Lion Links: 11/12/25

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! I hope you’ve enjoyed our Orlando City Season in Review pieces because we’re almost done with them. Fortunately, the Orlando Pride aren’t finished yet, so you’ll have to wait for the Pride Season in Review pieces. For now, let’s get to the links.

Pride Playoff Picture

The Orlando Pride will host Gotham FC Sunday with a chance to advance to the NWSL Championship match. The defending champs aren’t at the top of anyone’s list to win the whole thing, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a chance. We know for sure that the Pride have a better chance of winning back-to-back titles than the Kansas City Current have of winning the double (because they’re already eliminated). Having the Pride in the NWSL Championship match might not be very enticing for anyone but Pride supporters, but I’m not allowing that kind of negativity in my life right now.

Marta Claps Back

For those who hadn’t heard, former NWSL midfielder and commentator McCall Zerboni said the Orlando Pride have “arguably one star” on the Attacking Third podcast on the CBS Sports Golazo Network heading into the match against Gotham FC. A generous person would say she means above the crest, but since that is a fact and not “arguable,” she obviously meant that star was Marta. The GOAT took exception with the comment.

What Zerboni said may even be factual, but when talking about the defending champions, one must be prepared to face the wrath of Marta. If the Pride can win two more matches this year, then there will be two stars over the crest no matter how many stars are on the team.

USMNT News

Weston McKennie was not called up for the November USMNT camp, but it’s not what you think. Mauricio Pochettino is actually looking out for McKennie, as there is yet another new coach at Juventus. Pochettino knows McKennie’s quality but wants Juventus’ new coach, Luciano Spalletti, to keep playing the midfielder.

Matt Freese is at the camp and he is looking to secure the top goalkeeper spot for the USMNT ahead of the World Cup. Others, including Gio Reyna, are also trying to prove they should make the cut for 2026. The team plays friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay on Nov. 15 and Nov. 18, respectively.

U-17 USMNT Wins Group at U-17 World Cup

The U-17 U.S. Men’s National Team topped its group with a 1-0 over Czech Republic. The team won all three group matches, with Mathis Albert scoring the winning goal for the U.S. in the 78th minute on Tuesday. It’s the first time in 34 years that the team has won all three group stage matches. The U.S. heads into the Round of 32 to face Morocco, which finished third in Group B.

Free Kicks

• Galatasaray defender Eren Elmali is one of over 1,000 players who were suspended by the Turkish Football Federation in a betting scandal. Elmali contends he bet on a game about five years ago that did not involve his own team.
• The Orlando City Council gave the final approval of a $400 million renovation project for Camping World Stadium (a.k.a. the former home of Orlando City and the Orlando Pride).
• The NWSL announced the finalists for the 2025 awards. There are some folks who are upset that Gotham’s Emily Sonnett was nubbed. No Pride players made the list, which is just another reason to beat Gotham and go win the NWSL Championship.
• The Vancouver Whitecaps are looking for a new place to play, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber is trying to help. Relocation could be on the table for the new ownership, though everyone is saying they don’t want that.
• We’ve already shared which Orlando City players will be on international duty. Here’s a list for the rest of MLS.

That will do it for today. I will be at Inter&Co Stadium Sunday for the Pride’s match against Gotham FC. I hope you’ll join me. Vamos Orlando!