Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work covering high school playoff football games. The Lions and Pride were in action over the weekend and both got results. Before we get started, let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando Pride forward Jacquie Ovalle, who turns 27 today. We’ve got plenty to cover, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Defeat D.C. United at Home

Orlando City defeated D.C. United 4-1 on Saturday at Inter.co Stadium with another big performance from Antoine Griezmann. The club’s newest Designated Player scored the opening goal for the Lions and set up Martin Ojeda’s goal to double Orlando’s lead in the first half. D.C. United pulled one back with a penalty kick from Tai Baribo to make it 2-1 before the break. In the second half, Griezmann scored his second goal of the match, and Marco Pasalic added a goal late in stoppage time as the Lions picked up a crucial three points at home. Orlando City will host New York City FC on Saturday.

Pride Win at Houston Dash

The Orlando Pride got back in the win column on Sunday, beating the Houston Dash 2-1 at Shell Energy Stadium. The Pride struck first when Luana buried an early penalty kick on a foul won by Solai Washington, who later added another for Orlando to extend the lead to 2-0. In the second half, Houston pulled one back on a goal from Danielle Colaprico, but Orlando held on for the win. With the Seattle Reign’s win against the Chicago Stars on Sunday night, Orlando was officially eliminated from contention for a spot in the 2026 NWSL playoffs. The Pride will be back in action for their home finale on Sunday against Gotham FC.

Robin Jansson Has Successful Foot Surgery

Orlando City captain and defender Robin Jansson underwent successful foot surgery for a fracture in his right foot, the club announced on Friday. Jansson’s last match for the Lions was Oct. 10 against the Columbus Crew, where he played a full 90 minutes in a 3-2 win. The Swedish defender will miss the rest of the 2026 MLS season. We at The Mane Land wish Jansson a speedy recovery.

Americans Abroad

On Saturday, former Lion Alex Freeman played a full 90 minutes for Villarreal in a scoreless draw against Elche in La Liga. Gio Reyna scored for RC Strasbourg in the first half, but his side fell 3-1 to Paris Saint-Germain. On Sunday, Tyler Adams played 89 minutes for AFC Bournemouth in a 2-0 win against Sunderland. Christian Pulisic played 75 minutes for AC Milan in a 3-2 win against Atalanta, extending the club’s unbeaten streak to seven Serie A matches. Meanwhile, Weston McKennie played a full 90 minutes for Juventus in a 3-0 defeat against Lazio. Timothy Weah notched two assists for Olympique Marseille in a 5-2 victory against Angers in Ligue 1.

Free Kicks

• In case you missed it, here is another look at Martin Ojeda’s flying backheel goal, a potential goal-of-the-season candidate, in Orlando’s win against D.C. United over the weekend.

• Austin FC and forward Christian Ramirez have reached an agreement on a new contract extension that will keep him at the club through the 2027-2028 MLS season.
• Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is expected to return to the club in a few weeks after reportedly undergoing surgery for a fractured jaw sustained in a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during Saturday’s English Premier League match.
• FIFA’s controversial Peace Prize could be scrapped by year’s end after the inaugural award was given to U.S. President Donald Trump. The FIFA committee has reportedly told President Gianni Infantino to make major changes, such as depoliticizing the award or abolishing it.
• The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team defeated the Netherlands 4-1 on Sunday to win its group in the 2026 IFCPF World Cup and advanced to the knockout round.

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

Orlando City rebounded from a disappointing midweek draw in style on Saturday night, as the team put four goals past D.C. United at home in a 4-1 win. The result means the Lions maintain five points of distance between themselves and the playoff line, while another five points separate them and the Philadelphia Union in sixth place. Here are my takeaways from the goalfest.

Makeshift Back Line Holds

Orlando was missing three starters on the back line for this one, with Robin Jansson out for the season, Griffin Dorsey still battling a back injury (for long enough that it’s starting to get legitimately concerning), and Vinicius Nogueira out with a shoulder issue he picked up on Friday. Add in the fact that Bernardo Rhein picked up a late knock, and the back line became a patchwork combination of Zakaria Taifi, Iago, David Brekalo, and Ivan Angulo. Thankfully, the defense got the job done, although there were some shaky moments at the beginning of both halves, which probably isn’t a coincidence. Once they got into a rhythm and settled down, they largely managed to limit D.C.’s danger, and it was quite refreshing to not watch OCSC ship multiple goals.

Neat Interplay Pays Dividends

For the most part, the Lions did well connecting and exchanging passes in tight spaces, particularly in the first half. There were moments of miscommunication, but Orlando’s movement and interplay in the final third gave D.C. some serious fits in the first half. Daryl Dike, Martin Ojeda, and Antoine Griezmann combined beautifully for the Frenchman’s first goal of the night, and if the visitors looked like they were chasing shadows, it’s because they were. At times, Orlando is guilty of trying to play too many passes once it gets to the edge of the box or even inside it, but the Lions did well to play through D.C., and got their just rewards for doing so. Speaking of…

Magic from Martin

My god. It would be a felony to not devote a full section to Martin Ojeda’s goal. The team’s all-time leading scorer has perhaps never bagged a better one for the Lions. A flying, half-scorpion kick backheel: it sounds ludicrous even typing those words out in the same sentence. This scored a goal:

First, the vision and execution from Griezmann to dink the ball over the top of the defense, and then the audacity and invention from Ojeda to flick his foot at it while moving the other direction and falling away. The ball actually started outside the far post, with the spin taking it just inside and into the side netting. I had quite literally a perfect view of the sequence from my spot behind the goal in The Wall, and still can’t believe it. Transcendent.

