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!

Happy Tuesday, everyone! What a happy Tuesday it is too, as Orlando City got back to winning ways over the weekend after a string of frustrating results. There’s a ton going on right now with MLS All-Star events galore and Orlando City and Orlando City B both back in action on Friday. That means we’ve got a lot to discuss this morning, so let’s get after it.

Martin Ojeda Garners Weekly Honors

As seems to usually be the case lately, Martin Ojeda has been recognized for his efforts over the weekend with a place in the starting XI of the MLS Team of the Matchday. Ojeda powered Orlando City to a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution by scoring both of the team’s goals. That now gives him 12 goals and 10 assists for an extremely respectable 22 goal contributions in 24 games, which apparently still isn’t good enough for a place on the All-Star Team. Regardless of that snub, he’s a worthy inclusion in this week’s team, and we certainly hope he keeps up the good work!

OCSC Well Represented at All-Star Week

Despite Ojeda not being at All-Star Week, Orlando City as a club is heavily represented. In fact, the Lions are the only club to have representation from every level of the club’s structure. Youth players Dylan Judelson and Gustavo Caraballo participated in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game Monday night, with Caraballo’s golazo helping the East win 4-3 over the west. Check out the 16-year-old’s thunderous strike from distance.

Caraballo’s blast made it 2-1 at the time. The West came back twice, tying the match at 2-2 and 3-3, but a late penalty for a handball in the box allowed the East to claim the victory for Orlando City U-18 coach and academy director Javier Carrillo.

In addition to Carrillo and the academy kids helping the East win the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, Orlando City B’s Carlos Mercado is taking part in Goalie Wars, and Alex Freeman will be in the Skills Challenge and alongside Marco Pasalic in the All-Star Game. It’s great seeing every level of the club get a chance at the spotlight this week.

Predicting the U.S. World Cup Roster

With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, the good folks over at Stars and Stripes FC took an early stab at predicting what the 26-man roster will look like for the United States Men’s National Team. We know it isn’t completely accurate because they didn’t project Alex Freeman to make the plane, but hey, no one’s perfect. Patrick Schulte gets the nod as the third goalkeeper along with Matt Freese and Matt Turner, while they believe Max Arfsten, Malik Tillman, and Diego Luna all did enough at the Gold Cup to secure spots. Gio Reyna is projected to make the cut, which might be generous considering how the last year has gone for him, but I really love the inclusion of Alex Zendejas, and hope he gets a chance under Mauricio Pochettino to show what he can do.

European Transfer Roundup

The summer transfer window is in full swing, and we need to catch up on which European teams are busy doing business ahead of the upcoming campaign. We start with Manchester United, which has completed the signing of Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford for a deal reportedly worth over $94 million. Liverpool is said to be putting a bow on a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, with a transfer fee that could reportedly rise to $106 million if potential add-ons are met. That’s good news for the Reds, because Luis Diaz is reportedly determined to leave the team this summer and is hoping that Bayern Munich will make a new offer for him after Liverpool rejected a bid last week. Moving to the continent, AC Milan has reportedly agreed to sign Pervis Estupinan from Brighton and Hove Albion, while Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly considering a move for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa due to Gianluigi Donnarumma continually rejecting new deals.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride’s Sept. 19 home match against the North Carolina Courage has been flexed to stream nationally, which means the kickoff time has been moved to 8 p.m.
• Orlando City held fast at no.11 in the MLS power rankings, and is at the same exact spot in ESPN.com’s version of the rankings.
• Marta has been vocal in her frustrations about the conditions the players are facing at this year’s Copa America.

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

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you in Florida. I’ve been busy working, and I finally got to see the Jurassic World Rebirth movie over the weekend. Our Lions secured a much-needed win, while OCB suffered a defeat over the weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Ojeda’s Two Goals Carry Lions over Revolution

Orlando City defeated the New England Revolution 2-1 Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Martin Ojeda scored the opening goal as Orlando held onto a 1-0 lead going into halftime. In the second half, New England found the equalizer, but Ojeda added another goal for the Lions, who held on for the win. New England is winless in its last eight matches, while Orlando bounces back after losing to New York City FC midweek. The Lions will be back in action on the road at the Columbus Crew Friday at Lower.com Field.

Pride Players in Action Abroad

Orlando Pride forwards Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya, and midfielder Grace Chanda were all in action for Zambia Friday but fell 5-0 to Nigeria in the quarterfinals in the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. During Zambia’s run in the tournament, Banda scored three goals and added an assist. Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji also scored three goals for Zambia in the group stage. On Tuesday, Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and England will face Italy in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s Euros. Orlando Pride forward Marta and midfielder Angelina will also be in action Tuesday as Brazil takes on Paraguay in the group stage of the 2025 Copa America Femenina.

OCB Falls to New England Revolution II on the Road

Orlando City B fell 3-0 to New England Revolution II Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Gevork Diarbian scored a goal in the run of play and converted a penalty from the spot, and Alex Monis added a third as New England dominated the match and ended OCB’s three-match unbeaten streak. The Young Lions came out flat and were unable to get anything going offensively throughout the match. Orlando City B will be back on the road Friday to face Huntsville City FC at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.

MLS Weekend Recap

We had another week of exciting matches in Major League Soccer just before the MLS All-Star break. Charlotte FC edged Atlanta United 3-2, and the Seattle Sounders beat the San Jose Earthquakes by the same scoreline. The Chicago Fire beat CF Montreal 2-0 on the road, while the Columbus Crew held on for a 2-1 win over D.C. United. Lionel Messi scored twice and added two assists as Inter Miami crushed the New York Red Bulls 5-1 on the road. FC Dallas defeated St. Louis City 3-0, and Sam Surridge’s lone goal was enough for Nashville SC to beat Toronto FC 1-0. FC Cincinnati held on for a 1-0 win on the road against Real Salt Lake. The Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union, Sporting Kansas City vs. New York City FC, Minnesota United at Portland Timbers, and San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps matches all ended in 1-1 draws. The LA Galaxy fought back with a late equalizer in stoppage time from Maya Yoshida against rival LAFC in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Free Kicks

• Alex Freeman and Marco Pasalic have arrived in Austin to get ready for the MLS All-Star Game. The MLS All-Stars will face the Liga MX All-Stars Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.

• USWNT and Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman has returned to training with the club for the first time in three months. Rodman has been out since mid-April, dealing with a back injury.
• USMNT forward Josh Sargent is reportedly close to a transfer move to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
• Marcus Rashford is reportedly on his way to FC Barcelona after an agreement was reached between the club and Manchester United for a season-long loan deal.

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