Lion Links: 5/1/25

Welcome to May, Mane Landers! The months are flying by and I’m all for it. I was able to get some belated spring cleaning done this week and have been flexing my interior decorating muscles a bit as well. My cat’s not a fan of all of the furniture being shuffled around, but I’m sure he’ll get used to it. Let’s get this month started with today’s links from around the soccer world!

Orlando Pride Prep for Portland

The Orlando Pride are back in action Saturday in a road match against the Portland Thorns. Orlando is coming off of a dramatic 3-2 win at home against Angel City FC, which featured the team’s stars and substitutes linking up to come back and win. As for Portland, the Thorns are unbeaten at home so far this season and have scored seven goals across their past two games. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on Orlando’s preparations for this match and how the Pride will need to maintain momentum against a young Portland team that’s finding its groove offensively.

Vancouver Whitecaps Seal Spot in Concacaf Champions Cup Final

The Vancouver Whitecaps went on the road and beat Inter Miami a second time, winning 3-1 to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup final. An early goal by Jordi Alba gave Miami life in the series, but Vancouver scored three unanswered goals in the second half to win 5-1 on aggregate. The star of the show was 23-year-old midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who provided assists on Vancouver’s first two goals before scoring one himself to put the nail in the coffin. The Whitecaps have had a brutal path to reach the final, taking down Monterrey and Pumas UNAM in the previous two rounds. In the final on June 1, they’ll face whichever Liga MX team comes out on top tonight between Tigres and Cruz Azul.

Chicago Stars Fire Lorne Donaldson

Lorne Donaldson’s time as the Chicago Stars’ head coach has come to a close, with the Stars firing him just six games into the season. The Stars have lost five of their six games this year, including a 6-0 defeat to the Orlando Pride to open the season. Donaldson joined the club in December of 2023 and helped the team squeeze into the playoffs in his first year as head coach. Assistant coach Masaki Hemmi will serve as interim head coach while the club hunts for a replacement.

Brian White Wins MLS Player of the Month

Scoring in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals capped off an impressive month for Vancouver forward Brian White, who was named MLS Player of the Month. The American had five goals in league games this April and became the first player in club history to score four times in one game when he did so against Austin FC on April 12. He’s been a major reason behind the club’s ascent to the top of the Western Conference this year. It will be interesting to see how his continued success this year factors into his role at the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer.

Free Kicks

• In case you missed it, enjoy this full interview from Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira.

• Following a 2-2 draw, CF Montreal beat Toronto FC in penalty kicks to reach the quarterfinals of this year’s Canadian Championship.
• FC Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey predictably won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his bicycle kick to complete his brace against Sporting Kansas City.
• Nashville SC promoted Mike Jacobs to serve as the club’s first president of soccer operations and general manager.
• The United States Women’s National Futsal Team beat Honduras 7-0 in its first game of the Concacaf W Futsal Championship, with Sarah Martin scoring the team’s first-ever hat trick.
• FC Barcelona and Inter Milan battled to a 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal matchup. Plenty of praise is understandably being given to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, while Inter captain Lautaro Martinez is doubtful for the second leg in Italy after an injury in this game.
• Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 to secure its sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title.
• Here’s everything you need to know for today’s Europa League semifinals. Manchester United will take on Athletic Club, while Tottenham will play against Bodo/Glimt.
• League One side Birmingham City broke an English Football League record by beating Blackpool 2-0 to reach a whopping 108 points this season, with a game still to be played this weekend too.
• An unnamed player who plays for Mazatlan’s women’s soccer team in Mexico has been banned for six years after an investigation into match manipulation.

That’s all I have for you this time around. Make sure to stay hydrated out there, as this heat isn’t playing around. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!