Lion Links: 9/5/25

Happy Friday! I hope you all have been enjoying the international soccer games across the globe while Orlando City and Orlando City B take a break. On top of the friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, there’s Orlando Pride soccer to look forward to this weekend. Let’s get to the links!

Keeping Up With the Lions Playing Abroad

There were eight first-team Orlando City players called up for international duty. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese started in goal for Peru, which lost 3-0 to Uruguay and was eliminated from World Cup contention. Tyrese Spicer was called up for Trinidad & Tobago’s World Cup qualifiers against Curacao tonight and Jamaica on Tuesday. We may also get to see some Lions play in UEFA qualifiers today, as David Brekalo was called up by Slovenia and Marco Pasalic by Croatia. We’ll see if right back Alex Freeman will receive some minutes for the United States Men’s National Team in its two friendlies as well.

As for the team’s younger players, Gustavo Caraballo is tearing it up with the U-17 Venezuelan National Team, and both Colin Guske and Justin Ellis are at the U.S. U-19 team’s training camp. A pair of academy players were also called up, with Jacob Ramirez at a U.S. U-17 training camp and Dylan Judelson with Canada’s U-17 team for a few friendlies

Orlando Pride Face the Chicago Stars on Sunday

The Orlando Pride are back in action on Sunday with a road match against the Chicago Stars. These two teams last squared off in the season opener on March 14, with the Pride winning 6-0. Plenty has changed since then though, as the Pride are currently winless over six straight league games, while the Stars have orchestrated comeback draws in their past five games. Ludmila, who was named NWSL Player of the Month for August after scoring five goals, has been a revelation for Chicago, and the Pride will need to find a way to keep her in check.

Orlando City Academy Players Commit to Collegiate Soccer

Orlando City announced where six OCSC Academy prospects will be playing collegiate soccer this season. Forward Jake Basinet was the top scorer in the most recent MLS NEXT season and has committed to Clemson. Left back Tyler Bush is headed to West Virginia, while Brazilian forward Theo Franca will ply his trade at Saint Louis University. Striker Diego Colon will return to his home state of New York, deciding to join Long Island University in Brooklyn. Goalkeeper TJ Jeffreys is headed to the Ivy League, joining Dartmouth after four years with Orlando’s academy. Omar Robbana, who was recently invited to Canada’s U-18 team, will head to the reigning NCAA national champion University of Vermont. Best of luck, guys!

Analyzing Korea Republic Ahead of USMNT Friendly

The United States Men’s National Team will face Korea Republic on Saturday and the folks over at Stars and Stripes FC dove into what to expect from the opposition for this friendly. While most attention will be on star forward Son Heung-min, there are other players to keep an eye out for as well. The defense is anchored by Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae, and Ulsan HD goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who was the K League’s MVP last year, likely won’t make things easy for the USMNT. Midfielder Lee Jae-sung had seven goals and eight assists for Mainz last season, and Paris-Saint Germain’s Lee Kang-in is gifted at creating scoring opportunities. It will be interesting to see who starts up top between forwards Oh Se-hun and Oh Hyeon-gyu and if they’ll capitalize on this opportunity.

Free Kicks

• Chelsea and Angel City FC have reportedly reached an agreement for 20-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson to join Chelsea for a $1.3 million transfer fee. Thompson will reportedly sign a five-year deal with the English club.
• The London City Lionesses have reportedly agreed to sign midfielder Grace Geyoro from PSG for a transfer fee that would break the record just set by the Orlando Pride signing Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle.
• Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez apologized for his behavior following his team’s loss to the Seattle Sounders. It’s the latest incident in a recurrent pattern of incredibly unsportsmanlike conduct with years of history behind it. But hey, at least he says he regrets it.
• After 24 years in the position, Daniel Levy has stepped down as Tottenham’s executive chairman.
• For the first time ever, Germany lost an away game in World Cup qualifying after being beaten 2-0 by Slovakia. Spain and Belgium enjoyed comfortable wins, but the Netherlands was held to a 1-1 draw with Poland.

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