Lion Links: 4/8/26

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. If you’re like me, you are basking in the glow of a wonderful Orlando Pride win and are shoving your feelings about Orlando City way down into a ball of anger and frustration deep inside of you. That’s a healthy way to do that, right? Right?! Now that I’ve repressed those negative emotions, let’s turn to something more positive and wish Orlando City forward Tiago a happy 21st birthday. With that done, let’s get to the links.

Lions Head North to Face Crew

Orlando City is back on the road against the Columbus Crew Sunday evening. Away matches haven’t been kind for the Lions so far this season, but the Crew are not the top of the table clubs that Orlando City has mostly faced so far. It’s an opportunity to get back on track for a struggling club. While you’re most likely familiar with the Crew, here is the pertinent information on 2026’s version of Orlando City’s Eastern Conference opponent.

Pride Climb Power Rankings

The Orlando Pride moved from seventh to fifth in the ESPN NWSL power rankings following their late winner against Angel City FC. As I said on this week’s SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast, the win reminded me of the grittiness we saw from this club in 2024. It was enough for ESPN’s Futbol Americas – Futbol W show to have the win headline the show.

Agyemang Officially Out

We discussed Patrick Agyemang’s injury news in Tuesday’s Lion Links, but later in the day the striker was officially ruled out of playing in the upcoming World Cup after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury in Derby County’s win over Stoke City on Monday. It is truly unfortunate for the American striker to miss playing in a World Cup on home soil. It is also unfortunate as it is one fewer option for the USMNT at forward going into the competition. I know he’s not in form, and hasn’t really gotten a look from Mauricio Pochettino, but Duncan McGuire is an American striker. On a more serious note, we wish Agyemang a full and speedy recovery.

USWNT’s Trio of Matches

The USWNT will play three friendlies against Japan — on April 11 in San Jose, CA; April 14 in Seattle, WA; and April 17 in Commerce City (Denver-ish), CO. At each match there will be a homecoming of sorts for different players getting to play in the area where they grew up or played college soccer. Meanwhile, former Pride defender Emily Sams saw her stock fall in Si.com’s estimation following her return to Inter&Co Stadium.

Free Kicks

• Transfermarkt has dropped MLS market values for players and teams. You probably don’t want to look, but if you’re a glutton for punishment, here is the Orlando City page.
• Orlando City is listed in the MLS power rankings, though I don’t recommend you actually go look since you can probably guess how bad it is.
• The Colorado Rapids are going to do the dumbest thing an MLS club with an American style name can do. They are going to rebrand. I don’t know for sure that they will change the name, but I really hope they don’t. We don’t need another “FC,” “Real,” or “United.”
• Former Lion Cyle Larin helped Southampton defeat Wrexham AFC 5-1 in the English Championship on Tuesday.

• Stu Holden was rightly called out for being more than a bit tone deaf when he posted a link for expensive hospitality packages to the upcoming World Cup. I followed the link so you don’t have to. The prices for the USMNT match against Paraguay in Los Angeles start at $3,300 per person.

• Let’s finish today with the actual feel good story of Tony Incenzo who went to matches at every single ground in the English non-league system. He started the journey in 1981. Good on you, Tony.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Orlando City and Orlando City B matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!