Lion Links: 9/26/25

Happy Friday! It’s the start of another three straight days of Orlando soccer, with a late Orlando Pride game tonight for those of us on the East Coast. Then we have Orlando City B in action tomorrow before Orlando City takes the field on Sunday. All three games are on the road, so make sure to lock down a weekend’s worth of snacks in advance. Let’s dive into today’s links!

Orlando City Gets Ready for FC Cincinnati

The Lions will look to lock up a playoff spot when they take on FC Cincinnati on Sunday at TQL Stadium in one of the league’s most exciting matches this weekend. The match will pit two MVP dark horses against one another, as Orlando’s Martin Ojeda and Cincinnati’s Evander both have 30 goal contributions so far this season. Orlando can clinch a spot in the postseason with a win, but can also qualify if the New York Red Bulls lose or draw their rivalry game against New York City FC on Saturday.

Orlando Pride Take On the San Diego Wave Tonight

The Orlando Pride are on the road in California for tonight’s match against the San Diego Wave at 10:30 p.m. For as dire as things have become for the Pride since the international break, only two points separate them from third-place NJ/NY Gotham FC. The Wave are having similar struggles as the Pride in recent weeks, only scoring one goal over their past five games.

While it may be too early to start rooting for specific results across the league as the Pride fight for a playoff spot, there are still other games this weekend worth keeping an eye on. The Washington Spirit would become the second team to clinch a playoff spot if they beat a Houston Dash team currently three points behind the Pride in ninth. Saturday’s match between two playoff hopefuls in Racing Louisville and Angel City FC should also be a good game.

Israel May Be Suspended From International Play

UEFA is reportedly moving towards a vote to suspend Israeli teams from international play due to the war in Gaza, with a majority of UEFA’s executive committee expected to vote in favor of the suspension. If that comes to pass, it means Israel would not take part in next summer’s World Cup. A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department stated that it would stop any efforts to ban Israel from the World Cup. Israel is currently tied with Italy in its World Cup qualifying group with nine points but in third for the time being due to goal differential. Israel will play Norway and Italy in next month’s qualifying matches.

UEFA Europa League Roundup

The first round of matches in the Europa League’s league phase wrapped up and the games have been fairly close affairs so far. Aston Villa won 1-0 at home against Bologna, holding on for all three points in part due to a great save by Marco Bizot in stoppage time. Olivier Giroud came on as a substitute and scored the winner in Lille’s 2-1 win over SK Brann. While 19-year-old William Gomes scored a great goal in stoppage time to give Porta a 1-0 win against RB Salzburg, American midfielder Tanner Tessmann’s screamer in Lyon’s 1-0 victory over Utrecht takes the cake for the best of the day.

Free Kicks

• The Pride fell to 10th in All For XI‘s NWSL power rankings after their loss to the North Carolina Courage last weekend.
• Chicago’s city council approved the Chicago Fire’s new stadium, with construction set to start next year.

• Here are the trio of mascots for the 2026 World Cup, with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico each being represented by a fitting animal. I feel like Clutch gets a clear advantage over the other two if allowed to fly in games.

• Defender William Saliba, who joined Arsenal when he was 18 years old, has reportedly signed a new five-year contract with the English club.

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