Lion Links: 2/26/26

How’s it going, Mane Landers? While Orlando City’s season may not have gotten off to the best start, it’s nice to have soccer back in full swing in the City Beautiful. Orlando City B’s season kicks off on Monday and we also have the Orlando Pride’s jersey reveal today to look forward to. It’s a pretty exciting time, so let’s get right to the links!

Getting Ready for the Tropic Thunder Showdown

Many eyes will be on Orlando City Sunday night for its rivalry game at home against Inter Miami. Both teams started their seasons off with a loss, with Orlando falling 2-1 at home to the New York Red Bulls and Miami losing 3-0 on the road to LAFC. It makes this primetime clash a great chance for the Lions to right the ship and sink a rival. This game may come down to which Canadian goalkeeper shines brightest as Maxime Crepeau and Dayne St. Clair make their claims for the starting job at this summer’s World Cup.

Antoine Griezmann Rumor Mill Keeps Churning

I’m taking any and all information regarding Orlando City’s pursuit of French star Antoine Griezmann with a chaser of cautious optimism, but Spanish sports radio show El Larguero spoke on the potential transfer. You’ll need a translation tool for the full details, but the host stated that the chance Griezmann leaves for Orlando soon is high and that his last game may be on March 7 when Atletico Madrid plays Real Sociedad.

Atletico Madrid just advanced to the Champions League round of 16 this week and has a strong chance of making the Copa del Rey final, so it’ll be interesting to see if they sell Griezmann while chasing silverware. Fingers crossed!

MLS Transfer News Roundup

While we all sit on pins and needles regarding Griezmann, other MLS teams are locking down their playmakers. LAFC signed Denis Bouanga to a contract extension through 2028, with an option for the 2029-2030 season. This comes after an off-season of reports linking him to Fluminense and Miami. The Vancouver Whitecaps signed reigning MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon to an extension that will keep him at the club through the 2029-2030 season. In other news across the league, the Portland Timbers added Alexander Aravena on loan from Gremio, and Sean Nealis will reportedly sign a new contract with D.C. United.

Keeping Up With the UEFA Champions League

Only 16 teams remain in the UEFA Champions League after a thrilling end to the first round of the knockout phase. The matchup between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta was determined by a penalty kick in stoppage time following video review. Lazar Samardzic scored from the spot after Remy Bensabaini’s clearance attempt struck Nikola Krstovic in the head, sending Atalanta through to the next round. Juventus battled back from a loss in the first leg to send the second leg to extra time, only for Galatasaray to score twice against the 10-man side and advance. A 2-2 draw was enough for Paris Saint-Germain to advance over Monaco, while Real Madrid prevailed over Benfica in a 2-1 win in Spain. It’s been a pretty competitive tournament so far and that should only continue as the better sides from the league phase join the fray, with the draw for the round of 16 set for Friday.

Free Kicks

• As a heads up, the Orlando Pride’s home game against Racing Louisville that was originally scheduled for Aug. 8 has been rescheduled for Aug. 7. Update those calendars, folks!
• Vancouver forward Emmanuel Sabbi was suspended for a game and fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for foul play in his team’s opener against Real Salt Lake. As a result, he’ll miss Vancouver’s match against Toronto FC on Saturday.
• Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson has replaced Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner on the United States Women’s National Team’s roster for the SheBelieves Cup.
• Haji Wright scored his 14th goal of the EFL Championship season to help Coventry City come back and beat Sheffield United 2-1.

• Management consulting firm Korn Ferry will reportedly run the search for a new MLS commissioner.
• Here’s what to watch for in today’s Europa League action as teams fight for a spot in the round of 16.

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