Lion Links: 8/25/26

Good morning, everyone. It was an improved, but not perfect weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams, as the three sides combined to take six of the nine points on offer. The midweek games have finally ceased for the time being, but Orlando City and the Orlando Pride will both be back in action on Saturday, while Orlando City B will try to get things back on track on Sunday. We’ve got a whole host of things to cover this morning, so let’s get into the links. But before we do, we want to give a big shout out and thank you to Barry, our latest TAM-level subscriber at The Mane Land’s subscription service at Buy Me a Coffee. If you’d like to check out what’s on offer to see if it’s for you, click here (you can also just make a donation if you want to support us and subscribing isn’t for you).

Antoine Griezmann Named MLS Player of the Matchday

Designated Player Antoine Griezmann played a starring role in Orlando City’s win over Real Salt Lake, as the Frenchman bagged a second-half brace to complete the Lions’ comeback and secure a vital three points. He’s been rewarded for his efforts with not just a starting spot in the MLS Team of the Matchday, but with his first MLS Player of the Matchday nod as well. Griezmann’s double makes it three goals and two assists in six league games since joining the team following the World Cup break, and while the team’s form hasn’t been flawless, it certainly looks a lot better with him in the fold. Here’s hoping his good form continues!

Pride Players Up for Weekly Honors

Sticking with the topic of weekly awards, Barbra Banda has been nominated for the NWSL Assist of the Week. The striker is most known for her prolific goal scoring, but she turned provider in the Orlando Pride’s 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit. Banda drove at the defense in the opening moments of the game before playing a beautiful ball across the face of the box, where it found an onrushing Haley McCutcheon, who put her effort into the back of the net. It was a great all-around effort from Banda, as she made a tackle and won the ball on the halfway line before leading the break up the field and playing the key pass.

Speaking of McCutcheon, the Pride’s goal scorer has been nominated for the NWSL Player of the Week. McCutcheon took her goal well, and had a chance to tack on a late insurance goal, but her effort was saved by Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. Make sure you go vote for both players to win their respective awards!

Lessons from MLS Matchday 22

Matchday 22 is in the books for Major League Soccer, and there were plenty of things to be gleaned from the weekend’s action. Griezmann did a little bit of everything for Orlando City once again, but he wasn’t the only MLS newcomer that made a difference. Josh Sargent scored his first goal for Toronto FC since May as he helped the Reds knock off Inter Miami on the road, and Jack Harrison marked his first game against former team New York City FC with a gorgeous secondary assist on the game’s opening goal. He’s got five assists in four games since joining during the summer window and so far looks like a Designated Player spot smartly used by the New England Revolution.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing matches during the working week, so make sure you get everything marked down on your calendars. Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten, and Aidan Morris get things going later today when their Middlesborough side travels to face Doncaster in the Carabao Cup. Things continue on Wednesday when Tanner Tesssmann and Lyon play Fenerbahce in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League qualifying tie, with the matchup finely balanced at 1-1 after the first leg. Thursday will see Folarin Balogun and Monaco try to hold onto a 3-2 lead over Gornik Zabrze in the second leg of UEFA Conference League qualifying, before Yunus Musah (and possibly Christian Pulisic, if he’s recovered from injury) and AC Milan face Gianluca Busio and Venezia in Serie A play.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City took a big leap in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings, as the Lions rose seven spots to no.17.
• The Orlando Pride rose two spots of their own in the same outlet’s NWSL power rankings, and now sit at no. 11, which is where they are in the league table.
• Amanda Vandervort is leaving her position as president of the USL Super League.
• Samuel Eto’o has spoken out in favor of Gianni Infantino and his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

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