Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! It’s match day! Orlando City hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a friendly at Inter&Co Stadium tonight. If you are a Season Ticket Member or member of one of the supporters’ groups, you can go. If not, we’ll cover it as best we can for you right here and on Bluesky. Until then, let’s get to the links.

Griezmann’s Dream

While Orlando City signing Antione Griezmann seemed to be a pipe dream sprung from multiple episodes of The Mane Land PawedCast, it was evidently a dream of Griezmann himself to play in MLS. It’s nice to hear that he and his family are settling into life in Orlando, and that he feels he is mentally and physically in very good condition as he joins the club. We may not have to wait long for his first appearance, given the friendly against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, next week’s friendly at FC Dallas, or at least the club’s next MLS match against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 22.

Orlando Pride Notes

I learned yesterday that the Orlando Pride have a league-high 14 players whom are free agents. Seems like a good time for some major personnel changes, given what the on-field results have been so far in 2026. It’s a bit surprising that a major overhaul is needed only two years after winning the double, but here we are. The Pride are sitting on the edge of the playoffs and will need to do better than last week’s result if the team hopes to end the season over the line.

USMNT Leftovers

As much as I wish I hadn’t seen what I saw in the USMNT loss to Belgium, I wasn’t the only one watching. The match was the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history. Over 30 million people watched the match with peak viewership reaching 36.8 million people.

We all know the suspension drama surrounding Folarin Balogun, but he wasn’t the only person suspended before the match. Two U.S. Soccer officials were reportedly suspended by FIFA ahead of the game, though neither received suspensions of their suspensions. The personnel in question are reportedly team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Vice President of Security Frank Pannell.

World Cup Results

The World Cup provided two entertaining if somewhat personally disappointing matches Tuesday. In the first match of the day, Egypt jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the defending champions before giving up three goals in the last 12 minutes plus stoppage to lose 3-2 to Argentina. Sadly, I tuned in right when Lionel Messi scored his goal. I’m pretty sick of that guy.

The second match between Colombia and Switzerland went to penalties with Switzerland coming out on top 0-0 (4-3) to advance. This was the first time that Switzerland has won a penalty shootout at the World Cup. The reward for the Swiss is to face Argentina in a quarterfinal match. As you can tell from the score, this was a tight defensive match with very few mistakes made by either team.

Free Kicks

• It seems that FOX is upset with Telemundo for courting some of the English-speaking viewers of the World Cup. FOX is the official English language rightsholder, and Telemundo is the Spanish language rightsholder. Perhaps FOX shouldn’t have aired commercials during the hydration breaks. I know I’m guilty of watching matches on Telemundo.
• Gotham FC will play its home matches in the new Etihad Park beginning in 2028. The team will share the facility with New York City FC but will have its own dedicated locker rooms.
• Per Tom Bogert, San Diego FC is bringing on Gabriel Pirani from D.C. United.

• How crazy is it to think that Alex Freeman won’t be one of the young guys the next time the World Cup comes around. Here is a list of MLS Homegrown Players who might make the jump by then. Spoilers, there are no Orlando players on the list.
• Fireworks mishaps are often a joke around the Fourth of July, but what happened at the Orlando Pride at Angel City match was no joke.

• European Union lawmakers want to investigate FIFA President Gianni Infantino following his phone call with Donald Trump about the Folarin Balogun red card kerfuffle. Do it!

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Orlando Pride match Friday night, and follow us on Bluesky for updates of Orlando City’s friendly with Tampa Bay. Vamos Orlando!

Good morning, everyone. Well, not really, if you’re a fan of the United States Men’s National Team. Last night was a painful reminder of how far this team still has to go when it comes to matching up against the best in the world, and it might take some time to recover from the psychological wounds inflicted in Seattle. We’ve got lots to talk about today, so let’s get into the links.

USMNT Falls Flat Against Belgium

The United States Men’s National Team crashed out of the World Cup on Monday night after a mistake-ridden 4-1 loss to Belgium. The Americans gave up a goal nine minutes into the game, and while Malik Tillman’s free kick brought the team level in the 31st minute, Charles de Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead just two minutes later with his second goal of the match, and the game was never really close from there. The curse of the navy blue jerseys continued, as the Yanks looked overawed by the occasion from the moment the ball was kicked, and were constantly plagued by giveaways, poor decision making, and sloppy execution. It was a startlingly different performance from a team that had made a habit of meeting the moment in this competition, and the U.S. meekly exited in the Round of 16 for the fourth tournament in a row.

UEFA Condemns Folarin Balogun Eligibility Decision

UEFA released a strongly worded statement on Monday morning, criticizing FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension and replace it with a one-year probationary period. The European federation said that FIFA “crossed a red line” and called the ruling “…an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.” UEFA went on to say that the decision sets a precedent that risks damaging the integrity of the game. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he had reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask soccer’s governing body to review Balogun’s red card, and that news has helped further fan a good deal of outrage in the soccer world.

