Orlando City played one and a half preseason games this week and although there isn’t much info on them, we’re here to discuss them just the same. At least we can talk about the goal scorers. The Lions added another Homegrown Player this week as Raul Aguilera signed a first team deal. Orlando City and the Pride both went through their first round of COVID-19 vaccinations, and we’ll tell you why the timing was right for it.

We’re joined by Orlando Pride defender Ali Riley, who was a very calming influence for Dave after the team’s preseason scrimmage loss to Florida State. She told us what the 2021 Pride have in store, how the team is preparing to face a club that’s never played a competitive match, the newer players that fans should keep their eyes on, her numerous activities off the field, and how she’s been helping lead the fight against anti-Asian racism. Ali was an absolute blast to talk to and we thank her for her time in the lead-up to Saturday’s showdown in Louisville in the NWSL Challenge Cup opener.

After the segment with Ali, we discuss the latest Pride news, including the scrimmage with FSU, the exciting kit launch (it was a literal launch!), the club’s new addition to the Challenge Cup roster, and Sydney Leroux’s parental nightmare of having two children with COVID-19.

Daryl Dike is still playing in England and he’s still scoring goals. We discuss his most recent performance and continue to pontificate on what his future might hold. Then there’s some news I forgot from the first segment about Rio Hope-Gund that I shoehorn into this spot.

This week’s mailbag wants to know about substitution rules (there’s a new one!) and is curiously obsessed with LeBron James. If there’s anything — and we do mean anything —you want us to address on next show, just ask by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC.

That’s all for this week.

Stay safe and enjoy the show!

Here’s how show No. 240 went down:

0:15 - Orlando City won half a game and then drew in 1.5 preseason matches this week. Plus, a new Homegrown signing and a mini rant about what amounts to a bookkeeping issue.

26:02 - Ali Riley joins us to tell us about her new show, the Pride’s style of play, some of the new faces on the team, and more.

49:26 - The Pride’s preseason scrimmage, an otherworldly kit launch, Syd’s kids, Daryl Dike’s continued success, and our mailbag. Oh, and Sky Blue’s rebrand.

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