Lion Links: 10/15/25

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Seven years ago today, Kaká played his final match for Orlando City in a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew. Hopefully, the Orlando Pride will fare better than that in the match against Pachuca tonight. I’m willing to stay up a little late for wins, but that’s all. For now, let’s get to the links.

MLS Decision Day Approaches

Orlando City’s loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps means the Lions will likely need a victory to avoid the playoff play-in match. The three other clubs vying for spots six through nine are Nashville SC, the Chicago Fire, and the Columbus Crew. Not having an extra playoff match to potentially lose is important. There is at least one former Orlando City player who thinks the Lions can make a deep run. I appreciate Tesho Akindele’s positivity.

Pride Face Pachuca for Champions Cup Semifinals Spot

The Orlando Pride play CF Pachuca Femenil in their final group stage match of the Concacaf W Champions Cup tonight at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride need a win to advance to the next stage since Pachuca holds the goal difference tiebreaker. It will be interesting to see how Seb Hines approaches this game with the match coming up against the Washington Spirit on Saturday. There will likely be squad rotation, but how much and which players will be important. You can hear our thoughts about the challenges on the latest SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride Podcast. Look for that post later this morning, but if you subscribe, it should already be in your phone or whatever other device you catch your pods on.

Freeman Helps USMNT Defeat Australia

Orlando City fullback Alex Freeman started and played well for the USMNT in the Yanks’ 2-1 win over Australia. It was Haji Wright’s brace that was the difference for the Yanks, with both set up by outstanding assists from Cristian Roldan. Freeman was tangentially involved in the winning goal, earning a free kick in his own half and setting the ball up for Roldan to send over the top for Wright. There was a scary moment late when Freeman went down after a big collision, but he continued after being checked by the training staff. The U.S. wins and Freeman is headed home uninjured. Mission accomplished.

Spicer Scores for T&T

Tyrese Spicer got the start for Trinidad & Tobago against Curacao on the road Tuesday night, scoring the equalizer in the 1-1 draw. The speedy winger ran onto a loose ball in the penalty area and blasted it into the net with his left foot. I hope this is a preview of what he does against his former team, Toronto FC, when the Lions visit the Reds on Saturday evening in the season finale.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride are third in the standings and have also risen to the third in Goal.com’s power rankings.
• Atlanta United and former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan has announced his retirement from professional football. Guzan will hang up his boots following Atlanta’s final match this weekend.

• I know that there are people who like Diet Coke, but breaking into a stadium to steal one is a little much.
• Long Island FC is joining MLS NEXT Pro. The club will begin playing in 2027 in a new stadium in Uniondale, NY. See, New York City FC? It doesn’t take 10 years.

That will do it for today. Check back for our coverage of the Pride’s match tonight and the upcoming matches for both the Pride and Orlando City this weekend. Vamos Orlando!