Connect with us

Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/19/25

Orlando City’s international call-ups, Pride still on top, USMNT prepares for Panama, and more.

Published

on

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! I hope you’re having a good week so far. Just a reminder that we’re only a day away from the USMNT’s Concacaf Nations League match, followed by regular-season matches for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Personally, I love knowing I’ll have matches to watch on three of the next four days. Let’s get to the links.

International Lions

I always have mixed feelings about international call-ups. On one hand, I’m happy for the players to be able to represent their individual countries. On the other hand, I don’t want to lose them for whatever matches they may miss due to being gone. This particular instance sees Pedro Gallese, David Brekalo, and Colin Guske on international duty with Peru, Slovenia, and the USYNT U18s, respectively. OCB’s Justin Ellis also received a call up from the USYNT.

https://twitter.com/orlandocityb/status/1902070133449015775?s=46&t=7FrChjNxAZYi8pIcKH7thA

Having Gallese and Brekalo gone when Christian Benteke is coming to town with D.C. United is not ideal. Regardless, I wish them all the best in the upcoming matches and I hope for an injury-free return.

Orlando Pride are a Hit

Following an NWSL opening match record 6-0 victory over Chicago Stars FC, it should be little surprise that three Orlando Pride players made the CBS NWSL Team of the Week — Anna Moorhouse, thanks to the clean sheet; Angelina for midfield excellence; and Barbra Banda for her goal contributions. One of those goals also rightly won the NWSL Goal of the Week.

It’s also entirely unsurprising that the Pride are in the top spot in Sports Illustrated’s NWSL Power Rankings. I know that power rankings are dumb, but I’m not ashamed to admit I like them a bit better when my team is the best.

USMNT Prepares for Panama

The USMNT will play Panama in a Concacaf Nations League semifinal match Thursday night at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. There have been some roster changes due to injuries. Mauricio Pochettino is replacing Antonee Robinson, Johnny Cardoso, and Auston Trusty with Max Arfsten, Brian Gutiérrez, and, Jack McGlynn. Aside from those changes, the U.S. is bringing the big guns to the match. It’s an opportunity for Pochettino to show what this team can be, especially since he said the U.S. could compete to become the best in the world in as little as five to 10 years.

The Good and Bad of the NWSL

The NWSL is a league that is growing in a sustainable fashion. That is good for teams like the Orlando Pride and for women’s soccer in general. Another example of this growth is the plan for a soccer-specific stadium for the Denver NWSL expansion team. The 14,500-seat stadium will include a public park, surrounding shops, and restaurants.

Of course, there are often growing pains associated with expansion. Pride fans are all too aware of such pains. During the off-season, there were reports of abuse involving Bay FC Head Coach Albertin Montoya. As the NWSL matures as a league, how such matters are addressed will determine the success of the league as a whole.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City jumped up one spot in MLSsoccer.com’s Power Rankings to No. 16. You should all know how serious I take power rankings by now.
  • Remember when Mason Stajduhar collided with a New York City FC player and broke his leg? That player was Malachi Jones, who will undergo another procedure to repair the right tibia fracture he sustained in the collision. I hope for the best for Jones since it’s PRO referees I blame for not raising the offside flag.
  • Canada Head Coach Jesse Marsch replaced former Lion Richie Laryea with Zorhan Bassong for the Concacaf Nations League match Thursday.
  • Despite the growth of the women’s game, there is still a vast disparity between revenue and spending across the board. Hopefully, this gets better with further investment in the various leagues.
  • I know of an MLS club that could use an experienced backup center back.

Matt Hedges isn't retired yet and would like to keep playing, I'm told.The veteran MLS center back would ideally want to return to FC Dallas, his long-time club. No talks have happened yet.Hedges is playing in the U.S. Open Cup with Des Moines Menace tomorrow night.

Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2025-03-18T17:00:58.231Z

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/6/25

Pedro Gallese earns recognition, Zara Chavoshi up for Save of the Week, Americans in midweek action, and more.

Published

on

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

Well it wasn’t the greatest weekend that Orlando’s soccer teams have ever had. The three squads picked up just one of the nine points on offer, and it was very much a trio of matches to forget. Luckily we won’t have to linger on them for very long, because the action continues almost immediately with Orlando City facing the Tampa Bay Rowdies Wednesday night in the U.S. Open Cup. We have plenty of news to talk through today, so let’s jump into the links.

Pedro Gallese Earns Recognition

Pedro Gallese was outstanding while backstopping OCSC in its 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire over the weekend, and his performance earned him a place in the starting XI of the most recent edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday. Orlando’s octopus made eight saves on the night, including two double saves, and if not for him the Fire would have run away with the game long before they were eventually reduced to 10 men. He’s now just the fourth goalkeeper since 2020 to earn five straight clean sheets, His efforts earned him the Man of the Match award by a country mile in Andrew DeSalvo’s Player Grades piece, and it’s nice to see him getting some love on the larger stage as well.

