Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/3/26
Orlando City players called up, Banda recognized, USMNT news, and more.
Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Usually when there are no Orlando City or Orlando Pride matches I worry that finding links will be a challenge. That was not the case today. I will also share that I’m finally starting to get excited about the World Cup. All the grifting and corruption has tempered my enthusiasm until now. I’m not going to forget about it, but darn it I do love this game. Let’s get to the links.
Pasalic, Ojeda, and Crepeau, Oh My!
Orlando City has three players representing their respective countries at the World Cup this summer: Marco Pasalic for Croatia, Braian Ojeda for Paraguay, and Maxime Crepeau for co-host Canada. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait for the tournament as there are friendlies to watch. Pasalic played about 30 minutes in Croatia’s 2-0 loss to Belgium on Tuesday. Croatia will play Slovenia in its final friendly before the World Cup on Sunday. Ojeda’s Paraguay has a friendly against Nicaragua Friday and will be the USMNT’s first opponent in the group stage.
The Canadian Men’s National Team defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly Monday evening. Maxime Crepeau was between the sticks for the Canucks at the start of the game and made a good reaction save on a header. He also made a nice one-on-one save against Eldor Shomurodov.
It was a good performance for Orlando City’s keeper. Canada will play Ireland in its final friendly Friday before the start of the World Cup.
Banda-mania Continues
It’s unsurprising that Barbra Banda is getting love all over the place following her two goals and one assist against Bay FC. Banda was a unanimous pick on offense and as captain on the team of the week for The Attacking Third at CBS Sports. She was not alone, as Cori Dyke was also a unanimous pick for her goal and defensive play in the match. Banda also got some love from the official NWSL website and from The XI Sports.
OCB Climbing the Ranks
Thanks to a second win in a row for Orlando City B, the club has jumped up to sixth in the MLS NEXT Pro power rankings. Pedro Leão and Harvey Sarajian led the way for the Young Lions, scoring three of the five goals against Chattanooga FC. Zakaria Taifi occasionally appears for OCB when not with the senior team. Now, he’s been called up to Morocco’s U-23 National Team for training camp in Salé.
USMNT News
There’s one more friendly against Germany on Saturday and then we can turn our full attention to the World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino is trying to balance pragmatism and a quest for greatness in his team.
Former Orlando City defender Alex Freeman is the only player from Florida on the USMNT World Cup roster. At 21 years old he is also the youngest ever. I know he doesn’t play for Orlando City anymore, but I think it’s okay for us to still claim him. Did you know that Matt Freese is a Harvard grad? Me neither, but it is pretty cool that he did a research paper on penalty kicks.
Of course, the oldest player on the team is also the captain. Despite his showing against Senegal, I’m not the only one that is happy Tim Ream is on the squad and wearing the armband. That is a lot of pressure for anyone, but evidently Ream deals with the stress by building with LEGOs, and I love it. Speaking of stress, two years ago Brenden Aaronson scheduled his wedding for May 30, 2026. That was two days before the start of the USMNT World Cup camp. That camp was moved back a week. Fortunately, both the families and the team were understanding.
If you haven’t yet figured out how Mauricio Pochettino is employing his team, here is a pretty good breakdown. Interestingly, it’s sort of like how Orlando City has played, using right backs Ruan, Freeman, and Griffin Dorsey as the high player when the defense pivots to three at the back while in possession.
Free Kicks
- Here is the updated list of every squad and player participating in the World Cup. There are a record 44 players from MLS this time.
- NBC has put out its Top 25 Players in the World Cup. It’s no surprise that no USMNT players made it onto the list, but perhaps that can be some extra motivation for the team.
- FIFA — yes that FIFA — launched a women’s health and performance project on Monday. Perhaps the sport’s governing body could take some of the billions it extracts all over the world and do some good with it.
- Former Orlando Pride defender Brianna Martinez is retiring from professional soccer. She was last with Carolina Ascent FC of the Gainbridge Super League.
- If Giorgian De Arrascaeta isn’t able to play in the World Cup there is a possibility that former Orlando City attacker Facundo Torres could be his replacement.
- Flamengo is allegedly scouting Martin Ojeda. I say this with all sincerity — back off! But seriously, who isn’t keeping an eye on Tincho?
That will do it for today. If you’re not watching OCB, I can’t recommend it enough. And not just because it’s the only Orlando team still playing. Vamos Orlando!