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Orlando City vs. Montreal Impact: Five Takeaways

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9 years ago

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Well the fat lady eventually decided to start singing yesterday on Orlando City’s playoff chances with the final curtain having been coming for weeks. But it was finally decided by a 1-0 loss to the Montreal Impact. The team still has two games left in the season, but here are my five takeaways from what I consider to be the season-ending game for our beloved team.

Molino Goes Missing

In a must-win situation for Orlando City on Sunday, after victories by both the New England Revolution and D.C. United on Saturday increased their gaps over the Lions, Trinidad and Tobago international Kevin Molino was nowhere to be found in this contest. The 10-goal, seven-assist playmaker had zero shots, zero key passes, zero dribbles and accounted for one of Orlando’s City offside calls (we only had two) and provided no aggression for the team that needed a W. Molino was rightfully withdrawn at halftime to make way for Julio Baptista, who did provide more of an offensive spark for the Lions in the second half.

Good Stats Don’t Always Bring Good Results

On paper, Orlando City had a terrific game on Sunday. With 66.8% possession and 74.2% in the second half, out-shooting the Impact, 22-4, dominating 12-1 on corners, with more accurate passing and more victories on duels. Analysts years from now could look at those figures and expect a very different score line. But anyone who sat on the edge of their seats on Sunday, urging the Lions on, will know that what sounded like a one-sided battle, was indeed, just not for the team Orlando City fans were hoping for. Montreal made the most of their limited touches and passing, clearly benefiting from a goalkeeper who ate his Wheaties (and then some) and remembered the adage that goals win games. They had one shot on goal, which they converted — nothing else. It was enough.

Home Field Advantage Doesn’t Hold Under Kreis

Not too many months ago, pundits and opponents would talk about the Orlando City home field advantage as the 12th man to be feared. Adrian Heath’s unbeaten-at-home record and huge attendance numbers made for an intimidating opponent. However, Sunday’s 12th man was a tiny kitten purring instead of a lion roaring. Just over 26,000 (season average has been 31,762) people showed up for a sweltering 1 p.m. game, for a team whose new coach has now lost four out of the last five home appearances.

The scorching heat, which required mandatory water breaks (in October), clearly diminished both sides, but Montreal — which plays in much cooler climes than Orlando, who practices in this heat year-round — nullified that particular advantage that the Lions usually capitalize on. To know that fans were preparing for the worst –€” yet still optimistic –€” going into today’s performance should have rallied the boys to put out the performance of their lives, but instead the fans were sent home with sunburns and frustration for the wasted chances, lack of final product, and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Kreis talked after the game about how disappointed he was in the home record this year, so expect that to be a point of emphasis going into his first full season as head coach.

Leadership Wanted

Before last week’s game against Toronto, FS1 reporter Julie Stewart-Binks asked Kaká, “After allowing 12 goals in the last three games, Jason Kreis said, ‘There’s a leadership problem.’ What did he mean and how do you fix it?” Kaká responded that he didn’t see a leadership problem on this team. However, I beg to differ with the former world player of the year and firmly reside in the Kreis camp. Yesterday’s game needed a leader to step up, control the game and lead the Lions to victory. It required a wartime consigliere who would make the tough plays and help the team run roughshod over the opponents. Yet instead, our best player was Antonio Nocerino, our defensive midfielder — a position where games are rarely won, but more often lost. This game highlighted our lack of leadership that is clearly evident regardless of what Kaká thinks.

Lions Victims of Their Own Making

In the end, the Lions’ defeat at home and inability to make the playoffs came down to being the victims of their own circumstances. Like last season, the final playoff spot will prove to have been just out of reach for the purple-clad lads, but the one glaring difference is there is no one to blame but themselves. Last season’s losses were chalked up to first-season jitters, bad refereeing, and the extensive travel and international and friendly injury losses to the roster. This season, the blame sits on a consistent lack of point scoring in games at home and within the conference, bad attitudes, and stupid mistakes, leading to missed game eligibility, and a palatable lack of passion and, at times, perceived indifference.

