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Lion Links: 1/30/26

Alex Freeman transferred to Villarreal, latest Orlando City transfer news, Crystal Dunn retires, and more.

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9 months ago

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Image of Alex Freeman dribbling the ball against FC Cincinnati.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Happy Friday! There’s apparently a chance for snow over here in my neck of the woods in Tampa this weekend, so I’m thankful that I’ll be on vacation. It should be a nice next few days and I’m looking forward to some rest and relaxation to close out the month. Let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Alex Freeman Transferred to Villarreal

Orlando City officially transferred right back Alex Freeman to Villarreal for a fee reported to be between $4 million and $7 million. The move comes after a breakout season from the American, who recorded six goals and three assists for Orlando and impressed at the international level. The Lions will likely have some difficulty replacing that kind of impact from a right back, and both Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Kyle Smith are no longer in Orlando. While Freeman will definitely be missed by those of us here in Orlando, it’s pretty great to see one of the club’s Homegrown Players heading to Spain’s top flight. Best of luck and enjoy the paella, Freeman!

Keeping Up With Orlando City Transfer News

While it’s sad to see Freeman and other Lions go this off-season, we can at least get excited about the new faces we’ll see in the City Beautiful this year. Hopefully that group will include some more center backs, with The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert reporting that the club is close to signing Slovenian center back Dusan Stojinovic.

🟣 Sources: Orlando City finalizing a deal to sign Slovenian CB Dusan Stojinović from Jagiellonia.The 25-year-old bolsters Orlando’s backline.Also: No further progress made in talks to sign Iago from Flamengo. TBD

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2026-01-30T01:27:49.628Z

Hopefully the club can get that deal over the finish line and the 25-year-old can help fill the void left by Rodrigo Schlegel’s exit. No new progress regarding Orlando’s efforts to sign Brazilian center back Iago from Flamengo was reported by Bogert, but nothing is over until the fat Lion sings. The 20-year-old would bring some needed depth and upside to the position.

Crystal Dunn Announces Her Retirement

American defender Crystal Dunn has retired from professional soccer after a decorated career that included winning the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Olympics, the 2012 U-20 Women’s World Cup, and three NWSL Championships. She scored 25 goals in 160 caps with the United States Women’s National Team. Dunn was selected by the Washington Spirit with the first overall pick in the 2014 NWSL College Draft and went on to win the NWSL Championship twice with the North Carolina Courage and once with the Portland Thorns. We wish her the best in her retirement!

MLS Transfer News Roundup

Alex Freeman’s transfer wasn’t the only notable MLS move to become official on Thursday. The San Jose Earthquakes added Timo Werner from Red Bull Leipzig as their new Designated Player. The 29-year-old helped Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League in 2021 and it will be interesting to see how he does in MLS at this stage of his career. The Houston Dynamo also have a new Designated Player, signing Polish forward Mateusz Bogusz from Cruz Azul. The New York Red Bulls officially signed American goalkeeper Ethan Horvath from Cardiff City, and they’re also reportedly close to signing winger Jorge Ruvalcaba from Pumas.

Elsewhere across the league, Charlotte FC signed center back Henry Kessler, D.C. United signed versatile defender Silvan Hefti from Hamburger SV, and LAFC re-signed midfielder Ryan Raposo.

Free Kicks

  • Working on your birthday sounds tough, but I’m sure doing it in Cancun takes the sting out of it.
  • Takahiro Fujita, who was drafted by Orlando City in the third round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, was added to UCF’s 2026 roster.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/30/26

Antoine Griezmann honored, Orlando City’s 2027 Sprint Season schedule released, Orlando Pride prepare for 2026 finale, and more.

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3 days ago

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October 30, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! Let’s all hope this weekend has more treats than tricks as both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are in action. If you plan on celebrating Halloween this year, be sure to stay hydrated and safe while also having plenty of fun. Let’s get to the links!

