Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s a little odd not having a midweek match this week, but given how congested the schedule is the rest of the month, we should probably enjoy it. Speaking of enjoying things, some have said that season 4 of Ted Lasso hasn’t been as good, but I think that each episode is better than the last. It can be tough to recapture the magic of a beloved show, but I think they’re doing it. Rant over. Let’s get to the links.

Thomas’ Tenure Begins

With the Orlando Pride parting ways with Seb Hines on Monday, Yolanda Thomas begins her stint as interim head coach. Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations & General Manager Caitlin Carducci said that the club believes the pieces are in place to win matches and make the playoffs, and that hopefully Thomas will be able to make that happen. As we said on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast, that might be a pretty tall order. In the latest ESPN NWSL power rankings, the Pride have fallen to the 12th spot. To be fair, Hines started as an interim head coach as well, so Thomas should be given the opportunity to earn the permanent position. Her first opportunity to prove she has the right stuff comes Sunday against the Houston Dash in Orlando.

Orlando City Falls

Orlando City is on the edge of the playoffs sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, but dropped to 19th in the MLSSoccer.com power rankings after dropping two points to Minnesota United FC in a match that almost saw them drop all three points. I think my feelings on power rankings are well known, but I think they may have gotten it correct this go-around.

MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Changes

With only three matches left until the playoffs begin, MLS NEXT Pro has updated the league’s playoff format for 2026 by adding a play-in round. The top seven teams from each conference on Decision Day will still make the playoffs. The 8th and 9th seeded teams will play for the final spot in the respective conference. The top four teams in each conference will still get to pick their opponent. As of today, the rule change puts Orlando City B one point out of the play-in round.

USWNT Soccer News

The 2027 Women’s World Cup is less than a year away, and while it’s likely that the USWNT will qualify, one shouldn’t take that for granted. Here is what Emma Hayes’ team will need to do to make it. The USWNT lost last time around but are the Yanks once again considered the favorite heading into 2027? We can also take a look at which players Hayes may call up for the World Cup are doing well and which are not. Speaking of call-ups, we now know which players U-17 Women’s National Team Head Coach Katie Schoepfer has chosen for the September training camp.

Free Kicks

• Gotham has reportedly re-signed Rose Lavelle through 2029 using the High Impact Player rule that allows a team to spend up to $1 million in additional funds outside of the salary cap on a player.
• The Portland Timbers are reportedly acquiring veteran center back Joel Waterman. Wait a minute. teams can add experienced center backs? Has anyone told Orlando City?

• The New York Red Bulls have transferred midfielder Dennis Gjengaar to Norwegian club Vålerenga.
• Folarin Balogun’s transfer to Everton has hit a snag as the USMNT striker has failed his medical. As such, Balogun will stay at Monaco.
• The summer transfer window closed Tuesday and here are the biggest winners and losers among the European clubs.

That will do it for today. Check back with The Mane Land as we get you ready for the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

Good morning, everyone. It was a mixed bag for Orlando’s three soccer teams, as they combined to go 1-1-1 and take four of the nine available points on offer. All three teams will be back in action this weekend, and hopefully the defenses will be stingier than they were last time out. We’ve got plenty to talk about this morning, so let’s get into the links.

Orlando Pride Make Coaching Change

The Orlando Pride announced on Monday afternoon that the club has parted ways with both head coach Seb Hines and goalkeeper coach Paul Crichton. Assistant Coach Yolanda Thomas has been named interim head coach. Hines led the team to a historic double-winning season in 2024, as the club captured the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. Following a fourth-place finish and semifinal exit in 2025, the team has struggled this year for a number of reasons, and is currently five points below the playoff line in 12th place.

Lions Earn Recognition

While Orlando’s result on Saturday was a frustrating one, two Lions have earned some props for the part they played in rescuing a point on the road. First up is Antoine Griezmann, who was named to the starting XI of the MLS Team of the Matchday. The Frenchman bagged a goal and a crucial stoppage time assist as he now has four goal contributions in his last two games. Tyrese Spicer’s game-tying goal in stoppage time off Griezmann’s stellar long pass has been named the Moment of the Matchday. That strike continued Spicer’s excellent post-World Cup form, as he repeatedly finds a way to contribute regardless of if he’s starting or coming off the bench. Congratulations to both players, and here’s hoping their good form continues!

