The Orlando Pride keep winning. We aren’t used to that, but we’re here for it. Barbra Banda has brought her lethal finishing to the City Beautiful and her fourth goal in three games was just enough for the Pride to squeak past previously undefeated Racing Louisville, 1-0. We check in on our score predictions, discuss the game in detail, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week wants us to visit Tampa for some women’s soccer. It also includes questions about the tackiness level of a hat, the sustainability of Orlando’s offense, lineup changes when players get healthy, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

After the mailbagbox, we suddenly remembered we forgot to talk about the North Carolina match. So, we checked in on our predictions, discussed the 4-1 win, and made our Player of the Match selections. Better late than never!

We finished the show with our previews and our score predictions for the Pride’s upcoming, first-ever meeting with expansion side Bay FC. The newcomers have been leaking goals, but also scoring them. Orlando will need to avoid a letdown to stay undefeated on Saturday at home.

Here’s how Episode 42 went down:

0:15 – The Pride weren’t at their best Sunday against Racing Louisville, but they still managed to grind out their fifth straight win. We discuss!

15:18 – The mailbagbox contains both questions and offers to host your faithful hosts.

39:26 – We forgetful rubes remembered there was another game since our last podcast and dive into Orlando’s win over the Courage, and we close with a Bay FC preview and predictions.

Saturday night did not go as planned for Orlando City, and that’s something that can be said for several Saturdays already during this trying 2024 MLS regular season. In fact, if things don’t start to turn around soon, there may only be a regular season for the Lions in 2024.

We looked back at another unhappy result for Orlando City, although there is a lot to be said for the team’s attitude despite being down both a man and a goal for the majority of the match. We checked in on our score predictions and made our selections for Man of the Match. We also discussed the fullback injuries that could change the look of the team for the coming weeks.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Concacaf Champions Cup balance, Orlando City in the English football pyramid, beer, and more. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Finally, we turned our attention to Orlando City B’s matchup against Chattanooga FC on Saturday. Many people were making their way to Inter&Co Stadium for the senior team’s match against FC Cincinnati, so it’s understandable if you missed it. The Young Lions remain unbeaten on the road this year, but the performances need to be better, especially in shootouts, after another road draw. OCB held Chattanooga 1-1 but then lost the shootout, 5-4.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

Here’s how No. 416 went down:

0:15 – We look back at a game that got ruined pretty early but one from which the Lions still could have taken some points.

26:15 – Our mailbagbox meandered through a variety of topics and we were happy to answer all questions.

49:25 – A quick look at OCB’s trip to Chattanooga.

One year ago, the Lions were second only to FC Cincinnati in the race for the Supporters Shield. Fast forward to 2024 and the Lions have struggled out of the gate, despite only losing once in their last five games, but even though Cincinnati jettisoned top goal scorer Brandon Vazquez, the southwest Ohio side is second in the Eastern Conference. Although Saturday’s visitors haven’t been scoring as many goals, they’ve also bulked up defensively and have been stingy against opposing attacks.

Joining us to help prep for FC Cincinnati is Coach Gough from Cincy Soccer Talk. Coach was kind enough to fill us in on how FCC is doing offensively and defensively, how the new faces are fitting in, and what the team is doing without Vazquez. Big thanks to our special guest for giving us the scoop on Orlando City’s opponents on Saturday.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about scrambling the Orlando City starting lineup, OCB going up against college teams, non-craft beer, and more. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Finally, we turned our attention to Saturday’s matchup and how we see it playing out. We presented our key matchups for the game and our final score predictions. We’re not feeling particularly optimistic after last Saturday, especially when Orlando City will have to figure out a way through the towering defense of the visitors, most of which have played (or currently play) for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

Here’s how No. 415 went down:

0:15 – Coach Gough joins us to give us the scoop on FC Cincinnati’s 2024 season so far.

21:18 – Our mailbagbox has us changing everyone’s positions and it’s frankly hard to keep track of when doing it live.

43:12 – Our key matchups and score predictions for Saturday night against FCC under the lights.