Orlando City’s shutout streak and winning streak are over after a wild game in Columbus that was really hard to watch for a while but then it got better, although not better enough. The Lions managed to put three goals on the board against the league’s best defense but could not string together a fourth straight shutout, conceding four of their own, and they were pretty much all preventable. We break down a road loss against the defending champions.

We also looked back at our score predictions, which were quite wrong, and made our selections for Man of the Match.

This episode’s mailbagbox had a trivia question and then asked for our recipe ideas using a very odd special ingredient. 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.

After the mailbagbox, we broke down OCB’s playoff-clinching home win over Chicago Fire II at home on Monday night, which is why this podcast is a day later than usual. The Young Lions came up big in the second half, putting three balls in the net to take care of Chicago and solidify a spot in the postseason. The Young Lions have the weekend off to prepare for next week’s regular-season finale at Cincinnati.

Finally, we looked ahead to Saturday night’s road match against Oscar Pareja’s former team. FC Dallas is pretty good for a team currently below the playoff line, and it won’t be easy for Orlando City to get a result in Frisco, TX. It’s something the Lions have never done. We provide our key matchups and score predictions.

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. 447 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City lost a shutout streak and a winning streak in a crazy game in Ohio.

23:49 – OCB clinches a playoff spot and we check the mailbagbox for listener questions.

45:35– The Lions head to Oscar Pareja’s old stomping grounds in Dallas.

The Lions started slowly on Wednesday night in the heat and humidity on short rest, but Orlando City got it together in the second half, scoring twice to beat Charlotte FC, 2-0. The goals were worth the wait, as both were nice team buildups capped by quality strikes. We broke down the few chances in the boring first half and discussed the changes that opened up the match after halftime.

We looked back at our score predictions (both getting the right result without picking the correct score) and made our selections for Man of the Match. We also tell you which Lion made the MLS Team of the Matchday.

This episode’s mailbagbox was brief and touched on the subject of fixture congestion in Major League Soccer and what (if anything) we would do about it. 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.

After the mailbagbox, we look ahead to OCB’s big match on Monday against Chicago Fire II, an important game for both sides in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race in MLS NEXT Pro. We provide the tale of the tape as the Young Lions look to lock down a second consecutive playoff appearance and wonder if Alex Freeman can keep his hot streak going.

Finally, we looked ahead to Saturday’s matchup on the road against the Columbus Crew. The Crew will be a tough nut to crack, so the Lions will need to continue their excellent form to get a result against the league’s stingiest defense while trying to keep Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi quiet. We provide our key matchups and make our score predictions.

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. 446 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City made it three straight shutout victories at home with a 2-0 win over Charlotte.

29:47 – Our mailbagbox asks about the MLS schedule.

36:49– OCB will host Chicago in a pivotal game and the Lions head to Columbus.

The Orlando Pride didn’t get the sweep of the Kansas City Current, but they at least kept the visitors from celebrating a win in Orlando. The rematch between two of the top teams in the NWSL was a tightly contested one, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Still, the Pride managed to continue their unbeaten run and added another point and clean sheet to the growing pile.

We tried to hit the game’s high points, but we also had a few critiques, although the result is ultimately a good (if unsatisfying) one. We checked our score predictions from last week and made our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week asked us about Marta, Cori Dyke, Pride attendance, and much 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 discussed the U-20 USWNT’s improbable late rally against Germany to force extra time and penalties. The Pride’s Ally Lemos got things going with a great assist and the Yanks advanced to today’s semifinal.

Finally, we look ahead to Orlando’s road contest against a stubborn Bay FC side that has been playing much better of late. The Pride will look to get the offense going against a team that has been stingy in recent weeks. We’ll have to wait to see who prevails. We provided our key matchups and score predictions.

Here’s how Episode 61 went down:

0:15 – The Pride didn’t score as the offense continues to sputter, but at least they didn’t concede in the rematch with the Current.

19:13 – Our mailbagbox seemingly grows every week.

43:45 – Ally Lemos started an amazing U-20 USWNT comeback and our preview for the Pride at Bay FC.