Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s our first tax day with out Kyle “The Tax Man” Smith, but hopefully we’ll still get everything filed on time. What wasn’t in time to be included today was the USWNT friendly against Japan last night since it kicked off at 10 p.m. We will have more on that match tomorrow. Most importantly, it’s match day for Orlando City, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City’s Open Cup Begins

Orlando City is in Naples for the club’s opening match of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup. The Lions are facing USL League One side FC Naples tonight. FC Naples is a good team that currently sits first in USL League One. We can expect a few veterans to make an appearance, but we will likely see younger players like Zakaria Taifi. The team is expecting a sold-out crowd for the home team. Taifi shared his thoughts with the media ahead of the match.

Crocker to Saudi Arabia

Matt Crocker is no longer the sporting director of the U.S. Soccer Federation after taking a similar position with the Saudi Arabia soccer federation. Crocker is the person responsible for bringing in Emma Hayes and Mauricio Pochettino. The main part of his job was implementing a top-to-bottom alignment of the “U.S. Way” across all levels in the U. S. Soccer system. Saudi Arabia reportedly presented an offer that Crocker could not refuse. The timing is interesting given the World Cup is only about two months away.

Champions League Results

It was an eventful day in the UEFA Champions League. Soon-to-be Orlando City attacker Antoine Greizmann’s Atletico Madrid got past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to advance to the semifinals. The USMNT’s Johnny Cardoso made a late appearance to help defend the result. Much to my chagrin, PSG ousted Liverpool 2-0 (4-0 on aggregate). The other two matches are later today with Bayern Munich taking on Real Madrid and Arsenal facing Sporting CP.

World Cup News

Do you remember the feeling you had when it was announced that the World Cup would once again be played in the United States? I remember thinking how cool it was going to be to go to a match even if it meant driving hours to do so. How naive I was. A lot of the news is more like this story about the NJ Transit raising the cost of train tickets seven fold.

Several venues are also not allowing tailgating at the games, including matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. We also now know the full list of referees from all six soccer confederations.

Free Kicks

• Javier Mascherano is out at Inter Miami. I really hope this sends Inter Miami into a tailspin for the rest of the season, though I doubt it will.

• Oscar Pareja and Mascherano aren’t the only coaches let go so far this season, but is parting ways with a coach early in a season a good idea? (Paywalled link).
• Ally Financial has reached its proposed 50/50 media goal of equal advertising spending on men’s and women’s sports media earlier than expected. I’m always suspicious of big companies, but this is still a good thing.
• The U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team defeated Brazil 2-0 in the first of two matches between the two.
• Lionel Messi has been sued for not showing up for Inter Miami friendlies. Hahahahahahaha…deep breath…hahahahahahahaha.

That will do it for today. Check back tonight for our coverage of Orlando City’s U.S. Open Cup match. Vamos Orlando!

Good morning, everyone. We’ve got an extremely busy week ahead of us, as the United States Women’s National Team plays two matches, Orlando City plays in the U.S. Open Cup and Major League Soccer, and Orlando City B is back home after falling at Chattanooga on Saturday. All of that action means we’ve got a lot to discuss this morning, so let’s have a look at the links.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans taking part in matches this week so let’s check in on some of the biggest ones. Things got started on Monday as Brenden Aaronson picked up an assist on the winning goal in Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Manchester United. Tuesday sees Atletico Madrid try to preserve its 2-0 aggregate lead over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, although Johnny Cardoso is out injured. Tuesday also has Alejandro Zendejas and Club America facing Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup, with the tie level at 0-0. Thursday has Chris Richards and Crystal Palace trying to protect a 3-0 lead over Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League. Things finish up on Friday when Haji Wright and Coventry City travel to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.

USWNT vs. Japan Part II: Electric Boogaloo

The United States Women’s National Team will play the second of three matches against Japan tonight, with this contest set to take place in Seattle after Saturday’s 2-1 win in San Jose. The first match was all about Rose Lavelle as she scored one goal for the USWNT and assisted on the other, but there are some other areas to watch in this one. Manager Emma Hayes will likely ring the rotations after just two days of rest, so someone other than Lavelle will need to step up and be the difference maker. It was good to see the Yanks pick up a victory after losing to Japan in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, but goalkeeper Claudia Dickey had to make six saves on the night, and Hayes will likely want a stingier performance from the back line. Kickoff is set for 10 pm tonight.

