Lion Links: 8/20/25

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It is also match day as Orlando City takes on Liga MX squad Deportivo Toluca FC in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal bout. It’s going to be a late one as the match is being played in California for…reasons? If you stay up you can follow the match on The Mane Land’s Bluesky account. Before we get started, let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando City Assistant Coach Martin Perelman. Now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City vs. Toluca FC

As I mentioned above, Orlando City are at Dignity Health Sports Park to take on Deportivo Toluca FC in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal match. It’s win or go home as the Lions look to defeat Los Diablo Rojos. Toluca took at least two points from every group stage match, defeating the Columbus Crew on penalties after a 2-2 draw, before taking care of CF Montreal, and New York City FC. Much like Orlando City, Toluca has a lot of offensive firepower. That isn’t fazing Oscar Pareja, as he thinks his team is also one of the best in the competition. For more, you can listen to our preview on The Mane Land PawedCast.

Orlando Pride Abide

While we’re waiting to hear news that Barbra Banda is hopefully recovering from her injury sustained in the match against the Kansas City Current, and also the hopefully eminent signing of Lizbeth Ovalle, we can take solace knowing that the Pride were able to stand pat in the various power rankings thanks to their hearty defense effort on Saturday. The ESPN.com rankings had the Pride at No. 3, as did the Goal.com rankings, and the SI.com rankings had the club at No. 2. Let’s hope there’s not another heat delay a few weeks from now when the Pride visit the Chicago Stars.

Leagues Cup Resumes

Orlando City isn’t the only team resuming Leagues Cup competition. The LA Galaxy are treating the competition as their playoffs and will play CF Pachuca tonight. That match will immediately follow the Orlando City match at Dignity Health Sports Park. Inter Miami will face our old Liga MX friends, Tigres. It will be the first time I root for Tigres. The Seattle Sounders will look to keep their winning record against Club Puebla.

Transfer and Signings Roundup

The transfer of Drake Callender from Inter Miami to Charlotte FC is finally official. Inter Miami receives $750,000 in General Allocation Money, presumably to help pay for one of the eight Designated Players on the team. Elsewhere, FC Cincinnati acquired midfielder Samuel Gidi from Slovakian top-flight side MŠK Žilina, and the New York Red Bulls acquired forward Andy Rojas from Costa Rican top-flight side C.S. Herediano. Going in the opposite direction, St. Louis City SC transferred winger Xande Silva to Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Tel Aviv FC.

On the signings front, the Portland Timbers signed attacking midfielder Matías Rojas for the remainder of the 2025 season. FC Cincinnati wasn’t done, having reportedly re-signed center back Miles Robinson to a new deal guaranteed through 2027 with an option 2028.

Additionally, the Colorado Rapids are reportedly bringing Paxten Aaronson back to the United States to play.

Free Kicks:

• Orlando City might only be in fourth place in the official MLS standings, but the Lions have climbed to the No. 2 spot in MLSsoccer.com’s power rankings.
• If you’re curious about the historical data surrounding big name players “retiring” to MLS, look no further. Just don’t expect to find Kaká or Nani in this article (but you do get Luis Muriel).
• The USWNT 85ers will be honored with a limited jersey collection sale. The jersey was designed by all 17 of the original players.
• The Under-17 U.S. Women’s National Team will play a pair of international friendlies against Spain in August at Stadi Olímpic Camilo Cano in Alicante, Spain.

That will do it for today. Check back for our coverage of tonight’s match. Vamos Orlando!