Happy Friday, Mane Landers! We have three straight days of Orlando soccer to enjoy, starting with the Orlando Pride’s match tonight. I’ve had a feeling as if I’m forgetting something ever since the World Cup ended, but this weekend’s games should help solve that. Let’s jump right into today’s links!

Multiple Lions Make Team of the Matchday

Orlando City players Antoine Griezmann, Eduard Atuesta, Maxime Crepeau, and David Brekalo all made the MLS Team of the Matchday following the team’s 4-0 win on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes. Griezmann scored in his MLS debut, while Atuesta recorded three assists. Crepeau had seven saves to help secure the clean sheet alongside David Brekalo, who scored as well. It’s great to see the Lions so well represented after a midweek slate that featured plenty of strong performances.

Orlando City Prepares to Face Nashville SC

There’s not much time for rest for the Lions after that victory on the West Coast, as they are back in action on Saturday with a home game against Nashville SC. Griezmann looked as advertised in that road win and his performance was one of the highlights from the midweek games. While it’s not the largest sample size, Orlando looked transformed with Griezmann on the field. Hopefully the Lions can keep the momentum rolling at home against Nashville, which has only lost once all season. It’ll be a tough match for Orlando, but it will also be a great opportunity to make a statement about where the team is headed.

Orlando Pride Take On the Chicago Stars Tonight

The Orlando Pride have had a week to reset and prepare for tonight’s match at home against the Chicago Stars. Both teams have lost their past two games and will be without important forwards, as the Pride’s Barbra Banda is on international duty and Chicago’s Jordyn Huitema was recently placed on the season-ending injury list. Mallory Swanson is also listed as out on the availability report for Chicago. The Stars have only scored eight goals while conceding 30 this season, making this a solid chance for the Pride to claim a needed three points at home.

Barbra Banda Praises Marta Ahead of WAFCON

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to begin on Sunday in Morocco and Banda is prepared to captain Zambia for the tournament. She spoke on how Pride teammate and women’s soccer legend Marta has helped her become a better player.

“The motivation she gives me is something I can’t even describe. Every game we play, she always has a word for me,” Banda said.

“She has been my idol since I was young, and this is a great opportunity for me to keep learning, gain experience and improve my game. I’m always following her closely because I want to learn something from her.”

Zambia is in a tough group against Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi, with only the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals. The stakes are fairly high in each game, as the semifinalists of the tournament will directly qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Zambia’s first match is set for Tuesday against Egypt.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

Hugo Cuypers, who was tied for the MLS Golden Boot lead with 13 goals so far this season, was officially transferred from the Chicago Fire to CF Monterrey for a reported transfer fee of $7.5 million. It’s a bit low for one of the league’s best forwards, but it does open up a Designated Player spot for Chicago. American midfielder Sebastian Berhalter may also be leaving the league, as the Vancouver Whitecaps are reportedly close to transferring him to Middlesbrough for a fee around $2 million.

As for the ever escalating arms race by Eastern Conference teams, Atlanta United is reportedly targeting big names like Darwin Nunez and Breel Embolo as possible replacements for Emmanuel Latte Lath, who notably didn’t play on Wednesday. The New England Revolution are also reportedly looking to add some firepower and are nearing a deal for Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City forward Justin Ellis was noted as a young American player who impressed this week for his role in Orlando’s win, in which he provided both a primary and a secondary assist.
• The club announced that Inter&Co Stadium has been renamed to Inter.co Stadium. Ampersand fanatics are in shambles.
• An agreement to key terms of a collective bargaining agreement has been reached between the USL Super League and the USL Players Association. The tentative agreement still needs to be ratified, but it would be the league’s first collective bargaining agreement.
• Former MLS and U.S. Soccer star Eddie Pope was named MLS Senior Vice President of Sporting Development and MLS NEXT Pro Senior Vice President of Competition & Operations.
• Enjoy this graphic showcasing the tenures of the managers in the English Premier League. It’s a bit crazy that half of them haven’t been with the club for over a year.

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

I am once again petitioning that all Orlando City games be played on Wednesdays. The Lions impressed yet again in a midweek match, and I don’t think anyone would blame you for thinking today feels like a Friday. Let’s get to Orlando’s victory and more in today’s links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Wins Big In San Jose

Playing on the road on the other side of the country, Orlando City dominated the San Jose Earthquakes in a 4-0 win in its first league game since the World Cup break. The Lions scored early off of a set piece and never looked back, with Antoine Griezmann playing great in his MLS debut. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was also excellent in securing a clean sheet in a tough environment against one of the league’s best offenses. It’s hard not to dream about what this team could look like once Martin Ojeda, Daryl Dike, and Marco Pasalic return to the fold as well. The Lions will be back in action at home on Saturday for a match against Nashville SC.

