I don’t know about all of you, but I’m craving some Orlando soccer. There’s still a little over a month to go before Orlando City’s season opener on Feb. 21, but the preseason is here, and it’s nice to see Lions on grass again. The Orlando Pride’s schedule should also be revealed today, and seeing more Pride games in person this year is a resolution I’m eager to fulfill. Let’s get to the links!

Caitlin Carducci’s Plans for the Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Caitlin Carducci spoke on the state of the team as she heads into her first year in the City Beautiful after two years with the Kansas City Current.

“I’m not stepping into a rebuild; nothing needs to be torn down to be built back up,” she said. “We’re looking at refining the amazing foundation that’s in place. And I’m really looking forward to getting out onto the field, seeing how everyone’s working, seeing what our coaches can do with this roster, and then as we need to make adjustments going forward, we’re able to do so.”

The Pride’s preseason begins next week and it should allow Carducci to get a better understanding of the roster so that she can work with the coaching staff on elevating the team to the next level. Carducci also discussed her desire to win, the leadership model she wishes to cultivate in Orlando, and the value of the relationships she has within the league.

Chris Richards Named U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year

Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards was voted 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year after a stellar year for club and country. The 25-year-old started in 11 matches for the United States Men’s National Team and scored twice in the Gold Cup, earning a spot on the tournament’s Best XI. He also helped Crystal Palace win both the FA Cup and Community Shield last year. Not only is it Richards’ first time winning the award, but it was his first nomination for it as well. He claimed 48.6% of the total vote, while Orlando City defender Alex Freeman finished third in voting with 13%.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

San Diego FC and winger Anders Dreyer agreed to a contract extension through the 2028-2029 season, with an option for an additional year. Dreyer was a force to be reckoned with last season, recording 23 goals and 22 assists to earn the title of MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Somehow, Hector Herrera returned. The Dynamo signed their former captain to a contract through 2026, with an option for 2027. The Chicago Fire and Kellyn Acosta agreed to mutually terminate his contract, allowing him to reportedly join Pogon Szczecin in Poland. LAFC claimed winger Tyler Boyd off waivers as well.

Africa Cup of Nations Final Set

Senegal prevailed over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations yet again, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal in the 78th minute from Sadio Mane and booking a spot in the final. It was a rematch of the 2021 final between the two nations and another fun duel between former Liverpool teammates Mane and Mo Salah. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly will miss Sunday’s final due to yellow card accumulation.

Senegal will be joined in the final by Morocco, which beat Nigeria in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw. Yassine Bounou came up with two saves in the shootout to help Morocco come out on top, and the home crowd was a factor in the result as well according to Head Coach Walid Regragui. It should be a great final to cap off what has been an entertaining tournament so far.

Free Kicks

• This year’s NWSL Challenge Cup between the Kansas City Current and NJ/NY Gotham FC will reportedly take place in June at a neutral site.
• Real Madrid was eliminated from the Copa del Rey in the round of 16 after a 3-2 loss to Albacete of Spain’s second division. It’s not a great start for new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso.
• The Bundesliga season has reached its midpoint, and Bayern Munich remains undefeated after a 3-1 win over Cologne. Vincent Kompany’s team has scored a whopping 66 goals, a league record at the halfway point of the season.
• Burkina Faso sacked head coach Brama Traore and his assistant coaches following the nation’s performance at the Africa Cup of Nations. Burkina Faso fell in the round of 16 to the Ivory Coast and didn’t qualify for this year’s World Cup.
• Cameroonian Football Federation President Samuel Eto’o was suspended for four games and fined $20,000 for alleged misconduct during Cameroon’s loss to Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations.

That’s all I have for you all this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It has felt like the off-season has been in slow motion despite several signings. Recent developments make it feel like things are going to start speeding up. So keep your head up as the preseason is underway, and the season is just around the corner. For now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando Pride Name Caitlin Carducci VP & GM

The Orlando Pride hired Caitlin Carducci as the club’s new vice president of soccer operations and general manager. Carducci was most recently the general manager for the Kansas City Current. Like the recently departed Haley Carter, Carducci is proven commodity, having built trophy-winning teams. She has an impressive resume, having worked at multiple levels of soccer including with U.S. Soccer, the NWSL, and as an attorney and former compliance officer. This is a move that proves the commitment of the Wilf family regarding the Orlando Pride.

Muriel Exit Rumors Heat Up

It’s one of those things where everyone knows something is coming, but we still have to wait for it to actually happen (see Carlos Coronel). It’s a known secret that Orlando City and Luis Muriel want to mutually move on from each other, and now it looks like it might be happening. Of course, we don’t have anything confirmed by the club yet, but when Tom Bogert posts something like this, it’s usually a good indication.

USMNT News

Josh Sargent has been doing very well with Norwich City scoring 13, 16, and 15 goals for the Canaries in the last few seasons. Now, he may be on his way to MLS as Toronto FC is trying to bring him to North America for an $18 million fee. In other news, Timothy Weah spoke out about the costs of World Cup tickets being too high. It’s not exactly a hot take, but good on him for addressing the issue.

