Lion Links: 9/23/25

Good morning, everyone. It was a mixed bag for Orlando’s soccer teams over the weekend. Orlando City picked up a last-gasp win, but the Orlando Pride and Orlando City B both lost 1-0. This weekend will be another busy one, as the Pride play the San Diego Wave on Friday, OCB faces Carolina Core FC on Saturday, and OCSC travels to FC Cincinnati on Sunday.

Before we get started, we need to wish Wilder Cartagena a happy birthday, and we’re also celebrating The Mane Land’s 11-year anniversary! Our first story published 11 years ago today on our original free WordPress site. There’s plenty of news to talk through this morning though, so lets get into the links.

Martin Ojeda Recognized

Martin Ojeda played a starring role in Orlando’s 3-2 win over Nashville SC on Saturday, and the Lions’ no. 10 has been rewarded with a place in the MLS Team of the Week. Ojeda bagged two goals and arguably could have had two more in a supremely impactful performance. He was easily my pick for Man of the Match in our Player Grades piece, but it’s always good to see OCSC players get wider recognition. If that wasn’t enough, his free kick goal was also nominated for the MLS Goal of the Week. Congrats, and keep up the good work!

Americans in Midweek Action

As is always the case this time of year, we have a number of American players who will be competing during the working week. The theme of this week is cup competitions, and things start today with Antonee Robinson and Fulham playing Cambridge in the Carabao Cup, while Christian Pulisic and AC Milan face Lecce in the Coppa Italia. Wednesday has Gianluca Busio and Venezia traveling to Verona in the aforementioned Coppa Italia, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic kick off their Europa League campaign against Red Star Belgrade. Tanner Tessman and Lyon have Utretcht in the Europa League on Thursday, and things finish up with Tim Weah and Marseille facing Strasbourg in Ligue 1 play on Friday.

MLS Matchday 35 Takeaways

MLS matchday 35 is in the books, so what did we learn from the latest round of games? For one thing, Matt Freese played a big role in putting an end to Charlotte FC’s winning streak when he saved a Wilfried Zaha penalty kick. Farther west, Denis Bouanga became the first player in league history to score at least 20 goals in three straight seasons, which is a damn impressive stat. He and Son Heung-Min have LAFC at fourth in the Western Conference with 50 points, but with two games in hand on two of the teams above them, the team has a great chance to rise farther up the standings. Finally, FC Dallas has quietly put together a six-game unbeaten run since selling Luciano Acosta in August. It now sits in the West’s last playoff spot, and the shift to absorbing pressure and hitting on the counter since Acosta’s departure is a big reason why.

Ballon d’Or Results

The Ballon d’Or results were announced on Monday, so let’s run through the day’s big winners. Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele took home the honors on the men’s side, with Lamine Yamal of Barcelona finishing second. Yamal did, however, win the Kopa Trophy as the best player under the age of 21. For the women, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won the award for the third year in a row and joined Michel Platini and Lionel Messi as the only players in history to three-peat. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hannah Hampton were named the best men’s and women’s goalkeepers, respectfully, while Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman were named the year’s best coaches.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City rose three spots to eighth place in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
• Meanwhile the Orlando Pride haven’t won a league game in nine tries, and they dropped two spots to seventh in the same publication’s NWSL power rankings as a result.
• Get yourself out to Mount Dora later today for a couple of Orlando Pride player appearances!

• There will be some faces from the Lions in attendance as well!

• Learn more about David Wheeler — the former player who is studying to become a sports psychologist.
• Vinicius’ reduced role under new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has led to rumors that his future as a Real Madrid player could be in doubt.

That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!