Lion Links: 3/30/26

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work and checked out a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Sunday marked the third anniversary of The Mane Land launching its independent website. Before we get started, let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who turns 31 today. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Pride Draw Gotham FC on the Road

The Orlando Pride and NJ/NY Gotham FC played to a scoreless draw Sunday at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Despite having more shots on target than their opponents, the Pride were unable to score, but they also held the hosts scoreless and both teams ended up with a point. After four matches, Orlando is seventh in the National Women’s Soccer League table with five points. The Pride will return home Friday for their next match, facing Angel City FC at Inter&Co Stadium.

Pride Hire Mark Wilson as Technical Director

The Orlando Pride announced Saturday that the club has hired Mark Wilson as the club’s first-ever technical director. Wilson will work closely with Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Caitlin Carducci to attract and retain talent as the Pride look to get back to where they were in 2024. No stranger to walking into new roles, Wilson was also the first technical director in Angel City’s history, taking that job in 2024. He also led the Colorado Rapids Women’s WPSL team to a national final in 2022.

Lions on International Duty

Multiple Lions were in action over the weekend for their national teams. Orlando City midfielder Braian Ojeda came off the bench in the second half and played 11 minutes as Paraguay defeated Greece 1-0. Defender Tahir Reid-Brown started for the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team in a 3-0 win against Argentina.

Colin Guske started and Justin Ellis scored for the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team in a 4-0 win against Wales.

Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was on the bench while former Lions Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea, and Kamal Miller were in action as Canada played to a 2-2 draw against New Zealand. Canada will take on Tunisia Tuesday in a friendly. Defender David Brekalo and Slovenia will take on Montenegro, and Marco Pasalic and Croatia will face Brazil Tuesday in a friendly at Camping World Stadium.

USMNT Crushed by Belgium in Friendly

The U.S. Men’s National Team got blasted 5-2 by Belgium Saturday in a disappointing international friendly performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Despite Weston McKennie scoring the opener for the Yanks, the U.S. conceded the equalizer just before halftime as Belgium scored five straight goals, including two from Dodi Lukebakio, to go up 5-1. Patrick Agyemang added a late consolation goal for the Americans, but Belgium had the match wrapped up at that point. There was a jersey color clash in the match as neither the USMNT nor Belgium had alternative kits at the stadium to change into, and both sides wore their “white” kits, although both featured additional colors. Christian Pulisic stated that the similar colors made it more difficult to pick out teammates, but that’s not why the U.S. defense conceded five times. The loss snapped the Yanks’ five-match unbeaten streak. The USMNT will face Portugal Tuesday in Atlanta at 7 p.m.

Free Kicks

• Former Orlando City striker and current Notts County manager Martin Paterson shared insight into how his injury-riddled playing career has shaped him as a manager and how he is determined to ensure players don’t squander their opportunities in soccer.
• The Colorado Rapids have acquired winger Georgi Minoungou from the Seattle Sounders in exchange for $2,000,000 in General Allocation Money.
• The Denver Summit set a new attendance record for the club’s inaugural home opener in an NWSL match against the Washington Spirit Saturday, as 63,004 fans showed up at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium. The match ended in a scoreless draw.
• Tottenham Hotspur and manager Igor Tudor have mutually agreed to part ways, with the club looking to hire a third manager this season to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
• Former Tottenham Hotspur and Toronto FC striker Jermaine Defoe has been appointed manager at National League side Woking.
• General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football Veron Mosengo-Omba has resigned amid the fallout from the decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and to postpone the women’s tournament to July 25.

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