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!

Good morning, everyone. It was a great weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams, as both the Orlando Pride and Orlando City B picked up convincing wins. The club soccer scene will now quiet for a bit as both Orlando City and the Pride will be off until July, but there’s still plenty going on with the World Cup right around the corner. We’ve got lots to talk about today, so let’s get into the links.

Braian Ojeda to Represent Paraguay

Monday morning started off on a bright note for Orlando City fans, as Braian Ojeda was officially called up to represent Paraguay at this summer’s World Cup. It was a piece of news that was to be expected, as Ojeda has been a mainstay in Paraguay’s squad since September of last year, but it’s still nice to get confirmation of what we suspected. Fans of the United States Men’s National Team may get to see Ojeda in action sooner rather than later, as Paraguay will open its campaign against the USMNT on June 12. The team will play Turkiye second, and finish group play against Australia. More immediately, Ojeda and Paraguay have a friendly on Friday against Nicaragua in Asuncion. Congratulations, Braian!

Pride Players up for Weekly Honors

The Orlando Pride picked up an emphatic 3-1 win over Bay FC in the team’s final game before the NWSL break, so it’s no surprise that several Pride players have been nominated for weekly honors. We start with Barbra Banda, whose brace and assist have her nominated for the NWSL Player of the Week.

Orlando’s other goal scorer, Cori Dyke, has been nominated for the NWSL Goal of the Week. Dyke unleashed a 55th-minute rocket from just inside the edge of the box that went off the underside of the crossbar and in past a helpless Emmie Allen. Make sure you go vote for her!

Young Lions Shine

Orlando City B also picked up a lopsided win over Chattanooga FC, as the Young Lions squandered an early lead but scored four second-half goals to come from behind and win 5-2. The performance earns OCB its first MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Matchweek award, and it’s hard to say it wasn’t justified. Ignacio Gomez got things going after just six minutes when he scored from a tight angle, and Pedro Leao bagged a brace to help the kids pick up their second high-scoring win in as many games. Keep up the good work, guys!

Real Salt Lake Sued by Former Player

Former Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Jeffrey Dewsnup is suing the club and has alleged that he experienced hazing at the hands of four former teammates. Despite being 16 when he joined the team, he was allegedly required to use the same locker room and showers as his adult teammates without anyone supervising the interactions. Aaron Herrera, David Ochoa, Tate Schmitt, and Justen Glad are all named in the lawsuit, and accused of varying types of inappropriate conduct. The suit also alleges that then-goalkeeping coach Ignacio Hernandez accused him of faking an injury in 2021 and forced him to train through an injury to his shoulder. Dewsnup retired from playing professionally in 2022.

Free Kicks

• The Pride rose two spots to no. 9 in ESPN.com’s NWSL power rankings.
• Ricardo Pepi says that being left off the USMNT’s World Cup roster in 2022 helped him grow and be ready for the upcoming edition of the tournament.
• Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell is replacing the injured Phallon Tullis-Joyce on the United States Women’s National Team roster for its upcoming friendlies against Brazil.
• New rules at this summer’s World Cup will include red cards for players that cover their mouths in confrontational situations, red cards for players leaving the field to protest a referee’s decision, and countdowns for throw-ins, and goal kicks.
• Plymouth Argyle has informed most of its women’s first team players that their contracts will not be renewed this summer.
• Thousands of unsold World Cup tickets have suddenly disappeared from FIFA’s sales website in what surely is not an effort to create artificial scarcity and drive up prices. FIFA would never do such a thing.

That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work and just wrapped up covering high school spring season sports for the school year up here in Chicago. We had the Pride, OCB, and the USMNT all in action, and we’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Pride Beat Bay FC

The Orlando Pride defeated Bay FC 3-1 at Inter&Co Stadium Friday. Barbra Banda scored the opener early in the first half for Orlando, but Bay FC’s Caroline Conti scored the equalizer. In the second half, Banda scored her second goal of the night and added an assist on Cori Dyke’s goal in the 55th minute. Banda went down with an injury late in the match and had to leave the pitch. Since Orlando had already used all its substitutions, the team had to play the final 15 minutes of the match, including stoppage time, down to 10 players, but the Pride held on for the win. Banda has been called up to the Zambia Women’s National Team for the Four Nations Tournament, with the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations set to kick off next month in Morocco.

The Pride will be off until early July due to the NWSL World Cup break. Their next match will be on the road at BMO Stadium against Angel City FC on July 3.

OCB Defeats Chattanooga FC

Orlando City B defeated Chattanooga FC 5-2 at Osceola County Stadium Sunday. Ignacio Gomez scored for the Young Lions six minutes into the match. Chattanooga FC responded with two goals later in the first half to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. In the second half, it was all OCB as Pedro Leao, Harvey Sarajian, and Justin Hylton each added a goal to extend the Young Lions’ lead to 4-2. Leao added a penalty kick goal as OCB secured back-to-back wins in league play and moved to fourth in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference table with 22 points. OCB will face Carolina Core FC Sunday at Osceola County Stadium.

Tahir Reid-Brown and Maxime Crepeau Called Up

Orlando City defender Tahir Reid-Brown and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau have been called up to their respective national teams. Reid-Brown will be joining the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team for upcoming friendlies against Georgia and North Macedonia in Bulgaria.

Crepeau will be with the Canadian Men’s National Team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Canada has two international friendlies this week, facing Uzbekistan today and taking on Ireland Friday. Canadian Men’s National Team Head Coach Jesse Marsch stated that he has not yet decided which goalkeeper will start in his team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12, but Crepeau and Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair will split time in goal against Uzbekistan.

USMNT Defeats Senegal in Friendly

The U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Senegal 3-2 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, Sunday in an international friendly. Former Lion Alex Freeman started the match and played 45 minutes. Sergino Dest struck first to give the Yanks an early lead, and Christian Pulisic scored his first international goal since November 2024 for the U.S. to take a 2-0 lead in the first half. Sadio Mane pulled one back for Senegal to make it 2-1 just before halftime. In the second half, Mane added another goal to level the match, but Folarin Balogun came off the bench and scored the final goal of the match to seal the win for the Americans. The USMNT will face Germany Saturday in another international friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, before opening the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, taking on Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

Paris Saint-Germain Repeats as UEFA Champions League Winner in Penalties

Paris Saint-Germain edged Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw Saturday at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, to win the UEFA Champions League title for the second time in a row. Kai Havertz scored the first goal six minutes into the match to give Arsenal the lead in the first half. However, in the second half, Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, resulting in a penalty for Paris Saint-Germain. Ousmane Dembele converted from the spot to tie the match. After 120 minutes of play, the match went to penalties, where Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made one save, but Paris Saint-Germain still scored four goals. In the final round, Arsenal defender Gabriel sailed his shot over the net, and Paris Saint-Germain became just the second team to win back-to-back Champions League titles in the modern era, since 1992. The other club was Real Madrid, which won three consecutive titles from 2015-2016 through 2017-2018.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando City Academy U-14 squad defeated Inter Miami 3-1 Sunday to win the MLS Next Cup.

• According to Sportico, Major League Soccer viewership has risen significantly in the first three months of the season.

• Liverpool has reportedly fired manager Arne Slot after finishing fifth in the Premier League this season. Former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is reportedly the leading candidate to replace Slot as Liverpool manager.
• Jose Mourinho is returning to Real Madrid for a second stint as manager and has reached an agreement with the club on a three-year contract.

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