Takeaways from Matchday 23

Major League Soccer’s 23rd matchday is in the books, and there are plenty of lessons to be learned from the weekend’s action. Allan Saint-Maximin bagged his first goal for Charlotte FC and so far he’s looked lively and involved for his new team, which is riding a four-game unbeaten streak. Dejan Joveljic continues to score for fun regardless of who he’s playing for, as he marked his debut for the Seattle Sounders with a brace. The Sounders couldn’t hold onto all three points and had to settle for one, but he should help them in terms of firepower. Finally, the New England Revolution are clicking nicely, and had very little trouble in brushing aside the Columbus Crew on the road. Matt Turner is playing well, Carles Gil is still doing his thing, and the Revs are up to fourth in the East.

Recapping Recent Transfers

The transfer deadline for many European leagues is later today, and that means the market has been moving at the speed of light. We start with American Folarin Balogun, who will reportedly be joining Everton for a deal that could rise as high as $54 million with add-ons and incentives. Staying in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur is said to be interested in signing Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo from Chelsea. St Louis City SC is reportedly signing American striker Damion Downs on loan from Southampton. Real Salt Lake is reportedly signing Taylor Booth from FC Twente.

Finally, Stoke City is reportedly finishing up a deal to sign Jack McGlynn from the Houston Dynamo.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City rose one spot to no. 16 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
• Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer.
• Joshua Kushner says he regrets his participation in the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

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

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work covering high school football. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to OCB forward Gustavo Caraballo, who turned 18 on Saturday, and Orlando Pride forward Julie Doyle, who turned 28 on Sunday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Draw at Minnesota United

Orlando City blew a two-goal lead late in the second half, fell behind on the road, and scored in stoppage time to draw Minnesota United 3-3 on Saturday at Allianz Field. Daryl Dike scored the opener in the first half. Antoine Griezmann doubled the lead in the second half on a nice transition opportunity. It looked like Orlando was going to win two games in a row, however, Minnesota scored three goals in four minutes to take a 3-2 lead. In stoppage time, Tyrese Spicer buried a late equalizer for the Lions to salvage a road draw. Orlando City will face San Diego FC at home on Saturday.

Pride Fall to Utah Royals at Home

The Orlando Pride fell 2-1 to the Utah Royals on Saturday at Inter.co Stadium after leading at the half. Barbra Banda put the Pride in front just before halftime. Utah equalized just minutes after the restart, and Paige Cronin added another for the Royals, who swept the season series. Orlando’s back line struggled in the second half as the club couldn’t hold on to the lead and slipped to 12th place in the NWSL table. The Pride will take on the Houston Dash at home on Sunday.

OCB Defeat Crown Legacy

Orlando City B defeated Crown Legacy FC 3-2 Sunday at Osceola County Stadium despite falling behind early. Crown Legacy struck first early in the first half, but Issah Haruna leveled the match for the Young Lions just before halftime. Matthew Belgodere and Gustavo Caraballo scored a few minutes apart to give OCB a 3-1 lead early in the second half. Crown Legacy pulled one back through an own goal by OCB midfielder Ignacio Gomez, but the Young Lions held on for the three points and snapped a five-match losing streak. OCB will be on the road for its next match on Friday, taking on Inter Miami II.

Latest MLS Transfer Roundup

The New England Revolution are reportedly finalizing a deal to sign Daniel Gazdag from the Columbus Crew.

St. Louis City is reportedly close to acquiring forward Rafael Navarro from the Colorado Rapids for a record transfer fee. The New York Red Bulls are close to finalizing a deal with D.C. United to bring back midfielder Caden Clark.

EFL Championship side Stoke City has reportedly reached an agreement with San Diego FC to acquire left back Luca Bombino.

Lastly, Portland Timbers forward Kevin Kelsy has traveled to Europe to undergo a medical and seal his transfer to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Free Kicks

• The Lions had fun at the Minnesota Vikings’ training facility before Saturday’s match, where Griezmann showed off his passing game playing quarterback.

• Manchester City is reportedly in transfer talks with Liverpool to sign forward Cody Gakpo.
• Chelsea announced the signing of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa on Sunday on a three-year contract. Martinez made his debut for Chelsea, starting in goal, and made four saves in a thrilling 4-3 win against Brighton and Hove Albion.
• Forward Ollie Watkins has left Aston Villa and has reportedly joined Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League.
• Everton is reportedly considering a bid for USMNT and AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline. However, it will depend on whether the club can move forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Beto.

• FK Zalgiris, a Lithuanian women’s first-division club, has reportedly invited Jason Sudeikis, who plays Ted Lasso in the hit Apple TV show, to coach its women’s team in a real game to help bring global attention to the club.

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