Antoine Griezmann Makes MLS Team of the Matchday

Orlando City attacker Antoine Griezmann was the only Lion to make the MLS Team of the Matchday after the slate of midweek games. He scored a goal and added an assist in the club’s 2-2 draw on the road against the Chicago Fire as he continues to excel in the league since joining this summer. It was his 12th consecutive game with a goal contribution and he now has 14 goals and eight assists in 16 games this season. The Frenchman’s audacious strike from distance is also up for MLS Goal of the Matchday, though he faces tough competition from Kenji Mboma Dem, Kristoffer Velde, and Luis Suarez. Be sure to vote!

Orlando City’s 2027 Sprint Schedule Unveiled

MLS announced its schedule for the 2027 Sprint Season, which is formatted so that each club plays one game against each of the 14 other clubs in its conference. Orlando City revealed its slate for the shortened campaign for your convenience, and the Lions will open the season at home against the New England Revolution on Feb. 20, continuing the streak of hosting their season opener every year since joining the league in 2015. City will alternate playing at home and on the road throughout the season, with the final game coming on May 8 against Charlotte FC. The only games on Orlando’s schedule that don’t take place on a Saturday are a pair of Wednesday games at home against Toronto FC on March 3 and the Philadelphia Union on April 7. As for the postseason, eight teams will make the playoffs and compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine which team will represent the Eastern Conference in the MLS Cup final.

Orlando Pride Prepare for Decision Day

The Orlando Pride will play their final game of the season on the road Sunday against the Seattle Reign. While the Pride are already eliminated from the postseason, they can potentially spoil things for the Reign with a strong showing to close out the year. Interim head coach Yolanda Thomas spoke on how the team has embraced that role and has prepared to match the intensity it will face from the Reign. It’s been a rough year for the Pride, so hopefully they can end things on a high note.

U.S. Beats Spain to Advance in FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

The United States U-17 Women’s National Team won 2-1 against Spain in the FIFA U-17 World Cup to advance to the quarterfinals. Deus Stanislaus got the scoring started with a goal right before halftime and Maddie DiMaria doubled the U.S. lead in the 48th minute. Spain rallied back with a goal from Vera Molina, but the U.S. was able to hold on for the win. The U.S. will play Korea DPR in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/29/26

Orlando City draws Chicago Fire, MLS results amid playoff push, U.S. faces Spain in U-17 Women’s World Cup today, and more.

Published

4 days ago

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October 29, 2026

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Image of the starters for Orlando City at Chicago.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

The pressure cooker on Orlando City’s playoff hopes was turned up another notch or two after Wednesday night’s result, but things could definitely be worse. Maybe that’s just the optimism speaking. It’s nothing brutalizing a stress ball and shouting into the void on the commute to work can’t fix. Let’s dive right into that frustrating game and more in today’s links!

Orlando City Blows Another Lead in Draw

The Lions had to settle for a 2-2 draw on the road against the Chicago Fire in another tough result to swallow. Orlando came out swinging and had two goals before halftime, but the team conceded twice in the second half and failed to find a winner. It was another strong showing from Antoine Griezmann and a draw on the road against a good team isn’t awful in a vacuum, but more dropped points leave the Lions holding on for dear life in the playoff race. They’ll be back in action on Saturday for a Halloween showdown with Charlotte FC.

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture Takes Shape

As the MLS season winds down, more teams are securing their spots in the playoffs or learning they won’t be taking part in the postseason. Charlotte clinched after a 4-0 win over CF Montreal that included a hat trick by Liel Abada, while the Philadelphia Union qualified after a scoreless draw with Nashville SC. The New York Red Bulls losing 3-2 to the New England Revolution was helpful for Orlando City, but Toronto FC and the Columbus Crew both closed the gap by beating D.C. United and FC Dallas, respectively. FC Cincinnati’s 2-2 draw with Inter Miami has Cincy level on points with Orlando as well, with Orlando holding a narrow tiebreaker. New York City FC stayed alive by winning 2-1 against Atlanta United, eliminating the Five Stripes in the process.

U.S. Takes On Spain in U-17 Women’s World Cup

The United States U-17 Women’s National Team will play Spain today in the round of 16 of the U-17 Women’s World Cup. The U.S. finished second in its group following a 3-2 loss to China PR and will now go up against a Spain team that has won every game so far. It should be a tough match, but the U.S. has scored a whopping 25 goals across three games. Maddie DiMaria leads the team with 11 goals, and hopefully she can lead the offense to a win.

