Lion Links: 9/1/25

Hello, Mane Landers, and happy Labor Day! I hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend. I’ve been busy at work, but I tried to catch some soccer matches to watch over the weekend. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando Pride forward Julie Doyle, who turned 27 Saturday. We have plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Fall to LA Galaxy in Leagues Cup Third-Place Match

Orlando City fell 2-1 to the LA Galaxy Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park in the third-place match of the Leagues Cup. Marco Reus scored the opening goal for the LA Galaxy early in the first half. In the second half, Martin Ojeda equalized for Orlando, but Joseph Paintsil buried the game-winner moments later. The Lions finished fourth in the Leagues Cup, missing out on qualifying for the Concacaf Champions Cup, and they are winless in their last four matches across all competitions. The Lions are off this week due to the international break. Orlando City’s next match will be on the road at D.C. United on Sept. 13.

Reports: Ramiro Enrique Headed to Al-Kholood

According to Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport, Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood is reportedly finalizing a transfer offer to sign Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique. He was not in uniform Sunday night in Los Angeles for the Lions’ Leagues Cup game.

Another report states that a verbal agreement has been reached, and Enrique has left the club for a transfer fee reportedly around $3 million on a three-year contract. However, Orlando City has not officially confirmed the deal. The summer transfer window for the Saudi Pro League closes on Sept. 10.

Pride Winless Streak Continues with Defeat to NJ/NY Gotham FC

The Orlando Pride fell 2-0 to NJ/NY Gotham FC Friday at Inter&Co Stadium. Esther Gonzalez and Jaelin Howell scored for Gotham FC in the first half as the Pride continue to struggle. The Pride’s winless streak has reached six matches, and the team hasn’t won since the summer break ended. Despite their recent form, the Pride remain in fourth in the NWSL table with 28 points. The Pride will be back in action in their first-ever Concacaf W Champions Cup match Tuesday night against LD Alauelense at home.

Orlando Pride Signs Elyse Bennett to Short-Term Contract

The Orlando Pride announced Sunday that the club has signed forward Elyse Bennett to a short-term contract through the rest of the 2025 season. Bennett was a free agent and had most recently played for Deportivo de La Coruna in Spain, where she played nine matches and scored one goal. The forward previously played in the NWSL for the Kansas City Current, Seattle Reign, and San Diego Wave, making 56 league appearances and scoring five goals. In another roster move by the club, the Pride acquired $10,000 in intra-league transfer fee funds from the Utah Royals in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot.

OCB Beats Crown Legacy at the Death

Orlando City B defeated Crown Legacy FC 1-0 Sunday night at Osceola County Stadium deep in stoppage time. After a scoreless first half, the match went down to the wire. Late in stoppage time, Thalles scored the game-winning goal for the Young Lions. It’s the second consecutive match the Young Lions needed a last-minute goal to pull out a win and take three points. OCB has won two matches in a row and has moved to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings with 33 points. OCB’s next match will be on the road, taking on Inter Miami II on Sept. 14.

Free Kicks

• Minnesota United announced Friday that the club has transferred forward Tani Oluwaseyi to La Liga side Villarreal for a club record fee.
• Josh Sargent and Haji Wright continued their stellar form for Norwich City and Coventry City, respectively, in the EFL Championship Saturday. Sargent scored twice as Norwich City beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0, while Wright scored his fifth goal across all competitions for Coventry City in a 2-2 draw against Oxford United.

• Wrexham celebrated its first win in the EFL Championship in 43 years, defeating Millwall 2-0 Saturday.

• Fenerbahçe has fired manager Jose Mourinho after his side failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League following a 1-0 defeat to Benfica on aggregate last week in the playoff round.
• Liverpool has reportedly reached an agreement with Newcastle United to sign forward Alexander Isak for a Premier League record $170 million transfer fee.
• The Seattle Sounders defeated Inter Miami 3-0 to win the Leagues Cup, earning a bye into the Round of 16 in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

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