Lion Links: 3/16/26

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work covering high school water polo, soccer, and softball over the past week. Our Lions, Pride, and OCB were all in action over the weekend. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando City B midfielder Issah Haruna, who turned 22 Saturday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Pick Up First Win of 2026 Against CF Montreal

Orlando City defeated CF Montreal 2-1 Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium to secure its first win of the 2026 season. In the first half, Duncan McGuire pounced on a rebound and slotted home his first goal of the season to give Orlando the lead. However, Montreal quickly equalized before Martin Ojeda drilled a shot past goalkeeper Thomas Gillier to give Orlando a 2-1 lead. Montreal almost scored an equalizer in stoppage time late in the second half, but the Lions held their ground and cleared the ball away. After the departure of head coach Oscar Pareja midweek, the Lions responded, securing a much-needed win under interim head coach Martin Perelman. Orlando City will be on the road Saturday to take on Nashville SC at Geodis Park. Before the match, Orlando City announced it had signed goalkeeper Tristan Himes and forward Pedro Leao to short-term contracts. Leao made his MLS debut as a sub on Saturday night.

Orlando Pride Fall to Seattle Reign in Season Opener

The Orlando Pride fell 2-1 to the Seattle Reign Sunday in their opening match to kick off the 2026 NWSL season. Seattle struck first to take a 1-0 lead and held on through halftime due to a controversial foul that prevented Rafaelle from equalizing. After a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay, Barbra Banda scored the equalizer for the Pride early in the second half. However, Brittany Ratcliffe scored to give Seattle the lead late in the match and the Reign held on for all three points. Orlando dominated most of the match but wasted many scoring chances by firing shots off target or at the goalkeeper. The Pride will look to bounce back with another home match Friday, taking on the Denver Summit at Inter&Co Stadium.

OCB Defeats Carolina Core FC on the Road with Wild Comeback

Orlando City B beat Carolina Core 3-2 Saturday at Truist Point Stadium to secure its second consecutive win and first road victory of the season. The Young Lions trailed 2-0 at halftime but responded with a late rally in the second half. Harvey Sarajian pulled one back for OCB and a few minutes later, Justin Ellis buried the equalizer off a Sarajian assist. In stoppage time, Caleb Trombino scored a late winner off a set piece to lift the Young Lions to victory on the road. OCB returns home Sunday to face Inter Miami II at Inter&Co Stadium rather than the Young Lions’ usual home in Osceola County.

NWSL Season Opener Recap

The National Women’s Soccer League’s opening matches to kick off the 2026 season are in the books. Olivia Moultrie scored the lone goal as the Portland Thorns beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 Friday night. On Saturday, the Boston Legacy fell 1-0 to NJ/NY Gotham FC, while the Denver Summit fell 2-1 to Bay FC. The Kansas City Current overcame a 1-0 deficit in the first half to beat the Utah Royals 2-1. Ashley Sanchez scored twice as the North Carolina Courage defeated Racing Louisville by the same scoreline, while the Houston Dash beat the San Diego Wave 1-0. Angel City FC defeated the Chicago Stars 4-0 Sunday, and Savy King came off the bench to replace former Pride defender Emily Sams in the second half to make her first appearance after she collapsed on the field due to a heart condition last year.

Free Kicks

• Forbes.com summarizes former Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja’s legacy in Major League Soccer after he and the club mutually parted ways last week.
• The New England Revolution are bringing back Diego Fagundez and have signed the 31-year-old to a contract through the 2026 MLS season with an option for 2027. 
• Sporting Kansas City has signed forward Capita Capemba to a contract through the 2028-2029 season with an option for 2029-2030. The 24-year-old spent two seasons with Radomiak Radom in the Polish Ekstraklasa.
• Former England and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has landed his first managerial role, being appointed manager of Serie B side Cesena through the end of the season with an option to stay on.
• In case you missed it, this is how Esporte Clube Vitoria showed its support for actor Wagner Moura’s bid to win an Oscar.

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