Orlando City is on the road again, this time against the Columbus Crew in a big Eastern Conference match. The last time Orlando City had two road matches in a row, the Lions brought home all six points, and the club has an opportunity to do that again Friday night. We’re in the last third of the regular season and Orlando City needs to start putting together the typical late playoff run. What must Orlando City do to earn all three points on the road?

The Return of Ramiro

Martin Ojeda has been on a tear. Marco Pasalic will score soon. I’m much more worried about Luis Muriel. He hasn’t scored a goal since May. He hasn’t even had an assist in the last two matches. He’s been a step behind when chasing the ball, and I think he might need a break. Ivan Angulo rode the bench for a couple of matches, and it has renewed him. Perhaps the same will happen for Muriel.

If he doesn’t get the start, that means a hopefully healthy Ramiro Enrique will be up top. Enrique isn’t a starting forward in this league, but he does bring better speed to the attack and he at least has a goal in the month of July. Sometimes switching things up can help both players and the attack in general.

Prove Them Wrong

Martin Ojeda was snubbed when it came to the MLS All-Star Game. His numbers deserved an invite, but that didn’t happen. What makes it even more annoying is that I think he was probably left out because of Lionel Messi getting a spot. A spot that will now go empty because Messi is skipping the All-Star Game. That seems on brand.

This will be Ojeda’s first opportunity since Wednesday’s All-Star Game to show what a mistake the league made in snubbing him — if they don’t already realize it. I’m certain that Ojeda is more concerned with helping the Lions get regular-season victories than he is any essentially meaningless appearance at the MLS cash grab, but I still want him to score another hat trick to really rub it in their faces. All he has to do is get past the Crew’s back line and keeper, Patrick Schulte.

Contain Rossi

In the match against the New England Revolution, Orlando City’s defense was able to keep Carles Gil off the scoresheet. If the Lions are able to do the same against the Crew’s Diego Rossi, then there’s a good chance at getting a result. Rossi leads the Crew with 11 goals, and he has four assists this season.

Containing Rossi will fall to Cesar Araujo, Alex Freeman, and the center backs. If Pareja sticks with the same back line as last match, Rodrigo Schlegel will need to be at the top of his game. If Pareja starts Rafael Santos, then David Brekalo will move back inside. The greatest part of the responsibility will fall on Araujo and whoever is at center back with Robin Jansson. While they’re doing that, stopping Daniel Gazdag would also be helpful.

That is what I will be looking for Friday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a pretty hectic week for me, but I’m looking forward to some soccer over the next few days. There are also about six movies in theaters right now that I want to see, so I might try to watch one each night before the month ends. But for now, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world.

MLS Triumphs in 2025 All-Star Game

The MLS All-Star Team won 3-1 against the Liga MX All-Star Team in Austin. MLS struck first, with Denis Bouanga tearing through the opposing defense before delivering a nice cross for Sam Surridge to head it home. Tai Baribo doubled the lead in the second half, but Gilbert Mora scored a goal for Liga MX to make things interesting. Brian White delivered the nail in the coffin by finishing off a frantic counterattack by the MLS All-Stars.

Despite being voted in as an All-Star, Orlando City defender Alex Freeman did not start in the match. Fellow Lion Marco Pasalic actually joined the fray before him in the 34th minute, with Freeman replacing him in the 61st minute.

Orlando City Prepares for the Columbus Crew

The Lions are back in action on Friday for a road match against the Columbus Crew, which will be their last game before the Leagues Cup begins next week. It’s the first match between the two Eastern Conference teams this season and possibly a preview to a playoff matchup. The Crew enter this match on a four-game unbeaten streak and have only lost once at home this season. Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on how the team will aim to carry momentum into this match after its 2-1 road victory against the New England Revolution on Saturday.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

The MLS summer transfer window opens today and teams aren’t wasting any time wheeling and dealing to prepare for a late-season surge. The loudest buzz is that LAFC is reportedly pushing for South Korean star Son Heung-min to join the club. The 33-year-old has spent the past 10 seasons with Tottenham Hotspur and would be one of the biggest signings in league history.