Spain Sneaks by Portugal

Spain wasted a whole boatload of good chances and left it late but eventually used a 91st-minute goal by Mikel Merino to beat Portugal 1-0 and book a place in the quarterfinals. Mikel Oyarzabal had a shocking miss in the eighth minute that should have seen Spain take an early lead, while his team failed to take advantage of several more good chances, Portugal never truly threatened Unai Simon’s goal. Spain racked up 15 shots to Portugal’s nine, and put six of them on target while their fellow Iberians managed only two. Spain still has not conceded a goal at this tournament and has largely managed to control games despite still being without Nico Williams to partner Lamine Yamal on the other wing.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

With the World Cup drawing to a close before we know it, the summer transfer window is continuing to heat up. We start with a confirmed piece of news, as Tottenham has announced the signing of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali for a deal worth up to $133 million, which has broken the club’s transfer record. We then move to a confirmed deal closer to home, as Toronto FC has acquired midfielder Nelson Palacios from Real Salt Lake for $1.1 million and an additional $550,000 in performance-based incentives. In the realm of rumor, Arsenal is reportedly considering West Ham fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a replacement for Ben White, who could be heading out the door. Elsewhere in the Premier League, Chelsea is reportedly prepared to listen to offers for winger Alejandro Garnacho, as new coach Xabi Alonso looks to overhaul the squad. Finally, Jack Grealish may have new life at Manchester City, as incoming coach Enzo Maresca reportedly wants to evaluate the previously out-of-favor winger himself before making a decision on his future.

Free Kicks

• Check out some of the scenes from Orlando City’s training session on Monday.

• English Prime Minister Keir Starmer instructed government officials and the English FA to campaign to FIFA for the original kickoff time between England and Mexico to not be changed.
• A member of British Parliament has written a letter to Gianni Infantino, asking him to review the red card that Jarell Quansah received against Mexico.
• Kylian Mbappe and the French Football Federation have rightfully condemned racist comments made by a Paraguayan senator.

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

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you all had a great Fourth of July holiday weekend down in Florida. I was busy working over the weekend, but I got to check out a fireworks show at Wrigley Field. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando City B goalkeeper Juan Rojas, who turned 18 Saturday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Pride Fall to Angel City

The Orlando Pride fell 2-0 to Angel City FC at BMO Stadium Friday in their first match after the month-long World Cup break. Maiara Niehues scored the opener for Angel City in the first half. Sveindis Jonsdottir added another goal for Angel City to seal the win. With Barba Banda sidelined with a thigh injury, Orlando struggled to get anything going offensively and couldn’t get the ball out of its own end throughout the match. That result keeps the Pride in eighth, one point ahead of Angel City in the NWSL table. The Pride will look to bounce back at home Friday, facing the Kansas City Current at Inter&Co Stadium.

OCB Falls in Penalty Shootout After 1-1 Draw vs. Crown Legacy

Orlando City B overturned a 1-0 deficit to secure a 1-1 draw against Crown Legacy on the road at the Sportsplex at Matthews Sunday. After a scoreless first half, all the goals came in the second half. Crown Legacy struck first to take the lead, but Dylan Judelson leveled the match for the Young Lions. Crown Legacy won the penalty shootout 4-2 to earn a second point. OCB will be back on the road to take on FC Cincinnati 2 Sunday at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, KY.

Crepeau and Canada Shut Out by Morocco in World Cup

The World Cup Round of 16 kicked off Saturday, with Canada falling 3-0 to Morocco at NRG Stadium in Houston. Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau got the start for Canada. Former Lions Cyle Larin and Richie Laryea were in action as well. After a scoreless first half, Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the second half for Morocco to take a 2-0 lead. Soufiane Rahimi added the insurance goal in stoppage time to put this match away as Morocco booked a spot in the quarterfinals, while Canada’s run in the tournament came to an end.

World Cup Roundup

In the other matchups from the Round of 16 over the weekend, Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot for the only goal of the match in France’s 1-0 win against Paraguay Saturday. Orlando City midfielder Braian Ojeda was on the bench but did not play. On Sunday, Erling Haaland scored twice to help Norway edge Brazil 2-1 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, and Jude Bellingham scored twice for England in a 3-2 win against Mexico. France will play Morocco, while England takes on Norway in the quarterfinals. Today’s Round of 16 matchups feature Spain facing Portugal and the U.S. Men’s National Team taking on Belgium.

Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Ban Suspended by FIFA

FIFA announced Sunday that the federation’s Disciplinary Committee suspended U.S. Men’s National Team forward Folarin Balogun’s one match red card ban. After being issued a one-match ban following his red card in the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, Balogun will be available to play in tonight’s Round of 16 match against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. Balogun’s one-match ban will be placed on a one-year suspension status, but if he commits a similar infraction within that time, he will have to serve the ban. With Balogun back in play, it’s a huge boost for the USMNT attack, as he has scored three goals for the Yanks in the World Cup.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City gave a shout-out on social media to Crepeau, Marco Pasalic, and Ojeda for their great runs with their respective countries, reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup.

• Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly set to become the new manager of the German Men’s National Team.

• Neymar announced after Brazil’s loss that he will retire from playing internationally.
• Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last with the Portugal Men’s National Team.
• Check out this interesting read from MLSSoccer.com on the growth of soccer over the last 32 years in the United States and how the 2026 FIFA World Cup has made an impact.

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