Happy Friday, Mane Landers! I don’t have many weekend plans lined up beyond working and keeping my cat happy, but I am hoping to get some reading in here and there. It should be a nice next couple of days, and I hope they go smoothly for you all as well. Let’s get to today’s links.

Orlando Pride Lose in Los Angeles

The Orlando Pride are returning to Orlando empty handed after a 1-0 loss on the road to Angel City FC. It was a night to forget for the Pride, as the offense failed to get much going, they were outshot 19-1 in the second half, and a late goal by Alyssa Thompson doomed Orlando to its fifth loss of the season. The Pride are now winless in their past five games, which doesn’t bode well as they gear up for the Concacaf W Champions Cup next month. Their next match will be at home on Aug. 29 against NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Orlando Pride Sign Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle

The Pride added some massive firepower to their attack by officially signing midfielder Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle to a contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028. Orlando reportedly broke the women’s soccer transfer fee record by signing Ovalle from Tigres UANL for a reported $1.5 million, with some reports saying the fee could reach up to $2 million. She’s recorded 136 goals and 103 assists in 294 appearances for Tigres across all competitions and should give the Pride’s struggling offense a shot in the arm once she takes the field for Orlando.

Orlando City Prepares for Clash Against Nashville SC

The Lions will aim to keep the good times rolling when they take on Nashville SC in a road match on Saturday. It’s a heavyweight showdown between two of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference standings. While Orlando has won four straight games in league play, Nashville has lost its past three. Regardless, Nashville has only lost one home game this season. Both teams boast strong attacks and formidable defenses, making this one of the top matchups in the league this weekend.

Orlando City Academy Announces Coaching Staff for MLS NEXT Season

With the MLS NEXT season set to begin on Sept. 6, Orlando City’s academy announced who will be coaching the youth teams. Eddie Wilding will serve as the head coach and methodology lead for the U-18 squad, with Walden Sterrett as the assistant coach. Former Lion Bitielo Jean Jacques will coach the U-16 team, while Jared Bieber is the head coach of the U-15 side. Matt Brewer will help out with both of those teams as an assistant coach and player development lead.

MLS Transfer Window Comes to a Close

The MLS transfer window has closed, although we may still see some deals that crossed the finish line get announced in the coming days. One such deal to keep an eye out for is a shocking possible return to FC Cincinnati for Brenner, as the MLS club is reportedly finalizing a deal with Udinese to bring him back on loan with an option to buy. Minnesota United may also be adding some defensive reinforcements according to reports that it’s finalizing a deal for Sunderland center back Nectarios Triantis.

As for moves that are official, the Colorado Rapids signed American midfielder Paxten Aaronson from Eintracht Frankfurt for a club-record fee. CF Montreal traded Caden Clark to D.C. United in exchange for $700,000 in cash, with a conditional $100,000 available too. The trade between Real Salt Lake and Cincinnati for DeAndre Yedlin was completed as well, with RSL sending $304,700 in General Allocation Money to Cincy for the right back. In other news, LAFC added midfielder Andrew Moran on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion as an MLS U22 Initiative Player, Minnesota signed attacking midfielder Dominik Fitz from Austria Wien, and the Vancouver Whitecaps acquired defender Sebastian Schonlau from Hamburger SV.

Free Kicks

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!