Lion Links: 11/20/25

On one hand, it feels like November has flown by. On the other, it’s kind of crazy to me that Thanksgiving is only a week away. I’ve been a bit behind the 8-ball in terms of holiday preparations but am hoping to catch up this weekend. For now though, let’s jump into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Exercises Option on Manuel Goldberg’s Contract

Orlando City B Head Coach Manuel Goldberg will coach the team next year, as the club exercised the option on his contract through 2026. Next season will be Goldberg’s third as OCB’s head coach and he was the youngest head coach in MLS Next Pro history when he replaced Martin Perelman in 2024. While the Young Lions made the playoffs that year, they struggled this past season and missed out on the playoffs while finishing with just nine wins. Regardless, Goldberg has done well preparing young players for the first team, as evidenced by Alex Freeman’s success. Hopefully he can continue to develop Homegrown Players into players who can make an impact with the senior team next year.

Orlando Pride Players Called Up

Pride defender Emily Sams was once again called up for the United States Women’s National Team. Head Coach Emma Hayes called up 26 players for the USWNT’s training camp ahead of its final games of the year, a pair of friendlies against Italy. Naomi Girma returns after missing the last international window due to injury, while goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz and forward Jameese Joseph were called up for the first time. The USWNT will be at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando for the first friendly on Nov. 28, so hopefully Sams gets the start.

Pride players Ally Lemos and Simone Jackson are also heading to camp. They were two of 20 players called up for the U-23 U.S. Women’s National Team’s training in Europe before friendlies against Slovakia and England. Both players were on the U.S. roster for the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and it’s nice to see them progressing through the U.S. youth system.

NWSL Award Winners Revealed

The NWSL announced this year’s award winners and Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga became the first player to win MVP in consecutive years. Chawinga led the league with 15 goals this season and was one of five Kansas City players named to the Best XI First Team. No Pride players made either the Best XI First Team or Second Team, which is a bit crazy considering they were one of the top four teams this year.

Bev Yanez was named Coach of the Year after leading Racing Louisville FC to the playoffs for the first time in club history. I’m a bit surprised Kansas City Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski didn’t win, considering his team put together one of the best NWSL seasons of all time. Manaka Matsukubo won Midfielder of the Year, Tara McKeown was named Defender of the Year, and Lorena won Goalkeeper of the Year. Not to be lost in the shuffle is Lilly Reale winning Rookie of the Year and Sam Hiatt receiving the Lauren Holiday Impact Award for her work assisting those affected by childhood cancer.

Union’s Ernst Tanner Placed On Administrative Leave

The Philadelphia Union announced that Sporting Director Ernst Tanner is on administrative leave as MLS reopened an investigation into allegations of misconduct. According to The Guardian, the reported allegations include misogynistic, racist, and homophobic comments, including Tanner allegedly saying the following regarding assistant referee Justin Howard at a match between the Union and Orlando City in 2023:

“This is the problem with MLS, they allow Black referees in the league. When did they allow this? They lack intelligence and capability.”

There are also allegations of Tanner inappropriately touching a coworker numerous times and that it was reported to the Union’s human resources department. I suggest checking out The Guardian‘s full article regarding Tanner’s alleged conduct as it is alarming to say the least.

Free Kicks

• The U.S. is now the top Concacaf team in the latest FIFA men’s rankings, jumping over Mexico to claim 14th.
• The intercontinental playoffs to determine some of the final teams to qualify for next year’s World Cup will be hosted in Monterrey and Guadalajara. The draw for those playoffs will take place today, with Iraq, Congo, Jamaica, Suriname, Bolivia, and New Caledonia all in contention for two open spots.
• Speaking of Jamaica, the Concacaf nation is currently without a coach. Steve McClaren stepped down as head coach shortly after the team’s draw with Curacao in qualifying earlier this week.
• While Wrexham has enjoyed a meteoric rise since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over, their Colombian club, La Equidad, is having a rougher time. La Equidad finished last in Colombia’s top flight, winning just three of its 20 games.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Thursday and rest of your week!