Lion Links: 12/25/25

Merry Christmas, Mane Landers! I hope today is filled with nothing but joy and wonderful time spent with family, friends, and everyone in between. It can also be a rough time for some, so help each other out and check in on loved ones who may be struggling during the holidays. Let’s dive into today’s links!

Carlos Coronel Ruins Orlando City’s Christmas

It looked like Orlando City had found its replacement for Pedro Gallese in Carlos Coronel, but the Paraguayan goalkeeper has reportedly ghosted the Lions despite a verbal agreement and having gone through his medical.

It’s a coal-worthy move by Coronel, who reportedly has an offer from Sao Paulo in Brazil after 180 appearances with the New York Red Bulls. It leaves the Lions tasked with some unwanted last-minute shopping, as players like Dayne St. Clair, Sean Johnson, and Drake Callender are off the market.

Barbra Banda and Marta Make ESPN‘s Top 50 List

Orlando Pride players Barbra Banda and Marta were both listed on this year’s ESPN FC Women’s Rank, which rates the top 50 women’s soccer players in the world according to polled experts. Banda ranked ninth on the list after finishing with eight goals in a season cut short due to injury. NJ/NY Gotham FC’s Esther Gonzalez and the Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga were the only NWSL players to finish above her. Marta placed 20th, leading the Pride with 39 created chances over the course of the regular season and showing up when it mattered in the quarterfinals. The list has a bit more importance than in past years due to the NWSL’s decision to include making the list as one of many options for High Impact Player consideration.

Orlando City U-15 Team Impressed in Germany

Orlando City’s U-15 team has returned from Germany after excelling at the mtu Cup, an indoor soccer tournament featuring some of the top academy squads in the world. It was a historic run by the Young Lions, as they made it to the final and became the first team outside of Europe in the tournament’s history to reach the semifinals. Luan Silva was also selected as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, becoming the first player from an American academy to win an individual award at the mtu Cup. It’s great to see the academy players shining, and you should check out the full video as the players described what it was like to take on some of the world’s best in Germany.

Bay FC Reportedly in Talks With Catarina Macario

While emphasis regarding the NWSL’s High Impact Player rule has been on retaining talent, we could end up seeing NWSL clubs able to sign players outside of the league who meet the criteria. One such player to watch is American forward Catarina Macario, who has reportedly garnered interest from NWSL clubs and is in preliminary talks with Bay FC. Macario has been playing professionally in Europe since 2021 and is in her third year with Chelsea. Her contract with the English club ends on July 1, but she can sign a pre-contract as soon as Jan. 1. It will be interesting to see if an NWSL team can get a deal done with the 26-year-old, as well as which other players clubs may add due to this new flexibility in roster construction.

Free Kicks

• Former Lion Wilfredo Rivera has signed with Club Atletico Barracas of Argentina’s top flight. Best of luck, Wilfredo!

• The Current and 18-year-old forward Alex Pfeiffer mutually agreed to terminate her contract for her to explore other opportunities.
• Atlanta United signed goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos to a contract through 2026. The 36-year-old joins as a free agent and will bring some leadership and competition to a goalkeeping group that’s without Brad Guzan.
• Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo will both miss the club’s Boxing Day bout with Newcastle on Friday.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I wish you all a very merry Christmas!