The Mane Land PawedCast Michael Citro

Odd officiating decisions that have gone against Orlando City through the years would make for a fascinating book with a lot of pages in it. The Lions had them in back-to-back weeks after a strange decision not to penalize Federico Navarro for catching Ivan Angulo's leg in front of goal with the goalkeeper out of the way. While that wasn't the only reason Orlando City dropped two points at Soldier Field, it was a major contributor on a night when the offense simply didn't have anything much to offer.
We looked back at our score predictions, broke down the game, discussed that decision, and made our Man of the Match selections.
This week's mailbagbox asked us about our favorite concerts and Orlando City's Designated Player situation. If you turned in your question after lunchtime on Thursday, we will have to get to it on the next episode, as we had to record early in the day due to a quirk in my schedule. 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 the mailbagbox, we discussed OCB's upcoming trip to South Florida. The Young Lions owe the Baby Herons of Inter Miami II some payback for a "home" loss at IMG Academy in Bradenton earlier in the season.
Finally, we looked ahead to Orlando City's trip to play the New York Red Bulls. It's not optimal that the Lions are staying on the road rather than returning home in between. This isn't to say it's not a smart idea in many ways, but the club has a bad history when extending a road trip for the second game. We looked at the Red Bulls' statistical leaders, provided our key matchups, and made our predictions for 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. 423 went down:
0:15 – The Lions scored early. Then they stopped. It didn't hold up. At least it wasn't a loss.
26:57 – Our mailbagbox asks us about concerts and Designated Players.
35:25 – OCB looks for payback against the Baby Herons and the Lions head to New Jersey.
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Orlando City faced the Columbus Crew with a solid plan and it seemed to be working when a penalty was awarded to the Lions late in the first half. However, whenever the Professional Referee Organization gets involved, bad things tend to happen to Orlando, such as a soft foul given at the other end while a foul in the buildup to that foul was not given. The Crew managed to tack one on in the second half after scoring the penalty late in the first to get the win. Orlando's offense continues to be anemic.
We looked back at our score predictions, broke down the game, and made our Man of the Match selections.
This week's mailbagbox asked us about playing out of the back, conceding possession to the other team, using five substitutes, and former Lion Pierre da Silva (which was a blast from the past). 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 the mailbagbox, we discussed OCB's dominant 5-0 win at home Sunday against Huntsville City. The Young Lions could have won by an even bigger margin had they been clinical at all with some guilt-edged chances in the first half, but a big +5 in the goal differential column and a win are nothing to be upset about.
Finally, we turned our attention toward Orlando City's visit to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Fire Wednesday. After a brief discussion on the Fire's season so far, we discussed the key matchups we expect and made 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. 422 went down:
0:15 – The Lions didn't get it done against the Crew. We mourn the loss.
21:19 – Our mailbagbox got philosophical about tactics.
37:02 – OCB's lopsided win and a preview of the Lions at the Fire on Wednesday.
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We start this show a little bit differently. One of our founding members, who helped this podcast and the blog that hosts it become independent in 2023 hasn't been around much lately. We touched on why and saluted his contributions and his passion for Orlando City.
After that, we dove into a chat about Orlando City's injuries. As of Thursday, Duncan McGuire wasn't fully participating in training, nor has defender Robin Jansson yet joined the main group for full contact drills. That's not the best news with the defending MLS Cup winners visiting Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. However, there is a player nearing a return, and it's an attacker, so that's helpful. Whether it will be helpful against the Columbus Crew or will have to wait a while longer remains to be seen.
This week's mailbagbox had nothing in it when we started recording, but we still managed to field questions on why a Crew fan should switch loyalties to Orlando City and whether the Lions will ever sign another big-name player. 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 the matchup with Columbus. The Crew may not have Cucho Martinez this week, but they're still a formidable bunch. We provide our key matchups for Saturday night and give you 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. 421 went down:
0:15 – A chat about one of our own and then a discussion of Orlando City's injured guys.
11:35 – Our mailbagbox pendulum swung the other way, but we still had some questions to answer.
22:30 – Our look ahead to the Lions against the Crew.
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Orlando City went out west and did something that the Lions have never done before — beat the Earthquakes in San Jose. Orlando brought home all three points courtesy of a 1-0 win supplied by Jack Lynn's late strike. It was a hard-fought match between a pair of leggy teams that each played counterattacking soccer and yet there were scoring chances for both, rather than the game devolving largely into a stalemate in the middle of the pitch.
We looked back at our score predictions to see how we did (happily we were both wrong), broke down the game, and made our selections for Man of the Match.
This week's mailbagbox was absolutely loaded, asking us questions about cruise vacations, the USMNT, The Soccer Tournament, Mel Brooks movies, what we'd wear to the game as players, Jack Lynn's (lack of) goal celebrations, 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.
We'll be back before the end of the week to preview Orlando City's coming matchup on Saturday against the Columbus Crew.
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. 420 went down:
0:15 – Orlando City and San Jose tangled in Norcal and the Cardiac Cats won the day.
23:03 – Our mailbagbox was insanely full this week, which is awesome.
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The injured Lionel Messi was a no-show, as the Lions and Herons played to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night, and we aren't sure what we were expecting, but it was not that. Most of the chances seemed to come early in the match, although there were some attacks in the second half for both teams that fizzled just prior to the teams taking a potentially decisive shot. We break down the match for probably way longer than a scoreless draw requires. We also looked back at our score predictions (which were the same this time) to see how wrong we were and made our selections for Man of the Match (which were not the same this time).
This week's mailbagbox asked us whether Messi is ducking playing in Orlando and which player we would change their footedness (is that a word?). 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 looked ahead to Saturday's late-night matchup with the Earthquakes in San Jose. The Quakes have been scoring plenty of goals but giving up a lot more of them. Tired legs, lack of rotation, and a cross-country trip will combine to make things difficult for Orlando City, but the game is something from which the Lions could take points with a good performance. We look ahead to the key matchups on Saturday and try 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. 419 went down:
0:15 – Orlando City and Inter Miami played more than 90 minutes without scoring a goal. But everyone got plenty of fresh air and exercise.
23:03 – Our mailbagbox was light, but fun.
32:20 – A preview of the San Jose match.
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Orlando City finally got back in the win column after three matches without a victory and it was the new guys who helped the most with that. Luis Muriel scored his first two MLS goals and picked up his first (secondary) MLS assist, while Nico Lodeiro had the primary assist on all three goals in City's 3-2 road win over the Philadelphia Union. Along the way, the Lions had to overcome several close plays ruled in Philly's favor and two penalty kicks for the opposition in order to close out the Union. It was an exciting match and a good road game by the Lions, who opted to go fullback-free rather than plugging in Kyle Smith and Alex Freeman to start. We review the match, check on our score predictions, and make our choices for Man of the Match.
We also discussed the Lions honored as both a candidate for Goal of the Matchday and those picked for the Team of the Matchday.
This week's mailbagbox asked us about the grass at Inter&Co Stadium, the formation Oscar Pareja used on Saturday, and the new MLS injury rule. 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 Inter Miami, which visits Orlando Wednesday night. Why is everyone amazed at what Lionel Messi is doing in MLS? He should be tearing up MLS (and he is). Same with his Barcelona buddies. We look at the game's key matchups and make our score predictions. It was a rare case of us predicting the same result.
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. 418 went down:
0:15 – We unpack the Lions' win over Philadelphia, but what is the cost? We'll have to wait for more definitive news on Robin Jansson's injury.
38:29 – Our mailbagbox asks us about Orlando's pitch and formation among other things.
54:57 – The Lions prepare for the Orlando installment of the 2024 Tropic Thunder series.
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