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!

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!

Good morning, everyone, and happy Orlando City matchday eve. It seems like an eternity since the Lions played way back in late May, but a competitive OCSC game is finally almost upon us, and we’ll have our first chance to see both a new face and a familiar one. We’ve got a lot to talk about this morning, so let’s get into the links.

Catching Up with Daryl Dike

Daryl Dike is wearing Orlando City purple for the second time in his career, and he took some time to express his thoughts and feelings about returning to the club where he got his start. He emphasized how much fun he had during his first stint with the Lions and said the happy memories from his time with OCSC were a big factor in wanting to come back. Despite Robin Jansson being the only teammate left from his first spell with the team, Dike spoke about things feeling very familiar and welcoming. Dike was part of the first Orlando team to ever make the playoffs, and he’s focused on keeping that streak alive for the club now that he’s a Lion once more.

Antoine Griezmann’s Impact

Antoine Griezmann has yet to play an official game for Orlando City,but he’s already making an impact on the team. Interim head coach Martin Perelman praised his presence in the locker room and highlighted the Frenchman’s humility and energy. He certainly brings a lot of experience at the highest level and has the trophy cabinet to prove it, so the club is hoping some of that rubs off on the Lions. After all, the club isn’t that far away from the playoff line, has a U.S. Open Cup semifinal looming in mid-September, and will begin Leagues Cup play in just over two weeks. Here’s hoping his off-field impact carries over onto the field too.

Giles Barnes Leaves Orlando Pride

Giles Barnes has departed from his position as an assistant coach for the Orlando Pride. The former OCSC forward has agreed to become the new head coach of Al Qadsiah FC, a team in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. Barnes had been an assistant with the Pride since the 2022 season, when he joined on an interim basis with then-interim head coach Seb Hines. He helped lead the team to the 2024 NWSL Championship and 2024 NWSL Shield. As a player, Barnes spent the 2017 season with Orlando City as a Designated Player. This will be Barnes’ first head coaching gig, and we wish him the best of luck!

FIFA Will Investigate Post-Final Clashes

FIFA has begun a disciplinary investigation into the clashes that took place at the end of the World Cup final, which saw several Argentine coaches and players involved in physical altercations with Spanish players. Argentina’s Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes were seen hitting Spain’s Eric Garcia and Rodri, while Argentine assistant coach Roberto Ayala appears to have hit Dani Olmo. Lionel Scaloni and multiple players attempted to defuse the situations that were playing out, one of which included a verbal confrontation between Nicolas Otamendi and former Manchester City teammate Rodri. FIFA has opened a review of the postgame scenes, and suspensions could well be on the way for the worst offenders.

Free Kicks

• Barbra Banda has been called up to represent Zambia at WAFCON.

• Marco Pasalic was still absent from training as of Monday morning, amidst rumors surrounding a possible summer departure. Perelman said he will be back soon, however.

• The Italian men’s national team has reportedly contacted Pep Guardiola about becoming the team’s next head coach.
• Former England player and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75.
• Philadelphia defender Olwethu Makhanya is not with the club, as he reportedly wants to leave.

• Leagues Cup has announced the broadcast lineup for this year’s tournament.

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