Lion Links: 12/18/25

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a bit of a rough week for me as I try getting all of my ducks in a row so that I’m not out and about this weekend. If you’re still getting some last-minute things done this holiday season, I wish you nothing but the best of luck. Let’s jump right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Getting Ready For the MLS SuperDraft

The 2026 MLS SuperDraft is set to take place at 2 p.m. today and Orlando City has a whopping four picks in the first round, including the fifth and ninth overall selections due to trades. Of the 436 eligible players this year, there are four Generation Adidas players, with center back Nikola Markovic and forward Nick Simmonds as notable top prospects. A mock draft by Top Drawer Soccer has the Lions taking forward Mamadou Billo Diop, Generation Adidas midfielder Kwaku Agyabeng, goalkeeper Mitch Budler, and defensive midfielder Jefferson Amaya with their haul of first-round picks. Given the amount of departures this off-season, Orlando could use depth all over its roster and here’s a nice guide to the top eligible players at each position.

Luis Muriel Rumor Mill Keeps Churning

Orlando City is reportedly willing to loan forward Luis Muriel to another club this transfer window according to Argentine reporter Mariano Olsen.

That would line up with Tom Bogert of The Athletic reporting last week that Orlando is interested in moving on from the Designated Player. Muriel showed flashes of excellence in 2025, but the Designated Player slot could be used on a player who can make more of a consistent impact. You’ll need a translation tool for the details, but there have also been reports linking Muriel with a return to Colombian club Junior FC. Hopefully there’s a solution that makes all parties involved happy.

Pedro Gallese Linked With Deportivo Cali

You’ll need to use that translation tool again for all of the information, but Colombian club Deportivo Cali announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with former Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Deportivo Cali is winless in its past six games, so hopefully Gallese can help turn things around if this signing comes to pass. It will be weird seeing him in anything but purple, but I’m thankful that it seems he won’t be plying his trade for another MLS team.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

D.C. United opened its wallet and sent $4 million to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for forward Tai Baribo, with another $600,000 heading Philadelphia’s way if performance metrics are met. Baribo signed a five-year contract as D.C. United’s next Designated Player and will fill the void left after the club declined Christian Benteke’s option. Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami is reportedly close to signing goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year this past season.

Miami also re-signed striker Luis Suarez through the 2026, which is rough news for anyone within spitting, kicking, or biting range of him. The New York Red Bulls officially added Cade Cowell on loan from Chivas, FC Dallas is reportedly close to signing Swedish winger Herman Johansson, and Nashville SC re-signed Honduran midfielder Bryan Acosta to a contract through 2026 with an option for 2027.

Free Kicks

• The UEFA Women’s Champions League’s league phase wrapped up and Belgian club OH Leuven earned the highest grade for beating the odds and making the next round. Former Orlando Pride head coach Marc Skinner guided Manchester United to the next round, while Paris Saint-Germain came nowhere close.
• In case you missed it, St. Louis City officially named Yoann Damet as its next head coach.
• FIFA announced that the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup will take place in January of 2028. A host hasn’t been announced, but I expect it won’t be somewhere too cold that time of year.
• The winner of the 2026 World Cup will receive $50 million in prize money, which is higher than the $42 million won by Argentina in 2022 but is dwarfed by the $125 million won by Chelsea in this past summer’s Club World Cup.
• PSG beat Flamengo in a penalty shootout to win the Intercontinental Cup, with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saving four penalty kicks in a row.
• Fluminense terminated Brazilian defender Thiago Silva’s contract and the 41-year-old is reportedly seeking a return to Europe.

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