Lion Links: 2/20/26

Can you believe there’s only one day between us and Orlando City’s season opener on Saturday? To say I’m excited would be the understatement of the year. I’m still riding high from American figure skater Alysa Liu’s winning performance at the Olympics and am hoping the Lions can make it look that easy tomorrow. Let’s get to the links!

Eduard Atuesta Signs New Contract With Orlando City

Orlando City took care of some business before the season opener, re-signing midfielder Eduard Atuesta to a new contract through the 2028-2029 season with a club option for the 2029-2030 season. Atuesta joined Orlando in February of last year from Palmeiras and he had seven assists last season. The club exercised the option on his contract following last season and it’s nice to see that a new deal was able to get done before he became a free agent. The 28-year-old showcased his vision and passing ability to kickstart several counterattacks last year and I’m hoping he can keep that trend going this season.

Orlando City Prepares For Season Opener

The Lions will kick off their 2026 season at home on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. Orlando will look fairly different compared to last season, as Alex Freeman, Cesar Araujo, Pedro Gallese, and many other notable players are no longer with the team. There are some new players to get excited about though, including defensive midfielder Braian Ojeda, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, and a trio of Brazilian MLS U22 Initiative players in Tiago, Luis Otavio, and Iago. As for the opposition, the Red Bulls added winger Jorge Ruvalcaba as a Designated Player this off-season to join an attack that also features Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Jacquie Ovalle Called Up For March Matches

Orlando Pride winger Jacquie Ovalle was called up by the Mexico Women’s National Team for a pair of matches next month. Ovalle joined the Pride from Tigres for a world-record transfer fee at the time in August and recorded a goal and two assists in eight appearances. Mexico will take on Saint Lucia on March 2 in a qualifier for the Concacaf W Championship before hosting Brazil for a friendly in Mexico City on March 7. Hopefully Ovalle can get on the score sheet to build some momentum before the Pride’s season opener against the Seattle Reign on March 15.

Orlando City Reportedly Signing Justin Ellis

Orlando City B forward Justin Ellis is reportedly close to signing a Homegrown Player deal with the first team despite interest from PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. The 18-year-old has been a rising star at the club and was named MLS NEXT MVP for the U-19 age group last year. He was the top scorer in last year’s Generation Adidas Cup and has earned call-ups for the U.S. youth teams as well. It makes all the sense in the world for the club to sign Ellis as a Homegrown Player as Orlando’s youth movement keeps rolling.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City and the Orlando Pride have launched a multi-year collaboration with Columbia Southern University to support accessible higher education in the community. The partnership will include a scholarship program, though the details aren’t currently available.
• The Wall is sold out for Saturday’s season opener according to the club. I won’t be able to make the match in person but am looking forward to seeing the stadium packed once again.

• Toronto FC traded for Hungarian forward Daniel Salloi, sending $300,000 in General Allocation Money to Sporting Kansas City, with another $700,000 heading that way if conditions are met. Salloi had seven goals and four assists last season and won’t take up a DP slot in Toronto.
• Chuck Booth of CBS Sports predicted some superlatives for the upcoming MLS season and incredulously has Orlando City winning the Supporters’ Shield. I’ll have what he’s having. He also has Iago as his MLS Newcomer of the Year though, which is at least a bit more reasonable.
• FC Dallas exercised a contract buyout on American midfielder Paxton Pomykal, opening up a roster spot.
• MLS will have a break during games for players and officials to observe Ramadan.

• A Moroccan court sentenced 19 supporters to up to a year in prison for hooliganism at the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.

That’s all for this final Friday before the MLS season kicks off. I hope you all have a fantastic day and rest of your weekend. Go Orlando!