Lion Links: 10/23/25

Well, at least Orlando City can’t disappoint us anymore this month. After making the Eastern Conference final last year, the Lions have bowed out of the playoffs in the earliest round of action. The Orlando Pride are now the last team standing within the club this year. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City’s Season Ends in Chicago

Orlando City was beaten 3-1 by the Chicago Fire in the wild card round of the MLS playoffs and it could have been worse than that. It was a sloppy game by Orlando and the Chicago Fire took full advantage, scoring three times in the second half. The Lions scored late to avoid a shutout, but it wasn’t enough to claw back for a needed result, and they have already been eliminated from the postseason. Injuries have played a role in things, but it’s been a rough past few weeks for the Lions to say the least. Attention will now turn to the off-season and it will be interesting to see which players will still be on the team next year.

Best NWSL Teams of All Time Ranked

ESPN‘s Jeff Kassouf ranked the top 10 teams in NWSL history and last year’s Orlando Pride team curiously placed third on the list despite shattering numerous league records, including win streak, unbeaten streak, and shutout streak. It was a record-breaking season for the Pride that included a remarkable 23-game unbeaten streak and winning both the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. I personally think the Pride should top the list. considering 2024’s Washington Spirit, Kansas City Current, and NJ/NY Gotham FC all made it as well. Instead, first place goes to the 2018 North Carolina Courage team that only lost one game across all competitions that year. Fair.

USWNT Takes On Portugal Tonight

The United States Women’s National Team will play Portugal tonight at 7 p.m. in the first of three friendlies this month. The U.S. has won 10 of the past 11 meetings between the two nations, but the last time they squared off resulted in a 0-0 draw at the 2023 World Cup. Players who play in Europe, like Lindsey Heaps, Emily Fox, and Lily Yohannes, notably return to the fold after not being called up for the summer’s friendlies. Trinity Rodman is unfortunately out due to injury, while Lo’eau LaBonta was called up to replace injured midfielder Sam Meza. The USWNT will play Portugal again on Sunday before a friendly against New Zealand on Oct. 29.

UEFA Champions League Roundup

The third round of matches in the UEFA Champions League’s league phase wrapped up and the big clubs are taking care of business for the most part. Chelsea scored all five of its goals in the first half of its 5-1 win over Ajax. Liverpool also won 5-1, scoring three times in the first 10 minutes to beat Eintracht Frankfurt. Elsewhere across Europe, Real Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jude Bellingham, Bayern Munich cruised past Club Brugge in a 4-0 home win, and Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario did well in a 0-0 draw against Monaco.

Free Kicks

• Pride forward Barbra Banda isn’t able to play in Zambia’s upcoming friendlies against Namibia due to her injury, but she’s making her support for the Copper Queens known.

• The Houston Dynamo announced their end-of-season roster decisions and they declined the contract options for former Lions Junior Urso and Michael Halliday.
• The Seattle Sounders will be without Designated Player Pedro de la Vega for the playoffs after he underwent knee surgery for an injury sustained on Decision Day.
• Nottingham Forest’s match against Porto highlights what should be a good round of matches in the Europa League this week.

That’s all I have for you this time around, Mane Landers. Treat yourself to something nice today, we could all use a bit of a boost after Orlando’s exit from the playoffs. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!