup

The pressure is on United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino to turn things around after a rough showing in the final four of the Concacaf Nations League. This summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup will be an opportunity for the USMNT to impress in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, and Pro Soccer Wire dove into how the roster could look for the tournament. Injuries to Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun complicate things up top, but we could see Brenden Aaronson or Alex Zendejas could return to the attack. The Gold Cup will likely also determine which goalkeeper between Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, and Patrick Schulte emerges as the true starter. Players like Sergino Dest, Malik Tillman, and Johnny Cardoso are other notable names to keep an eye out for leading into the tournament.

FA Cup Quarterfinals Kick Off This Weekend

Only eight teams remain in the FA Cup and the action returns with enticing quarterfinal matchups. Preston North End is the only team outside of the English Premier League still fighting, but Manchester City is the only traditional giant left in the field as well. City will face off against a Bournemouth side that beat it 2-1 back in November, while Preston will have to get past Aston Villa, which has only won two of its last eight games. Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood’s injury adds an obstacle to overcome when the team travels to play Brighton and Hove Albion. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace gets star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta back from injury for its clash with Fulham.

Free Kicks


That’s all I have for you for today’s links. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend. Go Orlando!

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