NWSL Notes

Now that the Orlando Pride have a new general manager, we eagerly await the new player signings. Until then, let’s check out other NWSL happenings. Seattle Reign FC signed head coach Laura Harvey to a new contract through the 2028 season. Angel City decided that having Emily Sams wasn’t enough, so the club signed rookie forward Riley Tiernan to a contract extension through the 2028 season. The disturbing trend of Brazilian players signing with clubs other than Orlando City continued, as Ludmila was traded by Chicago to the San Diego Wave for $800,000 in transfer fee funds and up to an additional $200,000 in conditional transfer fee. She signed a three-year contract with the club.

Free Kicks

• I think we may get the 2026 NWSL season schedule on Thursday, but I’m just speculating.

• Manchester United has signed former player Michael Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the season.
• FC Cincinnati signed forward Kristian Fletcher through the 2026 season with options through the 2027-2028 MLS season.
• If you’re feeling bad about what Orlando City is or is not doing this off-season, at least the Lions haven’t messed up like this:

• It’s called the City Beautiful for a reason.

• Orlando City had a special guest at training, as Brazilian legend Zico stopped by to visit.

That will do it for today. Check back with The Mane Land as there’s going to be plenty of news as the new seasons for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride get closer. Vamos Orlando!

Good morning, everyone! As strange (and soon) as it seems, we’ve now got day one of Orlando City’s preseason in the rearview mirror. The season opener will be here before we know it, but for now we’ve got a lot of things to talk through today. Let’s wish a happy birthday to OCSC goalkeeping coach Cesar Baena, and get started on today’s links!

Orlando City Begins Preseason Training

Things looked a little different than they did the last few years when Orlando City opened preseason training on Monday. The new faces include Maxime Crepeau, Braian Ojeda, and Tiago, but the team is more than ready to get to work despite the off-season changes. Oscar Pareja says the club has high expectations for the year and took a moment to acknowledge all the people at the club who helped make the Lions into a playoff staple over the last six seasons, saying, “We’re ready to keep pushing with this journey, and it looks different, for sure, because we have had those players who have been here for many years and have brought a long, big, big history here. So again, our respect to them, and we promise that we will keep pushing together, because the most important thing is the team.” Of the new signings, Luis Otavio was the only one not present at Monday’s training, while several Orlando City B players were training with the first team, with Justin Ellis, Titus Sandy Jr., and Juan Rojas among them.

OCB Adds Brazilian Striker

Not to be outshone by the senior side, Orlando City B got the week started on a strong note by announcing the signing of striker Pedro Leao from Flamengo’s U-20 team. Leao came up through Flamengo’s academy before making his debut for the U-20 team in August of 2024. He then proceeded to score 20 goals and provide six assists in over 3,000 minutes for the U-20 side, and helped it win the 2024-2025 iteration of the U-20 Intercontinental Cup. The striker was also called up three times to represent Brazil’s U-16 side, logging three assists across those friendly matches. Welcome to Orlando!

MLS Transfer Moves

With the beginning of the Major League Soccer season creeping closer and closer, teams are completing transfer business in every direction you look. We start with FC Cincinnati, which has signed free agent forward Tom Barlow on a contract that runs through the end of 2027. Continuing the theme of free agent signings, the New York Red Bulls have signed defender Robert Voloder, with the former Sporting Kansas City player joining on a deal that runs through the end of 2028. The Houston Dynamo signed midfielder Agustin Bouzat from Velez Sarsfield on a deal that runs through June 2028 and has an option through June 2029. Up north, 38-year-old Maxi Moralez is back yet again for New York City FC, as he has signed a new contract that runs through the 2026 season. Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Timo Werner as a Designated Player.

Americans in Midweek Action

As usual, a number of American players will be in action during the working week, so let’s take a look at some of the matchups. Things get going today when Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen travel to Hamburger SV in Bundesliga action. Gio Reyna, Joe Scally, and Borussia Monchengladbach hit the road to take on Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Wednesday, while Kevin Paredes and Wolfsburg host James Sands’ St. Pauli side in the same competition. Thursday has Christian Pulisic and AC Milan in a road tilt against Como in Serie A play, and the week finishes up Friday with Folarin Balogun and Monaco squaring off against Lorient in Ligue 1.

Free Kicks

• Check out some of the scenes from the first day of preseason training.

• Minnesota United has promoted Cameron Knowles to be its new head coach.
• United States Women’s National Team captain Lindsey Heaps has signed with Denver Summit FC.
• Utah Royals FC has traded the Washington Spirit $180,000 in Allocation Money for midfielder Narumi Miura.
• Xabi Alonso is no longer the coach of Real Madrid, with Alvaro Arbeloa announced as his successor.
• Paris FC eliminated Paris Saint-Germain from the Coupe de France.

That’s all I’ve got for today. Vamos Orlando!