Lion Links: 11/24/25

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work with the Thanksgiving holiday just days away. Eleven years ago today, The Mane Land joined SBNation, where we spent nine years on that site before going independent for the last two years. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Reportedly Finalizing Deal for Luis Otavio

According to Tom Bogert, Orlando City is reportedly finalizing a deal for Brazilian midfielder Luis Otavio from Internacional.

The 18-year-old joined Internacional in 2024 and had his contract extended with the club earlier this year through 2028 as the two sides negotiated a potential move. According to another report, Internacional has reached an agreement to sell Otavio to Orlando City for a transfer fee of $3.5 million. If signed, Orlando City will have found its replacement for Cesar Araujo.

Gotham FC Defeats Washington Spirit to Win NWSL Championship

NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 Saturday at PayPal Park to win the 2025 NWSL Championship. Rose Lavelle scored the winning goal late in the second half to hand Gotham its second NWSL Championship in three years. Lavelle was also named the MVP of the match. Gotham FC made league history, becoming the first eighth seed to win the league championship and went on a stellar run, beating top-seeded Kansas City Current, the Orlando Pride, and the Spirit in the final. For Washington, it’s the second consecutive year the Spirit have lost 1-0 in the NWSL Championship after falling to Orlando last season. Trinity Rodman came off the bench and played 33 minutes in the second half but didn’t get a shot on target in what could be her final match for the Spirit. Now we wait and see what Rodman decides on her next club move this off-season.

MLS Playoff Roundup

The semifinal round of the 2025 MLS playoffs kickoff over the weekend. The Vancouver Whitecaps edged LAFC 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw Saturday. The Whitecaps jumped to an early two-goal lead in the first half, but in the second half Son Hueng-Min scored twice, including a late equalizer, to send the match to extra time. The Whitecaps will be moving on to the Western Conference final. Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0, and the Philadelphia Union fell 1-0 to New York City FC in the late match Sunday. Today’s Western Conference semifinal match will be San Diego FC hosting Minnesota United. The winner of that match will face the Whitecaps.

Americans Abroad

Plenty of Americans were in action over in Europe. Tim Weah scored his first league goal of the season for Marseille in a 5-1 win over Nice. With that result, Marseille moves to the top of the table in Ligue 1. Malik Tillman scored his first goal in two months and added an assist for Bayer Leverkusen as his side defeated Wolfsburg 3-1. Christian Pulisic scored the lone goal in Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter. Alyssa Thompson was nominated for the WSL Player of the Month. She has scored two goals in two starts in league play as Chelsea is second in the WSL table with 21 points.

Free Kicks

• The Pittsburgh Riverhounds defeated FC Tulsa 5-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw to win their first USL Championship title. Former Orlando City Academy and UCF product Beto Ydrach scored the winning penalty for Pittsburgh.
• Former USMNT legend Landon Donovan revealed his list of 26 players he would send to next year’s FIFA World Cup if it started now. Alex Freeman is on his list, as well as Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter.
• Eberechi Eze scored a hat trick as Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 win over rival Tottenham Hotspur Sunday in the North London Derby.

• Paul Pogba made his long-awaited debut for AS Monaco Saturday in Ligue 1 after serving a two-year doping ban. Pogba came off the bench late in the second half as Monaco fell 4-1 to Rennes.

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