Lion Links: 9/8/25

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work. The Orlando Pride were the only team from the club in action over the weekend, but we also had some Lions in action abroad during the international break. We have plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions on International Duty

Multiple Lions were in action over the weekend for their national teams. Orlando City defender David Brekalo was on the bench for Slovenia’s 2-2 draw against Sweden Friday in UEFA World Cup qualifying. Slovenia will face Switzerland later today. Orlando City forward Marco Pasalic came off the bench late in the second half and played 10 minutes in his country’s 1-0 victory over the Faroe Islands Friday. Croatia will take on Montenegro later today. Orlando City midfielder Tyrese Spicer started for Trinidad & Tobago and played 90 minutes in a scoreless draw against Curacao Friday. Trinidad & Tobago will face Jamaica on Tuesday. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s Peru side, which lost to Uruguay last week, is already eliminated from World Cup contention but will face Paraguay Tuesday.

Orlando Pride Winless Skid Continues with Defeat to Chicago Stars

The Orlando Pride fell 5-2 to the Chicago Stars on the road Sunday at Martin Stadium at Northwestern University. After a scoreless first half, Sam Staab scored the opener for the Stars on a free kick. Although Carson Pickett equalized a few minutes later for Orlando, the Stars scored three straight goals to take a 4-1 lead. The Pride’s Haley McCutcheon pulled one of those goals back, but the Stars added one more to seal only their second win of the season. The Pride snapped their four-match goalless run in NWSL play, but their league winless streak extended to seven matches — the longest such run since 2019. With that defeat, the Pride are only two points ahead of Racing Louisville, which sits eighth in the table and holds the final playoff spot. The Pride return home Saturday to face Bay FC.

USMNT Falls to South Korea in Friendly

The U.S. Men’s National Team fell 2-0 to South Korea Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in an international friendly. Orlando City defender Alex Freeman came off the bench in the second half and played 28 minutes. Son Heung-Min scored the opener, and Lee Dong-Gyeong added another in the first half for South Korea. Despite the return of Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, and Sergino Dest to the squad, it was the second time this year the USMNT has lost back-to-back matches. It is also the sixth home loss for the Americans in 2025. Weah left the pitch in the second half due to injury, and Josh Sargent’s goalless streak for the U.S. continues at 17 matches as he hasn’t scored a goal for the Stars & Stripes since 2019. The U.S. will face Japan Tuesday in Columbus.

Suarez, Busquets Handed Suspensions for Leagues Cup Post-Final Brawl

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez and midfielder Sergio Busquets were given suspensions by the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee Friday following their actions after a post-match brawl in Miami’s loss to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 31. Suarez was handed a six-game suspension after spitting on a Sounders staff member. Busquets received a two-match suspension after he threw a punch at Seattle defender Obed Vargas. Miami defender Tomas Aviles also received a three-match suspension for violent conduct, while Sounders coaching staff member Steven Lenhart received a five-match suspension. The suspensions only apply to the Leagues Cup tournament, and Major League Soccer has not announced if there will be any additional suspensions from the brawl.

Free Kicks

• Sunday marked the third anniversary of your beloved Lions winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy.

• Orlando City is reportedly one of eight MLS clubs that will receive a throwback kit for the 2026 season.
• Barcelona will reportedly not renew the contract of forward Robert Lewandowski.

• The U.S. Soccer Federation announced Saturday that the U.S. Men’s National Team will play two friendlies in November against Paraguay on Nov. 15 in Philadelphia and vs. Uruguay on Nov. 18 in Tampa.
• Memphis Depay scored two goals for the Netherlands in the team’s 3-2 win against Lithuania in a UEFA World Cup Qualifying match Sunday and became the country’s all-time leading goal scorer, recording his 51st international goal and passing Robin van Persie.

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