Orlando City got a break from league play last week but the Lions’ first foray into international cup competitions wasn’t exactly the triumphant experience for which we all hoped. Orlando created some good opportunities early but failed to cash in against Santos Laguna and it came back to haunt the Lions as the visitors scored at the half hour mark and then choked City’s attack the rest of the way.

Still, it was a good learning experience for the club, a chance for Orlando to grow and learn, and if you have something to say about the goal Mason Stajduhar conceded, you might want to get yourself in front of a tailing, spinning kick that bounces out in front of goal and see how easy it is to stop. Also, you might want to direct that energy at the 10 guys in front of him who failed to score a single goal — every team needs at least one of those to win a game. That’s all I’m saying. We break down the game and make our Man of the Match selections.

The Orlando Pride remain unbeaten under Becky Burleigh and despite missing some starters, the Portland Thorns are no slouches. The Pride grabbed a much-needed point against a difficult opponent and weren’t far off from taking all three. We discuss the latest Pride outing and the loan of defender Konya Plummer to the Swedish league.

We touch on the career of USWNT veteran Carli Lloyd, who announced she’ll be leaving the game this fall. Lloyd has been an amazing player for the Yanks for a long time and has been an important piece of the team’s success over the years.

This week’s mailbag is overflowing! Listeners want to know about white elephant gift exchanges, TML writers as soccer players, the Marvel shows in Disney+, legendary team lineups, and whether the time is right to bring back Carlos Rivas. If there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the next show, just ask by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC.

We close the show with our key match-ups and score predictions for Orlando City at Nashville SC and at home this weekend against the Chicago Fire.

That’s all for this week.

Stay safe and enjoy the show!

Here’s how No. 259 went down:

0:15 - Orlando City’s Leagues Cup run didn’t last long but the Lions don’t have to hang their heads despite bowing out to a good Santos Laguna side. Plus, the Pride got another result against a tough opponent.

34:41 - Thoughts on Carli Lloyd’s career, our mailbag, and previews and predictions for Nashville and Chicago.

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