Lion Links: 11/4/25

Good morning, everyone. The Orlando Pride weren’t able to finish off their regular season with a victory, but there will be a chance to rectify that when the quarterfinals roll around on Friday. We’ve got a lot to talk over this morning, so let’s hop right into the links.

Pride Playoff Details

When it comes to the NWSL playoffs, we already knew that the Pride would be playing the Seattle Reign for the second game in a row after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw on Sunday. Now though, we’ve got the all important details about the Pride’s quarterfinal match. The game will take place at Inter&Co Stadium this Friday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. with the match being shone on Prime Video. Should the Pride win on Friday, they would play either the top-seeded Kansas City Current, or eighth-seeded Gotham FC, with the match taking place on either Nov. 15 or Nov. 16.

Barbra Banda Honored

The Pride’s Barbra Banda has been honored with a place in the FIFPRO Women’s World XI. The World XI is voted for exclusively by players, meaning that Banda’s colleagues rightfully hold her in very high esteem. This is the first year that two African players are represented in the team, with Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak also in the side. Banda is the only player who plays for a team in the NWSL. The men’s team sees Paris Saint-Germain extremely well represented, with Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, and Ousmane Dembele all selected, with the addition of former PSG player Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is now at Manchester City.

Americans in Midweek Action

A number of Americans will be playing games during the working week, with the UEFA Champions League and Yank-on-Yank violence taking center stage. Today has Weston McKennie and Juventus hosting Sporting Lisbon in the UCL, while Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest, and PSV Eindhoven travel to Olympiacos in the continental competition. Wednesday sees Yunus Musah and Atalanta travel to face Tim Weah’s Marseille side in the Champions League, while Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen play Benfica. Thursday then has Tanner Tessman and Lyon playing Real Betis in the Europa League, while Chris Richards and Crystal Palace take on AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

Transfer season never really stops, and that means we’ve got some rumors to catch up on. We start with Harry Kane, who is said to be considering a summer move to Barcelona amid some uncertainty over his contract situation with Bayern Munich. Speaking of Barcelona, the Spanish club reportedly wants to make Marcus Rashford’s loan spell permanent but has asked the forward to take a pay cut from his steep Manchester United wages in order to make it happen. Napoli has reportedly renewed interest in current United player Kobbie Mainoo, after Kevin de Bruyne suffered an injury that will sideline him for the foreseeable future. Not to be outdone, Roma is said to be interested in signing Joshua Zirkzee from the Red Devils after he has struggled for form and playing time since signing from Bologna.

Free Kicks

• We’ve got some information about where the NWSL’s expansion sides will play their first home games.

• Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair has been named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
• Sunderland rallied to draw with Everton and kept a place in the Premier League’s top four.
• Ex- United States Women’s National Team coach Pia Sundhage has been relieved of her position coaching the Switzerland women’s national team.

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