Seven Castain Re-Signed, Loaned to Dallas Trinity FC

The Orlando Pride have signed forward Seven Castain to a new contract and loaned her to Dallas Trinity FC in the USL Super League for the remainder of the Pride’s season. Her new deal with the Pride will last through the 2028 season with a mutual option in place for the 2029. Castain joined the Pride in January following four years of collegiate soccer with Texas Christian University, where she scored 17 goals in her senior year. Although she hasn’t scored yet for the Pride, hopefully this loan will give her some valuable minutes and she can make a splash in Dallas.

Orlando Pride Prepare for Home Game vs. Chicago

The Orlando Pride have lost their past two games and will look to get back to their winning ways on Friday when they host the Chicago Stars. The Pride were shut out in those previous two defeats and will need to find a way to score without forward Barbra Banda, who is with Zambia at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The Stars have only won four games this year and have conceded 30 goals, the most in the league. Orlando Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on the refinement needed on both sides of the ball for the Pride to get a result on Friday.

Inter Miami Investigated Over Casemiro Signing

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was officially signed by Inter Miami, but the club is also being investigated by the league for tampering in relation to the signing. Casemiro’s discovery rights belonged to the LA Galaxy, which would’ve stopped Miami from being able to negotiate with him. While Miami and the Galaxy reached a settlement over it, the league is still doing its due diligence by investigating. Casemiro, who played in all five of Brazil’s games at the recent World Cup, joins Miami on a contract through the shortened 2027 season, with options through June of 2029.

Free Kicks

• The design for Camping World Stadium’s $400 million renovation was revealed, giving a look at what is potentially to come in the City Beautiful.

• Banda played in the first half of Zambia’s 1-0 loss to Algeria in preparation for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on Sunday.
• Brentford is reportedly set to add American goalkeeper Aidan Stokes on loan from the New York Red Bulls.

• LAFC transferred MLS U22 Initiative player Amin Boudri to Hammarby in Sweden’s top flight, opening up some roster flexibility in the process.
• According to Italian Football Federation President Giovanni Malago, discussions have been held for Pep Guardiola to become Italy’s next head coach.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It is match day as Orlando City heads to California to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. It’s going to be a late one, so I hope you got your beauty sleep last night. There’s a lot of excitement with the arrival of Antoine Griezmann and the return of Daryl Dike heading into the second part of the season. Let’s get to the links.

Lions Head West

Orlando City resumes the season tonight with a late night match against the San Jose Earthquakes. This will likely be Griezmann’s first official appearance for the Lions. Thanks to the World Cup break, Orlando City enjoyed the equivalent of a second preseason. This will be the first opportunity to see if the extra time and the presence of Griezmann can turn the season around. It won’t be an easy task as San Jose sits in second place in the Western Conference.

Banda to WAFCON

As much as the Orlando Pride need Barbra Banda — and they really do — she is headed off to play for Zambia at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. She won’t be alone, as several NWSL players will also be playing in the competition. You’ll be familiar with Temwa Chawinga, Rosemonde Kouassi, and Racheal Kundananji, among others. Zambia’s first match is against Egypt on Tuesday, July 28. The matches will be available on beIN Sports Connect.

Orlando City B Ranked

If you aren’t watching Orlando City B, I think you should give the team a chance. No matter the result, it’s usually interesting to watch. MLS NEXT Pro has the Young Lions sitting in seventh place in the current power rankings. It’s even more impressive since you never know who will be on the pitch any given match. OCB will be back in action Sunday against Huntsville City.

Red Card Rescinded

In my opinion, Leandro Paredes earned a post-match red card for his actions against several Spanish players. The official match tracker showed Paredes with a red card, but it was later deleted, and now FIFA says he didn’t receive the red card. FIFA also says that multiple Argentina players and coaching staff members will be subject to investigation around the incidents in the match against Spain and the political sign held up after the match against England.

Free Kicks

• The Chicago Stars were dealt a blow before the match against the Orlando Pride as Jordyn Huitema has been placed on the Season Ending Injury list.
• Borussia Monchengladbach is making Joe Scally and Gio Reyna available for sale.

• The LA Galaxy agreed to transfer forward Kyōgo Furuhashi from Birmingham City through the 2030-2031 season, and he will occupy an international slot.

• Premier League referee Anthony Taylor is retiring.

• I’m just going to leave this here as the butt of the joke.

That will do it for today. Check back with us tonight for coverage of Orlando City’s match. You can also follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for updates during the match. Vamos Orlando!