In other transfer news, the New York Red Bulls added midfielder Gustav Berggren from Rakow Częstochowa in Poland’s top flight. Speaking of Polish clubs, the Crew transferred midfielder Aziel Jackson to Jagiellonia Bialystok. CF Montreal traded up to $800,000 in General Allocation Money to Atlanta United in exchange for young center back Efrain Morales. The Colorado Rapids transferred Nigerian defender Chidozie Awaziem to FC Nantes as well.

England and Spain Will Face Off in Euros Final

Spain secured its spot in the Women’s European Championship final by beating Germany 1-0 in a tight match between two of the world’s top teams. After a scoreless 90 minutes, Aitana Bonmati scored her first goal of the tournament to give Spain the winner in extra time. It’s Spain’s first time reaching a Euros final and it will face England on Sunday in what should be a great match between the reigning World Cup and Euros champions.

Free Kicks

• The wait for the MLS board of governors to make a decision on shifting the league to a fall-to-spring schedule continues, as a vote on it did not take place during a meeting on Wednesday. I get the sense that this move is inevitable, but I’m fine with the league taking its time on this.
• Inter Miami duo Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba skipped the MLS All-Star Game, and only time will tell if the rule dictating that they must sit out of their next league match will be applied.
• American forward Josh Sargent reportedly declined a move from Norwich City to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
• Liverpool signed forward Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported $93.5 million transfer fee. I’ve been a bit desensitized to just how absurd transfer fees have gotten in recent years. But to put $93.5 million in perspective, that could pay my monthly expenses for the next 3900 years.

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. It’s MLS All-Star time, and if you’re like me, you think that the MLS All-Star Game should pit players from the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference so that fans of the MLS teams can see more of the players in MLS compete. There could even be some sort of reward for the conference that wins the match. Wouldn’t that be cool? Unfortunately, that isn’t what we get. Since I can’t change it, let’s get to the links.

It’s Good to Be Alex

It’s been a heck of a year for Alex Freeman. He made his first start for Orlando City in March, earned his first call-up to the USMNT, got his first cap and first start for the USMNT, and now will appear in the MLS All-Star Game. Even for those of us that follow Orlando City, it’s been a meteoric rise for the defender, and there’s every expectation that he still has room to improve. His next opportunity to shine comes tonight.

Goalie Wars/Skills Challenge

MLS defeated Liga MX in the MLS All-Star Skills challenge in the last event — the crossbar challenge. Freeman provided crosses in the first competition, and then beat iShowSpeed — an online personality — in the “Speed” passing contest. Carlos Mercado did Orlando City B proud, making it to the final of Goalie Wars. Unfortunately he lost to Pedro Cruz of Houston Dynamo 2.

Almost All the All-Stars

The MLS All-Stars take on the Liga MX All-Stars in the MLS “All-Star” Game at 9 p.m. on Apple TV. Freeman won’t be the only USMNT player in the competition. The many story lines around the match include USMNT representatives facing some of their Mexican National Team rivals in the match. I’m certain that the promoters have been hyping Lionel Messi’s inclusion in the match. Unfortunately for them, he may miss the match despite being invited.

Marta and Brazil Victorious

The Brazilian Women’s National Team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in a first-round Group B match of the Copa América Femenina. The Orlando Pride’s Marta got the start for her country, though Angelina did not. Yasmim scored a brace for Brazil with Amanda Gutierres and Duda Sampaio adding the other two goals. Paraguay’s Camila Gomez was sent off in the 50th minute, making things easier for Brazil, which will face Colombia in its second match Friday at 8 p.m.

Free Kicks

• The Denver NWSL expansion team now has an official identity — Denver Summit FC. I like the logo, but they missed an opportunity to be The Denver Summit and forego “FC.” Oh well, it’s definitely better than some others.

• It turns out that NWSL teams can sign new players right now to improve their rosters. Who knew? The Houston Dash, that’s who. The club completed the transfer of Canadian international Clarissa Larisey from Crystal Palace FC.
• I don’t usually recommend taking lessons from FIFA on…well, anything, but perhaps there are some things MLS can take from FIFA’s Club World Cup.
• LA Galaxy and LAFC players received fines for violating the leagues mass confrontation policy.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for Orlando City’s match this Friday against the Columbus Crew. Vamos Orlando!