Lion Links: 7/25/25

Happy Friday! Both Orlando City and Orlando City B are in action tonight, so we’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to ways to spend the evening. Marta and Angelina may also take the field for Brazil today as group play wraps up in the Copa America Femenina. Let’s go ahead and jump into today’s links!

Orlando City Takes On the Columbus Crew Tonight

The Lions are away from home and on the hunt for three points ahead of their match against the Columbus Crew at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Martin Ojeda has had a goal contribution in nine consecutive games and his next one will break the club record of 22 set by Nani in 2019. The Argentine attacker is also tied with Kaká for the fifth-most goals in club history with 25. The Lions have lost their past three matches against the Crew, but hopefully they can get the job done on the road tonight.

Barbra Banda’s NWSL MVP Chances

Analyst and former Pride midfielder Lianne Sanderson dove into the contenders of this year’s NWSL MVP race and Orlando forward Barbra Banda is in the thick of it. She has eight goals so far this season and scored the club’s first hat trick on May 23.

“Banda hasn’t skipped a beat from last season,” Sanderson said. “Yes, mathematically she’s scoring less goals, but still effective. She’s a threat and always has an answer, even when teams feel they have worked her out. They haven’t. She’s a constant threat.”

Banda faces stiff competition from last year’s MVP Temwa Chawinga and Golden Boot leader Esther Gonzalez. Chawinga also has eight goals this season, while Gonzalez has scored 10 and has shown no signs of slowing down if her Women’s European Championship form is anything to go by.

Keeping Up With MLS Transfer News

The MLS summer transfer window is open and there’s plenty to catch up on while we wait to see if Orlando will end up doing anything notable. Defensive midfielder Mateusz Klich is no longer with Atlanta United after being waived, opening an international roster spot for the club. Austin FC bolstered its defense by adding Mateja Djordjevic as an MLS U22 Initiative Player from Serbian club FK TSC Backa Topola. St. Louis City FC transferred midfielder Njabulo Blom to Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC in Vietnam. FC Dallas acquired former academy player Christian Cappis from Viking FK in Norway’s top flight, sending $200,000 in General Allocation Money to the Houston Dynamo for the right of first refusal.

Chris Mueller Will Miss Remainder of MLS Season

Former Lion Chris Mueller was placed on the season-ending injury list after announcing that he’s been dealing with pericarditis this year. Pericarditis is a cardiac tissue disorder that can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations and Mueller has not been able to fully train this season. It’s the latest in a string of injuries that Mueller has had to battle with since returning to MLS by joining the Chicago Fire in 2022. We wish him a smooth and healthy recovery as he works his way back to full fitness.

Free Kicks

• The San Diego Wave signed 20-year-old forward Dudinha to a contract through 2027, making her the club’s first Brazilian player. Dudinha joins after scoring 14 goals for Sao Paulo FC across 65 appearances.
• New York City FC will be without its captain for a while, as center back Thiago Martins underwent knee surgery and could miss four to six weeks.
• Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas officially joined Pumas and we’ll see if he’s in net for the Mexican club when it plays against Orlando City on Wednesday in the Leagues Cup.
• Wrexham signed former LAFC midfielder Lewis O’Brien from Nottingham Forest, inking him to a three-year deal.
• FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham reiterated the association’s commitment to Sarina Wiegman, who has led England back to the finals of the Euros this summer.

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