Instead of supporters getting a team that went out and gave it their all to prove they could roar back in their second season, we got a team who the new coach deemed was physically unfit to perform to his standards and players whose bad attitudes alienated fans and resulted in numerous red card suspensions and yellow card accumulations. All in all, this off-season is going to need to be an evaluation of not just the ability of talent to perform technically but also to keep their heads in the game for the long haul.

That was how I saw the game and my five takeaways from yesterday’s match. Let us know your takeaways in the comments section below.

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Lion Links: 6/5/25

MLS All-Star voting update, Kerry Abello shines with USWNT, Sergio Zapata earns recognition, and more.

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20 hours ago

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June 5, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope this week has been treating you well as we enjoy some international soccer and prepare for the return of NWSL action this weekend. Before we jump right into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City B midfielder Dylan Judelson!

Pair of Lions Lead MLS All-Star Voting

Voting for this year’s MLS All-Star Game remains underway and an update was provided on which players are leading at each position. Orlando City defender Alex Freeman leads all right backs as he enjoys a breakout season. I was aware of the buzz he’s been getting this year, but it’s still surprising to see a Lion as an All-Star frontrunner. What’s even more surprising is that Pedro Gallese leads the voting for goalkeepers. The Peruvian made a rough gaffe last week, but has otherwise had a stellar season with Orlando that’s included seven clean sheets. Voting will close on June 11, so make sure to get those votes in before then.

Kerry Abello Impresses With USMNT

Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello made her first appearance for the United States Women’s National Team Tuesday, playing every minute of the 4-0 win over Jamaica. The versatility she’s shown with the Pride translated well in Head Coach Emma Hayes’ system, as she was able to hold things down defensively and contribute to the attack as well. Abello could end up bringing solid depth to the USWNT as Hayes figures out the team’s future core of players. Enjoy this video from the USWNT that provides a look behind the scenes of Abello’s international debut.

Sergio Zapata Named Player of the Month

Sergio Zapata scored a whopping 11 goals for Orlando City’s U-19 team over the course of just four matches in May, winning the honor of MLS NEXT Player of the Month. He had three hat tricks last month, including one against Hoosier Premier at MLS NEXT Fest. Zapata committed to Cornell, so hopefully we’ll get to see him tear it up in the Ivy League over the next couple of years.

Zack Steffen Sustains Knee Injury

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen injured his knee at the United States Men’s National Team’s training camp and will reportedly miss this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup. It’s rough news for the 30-year-old, as he was expected to compete with Matt Turner for the starting job with the USMNT. He’s been having a great season with the Colorado Rapids and returned to the club for further evaluation on the injury.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 6/4/25

USWNT wins as Abello gets first cap, Orlando Pride’s Concacaf W Champions Cup draw, Club World Cup in Orlando, and more.

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2 days ago

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June 4, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Tuesday was a busy soccer day, especially on the women’s side. We have plenty of Orlando Pride news, and the USWNT secured yet another victory. I’m hoping the good vibes continue since I’ll be coming down to Orlando for the Pride’s match this Saturday. If you’re going to the match, let me know, as I’d love to meet as many of our readers as possible. For now, let’s get to the links.

USWNT Blanks Jamaica

The USWNT defeated Jamaica 4-0 in a friendly at Energizer Park in St. Louis. The Orlando Pride’s Kerry Abello got her first start and her first cap in the match. She went the full 90 minutes and almost had her first international goal in the second half, but the chance went a bit wide of the right post. Ally Sentnor and Lynn Biyendolo each scored a brace as the U.S. rolled to an easy win.

Pride Internationals

Abello wasn’t the only Pride player to make an international appearance. Marta returned to international duty for Brazil getting the start and the captain’s armband in a 2-1 win over Japan. Both Grace Chanda and Barbra Banda started for Zambia in the 2-0 loss to South Africa in the Three Nations Challenge. Congratulations are also due to Zara Chavoshi, who earned her first cap with the Canadian Women’s National Team in the match against Haiti.

