The World Cup is finally here! Today starts what should be an exciting month of international soccer featuring more teams than ever before. While I wasn’t able to part with the arm and leg necessary to afford a ticket to one of the games, I’m still looking forward to watching along when I can with the rest of the world. Let’s get to the links!

Wilder Cartagena Linked With Move to Peruvian Club

You’ll need a translation tool to check out the full details unless you are fluent in Spanish, but Sporting Cristal of Peru’s top flight is reportedly interested in signing Orlando City midfielder Wilder Cartagena. The 31-year-old is currently under contract with Orlando through 2026, with the contact also including a club option for 2027. He was a crucial part to Orlando’s success in 2024, but he missed all of last year and has only started one game so far this season due to injuries. It’s not much more than a rumor as of now, but it’ll be something to keep an eye on during this break in the league schedule.

Barbra Banda Sustained a Hamstring Injury

Zambia Head Coach Nora Hauptle stated that Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda is dealing with a hamstring strain. Banda didn’t play in either of Zambia’s matches during this international break, but Hauptle also noted that she should recover in the next week or two and will be fine for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the end of July. Banda was injured late in the Pride’s 3-1 win against Bay FC on May 29 and it was unclear how severe the injury was. Hopefully she’ll be good to go before the Pride’s match against Angel City FC on July 3.

Dr. Nicole Surdyka Named Orlando Pride Director of Medical & Performance

The Orlando Pride have hired Dr. Nicole Surdyka as their new director of medical and performance. She’ll oversee the Pride’s medical operations, nutrition, and more while also working with Orlando Health. Dr. Surdyka has over a decade of experience that included leadership roles with OL Reign and the LA Galaxy and has studied extensively into developing frameworks for health and performance in women’s soccer.

“Nicole is one of the most respected practitioners in our field, and her expertise in women’s football, return‑to‑play, and high‑performance systems will elevate every aspect of our medical and performance environment,” said Caitlin Carducci, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations & General Manager. “Her leadership, her commitment to evidence‑based practice and her passion for supporting athletes make her an exceptional addition to the Pride.”

Analyzing Paraguay Ahead of USMNT World Cup Match

The United States Men’s National Team will play its World Cup opener on Friday when it hosts Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. It will be the 10th match between the two nations, with the USMNT most recently winning 2-1 against Paraguay in November of last year. There’s a familiar face on Paraguay’s roster in Orlando City midfielder Braian Ojeda, with Miguel Almiron and Andres Cubas as other MLS midfielders called up. Paraguay’s defense is anchored by center back Gustavo Gomez, who you may remember as the player who put former Lion Alex Freeman in a headlock during that aforementioned November friendly. As for Paraguay’s attack, the Yanks will need to keep Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria from wreaking havoc. Paraguay is a physical team that’s also strong in the air, so we’ll see how the USMNT deals with that on Friday.

England Beats Costa Rica 3-0 at Inter&Co Stadium

Orlando City’s Inter&Co Stadium hosted a friendly between England and Costa Rica on Wednesday, with England winning 3-0. Declan Rice gave England an early lead, but Costa Rica kept the Three Lions off the scoresheet until the substitutes came on for England in the second half, with Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins both scoring. England got the full Orlando experience due to a heavy storm that delayed kickoff, but Inter&Co Stadium earned praise for its drainage system that had the pitch ready to roll in no time. Enjoy this satisfying time-lapse video of the transformation provided by the stadium.

Free Kicks

• Former Lion Richie Laryea penned a heartfelt letter thanking his family for their support and sharing his mindset as he prepares to play for Canada during this World Cup.
• Did you know Mexico has never won on the opening day of a World Cup despite playing in seven such games over the course of the tournament’s history? It will look to break that trend when it hosts South Africa to get this World Cup started.
• The San Diego Wave signed Spanish goalkeeper Sandra Panos to a three-year contract. Panos heads to the NWSL after time with Club America in Mexico, but may be better known for her nine seasons with Barcelona prior to that.
• Gotham FC announced its plans for a 27,000-square-foot training facility, with construction set to begin later this summer.
• Kieran McKenna is stepping down as Ipswich Town’s manager and will take a break from managing. His decision comes after he led the club to a second-place finish last season to secure promotion to the English Premier League.

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. We are one day away from the start of the World Cup and only two days away from the USMNT’s first match against Paraguay. If you can’t wait for a day or two, England is playing Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium this very afternoon. Despite the MLS and NWSL breaks, there is so much soccer to watch, and I love it. Let’s get to the links.

Perelman is Staying…For Now

You might think that Orlando City’s record and goals allowed would mean the coach might not be back after the World Cup break, and you’d be correct to think that is what it should mean. However, despite Orlando City having good reasons to bring in another coach, Martin Perelman will remain interim head coach when the season resumes. Perhaps there is a coach who isn’t available until the end of the season. Or maybe the club is giving Perelman even more time to “earn” the permanent job. Ricardo Moreira is monitoring potential coaches, but there doesn’t seem to be an active search based on his comments.

OCB’s Belgodere Honored

Matthew Belgodere earned MLS NEXT Pro honors thanks to his monstrous goal in OCB’s comeback 3-2 victory over Carolina Core. He is the fourth Orlando City Academy player to win the Rising Star Acolade this sesaon. It was Belgodere’s first professional goal and it came at a great time for OCB. In case you missed it, here it is.

