Lion Links: 11/3/25

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy covering high school girls volleyball playoff games, and I also watched a 2026 U.S. Open Cup third-round qualifying matchup between Chicago House AC and Edgewater Castle FC over the weekend. Let’s wish a belated happy birthday to Orlando City B midfielder Noah Levis, who turned 18 Sunday. We have plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando Pride Draw Seattle Reign on Decision Day

The Orlando Pride drew the Seattle Reign 1-1 at Inter&Co Stadium Sunday as the team wrapped up its regular season. After a scoreless first half, Carson Pickett came off the bench and scored to put Orlando ahead. However, Jordyn Bugg equalized three minutes later for Seattle as the teams split the points. The Orlando Pride couldn’t hang onto the lead and finished fourth in the NWSL table with 40 points with the Reign sliding to fifth. The Pride’s next match will be in the 2025 NWSL playoffs, hosting the Seattle Reign for the second consecutive weekend. It will be the first postseason meeting between the two sides.

Alex Freeman Discusses Career and World Cup Ambitions

Orlando City defender Alex Freeman won the MLS Young Player of the Year Award last week. Freeman was interviewed by Goal.com and shared insight on his career and World Cup ambitions. It has been a stellar year for the 20-year-old defender, from making his first MLS start to debuting with the U.S. Men’s National Team against Turkey in June and earning an MLS All-Star appearance. Freeman discussed how crazy the last seven months have been for him, how grateful he is to have won the award, and striving to improve every day. He also shared insights on adjusting to Mauricio Pochettino’s system with the USMNT and how his confidence has grown, noting that winning the award will make him mature as a person and a player.

MLS Playoff Roundup

We are inching closer to closing out the first round of the 2025 MLS playoffs, and it has been filled with plenty of drama. Charlotte FC edged New York City FC 7-6 on penalties after a scoreless draw to stay alive in the postseason in the second match of the best-of-three, first-round series. Tai Baribo scored two goals as Philadelphia defeated the Chicago Fire 2-0 to help the Union close out the series and advance to the quarterfinals. Nashville SC bounced back in Game 2 with a 2-1 win over Inter Miami to extend that series to a third game. The Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas fought to a 1-1 draw, and the Whitecaps won 4-2 on penalties to secure the series victory and advance to the quarterfinals. The Portland Timbers defeated San Diego FC 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to force a third match as well. The Columbus Crew crushed FC Cincinnati 4-0 in Game 2 and even their series and force a third game. LAFC closed out Austin FC late Sunday. Today’s playoff match will feature the Seattle Sounders hosting Minnesota United.

NWSL Decision Day Recap

One playoff spot remained up for grabs entering Decision Day in the NWSL on Sunday. In other results across the National Women’s Soccer League Louisville defeated Bay FC 1-0 to jump up into the seventh spot. The North Carolina Courage edged NJ/NY Gotham FC 3-2, knocking Gotham into the No. 8 seed in the postseason while the Courage finished outside the playoff spots in ninth place. The Kansas City Current came from behind to defeat the San Diego Wave 2-1, the Chicago Stars beat Angel City 2-1, the Portland Thorns shut out the Houston Dash 2-0, and the Utah Royals edged the Washington Spirit 1-0. The other NWSL playoffs matches are set, with the Kansas City Current facing Gotham FC. Washington takes on Racing Louisville, and the Portland Thorns will battle the San Diego Wave.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City midfielder Gustavo Caraballo has been called up to the Venezuela U-17 Men’s National Team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. The tournament starts today, and Venezuela will face England Tuesday in its opening match.

• St. Louis City has reportedly reached an agreement to hire former CF Montreal executive Corey Wray as the club’s new sporting director.
• Columbus Crew Head Coach Wilfried Nancy is reportedly on the shortlist of candidates being considered to replace Brendan Rodgers as manager at Celtic.
• The United Soccer League has hired English Premier League Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes, who will leave his current role at the end of the Premier League season to become president of the new USL first-division men’s league.
• Wolves have fired manager Vítor Pereira after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham Saturday. Wolves are at the bottom of the Premier League table with only two points and are winless in 10 matches.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.