Zara Chavoshi Nominated for Save of the Week

In a piece of news that you don’t necessarily see every day, Orlando Pride defender Zara Chavoshi has been nominated for the NWSL Save of the Week. You can’t say she doesn’t deserve it either, as Chavoshi made a goal-line clearance with the net empty in the 38th minute to keep the deficit at 1-0 against the Portland Thorns. While the Pride weren’t able take advantage of her efforts by making a comeback, it was still an outstanding hustle play. Hopefully she won’t need to make too many more of those as the season progresses, but congratulations are in order all the same!

Americans in Midweek Action

A number of Americans will be playing games during the working week, so let’s run down some games to keep an eye on. Diego Kochen will likely be on the bench for the second leg of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League semifinal tie against Inter Milan later today. Wednesday has Alejandro Zendejas and Club America facing Pumas in the Liga MX Clausura playoff quarterfinal. Thursday has Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis traveling to Fiorentina in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League semifinals, in which they hold a 2-1 lead after the first leg. Things then wrap up on Friday with Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan hosting Bologna in Serie A.

Leon’s Club World Cup Verdict is Expected Today

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to deliver a verdict today on whether or not Leon will be able to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup this summer. As things currently stand, FIFA will not allow the Mexican side’s participation, and is preparing a one-off game between LAFC and Club America to determine which team will take Leon’s place. FIFA’s rules for the tournament prohibit more than one team having the same owners, but Leon and Pachuca are both owned by Grupo Pachuca. Leon were even drawn into a group with Chelsea, Esperance, and Flamengo at the end of last year, but FIFA excluded them during a ruling in March, which prompted Leon to appeal their case to the CAS.

Free Kicks


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

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/5/25

Lions draw Chicago Fire, Pride lose to the Portland Thorns, OCB falls to Chicago Fire II, and more.

Published

on

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy covering high school sports to help finish the spring season. Let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique, who turned 24 on Sunday, Orlando Pride defender Oihane Hernandez, who turned 25 on Sunday, and Orlando City B midfielder Juan Quevedo, who turns 20 today. It was a rough weekend for our teams, as the Lions could only get a draw, while the Pride and OCB lost. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Draw Chicago Fire on the Road

Orlando City and the Chicago Fire split the points in a scoreless draw Saturday at Soldier Field. Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady received a red card and was sent off after he came off his line and slammed into Duncan McGuire in the first half, denying a goal-scoring opportunity for the Lions. However, Orlando City couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage. Lions goalkeeper Pedro Gallese had a solid performance in goal, making eight saves as Orlando escaped with its fourth scoreless draw in its last five matches. Orlando City extended its unbeaten run to eight matches and is eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Lions will be busy this week with two matches, visiting the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Round of 32 of the 2025 U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, followed by a home match against the New England Revolution on Saturday.

Pride Lose in Portland

The Orlando Pride fell 1-0 to the Portland Thorns on Saturday at Providence Park. Reyna Reyes scored the lone goal for the Thorns. The Pride didn’t create many chances throughout the match and couldn’t get an equalizer. The Pride’s struggles at Providence Park continue as they have been winless in their last six meetings on the road in Portland. Despite the defeat, Orlando remains tied for first in the NWSL standings with the Kansas City Current. The Pride will be on the road on Saturday to face the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park.

OCB Crushed by Chicago Fire II

Orlando City B fell 5-1 to Chicago Fire FC II on Friday at Flames Field on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago. The Young Lions got off to a good start as Shak Mohammed scored the opener in the first half. However, Chicago scored two goals to take a 2-1 lead going into halftime. In the second half, Chicago added three more goals to seal a 5-1 win and snap its three-match winless streak. The Young Lions are now winless in their last three matches and are in fifth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference standings. OCB’s next match will be on May 17 at home against Inter Miami II.

Americans Abroad

Let’s catch up on how some Americans did abroad over the weekend as the European season nears its conclusion. Former Lion Daryl Dike scored his first goal in 485 days for West Brom in Saturday in a 5-3 win over Luton Town to close out the EFL championship season. Dike was also named the SBI Soccer Americans Abroad Player of the Week. Americans Haji Wright and Aidan Morris faced off on Saturday. Wright played 90 minutes as his Coventry City side beat Middlesbrough 2-0 and booked a spot in the EFL Championship promotion playoffs. Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson and Leeds defeated Plymouth Argyle 2-1 and edged Burnley on goal difference to win the EFL Championship title. Weston McKennie played 90 minutes, but his Juventus side settled for a 1-1 draw against Bologna. Finally, Folarin Balogun scored his first goal since October as Monaco defeated Saint-Etienne 3-1.

