Lion Links: 4/3/26

Happy Friday! We have a double dose of Orlando soccer ahead of us, with the Orlando Pride playing tonight and Orlando City playing tomorrow. Apart from enjoying the soccer, I’m hoping to head out to the movies to check out “The Drama” sometime this weekend as well. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Pride defender Hannah Anderson!

Lions Drawn Against FC Naples in U.S. Open Cup

Orlando City will play on the road against FC Naples on April 15 in the round of 32 of this year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Naples currently sits atop the USL League One standings after four games so far this season, and this U.S. Open Cup match will be the club’s first against an MLS team. Orlando and Naples are the only teams from the Sunshine State still in the tournament, with Naples beating fellow Floridian teams CFL Spurs and Red Force FC to reach this round. The winner of this match will face whichever team advances between the New England Revolution and Rhode Island FC. Regardless of which team moves on from that other match, Orlando would be the road team yet again in the round of 16 if it advances.

Orlando Pride Host Angel City Tonight

The Orlando Pride will aim to carry momentum from a pair of road results into tonight’s home game against Angel City FC. The Pride are still on the hunt for their first home win this season after coming up short in their first two games despite creating decent chances. Angel City has won all three of its games so far and the Pride will need to find a way to stop Sveindis Jonsdottir, who was named NWSL Player of the Month after recording three goals and two assists in March. It will also be Emily Sams’ first trip back to Orlando since her trade to Angel City, adding another storyline to keep an eye out for tonight.

Ally Lemos and Simone Jackson Called Up

Orlando Pride players Ally Lemos and Simone Jackson were both called up for the United States U-23 Women’s National Team’s training camp in Spain. It’s Jackson’s first time being called up this year, while Lemos was on the team’s roster for February’s training camp. They are two of 20 NWSL players called up, with University of Colorado twins Hope and Faith Leyba also on the roster. The U.S. will face the Netherlands on April 10 before playing against Denmark on April 13, with a third match scheduled against an opponent determined by how the U.S. does against Denmark.

Spring Cleaning Begins For Italian Soccer Federation

The expected exodus following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third straight time has begun, with Gabriele Gravina resigning as the president of Italy’s soccer federation. His resignation comes after Italy Sports Minister Andrea Abodi’s comments earlier this week that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled. Goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon was the next domino to fall, as he stepped down as Italy’s delegation chief. We’ll see if Head Coach Gennaro Gattuso will be ousted as well with coaches like Roberto Mancini and Simone Inzaghi as possible replacements. Italy hasn’t played in a World Cup knockout game since the 2006 title game it won against France.

Free Kicks

• Check out the pre-match top for MLS clubs this year to celebrate the World Cup being hosted in North America.

• San Diego Wave midfielder Lia Godfrey was named NWSL Rookie of the Month after scoring three goals last month.
• There are seven Americans on ESPN‘s list of the top 21 women’s soccer players who are 21 or younger, with Alyssa Thompson ranked third overall.
• James Rodriguez was hospitalized in Minnesota due to severe dehydration following Colombia’s friendly against France in Maryland. Hopefully he has a smooth recovery and that this helps teams prepare for possible dehydration issues this summer.
• CF Montreal added Frankie Amaya on loan from Toluca for the rest of the MLS season.
• The semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League are set, with Barcelona playing against Bayern Munich and Arsenal taking on OL Lyonnes.
• Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet announced that he will retire from professional soccer following Club Brugge’s season, with his final match set for May 24.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!