Concacaf Champions Cup Preview

As mentioned earlier, the Concacaf Champions Cup is back tonight, and there are several MLS teams attempting to book passage through to the semifinals. LAFC is in the best position, as it holds a 3-0 lead over Cruz Azul, although the second leg will be played in Mexico. Regardless, grabbing even one away goal should be enough to see the California-based side through to the semis. Nashville is level at 0-0 with Club America but has a tough task ahead with the second leg set to be played at the Azteca. The Seattle Sounders are down 2-0 to Tigres but will play the second leg at Lumen Field and will need their home field advantage to pay off. The LA Galaxy got roughed up 4-2 by Toluca in the first leg but did score two away goals. You’d bet on the Galaxy to score in the comfortable confines of Dignity Health Sports Park, but the trick is going to be holding Toluca scoreless for just the second time in the last 14 matches across all competitions.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

The summer transfer window will be upon us before we know it, so it’s important to stay abreast of all the current rumors. Bayern Munich has reportedly held talks with Anthony Gordon’s representatives about a summer move, although no contact has been made with Newcastle United as of yet. Speaking of Newcastle United, the Magpies could reportedly be involved in a swap deal with Manchester United that would see Manuel Ugarte join Newcastle while Sandro Tonali moves the other way. Moving to Ligue 1, Ousmane Dembele is reportedly stalling on signing a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, and whispers are starting about a move to Saudi Arabia or the Premier League. Finally, Endrick’s loan spell at Lyon has seen him record eight goal contributions in 11 league games, and Real Madrid is reportedly prepared to sell Gonzalo Garcia in order to make room for the Brazilian in the Spanish capital.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City dropped one spot to no.27 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
• Winners from MLS matchday seven include Julian Hall and German Berterame, while Mikey Varas and Emmanuel Latte Lath found themselves on the other end of the spectrum.
• A horrible break for the Columbus Crew has been confirmed, as Wessam Abou Ali tore his ACL in Sunday’s match.

• Tottenham captain Cristian Romero will reportedly miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work throughout the week, covering high school water polo and lacrosse. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando City midfielder Luis Otavio, who turned 19 Sunday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Draws Columbus Crew on the Road

Orlando City drew the Columbus Crew 1-1 on the road Sunday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Marco Pasalic scored the first goal on the road for the Lions early in the first half. In the second half, Orlando City had chances to extend its lead, and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made some clutch saves. However, Diego Rossi broke through Orlando’s back line and scored the equalizer for Columbus late in the game. In stoppage time, the Crew had a chance to score a late winner, but despite being outshot 19-5, the Lions held on to secure their first point on the road this season. Orlando City will be on the road to face FC Naples Wednesday in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup and return home to take on the Houston Dynamo Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium.

OCB Falls to Chattanooga FC

Orlando City B fell 3-1 to Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium Saturday and saw its three-match unbeaten streak snapped. Chattanooga took a 1-0 lead in the first half. In the second half, Damien Barker John scored twice to put Chattanooga ahead 3-0. Harvey Sarajian pulled one back for the Young Lions, but it was not enough. OCB’s next match will be at home against Carolina Core Sunday at Osceola County Stadium.

Pride Players on International Duty

Multiple Pride players were in action over the weekend for their national teams during the international break. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda came off the bench in the second half, but Zambia fell 4-0 to Canada in a friendly. Midfielder Angelina came off the bench in the second half as Brazil defeated South Korea 5-1 in a friendly. Zambia will face Brazil Tuesday. Forward Solai Washington was on the bench as Jamaica beat Antigua and Barbuda 4-0 in a 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship qualifier match. Ally Lemos and Simone Jackson started, while forward Seven Castain was on the bench as the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team secured a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Spain. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and England will face Spain Tuesday in a UEFA World Cup qualifying match.

USWNT Defeats Japan in Friendly

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Japan 2-1 Saturday at PayPal Park in San Jose, CA. Rose Lavelle scored the opening goal in the first half to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. In the second half, Lindsey Heaps added another goal to extend the USWNT lead 2-0, and Lavelle added an assist. Japan pulled one back, but the Americans held on to secure a 10-match winning streak for the first time since 2023. The USWNT will face Japan again Tuesday at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Americans Abroad

Let’s catch up on Americans in action abroad in Europe. Chris Richards played a full 90 minutes as Crystal Palace defeated Newcastle United 2-1. Christian Pulisic played 73 minutes, but his goal drought for club and country continues at 16 matches as AC Milan fell 3-0 to Udinese. Folarin Balogun scored for AS Monaco, but his side fell 4-1 to Paris FC. Haji Wright played 67 minutes for EFL Championship leaders Coventry City in a scoreless draw against Sheffield Wednesday. Today, Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United will face Manchester United.

Free Kicks

• Union Berlin has named Marie-Louise Eta interim manager for the rest of the season. She becomes the first woman appointed to take charge of a men’s first team in the Bundesliga.
• Tottenham Hotspur extended its winless streak to 14 league matches in manager Roberto De Zerbi’s debut in a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland Sunday and remains in the relegation zone.
• Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere secured his piece of silverware in his first season as manager as Luton Town defeated Stockport 3-1 to win the EFL Trophy.
• CF Montreal announced Sunday that the club has parted ways with Head Coach Marco Donadel after just one win in seven matches.

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