The Mane Land PawedCast Michael Citro

Orlando City's regular-season series against CF Montreal is over already, and nobody won. The teams played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night at Stade Saputo, with the Lions looking like the better side in the first half and the hosts controlling much of the second period. We finally saw some attacking players score their first goals of the season, too, so it was another positive step forward for the 2024 Lions. We break down the match, check our score predictions, and make our selections for Man of the Match.
This week's mailbagbox asked us how the Lions will utilize new player rules regarding Designated Players and MLS U22 Initiative signings. Our listeners also wondered what positions we would target in the summer transfer window. 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 toward Orlando City B. The Young Lions went to Crown Legacy on Friday. The Carolina-based side made it through 2023 without a home loss, but that's not going to happen in 2024. OCB went to Matthews, NC, and came away with a 2-0 victory. It wasn't exactly one of the drunkest MLS NEXT Pro games we've ever seen, but we'll take the result any day of the week. Congrats on the goals to Alex Freeman and Shak Mohammed.
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. 412 went down:
0:15 – Orlando City completed its two-game road swing, earning four of a possible six points. We dissect the most recent match in Montreal.
21:19 – Our mailbagbox asks us about Designated Players and U22 Initiative players, as well as other stuff.
31:41 – OCB handled its business with a complete 2-0 win on the road at Crown Legacy.
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As the Lions prepare to take to the road again for a Saturday night match in Montreal, we looked back at the first MLS game Facundo Torres, Martin Ojeda, and Luis Muriel started together. The trio of 2024 Orlando City Designated Players looked good at times, but still aren't producing at a level one would expect. We discussed how their skills match, what their positioning was like against D.C. United, and try to figure out the best way to use the three players.
This week's mailbagbox asked us trivia questions and whether or not I'm a Swifty. 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 toward Orlando City's trip to Montreal. It's a difficult place to play, but the Lions have a chance to come home with points. We look at the key matchups in the game and make our final score predictions.
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. 411 went down:
0:15 – Let's talk about the three Orlando City DPs and whether they fit together.
14:23 – Our mailbagbox tests our trivial knowledge.
27:32 – A preview of what awaits the Lions in Montreal — plus, score predictions.
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The Lions came out of the bye week as if they were still on it, but Orlando City eventually got things going and came back twice to beat D.C. United in stoppage time at Audi Field. Nico Lodeiro came off the bench to serve as provider for heroics by David Brekalo and Duncan McGuire. After a slow start, the Lions have now gone three matches without a loss (2-0-1) and look a bit more like themselves. Now if those Designated Players would only start scoring, the team might really be making some progress.
We break down Orlando's dramatic victory at Audi Field and make our selections for Man of the Match. It was nice to treat D.C. the way the Lions have been treated by United during the Wayne Rooney years.
This week's mailbagbox asked us whether we prefer Coke or Pepsi and about Orlando City's slow starts under Oscar Pareja. We kind of debunked the latter, actually. 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 toward Orlando City B's trip to Philadelphia. The Young Lions weren't at their best, but they did come away with a 1-1 draw. The penalty shootout that followed the draw was epic, and unfortunately went the Union's way, but it's still always good to come home with any points from the road. Well done, Young Lions!
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. 410 went down:
0:15 – The Lions Rooney'd Wayne Rooney's old team.
30:22 – Our mailbagbox desires answers to the deepest, darkest questions in our listeners' souls.
47:39 – OCB captured another road point in what seems like a neverending road trip to start 2024.
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The Lions were off despite most of MLS having games over the weekend, so we start this show off with a look back at Orlando City B's "home" game in Bradenton against Inter Miami II. That didn't go as well as a typical (and actual) home game typically does, and the Young Lions lost 2-0 to drop their first decision of 2024 after opening the season with a win and a draw followed by a shootout win. Still, OCB has five of a possible nine points so far, and the defense looks much improved. However, like all of Orlando's other teams, the scoring aspect has yet to coalesce, so the team isn't scoring a lot of goals.
We break down a forgettable loss at IMG Academy and touch on how the OCSC U-15 and U-17 teams did in the Generation Adidas Cup.
This week's mailbagbox asked us questions about scoreless draws, how that affects our non-soccer-enjoying friends, and whether the book really is better than the show or movie. 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 toward Orlando City's return to play this Saturday at Audi Field, where the Lions will face D.C. United. The Black & Red have been a problem for Orlando the last two seasons, but in 2021, Orlando swept United. It might be nice to call back to those simpler days of 2021 when wins over D.C. weren't as difficult as they've been the past two seasons. We wrapped up our preview with our key matchups for the game and our score predictions.
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. 409 went down:
0:15 – Our breakdown of OCB's first loss of the 2024 season and now the Young Lions will play two more on the road before they get a real home game.
18:54 – Our mailbagbox asks about books vs. shows/movies and scoreless draws.
42:00 – Our key matchups and score predictions for Orlando City at D.C. United.
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The Lions couldn't quite pull off the comeback after Kyle Smith conceded a first-half penalty to the New York Red Bulls. Lewis Morgan made Orlando City pay for that mistake and it wasn't until late that the Cardiac Cats struck to at least salvage a point.
We break down a frustrating game in terms of the result, but a positive performance for Orlando. We check in on our score predictions and make our selections for Man of the Match.
This week's mailbagbox asked us questions about The Office and movies that didn't quite stick the landing. 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.
Also hidden (well, no, not hidden) is news of a potential gathering in June for our listeners and readers to meet up with your humble TMLPC cohosts on a Pride-Lions double weekend at home. Stay tuned for us to finalize the details in the coming weeks.
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. 408 went down:
0:15 – Our breakdown of a frustrating night in which the Lions played well but couldn't get over the hump.
24:42 – Our mailbagbox presented questions about the small screen and the silver screen.
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The Lions will be a lot closer to whole on Saturday night when the New York Red Bulls visit Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando City is chasing New York (and most other teams) in the standings early in this 2024 season, and a good way to claw your way to the top is to beat the clubs that are in front of you. The question is: How will the Lions do that?
Oscar Pareja has favored the 4-4-2 the last two matches and it has produced mixed results, but there's no question it looked more cohesive last Saturday night against Austin FC. We open this week's show with a discussion of whether Papi will go back to the 4-4-2 well for a third consecutive match or if the familiar and comfortable 4-2-3-1 will return with so many of the team's international players.
After that, we're joined by Mark Fishkin from the Seeing Red podcast. Mark was kind enough to stop by and provide all the New York Red Bulls information we wanted to know about. Big thanks to Mark for giving us his thoughts on Lewis Morgan, Emil Forsberg, Sandro Schwarz, and more.
This week's mailbagbox asked us questions about OCB players, corporations teaming up to make alcoholic beverages, Carlos Rivas, how many shows we've done as a podcast host combination, 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.
After answering the mail, we turned our attention to the Lions against the Red Bulls on Saturday. We discussed their players to watch, provided our key matchups for the game, and did our best to predict the final score.
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. 407 went down:
0:15 – With his internationals returning, will Oscar Pareja stick with the 4-4-2 or go back to the 4-2-3-1?
9:18 – Mark Fishkin from the Seeing Red podcast hops on with us and gives us the scoop on the Red Bulls.
26:58 — Our mailbagbox overfloweth, and we jump on those key matchups and predictions for Saturday night's game.
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