Lion Links: 4/22/26

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s match day for Orlando City. That’s as much a warning for your mental health as it is a notification if you decide to watch the match tonight. Perhaps you could catch up on Pluribus, or rewatch Ted Lasso. I’m simply saying you have options that might not raise your blood pressure. On a brighter note, join me in wishing Orlando City legend Kaká a very happy birthday. More on him below. Let’s get to the links.

Lions Host Charlotte Tonight

Orlando City is looking to rebound against Charlotte FC tonight at Inter&Co Stadium. It’s no secret that the Lions are having a rough time of it so far this season, and with Charlotte sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, it doesn’t get any easier. That doesn’t stop Martin Perelman and the players from thinking they are getting better and having a plan for the match tonight. What was it Mike Tyson said about everyone having a plan? Can the Lions turn things around on short rest?

Orlando Pride Return to NWSL Play Friday

The Orlando Pride return to action Friday against Racing Louisville FC. The match is at Louisville where the Pride have yet to win. Despite that, the players are ready to pick up where they left off before the international break. The break provided much-needed rest for many of the players. The Pride will play six matches during the month of May before the league takes a break for the World Cup.

Osceola Heritage Park Expansion Funding Moves Forward

Osceola County leaders have agreed to have Orlando City expand the club’s footprint at Osceola Heritage Park. Orlando Sports Enterprises (OSE a.k.a. the Wilf family) will match the $25 million that the county is putting up for the project. OSE will assume repair, maintenance, and operating costs for the facility. A hotel and free-standing restaurant are also in the plans. This is a good investment for the club’s future in the arms race that is professional sports.

NWSL Coming to Columbus

The owners of the Columbus Crew have been awarded an NWSL franchise. The Haslam Sports Group paid a record $205 million expansion fee to obtain the 18th NWSL club. The new club will renovate and play at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field downtown. The organization will also build a training center at McCoy Park that had previously been slated to be renovated for local residents, including features that would enable physically disabled people to use the park.

Free Kicks

• Project Play is an initiative aimed at getting kids to play soccer — not compete, or try for scholarships, but to just play. I like that, and hopefully the upcoming World Cup can boost the effectiveness of the program.
• The Vancouver Whitecaps are playing good soccer right now sitting atop of the Western Conference, but the club is still in financial distress. The future of the Whitecaps in Vancouver is uncertain.
• The election of new Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar over the outgoing Viktor Orbán may have impacts on the sport of soccer. To be clear, the ousting of a fascist autocrat is way more important than whether Hungary will continue to spend more money on soccer.
• Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock announced she will retire at the end of the 2026 season.
• Did you still want World Cup tickets? Did you think the tickets offered so far were not expensive enough? Good news! FIFA is selling more tickets after adding more expensive categories.
• In better news, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is trying to get FIFA to pay their fair share of the transportation costs that New Jersey will incur thanks to the World Cup.
• I don’t usually get excited about new match balls or new soccer boots, but I will say I love the look and colors of the new Adidas Predator Kaká.

That will do it for today. Check back later today for our coverage of the Orlando City match this evening. Vamos Orlando!