Keeping Up With Americans Abroad

Christian Pulisic has reportedly agreed to a contract extension with AC Milan that will last through June of 2031. He scored his second goal of the season on Sunday, so hopefully he can keep the momentum rolling. Elsewhere in Italy, Juventus is reportedly interested in adding American forward Folarin Balogun to its offense this winter, meaning we could see him link up with midfielder Weston McKennie at the club level. Borussia Monchengladbach defender Joe Scally had an assist in the team’s 2-0 win over Karlsruher in the German Cup as well. You should also make sure to check out Lily Yohannes’ incredible goal from OL Lyonnes’s 6-0 win over Inter in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She makes it look so easy.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/28/26

Orlando City takes on the Chicago Fire, OCB’s roster update, the NWSL general manager survey, and more.

Published

5 days ago

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October 28, 2026

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Image of David Brekalo standing over the ball.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s match day for Orlando City, so I hope you wore your purple when you left the house. Speaking of what you’re wearing, have you picked out your Halloween costume? If so, are you coordinating with friends or family, or are you doing the Halloween equivalent of Bah Humbug? I’m actually pretty curious as Halloween is a pretty big deal at my house. Also, candy is yummy. For now, there are no tricks, but let’s get to the treats that are today’s links.

Lions in the Windy City

Orlando City takes on the Chicago Fire tonight at Soldier Field in the Windy City. If the Lions can somehow get all three points against the Fire — and get a little help from FC Dallas over the Columbus Crew — Orlando City can clinch a playoff spot. It won’t be easy, as the Fire have Robert Lewandowski and Philip Zinckernagel in the attack. The Lions counter that attack with Antoine Griezmann and Martin Ojeda, with the latter chasing club records in the offense.

Orlando City B Announces Season-Ending Roster Status

It’s been a minute since Orlando City B ended the season as the developmental squad did not make the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. There’s always a bit of turnover each year with OCB as players like Justin Ellis move to the senior squad, others are loaned out, and younger players come in to take their places. The club has announced the end-of-year roster statuses. There are seven players under contract for 2027. That number will obviously need to increase before the start of the season.

NWSL GMs Surveyed

ESPN has released the findings of the latest ESPN NWSL GM survey. The general managers are asked a series of questions regarding the state of the league, what they would like to see changed, the impact of NWSL rules like the High Impact Player rule, and — most interesting to me — how much cheating is going on. It certainly seems like some clubs have a ridiculous amount of seemingly high-priced players, yet are supposedly under the salary cap set by the league. It seems suspicious, and many of the GMs agree with me, though slightly less than half think the problem is widespread. It’s definitely worth a read.

A Boisterous Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is usually full of pomp and circumstance, but this year’s version was a bit rowdy. London traffic, a large crowd, and a delay made for a raucous event. Still, it was nice for Harry Kane to be presented the long-awaited award in his native country. Sometimes good things come to those who sign for the biggest club in the Bundesliga…er, I mean wait. There was also a bit of controversy on the women’s side as well when no female journalists were included in the pool to ask questions of Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas, and there was a distinct lack of female athlete presenters. There is still room for growth.

Free Kicks

  • Do you still care about where the Orlando Pride fall in SBNation’s NWSL power rankings? Spoiler alert: it’s not good.
  • The NWSL expansion club in Columbus broke ground on the OhioHealth Training Grounds. The facility is supposed to be completed before the club begins play in the 2028 season.
  • Did you see the video of the little soccer player running circles around the other three-year-olds? Someone actually called the police about it. Ridiculous, of course. I’m not the only one who agrees since former Orlando City defender Alex Freeman reached out in support of the young soccer player. Well done, sir.
  • Remember when Ellis scored in the fourth minute of his USMNT debut in Orlando? Yeah, you do, but it’s still fun to watch that moment and plenty of others from the USMNT fall camp in this outstanding video.

That will do it for today. You can follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for live match updates and we will also have a recap of the match tonight and more coverage tomorrow. Vamos Orlando!

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