Free Kicks

  • Yesterday was May the Fourth and Orlando City and the Pride got in on the action to celebrate Star Wars Day.
  • Leicester City captain Jamie Vardy blew the whistle to stop play so referee David Webb could get medical treatment. Webb suffered a head injury after a collision with Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew, and the match against Southampton was delayed for 11 minutes.
  • Harry Kane finally ended his trophy drought as Bayern Munich was crowned champion of the Bundesliga on Sunday after Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg fought for a 2-2 draw.
  • The Chicago Stars are reportedly exploring moving home matches to the Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL, next season. The Stars’ lease at SeatGeek Stadium expires at the end of this year.
  • Sporting Kansas City defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 on Sunday and became the first MLS club to win a match without attempting a single shot on goal.

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

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/2/25

Alex Freeman earns recognition, Orlando City prepares for the Chicago Fire, Jarrod Dillon named 2024 Downtowner of the Year, and more.

Published

on

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday! We’ve made it through the week and have plenty of Orlando soccer ahead of us to enjoy. I don’t have many plans this weekend beyond working, but it should still be a nice couple of days. Before we get to today’s links, we have a trio of birthdays to celebrate. Let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City’s Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Orlando Pride midfielder Luana, and Orlando City B defender Hayden Sargis!

Alex Freeman’s Breakout Season Highlighted

The folks over at Stars and Stripes FC have shined their spotlight on Orlando City right back Alex Freeman, who is enjoying a breakout season this year with the Lions. The 20-year-old has started in nine of the team’s 10 games this season and has three goals and an assist under his belt so far. He helped the United States U-19 Men’s National Team win the Slovenia Nations Cup in 2022 and could factor into the 2026 World Cup plans for the USMNT if he continues to improve as a player.

Orlando City Faces the Chicago Fire on Saturday

Orlando City will take a seven-game unbeaten streak to Soldier Field for a match on Saturday against the Chicago Fire. The Lions are coming off an April that included three scoreless draws and an emphatic 3-0 rivalry win over Atlanta United. The Fire have not won at home yet this season and have conceded 22 goals, which is tied with D.C. United for the most in the league. Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on the team’s preparations, as well as how players returning to full fitness should help give depth as the team gets ready to balance the U.S. Open Cup with the regular season.

Jarrod Dillon Receives Downtowner of the Year Award

OCSC President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon was named 2024 Downtowner of the Year by the Downtown Orlando Partnership for his contributions to the success of downtown Orlando. Amid historically successful seasons by both the Lions and Pride last season, Dillon secured a new naming rights partner for the club’s stadium and has helped bring events like the FIFA Club World Cup and Copa America to the City Beautiful. Dillon joined the club in 2022, and it’s great to see that he’s already had an impact in the community.

Analyzing the Longevity of NWSL Parity

Jeff Kassouf of ESPN took an interesting dive into how future expansion in the NWSL can affect parity in the league going forward. The league’s parity has certainly been a positive aspect of the NWSL compared to leagues in Europe that are dominated by the same teams year in and year out. However, expansion could thin the depth of talent throughout the NWSL, and other variables like the elimination of the college draft may make it harder for teams at the bottom to climb out. While I don’t think the league’s competitive balance will be in jeopardy any time soon, I agree that it will be an interesting thing to keep an eye on in the coming years, especially if the NWSL expands too fast too soon.

Free Kicks

  • The game ball for Orlando’s win over Atlanta went to the recently promoted Ricardo Moreira, as it was his first win as the club’s general manager and sporting director.
  • NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Esther González was named NWSL Player of the Month after scoring an impressive seven goals in April.
  • Seattle Sounders star Jordan Morris will be out for an estimated six weeks due to a hamstring injury according to Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. Jesus Ferreira is also nursing an adductor injury and is questionable to play on Saturday.
  • Both of the English clubs dominated in the first legs of the Europa League semifinals. Manchester United beat Athletic Club 3-0 on the road, while Tottenham won 3-1 at home against Bodo/Glimt.
  • There’s plenty to tune in for in this weekend’s final matchday of the EFL Championship regular season. There are five teams in contention for the two open playoff spots, including Haji Wright’s Coventry City and Aidan Morris’ Middlesbrough. The Americans will collide in a crucial match between the two sides Saturday morning.
  • Bayern Munich’s women’s team, which secured the Bundesliga title this past weekend, completed its domestic double after beating Werder Bremen 4-2 in the German Cup final. It’s a nice way to go out for Head Coach Alexander Straus, who is set to become Angel City FC’s head coach in June.
  • Barcelona defender Jules Kounde could miss time due to a hamstring injury, which would make things difficult for Barcelona in the La Liga title race and Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal.

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

Continue Reading

Trending