Lion Links: 1/26/26

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work, covering high school bowling, swimming, and basketball this week. Let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando Pride midfielder Angelina, who turns 26 today. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Fall to Lexington SC in First Preseason Match

In its first preseason match of 2026, Orlando City fell 2-1 to USL Championship side Lexington Sporting Club at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.

The match was listed as a closed-door scrimmage, but there were photos online of fans at Osceola County Stadium. The Lions started a young group and trailed 1-0 at halftime, but Duncan McGuire scored the equalizer from the penalty spot. However, Lexington added another goal late in the second half by Tarik Scott. The Lions are away in Mexico for preseason camp this week. The next scheduled preseason match for Orlando will be another closed-door scrimmage on Saturday, Feb. 7, on the road against Nashville SC.

Latest Orlando City Transfer Rumblings

According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, Orlando City is reportedly close to acquiring center back Dusan Stojinovic from Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok. The 25-year-old has been part of Slovenia’s youth national team system from U-16 through U-21. The Lions are also still negotiating with Flamengo to sign defender Iago.

According to another report, Orlando City has offered a transfer fee of €1.5 million for Stojinovic, with a three-year contract on the table, an option for an additional year, and discussions of a potential €300,000 bonus. If this signing happens, 20% of the transfer fee will reportedly go to his former club, NK Celje in Slovenia. Stojinovic has made 23 appearances, scoring one goal and adding one assist across all competitions during the 2025-2026 Ekstraklasa season.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

Austin FC has officially completed the signing of former Lion Facundo Torres, acquiring the Uruguayan winger from Palmeiras for a $9.5 million transfer fee. Torres will be a Designated Player and is signed through the 2029-2030 season with an option for 2030-2031. St. Louis City is reportedly close to acquiring another former Lion, left back Rafael Santos, who had previously played for the Colorado Rapids.

Former Lion Cyle Larin is reportedly leaving Feyenoord as he seeks to move to a new club during the winter transfer window to get more playing time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.

New York City FC is reportedly close to adding forward Moussa Sylla from Schalke 04.

Lastly, Fulham has reportedly submitted a transfer bid to sign forward Ricardo Pepi from PSV Eindhoven for $38 million.

USWNT Defeats Paraguay in Friendly

The U.S. Women’s National Team beat Paraguay 6-0 Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, in an international friendly. Former Pride defender Emily Sams came off the bench in the second half and played 27 minutes. Reilyn Turner made her debut and scored the opening goal just before halftime to give the USWNT the lead. In the second half, Ally Sentnor scored twice, Trinity Rodman and Emma Sears added one each, and the U.S. even got an own goal from Paraguay defender Fiorella Martinez in the rout. Rodman made her first appearance in nine months, captained the side to victory just days after signing a record-breaking contract to return to the Washington Spirit, and recorded her 12th international goal. The team honored retired forward Christen Press before the match. The Americans are unbeaten in their last five matches. The USWNT will face Chile Tuesday night at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, CA.

Free Kicks

• Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines shared his takeaways from last season, working with new Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Caitlin Carducci on roster moves, and what’s ahead for the club in the 2026 NWSL season.

• Former Orlando City B center back Nabilai Kibunguchy shared insight into his experience playing for Hougang United in the Singapore Premier League and his goal of returning to the Kenya Men’s National Team.
• The USWNT will play Japan in three friendlies in April. The first match is on April 11 at PayPal Park in San Jose, CA, the second on April 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle, and the final match on April 17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.
• Manchester United edged Arsenal 3-2 Sunday and moved into the top four in the Premier League table with the win. Meanwhile, Arsenal remains first with 50 points but has only a four-point lead, with Manchester City and Aston Villa in second and third, respectively, on 46 points.
• Andy Robertson will reportedly stay at Liverpool, as the club ended talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a transfer move for the fullback.
• Leicester City has parted ways with manager Marti Cifuentes after losing to Oxford United 2-1 Saturday. The EFL Championship side is 14th in the table on 38 points and six points below the playoff spots, with Wrexham holding the final spot in sixth with 44 points.
• Lamine Yamal delivered a stellar scissor kick goal for Barcelona in a 3-0 win against Real Oviedo Sunday helping his team climb back to the top of the La Liga table. In case you missed it, check out Yamal’s goal below.

• The New England Revolution posted a happy birthday message on social media for midfielder Allan Oyirwoth while accidentally leaking its new jersey for the upcoming season.

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