A Needless Penalty

The first half ended on a sour note, as D.C. was awarded a penalty kick, which Tai Baribo converted with aplomb. It was an extremely deserved penalty too, because Wilder Cartagena decided to bear hug his man during a corner for some reason, even after referee Pierre Luc-Lauziere looked to have given him a warning about doing so before the set piece was taken. It was a mind-boggling decision from one of OCSC’s usually reliable veterans, and it gave D.C. a foothold in the game right before halftime. On another night, against a better team, it could have proved much more costly, and hopefully that’s the last we see of those sorts of decisions this season.

Subs Slam the Door

I wasn’t happy with Martin Perelman’s substitution choices during Wednesday’s draw, but I’m happy to give credit where it’s due, and his changes were effective during this game. For one thing, he actually used all five subs (praise be), and the changes made sense within the flow of the game. Joran Gerbet entered for Cartagena at halftime and provided more vertical passing and creativity in the midfield as the Lions looked for another goal. Adrian Marin and Braian Ojeda provided extra security in midfield and the back line, respectively, while Justin Ellis made sure things didn’t get too defensive, and Marco Pasalic gave Martin Ojeda some much-needed rest. That’s not all either, because Ellis and Pasalic linked up supremely well to grab a fourth goal and put the game on ice for Orlando. It was especially good to see Marco back among the goals in a season that hasn’t been the easiest for him, and the Lions are going to need him if they’re want to hang onto a playoff place, much less make a run.

All in all, you couldn’t have asked for much more after a disappointing midweek result. It didn’t come against the strongest opposition, but you can only beat who’s in front of you, and at the end of the day, the Lions secured a valuable three points. They now get a precious week of rest before trying to avenge the 5-0 hammering New York City FC gave them on the baseball diamond earlier this year. What were your thoughts on this game? Be sure to let us know down in the comments. Vamos Orlando!

Antoine Griezmann was transcendant scoring two goals and setting up a goal-of-the-year candidate for Martin Ojeda as Orlando City defeated D.C. United 4-1 tonight at Inter.co Stadium. Marco Pasalic added a late insurance goal as the Lions (12-13-5, 41 points) responded well to conceding late in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw at Toronto by avenging their loss earlier in the year to D.C. (7-10-12, 33 points).

Designated Players scored all four goals in the match. It was the first time all three Orlando City DPs scored in the same game since Orlando’s home win over Inter Miami on Aug. 10, 2025 — also a 4-1 victory. Tai Baribo scored from the spot late in the first half for D.C. United’s only goal.

“Today was a tough game,” Orlando City interim coach Martin Perelman said after the game. “We had to to battle, to fight, and play when we could. Fortunately, we won, which is very important at home. And now thinking (about) the next one.”

Perelman started Maxime Crepeau in goal behind a back line of Zakaria Taifi, Iago, David Brekalo, and Ivan Angulo. Wilder Cartagena and Luis Otavio started in central midfield between Martin Ojeda and Eduard Atuesta, with Daryl Dike and Antoine Griezmann up top.

The Lions looked to get into the flow early and created a shot for Ojeda outside the area just 30 seconds in. Ojeda had a good look and hit his shot hard, but it fizzed over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Angulo got an open look on the right from the top of the box but hit it right at D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

D.C. started to settle into the match a bit after that, beating Iago over the top with a long ball in the seventh minute. Tai Baribo tried to shoot on the half volley but couldn’t direct his shot near the target. A minute later, Crepeau was called on to make a pair of huge saves to deny Joao Peglow from point-blank range and Silvan Hefti’s follow-up from near the top of the box on a play that started with a long throw-in by United. D.C. coudn’t pay off a couple of corner kicks in quick succession, with Kye Rowles sending a header wide on the second.

Orlando won a free kick from long range in the 12th minute and tried something off the training ground but it didn’t come off as Brekalo tried an overhead kick that came off his own arm.

Griezmann put the Lions ahead in the 15th minute, finishing a brilliant team goal that started with Cartagena heading down an aerial ball on a D.C. clearance attempt. Griezmann got there first and knocked it to Dike, who gave it right back to the Frenchman, who sent it toward Ojeda in the middle. Ojeda knocked it right back into Griezmann’s path and he slotted home to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.

D.C. tried to get right back in the game by attacking immediately and winning a set piece, but Rowles again headed off target in the 19th minute.

