Lion Links: 2/18/26

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! Our midweek news is a little bit brighter than it has been in the recent past. Also, there is news, which is nice after a long off-season. Orlando City’s first regular-season match is Saturday and The Mane Land will be back in full swing. We’re happy to be back and look forward to having you read our stuff and listen to The Mane Land PawedCast. Let’s get to the links.

New Lions Signing Reportedly Imminent

We’re still waiting on an announcement from the club, but Tom Bogert is reporting that Orlando City has acquired Houston Dynamo wingback Griffin Dorsey to start at right back for the Lions. While not a huge signing, this is welcome news for a position group that was lacking after the departures of Alex Freeman, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, and Kyle Smith. Dorsey was a regular starter for the Dynamo, meaning he has plenty of MLS experience.

Pride International Call-Ups

The Orlando Pride might not have any USWNT players, but there are still international call-ups happening. Anna Moorhouse once again received the call from the England Women’s National Team. The Lionesses will play qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland.

Moorhouse wasn’t alone as Solai Washington will represent the Jamaica Women’s National Team. The Pride signed Washington out of FSU last month. Jamaica will play Nicaragua in a Concacaf W Qualifiers match.

Average Grade for Orlando Pride

It’s been quite a while since we’ve gotten any signing news on the Pride side of things, and that hasn’t changed. I won’t tell you my grade for this off-season yet. You can submit that as a question for the next SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride Podcast if you want to know. I can share that Merritt Mathias gave it a C.

MLS Season Approaches

The fact that not one single regular-season match has been played won’t stop MLSsoccer.com from putting out a Power Rankings list. Spoiler alert: Orlando City isn’t at the top of the list. The site also put out a list of the 10 biggest newcomers to MLS. Orlando City’s Iago got an honorable mention, so I guess that’s something. There’s also the list for 11 players to watch. This list has players already familiar with the league playing for new clubs. Orlando City’s new keeper, Maxime Crepeau is one of those players mentioned.

Free Kicks

• Toronto FC is making some late moves bringing in Raheem Edwards after he was waived by the New York Red Bulls, and forward Emilio Aristizábal on loan from Colombian side Atlético Nacional.
• If you can’t be honest about family, who can you be honest about? Bryan Lozano illustrates this point.

• Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni allegedly violated the league anti-racism rules with comments made to Madrid striker Vinicius Jr. There’s no place in society for such things.

• If you can get past the hilarity of FIFA following the rules, they released the CAS & Football Annual Report 2025. Cool story, bro.

• Folarin Balogun didn’t wait very long to score a goal for Monaco. You love to see it.

• Orlando City has entered into a new multi‑year partnership with Guatemalan restaurant Pollo Campero.
• I’m really not sure how to feel about this. I guess all press is good press? And I’m all for more support, but still.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the start of the season this weekend. Vamos Orlando!