Lion Links: 3/25/26

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Tuesday was a big day for Orlando City, and tonight we have an Orlando Pride match. What a week it’s been and we’re only halfway through. I honestly could have done an entire article with only links about Antoine Griezmann, but I think that would be a bit of overkill. With that said, let’s get to the links.

Griezmann is a Go

It’s official. Orlando City has signed French international and Atletico Madrid star forward/attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann to a deal through 2027-2028 with an option year for 2028-2029. Griezmann will join the Lions this summer after the end of Atletico’s season. To say this is a big signing is an understatement. What started out as a bit of a running joke on The Mane Land PawedCast is now a reality. During the darkest hours, a bit of light shines all the brighter.

The Pride Play Tonight

The Orlando Pride are on the road for the first time tonight as they take on Chicago Stars FC — who should have never changed their name from the Red Stars. I mean, there’s still a red star in the badge for goodness sake. The match is just one of a slate of Wednesday matches. The Pride are still looking for their first victory of the season. Despite that fact, Orlando sits at No. 5 in SI.com’s NWSL Power Rankings.

Pareja Retired-ish for Now

Former Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja announced that after 14 straight years of coaching, he is taking a break from it all. He also said it truly was a mutual parting of the ways with Orlando City. According to Pareja, he asked for an “arrangement” allowing him to leave even though he had three years left on his contract. At least for now, Pareja has no intentions of coaching somewhere else.

Rodriguez Accused

Nico Rodriguez is under investigation for alleged rape. Rodriguez was loaned by Orlando City to Atlético Nacional in January. The club has removed Rodriguez from the squad during the investigation and released a statement regarding the situation.

Nacional’s statement said the following, “As an institution, we express our solidarity with the person who has filed the complaint. We categorically reject any conduct that threatens dignity and human integrity, principles that guide our actions and stand above any sporting interest.”

Free Kicks

• Major League Soccer and MLS NEXT announced that the 2026 Generation Adidas Cup will be held at IMG Academy. It starts Friday and runs through April 4.
• Per Tom Bogert, the Colorado Rapids are finalizing a deal to sign Spanish center back Loïc Williams. Hey! Can I get some of that center back signings stuff for Orlando City?

• MLS has a deal with Adidas, but evidently Inter Miami has a better deal with Adidas? Single-entity league anyone?
• Sacramento Republic FC has plans to build a new stadium that will be the largest professional sports venue in Sacramento.
• Mo Salah is leaving Liverpool at the end of the Premier League season. I know of an MLS club that could use his services. Perhaps he’d like to play with Griezmann?
• File this under even massive clubs make really bad mistakes sometimes. When checking out Kylian Mbappe’s knee injury, Real Madrid medical staff performed an MRI scan on the wrong leg. That seems bad.
• Football Supporters Europe group has launched a formal complaint with the European Commission against FIFA regarding World Cup ticket prices. Can I also get in on this?
• Who are soccer’s greatest showboaters? Spoilers: No Orlando City players made the final list, but one did get a mention.
• There’s plenty of content from the club on Griezmann, but this is one of my favorites.

That will do it for today. Check back for our coverage of tonight’s Orlando Pride match and later this week as we get you ready for the Pride’s next match on Sunday. Vamos Orlando!