Concacaf W Champions Cup Draw

The Concacaf W Champions Cup draw happened yesterday and the Orlando Pride are in Group A with Club America Femenil, CF Pachuca Femenil, LD Alajuelense, and Chorrillo FC. Group B consists of NJ/NY Gotham FC, the Washington Spirit, CF Monterrey Femenil, Vancouver Rise FC Academy, and Alianza Women FC. The competition kicks off Aug. 19-21.

FIFA Loves Orlando

FIFA President Gianni Infantino sat for an interview with Jamie Seh of WKMG Orlando. Infantino spoke about the upcoming Club World Cup matches at Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium. FIFA loves Orlando enough for the city to host the Club World Cup, but not the actual World Cup. Here is the schedule for the matches in Orlando. We will be bringing you coverage of these matches.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the return of the Orlando Pride this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 6/3/25

Orlando City B announces signings, details of Concacaf W Champions Cup, UEFA Nations League preview, and more.

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3 days ago

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June 3, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

Good morning, everyone. It’s been a pretty brutal last two games for Orlando City, there’s no getting around that fact. While it’s never fun to not have the team in action, a two-week break between games maybe isn’t the worst thing in this particular case. Even though it’ll be a minute before the Lions are back in action, we still have plenty of things to talk about, so let’s get into today’s links.

Orlando City B Announces Signings

Orlando City B announced on Monday that it has signed Clovis Archange and Jackson Platts to MLS NEXT Pro contracts. The pair are graduates of the Orlando City Development Academy and were part of the team that won the U-18 Generation Adidas Cup earlier this year. The 18-year-old Platts captained the team in the final, while Archange was named as one of the players to watch before the tournament started. They’ve both featured for their countries at the youth level, with Platts appearing for the United States U-16 and U-18 teams, and Archange suiting up for Canada’s U-17 side. Congratulations to both players!

Concacaf Announces W Champions Cup Details

Concacaf has named the 10 teams that will participate 2025-2026 Concacaf W Champions Cup and has announced the pots for tonight’s draw. The Orlando Pride are one of three American teams participating in the second year of the competition, and have been placed into Pot 2. Teams will be divided into two groups of five, with each team facing every club in its group once, and the top two sides from each group then advancing to the semifinals. The winner gets a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, and the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, which is set to be held for the first time in 2028. The draw takes place tonight at 8 p.m.

UEFA Nations League Preview

The UEFA Nations League returns this week, with the semifinals set for tomorrow and Thursday, and the third-place game and final taking place on Sunday. Things get started on Wednesday afternoon with Germany facing off against Portugal in Munich. Germany put away Italy 5-4 on aggregate in the quarterfinals to get to the semis for the first time, while Portugal beat Denmark 5-2, and is hunting for its second Nations League trophy. Thursday has Spain taking on France in Stuttgart. The Spanish beat the Netherlands on penalties in the semis to get here, while France took out Croatia on penalties to punch its ticket. There’s plenty of recent history in this one as these teams also met in the semifinals of Euro 2024 last year, with Spain claiming a 2-1 win.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

The transfer rumor mill has kicked into full swing, so let’s catch up on some of the big talking points. Starting in England, Manchester United has reportedly increased its interest in Brian Mbuemo, with the Brentford forward said to also be interested in moving to the club. There are said to be a number of Premier League teams interested in signing Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling after his team was relegated to the Championship this season. Jobe Bellingham will reportedly follow in his brother Jude’s footsteps, as he’s reportedly decided to join Borussia Dortmund. Finally, Inter Milan is reportedly interested in signing Marcus Rashford as the Italians look to rebuild the squad following a brutal defeat in the UEFA Champions League final.

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  • Here’s a first look at Alex Freeman in his USMNT kit:

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

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