Former Lions in the News

You may not have heard of Canada’s Sigma FC youth development program, but you have heard of Cyle Larin and Richie Laryea. The two former Orlando City players were products of that system and are regulars with the Canadian National Team. Meanwhile, Alex Freeman is flaunting his style in the latest issue of Flaunt. The meteoric rise of Orlando City’s former defender continues. Finally, Pedro Gallese did not have a good time in goal in Peru’s 3-1 loss to Spain. That was especially true with this own goal.

Inter&Co Stadium Welcomes International Competition

England takes on Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium in a final World Cup tune-up for the Three Lions. England Coach Thomas Tuchel will have his full roster available for the friendly. Tickets should still available for the match if you are able to make the 4 p.m. kickoff. The England squad is preparing for the heat during the World Cup. Of course, we know that they may have to deal with rain and lightning like Orlando teams do all the time.

USWNT Defeats Brazil

The USWNT and the Brazil Women’s National Team picked up right where they left off after the last friendly — by not being very friendly. To say this match was chippy in the first half is a massive understatement. Players were dragged down left and right on both sides. The U.S. was able to finally break through in the second half on what was originally scored as a goal by Sophia Wilson but was ultimately given as an own goal by Isabela Chagas. Before the end, several of Brazil’s staff were sent off, as was Beatriz Joao and Tarciane. After the final whistle, two more red cards were shown to Brazil. Ultimately, the U.S. was able to earn a 1-0 victory in a very wild match to watch.

Free Kicks

• Bad news for the Colorado Rapids. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen is likely out for the season due to shoulder surgery.

• Former OCB player Joe Gallardo celebrated 100 appearances in USL League One. The latest was with his current club, Spokane Velocity FC.

• We have more evidence of how messed up the World Cup is as FIFA has revoked Iran’s ticket allocation at the team’s three World Cup games in the U.S. Supposedly, FIFA is working the IR Iran Football Federation to provide opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend other matches, presumably in Canada or Mexico.
• We’re coming up on the 10th Anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The rainbow seats in Inter&Co Stadium are a consistent reminder that as a club and a community we remain united even during the most horrific tragedies.

That will do it for today. Are you excited for the World Cup to start? Are you planning on going to the watch parties? Let us know in the comments below. Vamos Orlando and Go USA!

Good morning everyone. I hope you all had a restful weekend, but there’s no time to gently ease into this week. The United States Women’s National Team plays tonight, the United States Men’s National Team plays its first group game of the World Cup on Friday, and Orlando City B returns to action on Saturday. We’ve understandably got lots to talk about today, so let’s have a look at the links.

Emma Hayes Wants More in Brazil Rematch

The USWNT will run it back against Brazil tonight, after losing the first of two friendlies against the South American nation 2-1 on Saturday. USWNT manager Emma Hayes said that her team needs to get a little more uncomfortable and accustomed to playing in conditions that aren’t perfect, and she sees the two matches against Brazil as the perfect opportunity to do just that. Hayes called on her team be tougher in tonight’s rematch and encouraged the players to accept difficult conditions or calls that are out of their control. She also declined to discuss tactics or lineups for the match, as she’s treating it as a psuedo-World Cup run and won’t be discussing those things during the tournament either.

USMNT Health Update

We got a positive update when it comes to the health of the United States Men’s National Team on Monday, as center back Chris Richards was a full participant in training for the first time since joining up with the team. Richards has been dealing with an ankle injury since May 17 that kept him from playing in the USMNT’s warm-up friendlies against Senegal and Germany. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino did not provide any clues as to whether or not he will be ready to start in the team’s World Cup opener on Friday, but this is a good step. Additionally, Tyler Adams did not participate in the training session, which was a “load management” decision, and probably a wise one considering he’s the glue holding the midfield together.

Jim Curtin Takes Austin Job

Jim Curtin will become the new head coach of Austin FC at the end of the 2026 MLS season, with Tom Bogert breaking the news on Monday afternoon before the club confirmed it shortly afterwards. Davy Arnaud will continue as interim coach until the end of the season, and the club is still looking for a new sporting director. Curtin had been out of a job since being fired by the Philadelphia Union at the end of the 2024 season, bringing to an end an 11-season spell with the team. Bogert provided some nice additional nuggets like the Portland Timbers reportedly being a team that had interviewed Curtin for its managerial vacancy.

Pre-World Cup Friendlies Continue

The World Cup is almost upon us, but there are still a few more tune-up friendlies taking place before the big dance arrives. France beat Northern Ireland 3-1 on Monday thanks to a Michael Olise hat trick, while The Netherlands used a Cody Gakpo brace to ease by Uzbekistan 2-1. Today will see Senegal face Saudi Arabia, while Argentina takes on Iceland. Things then wrap up on Wednesday with Portugal playing Nigeria, Algeria squaring off against Bolivia, and England playing Costa Rica.

Free Kicks

• Orlando’s sports teams have launched a new shirt that honors the 10-year anniversary of the creation of the Orlando United program.

• Christian Eriksen is recovering at home with his family after collapsing while playing for Denmark on Sunday.
• Somalian referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the U.S. and will not be an official at the World Cup.
• Brazil announced that Neymar is making “good progress” in his recovery from a calf injury.
• Rafael Leao has defended punching Chilean defender Ivan Roman in the face during a friendly between the two teams on Saturday, saying that he simply intended to help teammate Joao Cancelo.

That’ll do it for me this morning. Vamos Orlando!