Lion Links: 3/2/26

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I can’t believe it’s March already, but I’m looking forward to a busy month covering high school soccer, lacrosse, water polo, and baseball. Our beloved Lions were in action last night, and the Young Lions kick off their season in MLS NEXT Pro tonight. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Fall to Inter Miami

Orlando City fell to Inter Miami 4-2 Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions got off to a great start with Marco Pasalic scoring the opener in the first half. Martin Ojeda added another goal to give the Lions a 2-0 lead just before halftime. However, early in the second half, Miami pulled one back with a goal from Mateo Silvetti. Lionel Messi scored the equalizer, and Miami added another late in the second half to take a 3-2 lead. Messi added an insurance goal to seal Miami’s first win at Inter&Co Stadium. Poor marking and turnovers in the defensive zone hurt Orlando in the second half, as the Lions blew a 2-0 lead at home and start the season 0-2-0 for the first time in club history in MLS. Orlando City will travel for its first road match of the season, taking on New York City FC Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Orlando City B Signs Jaylen Yearwood and Issah Haruna

Orlando City B announced the club has signed defender Jaylen Yearwood to an MLS NEXT Pro contract for the 2026 season also added midfielder Issah Haruna to the squad over the weekend. Yearwood was the 14th overall pick by Orlando City in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft in December and led the North Florida Ospreys to a 2024 ASUN Championship title. Haruna was the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. He made 16 appearances, scored three goals and added two assists, leading the North Carolina-Greensboro Spartans to a share of the conference regular-season title during the 2024 season.

OCB’s Match Against Inter Miami II moved to Inter&Co Stadium

The Orlando City B home match against Inter Miami II, scheduled for Sunday, March 22, at Osceola County Stadium, will be moved to Inter&Co Stadium. Kickoff time for the match is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Young Lions will kick off their 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign tonight against Huntsville City FC at Osceola County Stadium.

USWNT Beats Argentina in SheBelieves Cup Opener

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Argentina 2-0 at GEODIS Park in Nashville to kick off the 2026 SheBelieves Cup Sunday. Lindsey Heaps scored the opening goal in the first half to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead at halftime. In the second half, Jaedyn Shaw added another, scoring her 10th international goal to seal the win. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned her seventh shutout for the Americans. However, late in the match, Trinity Rodman went to the ground in pain after being shoved in the back by Argentina defender Milagros Martin and did not return to the pitch. The USWNT will face Canada, which defeated Colombia 4-1 Sunday, Wednesday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus.

Free Kicks

• The Haslam family, which owns the Cleveland Browns and the Columbus Crew, is reportedly exploring bringing an NWSL expansion team to Columbus.
• The International Football Association Board has approved the Off-Field Treatment Rule and Timed Substitution Rule, which were trialed in MLS NEXT Pro and will be implemented for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• The LA Galaxy announced Saturday that the club has signed midfielder Marco Reus to a contract extension through December 2027.
• Yunus Musah ended his four-year goal drought at the club level, scoring his first in Serie A, but his side, Atalanta, fell 2-1 to Sassuolo. Meanwhile, Haji Wright scored his 15th goal of the season as Coventry City defeated Stoke City 2-1 in the EFL Championship.

• The USLPA has voted to authorize its bargaining committee to strike unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with the United Soccer League before the opening matches of the 2026 season this weekend.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.