Lion Links: 6/30/25

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work but got to catch up with friends at a Chicago White Sox game. Let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando City midfielder Joran Gerbet, who turns 25 today. Our Lions were the only team in action over the weekend while the Pride and OCB were off. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Fall at Home to FC Cincinnati

Orlando City fell 2-1 to FC Cincinnati Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium, seeing its two-match winning streak end. The Lions trailed 2-0, with Evander scoring both goals for FC Cincinnati. Marco Pasalic pulled one back for Orlando, but it was not enough as FC Cincinnati claimed the three points and remain second in the Eastern Conference standings with 39 points. Orlando City is fifth with 33 points. The Lions will travel to face Charlotte FC Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.

Pride and Grace Chanda Exercise Mutual Option for 2026 Season

On Friday, the Orlando Pride announced the club and Grace Chanda reached an agreement to exercise their mutual option for the 2026 season. Chanda joined Orlando last summer but was placed on the Season-Ending Injury list after sustaining an injury while playing for Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chanda made her debut earlier this season for the Pride on March 19 and came off the bench against the Washington Spirit in the second half. Chanda has made three appearances for the Pride during the 2025 season.

Pride Sign Zara Chavoshi to New Contract

The Orlando Pride also announced Friday the club has reached an agreement with defender Zara Chavoshi on a new contract. The deal is through the 2027 season, with a mutual option for 2028. Chavoshi joined the club ahead of the 2025 season and became the first player Orlando signed directly out of college, following the NWSL’s abolition of the draft as a mechanism for player acquisition last year. Chavoshi made her debut for the Pride on March 23 against NJ/NY Gotham FC and came off the bench. She made her first professional start on May 3 on the road against the Portland Thorns and played 90 minutes. Chavoshi has made four appearances for the Pride during the 2025 season. Also over the weekend, Chavoshi scored her first goal for the Canadian Women’s National Team in a 4-1 win over Costa Rica in an international friendly.

USWNT Defeats Ireland Again in Friendly

The U.S. Women’s National Team beat Ireland 4-0 Sunday at TQL Stadium in an international friendly. It was the second win in a week over Ireland for the USWNT. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams started the match and played 90 minutes. Lynn Biyendolo scored the opener, while Izzy Rodriguez scored her first goal for the USWNT to extend the lead to 2-0 going into halftime. In the second half, Yazmeen Ryan and Alyssa Thompson each added a goal to seal another win for the USWNT. The USWNT has won four in a row, and the team’s next match will be against Canada Wednesday at Audi Field. Meanwhile, Gisele Thompson and Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello have left the U.S. women’s national team training camp due to hamstring injuries. Abello last played for the USWNT on June 3 against Jamaica in a friendly.

USMNT Defeats Costa Rica in Penalties in the Gold Cup

The U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Costa Rica 4-3 in penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Orlando City defender Alex Freeman started the match and played 90 minutes. The USMNT trailed 1-0 early in the first half, and Malik Tillman missed a penalty that would have tied the match. However, Diego Luna scored the equalizer just before halftime. In the second half, the USMNT struck quickly with a goal from Max Arfsten to take a 2-1 lead. Costa Rica equalized late in the second half, and after 90 minutes, the game went to penalties. After three rounds, Orlando City fullback Alex Freeman buried his penalty past goalkeeper Keylor Navas to tie it 3-3. Goalkeeper Matt Freese made three saves, and in the sixth round, Damion Downs scored the winning goal to secure a spot for the USMNT in the semifinals. The USMNT will face Guatemala Wednesday at Energizer Park.

FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 Weekend Recap

The Round of 16 kicked off in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup over the weekend. On Saturday, Palmeiras beat Botafogo 1-0 after extra time, with Paulinho scoring the winning goal. Former Lion Facundo Torres came off the bench late in the second half and played 35 minutes. In another match that needed extra time, Chelsea beat 10-man Benfica 4-1 to advance. On Sunday, Joao Neves scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain crushed Inter Miami 4-0. Miami was the last MLS team remaining in the tournament and saw its run come to an end in the Round of 16. Bayern Munich defeated Flamengo 4-2 to advance, joining Palmeiras, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals. We have two more matches today, as Inter Milan faces Fluminense, while Manchester City takes on Al-Hilal in Orlando at Camping World Stadium.

Free Kicks

• Over the weekend, the Houston Dynamo defeated St. Louis City 1-0. The club announced before the match that it was former Lion Nico Lodeiro’s final match with the Dynamo as he came off the bench late in the second half and played the final five minutes.
• MLS NEXT Pro announced the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational over the weekend. The matchup will feature MLS NEXT Pro champions North Texas SC taking on Liga Expansion MX champions Club Deportivo Tapatio on July 26 at Toyota Stadium.
• LAFC and forward Olivier Giroud have reached an agreement to terminate his contract, and he will reportedly sign a contract to return home and join Lille in Ligue 1.
• The U-17 U.S. Women’s National Team lost 3-0 to Japan in a friendly Saturday at CPKC Stadium. The two sides will meet again in a closed-door match July 1, with the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place this fall in Morocco.
• Forbes.com featured an article that provides insight into the cost of extreme weather delays at the FIFA Club World Cup, how climate change has impacted the global sport, and the economic ramifications for the tournament.
• Guatemala eliminated Canada 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to advance to the semifinals in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup or the first time since 1996.

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