If Orlando’s first team goal was beautiful, the second put it to shame. The play started on Orlando City’s attacking right and found Atuesta in the middle. Atuesta picked out Ojeda, who found Taifi near the right corner of the box. Taifi sent it to Griezmann, who sent a first-touch cross into the middle. It was behind Ojeda, so he backheeled it just inside the left post to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute.

“I think Grizi, Martín, they have a big talent, and they make everybody better,” Perelman said. “So, I think for us it’s about help them, work to support them, and they do what they do because they are top players. My reaction (to Ojeda’s goal) was ‘Que golazo!'”

“”It was a crazy goal,” Pasalic added. “I have to say to Tincho congratulations, it was nice. But yeah, these goals you don’t see every weekend or every game, so I think this is something you have to watch like 100 times, maybe not like 10 times like my goal. (laughs)”

D.C. again tried to come right back down to pull the goal back, moving quickly and winning a corner off an Iago turnover. Moments later, a cross into the area found Baribo, but his header skipped wide.

Otavio picked up a yellow card in the 38th minute and will miss the next game due to accumulation.

The Lions got sloppy down the final stretch of the first half and it was costly. The warning shot came in the 40th minute when Baribo was left alone in front, but he mistimed his volley attempt and missed the ball completely as the cross came in.

Four minutes later, Atuesta blocked a cross but conceded a corner and it threw D.C. a lifeline. Cartagena wrapped up his man as the cross came in and was immediately called for a foul in the box, conceding a D.C. penalty. Baribo took the kick and fired toward the left post. Crepeau guessed correctly and had a shot of stopping it but couldn’t keep it out. He was visibly frustrated with it after the shot.

That was it for the scoring chances in the first half and the Lions took a one-goal edge into halftime.

At the break, Orlando City held the advantage in possession (58.7%-41.3%), and passing accuracy (85.7%-80.4%). D.C. led in shots (10-5) and corners (5-0), with both teams putting three shots on target.

D.C. put the ball in the net moments after the restart but the play was obviously offside. Despite that, there was a lengthy video review before the call was confirmed and play resumed.

Three minutes later, Orlando nearly scored in transition, but Dike hit his shot poorly, sending it wide. Ojeda started the play with a gorgeous curling long ball to send Griezmann down the left. He sent it into the area, where Angulo got a flicked touch that may have thrown Dike off. Regardless, the Lions added a goal seconds later.

Rowles sent a poor ball out of the back straight at Griezmann, who slotted it just inside the right post to make it 3-1 in the 50th minute with his third goal contribution of the night.

United kept coming, and when no one closed down Jackson Hopkins in transition in the 54th minute, he fired from distance but hit his shot badly wide to the right.

Two minutes later, Dike got down the right channel but couldn’t get around his cross attempt and hit it into the outside nettting. The Lions could have put it to bed in the 59th minute when a great Atuesta ball across set up Angulo, but his shot was blocked. The ensuing corner was sent between Iago and Brekalo who came together and sent it wide off one of them.

Griezmann’s best attempt to complete a hat trick came in the 77th minute. Second-half sub Justin Ellis picked out the Frenchman, who inside-outed his shot, which was heading toward the top left corner, but it didn’t have enough power on it to beat Johnson from the top of the area.

United threw numbers into the attack to try to climb back into the game, while Orlando looked dangerous on the counter but struggled to create a clear-cut chance. Angulo was pulled back in transition, leading to Kimito Nono picking up a yellow card. Ojeda was a bit too selfless in the final third and tried to set up a teammate on another opportunity. Ellis got his shirt pulled for a good 10 yards after a D.C. corner in the 81st minute, and just as he released a pass that would have sent sub Braian Ojeda in alone on goal, the referee blew the whistle and booked Hopkins for the foul, despite Orlando having a clear advantage.

United kept creating set pieces in the final minutes, but the Lions continued to defend them. D.C.’s best chance came on a Baribo shot from the top of the area after Joran Gerbet’s clearance attempt hit a D.C. player out top. The striker sent his effort over the crossbar in the third minute of stoppage.

Moments later, Pasalic put the game away. Brekalo knocked the ball forward to Ellis, who sent a great diagonal ball to put the Croatian behind the defense on the left. Pasalic approached the net in the clear and blasted a shot past Johnson and in to make it 4-1 with nearly the last kick of the game.

“I’m happy that the guys did well today, and even happier that I could help the team and did my part when I came in and scored the goal,” Pasalic said. “And I think it’s really important for the team now. It’s a nice feeling.”

At full time, Orlando City held the edge in possession (58.6%-41.4%), passing accuracy (87.7%-83.1%), and shots on target (7-4). D.C. attempted more total shots (16-14) and won more corners (8-1).

“It was important,” Pasalic said about the result. “We saw that we struggled in the last game with the draw, and it was unfortunate that we don’t win the game (Wednesday). And the game before, the Columbus game, was important, so I think every win now is important in this period of time in the qualification for the playoffs. So, I think we can be happy about the three points.”

The Lions have a week to prepare for New York City FC, which visits Orlando a week from tonight.