Lion Links: 3/23/26

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando City midfielder Ivan Angulo, who turned 27 Sunday. We have plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Suffer Another Heavy Defeat at Nashville SC

Orlando City fell 5-0 to Nashville SC on the road Saturday at Geodis Park. Cristian Espinoza struck early in the first half for Nashville, Sam Surridge scored from the penalty spot, and the Lions trailed 2-0 at halftime. Surridge added two more goals in the second half to complete his hat trick as Nashville picked up its fourth win of the season. The Lions wasted the few chances they created in the attack throughout the match, and Orlando City has been outscored 10-0 in its two road matches this season. Orlando City will be off this week due to the international break but will be back on the road to face LAFC on April 4 at BMO Stadium.

Antoine Griezmann Reportedly Finalizing Summer Move to Orlando City

According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, Antoine Griezmann is reportedly traveling to Florida to finalize a summer transfer move to join Orlando City. After the two sides have been in advanced negotiations for weeks, the 35-year-old midfielder will reportedly be signed through the 2027-2028 season with an option for 2028-2029 (paywall).

Luis Otavio and Braian Ojeda Earn Call-Ups

Joining fellow Lions Colin Guske, Justin Ellis, Tahir Reid-Brown, and Maxime Crepeau away on international duty this week are midfielders Luis Otavio and Braian Ojeda, who have earned call-ups to their respective national teams. Otavio will be in training camp as the Brazil U-20 Men’s National Team will have two friendlies against Paraguay on March 28 and 31. Meanwhile, Ojeda will join the first team for the Paraguay Men’s National Team’s upcoming friendlies against Greece on March 27 and Morocco on March 31.

Pride Draw Denver Summit at Home

The Orlando Pride drew the Denver Summit 1-1 Friday at Inter&Co Stadium, giving up the opening goal to Melissa Kossler in the first half. Barbra Banda equalized in the second half on her birthday to help Orlando secure a draw. It’s the second consecutive match in which Orlando created plenty of scoring chances but scored only one goal. However, the Pride did limit Denver to one goal in their second home match of the season. Orlando will be on the road with two matches this week. The Pride will face the Chicago Stars on Wednesday at Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL, and then take on NJ/NY Gotham FC Sunday at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

OCB Wins Penalty Shootout After 4-4 Draw Against Inter Miami II

Orlando City B drew Inter Miami II 4-4 Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium. Miami scored two goals in the game’s first five minutes. Pedro Leao pulled one back for the Young Lions before Miami added another goal to make it 3-1 just before halftime. In the second half, Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida scored his second goal of the match for Miami before Justin Ellis added one for OCB to make it 4-2. The Young Lions rallied late, getting two goals from Gustavo Caraballo to tie the match. OCB won the penalty shootout 4-2. After four matches, the Young Lions are in sixth in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings with eight points. OCB is off this weekend but will return to action on April 11 on the road to take on Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium.

Americans Abroad

Let’s catch you up on Americans in action abroad in Europe. We had two Americans square off in Ligue 1, as Folarin Balogun and AS Monaco faced Tanner Tessmann and Olympique Lyon. Balogun scored a goal to help AS Monaco defeat Olympique Lyon 2-1. Antonee Robinson played 61 minutes as Fulham beat Burnley 3-1. Brenden Aaronson played 68 minutes for Leeds United in a scoreless draw against Brentford. Christian Pulisic added an assist as AC Milan edged Torino 3-2, while Weston McKennie played a full 90 minutes as Juventus and Sassuolo settled for a 1-1 draw. Johnny Cardoso played 57 minutes, but Atletico Madrid fell 3-2 to rival Real Madrid.

Free Kicks

• Nico O’Reilly scored twice as Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0 to win the Carabao Cup.
• Tottenham Hotspur fell 3-0 to Nottingham Forest Sunday, dropping to 17th in the Premier League table and one point above the relegation zone.
• The Newcastle United-Sunderland match Sunday was paused for three minutes after a report of racist abuse by a fan towards Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida. The Premier League has opened an investigation into the incident.
• PSV Director of Football Affairs Earnie Stewart stated over the weekend that the transfer of forward Ricardo Pepi to Fulham this summer is now off due to the clubs failing to agree on when the deal would be made official.
• The Houston Dynamo have signed left back Sam Vines to a contract through the 2027 season.
• The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced the second-round matchups of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The lone Florida matchup will feature USL League One side FC Naples hosting Orlando-based CFL Spurs of the United Premier Soccer League on March 31.
• Chelsea forward Sam Kerr and defender Millie Bright are reportedly expected to leave the club once their contracts expire at the end of the season in the Women’s Super League.

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