Lion Links: 2/24/26

Good morning, everyone. It wasn’t the start to the 2026 season that we were hoping for over the weekend, as the Lions dropped their first match of the season for the second year in a row. Luckily, there were some positives to take from the second half, but much of the game still made for unpleasant viewing. On the bright side, that simply means there’s a lot of room for improvement. We’ve got a lot to talk about today and I think our first topic will help get your day started on the right note, so let’s jump right into the links.

Lions Linked With Antoine Griezmann

In a piece of news I really didn’t expect to come across, the good folks over at The Athletic have reported that Orlando City is in advanced talks with Atletico Madrid to sign Antoine Griezmann as its third and final Designated Player (paywall). While he is said to be the team’s primary focus, no deal is in place yet and the Lions are also still speaking with other targets. OCSC is also said to have Griezmann’s discovery rights, and is hopeful that the player can be convinced to join the team during the European season before the current MLS transfer window closes, but several sources have said he won’t leave before the summer window. This is obviously a developing story, so rest assured we’ll update you if/when more information becomes available.

Maxime Crepeau Earns Recognition

While the Lions didn’t come out on the right side of the scoresheet, it was a good night and a good Orlando debut for new goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. He tied the club record for most saves in a match as he totaled 11 of them on the night, and he’s been rewarded with a spot on the bench of the MLS Team of the Matchday. The man who beat him out for the starting place, Kristijan Kahlina, made 10 saves of his own in Charlotte FC’s 1-1 draw with St. Louis City SC, and the point his team picked up was probably enough to give Kahlina the edge. Still, Crepeau is worthy of all the praise that comes his way, because the score would have been significantly uglier had he not turned in a great shot-stopping performance. Here’s hoping for many more!

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a lot of American players who will be taking part in games during the working week, and the second leg of continental cup competitions (say that five times fast) are the overarching theme. Things get going later today when Johnny Cardoso and Atletico Madrid take on Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League, while Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen try to protect a 2-0 aggregate lead against Olympiacos. Wednesday sees Weston McKennie and Juventus trying to climb out of a 5-2 hole against Galatasaray, while Folarin Balogun and Monaco have a mathematically better chance of overturning a 3-2 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain. Thursday has Chris Richards and Crystal Palace tied 1-1 on aggregate with Zrinjski Mostar heading into the second leg of their Europa Conference League matchup, and things finish on Friday with Noahkai Banks and Augsburg hosting Kristoffer Lund and Koln in Bundesliga play.

Dead Ball Countdowns Could Come to World Cup

This summer’s World Cup may see five-second countdowns implemented for goal kicks and throw-ins as a way to speed up play and keep the ball on the field. Similar to the eight-second rule that awards a corner kick to the opposing team if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for longer than eight seconds, a referee will be able to signal the start of a five second countdown if they think a goal kick or throw-in is taking too long to occur. Taking longer than the five second countdown would result in the throw-in being reversed to the other team, and a corner kick given instead of a goal kick. The International Football Association Board has been pleased with the implementation of the eight-second rule, and is set to vote on the five-second version on Saturday, as well as a 10-second limit to substitutions and other various measures.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride have announced an additional preseason game.

• The Orlando-based team CFL Spurs has advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, after opponents South Georgia Tormenta FC forfeited due to not fielding a USL League One team this year.

• Toronto FC is putting the finishing touches on the signing of Josh Sargent, and Tom Bogert had some additional details about how the deal has been progressing.

• Speculation has begun over whether or not cartel violence might disrupt the World Cup games set to take place in Mexico this summer.
• Gianluca Prestianni has been suspended for Benfica’s second leg UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid, following allegations that he racially abused Vinicius Jr. during the first leg.

That’s everything that I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!