Lion Links: 9/19/25

Happy Friday! Today is the first of three straight days of Orlando soccer games to look forward to this weekend. All three games are also at home, so go out and support the teams if you can. They can use any help they can get at this point. Let’s jump right into today’s links!

Storylines Ahead of Orlando City vs. Nashville SC

The Lions are back in action on Saturday with a tough matchup against Nashville SC. There are playoff implications for this Eastern Conference matchup, as Orlando can clinch a spot in the postseason with a win and a loss or draw by the New York Red Bulls against CF Montreal. A goal or an assist on Saturday would give Martin Ojeda a club career record 73 goal contributions across all competitions for Orlando. It will be interesting to see how much, if any, rotation Nashville makes to its roster for this match, as it won its U.S. Open Cup semifinal earlier this week. MLS Golden Boot leader Sam Surridge had a hat trick in that game and Orlando’s defense will need to find a way to keep him in check.

Record Crowd Expected For Orlando Pride Match

The Orlando Pride host the North Carolina Courage tonight at 8 p.m. and a record crowd is expected for the game according to the club. It’s a huge home game for the Pride and attendance is expected to surpass the record of 19,237 set in this season’s opener, a 6-0 win over the Chicago Stars. It’s also 90s night at Inter&Co Stadium, so feel free to whip out the neon windbreakers, bucket hats, and chunkiest sneakers in your closet. Season ticket members and supporter section ticket holders will receive a complimentary Heineken or water as well, so be sure to check the details on that if applicable.

Boston Legacy FC Secures Funding for Stadium Plans

NWSL expansion club Boston Legacy FC landed over $100 million in financing through a loan with Bank of America for development of White Stadium in Franklin Park. Getting its stadium situation squared away has been one of the biggest hurdles for the Legacy so far, and the next phase of construction will start in November. The Legacy will play at Gillette Stadium during its inaugural year in 2026 and then move to White Stadium for the 2027 season.

USMNT Falls in Latest FIFA Rankings

Although a 2-0 win over Japan helped stabilize things, the United States Men’s National Team dropped a spot to 16th in the latest FIFA rankings. Losses to Mexico and Korea Republic didn’t tank the USMNT’s score, but still allowed Uruguay to jump above the Yanks. Mexico also fell a spot to 14th, while Canada climbed two spots to 26th, its highest ever.

Spain moved to the top spot in the rankings for the first time since 2014, with France moving ahead of Argentina by a slim margin to claim second. Germany slipped three spots to 12th following its 2-0 loss to Slovakia, which jumped up 10 spots to 42nd.

Free Kicks

• Enjoy watching right back Alex Freeman unveil his ratings in the new EA Sports FC game, complete with the other Lions weighing in like it’s an episode of “The Price is Right.”

• The Seattle Sounders signed defender Reed Baker-Whiting to a contract extension through 2028 and he’ll be an MLS U22 Initiative player. The 20-year-old has had a heck of a year, starting in the Leagues Cup final win over Inter Miami and against Atletico Madrid at the Club World Cup.
• Coached by former Pride head coach Marc Skinner, Manchester United secured a spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time, thanks to a hat trick by Elisabeth Terland in a 3-0 win over SK Brann of Norway.
• Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas reportedly turned down an offer to leave Barcelona and join Paris Saint-Germain. The French club was willing to execute the $1.2 million release clause on her contract, but it looks like she’ll be sticking around in Barcelona for now.
• Jose Mourinho will officially coach in his home country of Portugal again after being named Benfica’s next manager. Naturally, Benfica’s next Champions League match will be against Chelsea on Sept. 30.

That’s all I have for you all this time around. If you’re heading to any games this weekend, be safe, be loud, and have plenty of fun. Go Orlando!