We may be in our off-season schedule here on The Mane Land PawedCast, but as promised, we are back when there is news, so here we are. For this episode, we open with a discussion of Alex Freeman's year-end awards, with the 21-year-old fullback picking up MLS Young Player of the Year and becoming the first Lion to grace the MLS Best XI. It's been a phenomenal breakout season for Freeman, who was also just recently called up again by the USMNT, so Orlando fans can hop on I-4 and go see him play in Tampa later this month.

After our Freeman discussion, we chatted about the Lions who were called up for the November FIFA window, including four players at the youth level. There was a time not long abo when Orlando City academy players weren't getting a sniff by the youth national teams, but those days are in the past. Congrats to Tahir Reid-Brown, Justin Ellis, Colin Guske, and Jacob Ramirez.

David Brekalo and Tyrese Spicer will also be with their national teams in the upcoming window.

This week's mailbagbox asked about whether Michael Halliday should get another look from Orlando after being let go by Houston, 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.

Finally, we discussed Pedro Gallese's departure from Orlando City. El Pulpo was one of the faces of the franchise for the past six seasons and it's hard to imagine anyone else being the No. 1 for the Lions, but that's the new reality. In addition to reminiscing about Gallese's play, we talked about how he's almost certainly going to have his name in the Legends Terrace in the future, and we pontificated about where he'll turn up next. We also discussed Orlando City being at a crossroads on the backend, as the team not only needs to replace Gallese, but Rodrigo Schlegel and a pair of defensive midfielders are out of contract, Robin Jansson has an option year remaining, and so does Eduard Atuesta. Plus, Freeman will be courted by European teams, so the back half of the lineup could look extremely different in 2026.

Note: we are now in our off-season podcast schedule, which is guaranteed to give you at least one episode per month but we will only be weekly if/when news warrants it.

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Here’s how No. 511 went down:

0:15 – Alex Freeman broke out in just about every way imaginable: MLS All-Star, MLS Best XI, Young Player of the Year, and now getting regular call-ups by the USMNT. Deservedly so.

14:52 – You get a guest voice in this week's mailbagbox!

29:38 - We will miss your time-wasting antics and your spectacular saves, El Pulpo.

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The Lions crashed out of the playoffs hard, as the Chicago Fire torched Orlando City's defense in a 3-1 loss that could have been much more lopsided than that. Tyrese Spicer kept the Lions from getting shut out, but goals and wins down the stretch were hard to come by for OCSC, and having a clean slate as the postseason started did nothing to change that.

We discussed Orlando's brief stay in the playoffs, checked on our score predictions, and made our selections for Man of the Match.

The club also dropped a bombshell on Monday with the announcement that Luiz Muzzi is leaving the club. Muzzi is the architect that constructed Orlando City squads that reached six consecutive postseasons and won the club's first trophy in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup. We discuss Muzzi's exit and the job that Ricardo Moreira must now do to get the team to the next level.

This week's mailbagbox asked about changes in the game we'd like to see, which player we'd be most surprised to see start on opening day 2026, returning Designated Players, 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.

Finally, we went through the Orlando City rosters and discussed whether we think each player will stay or go this off-season in our annual stays/goes segment. As an added wrinkle, this year we included whether we would prefer if they stay or go.

Note: we are now in our off-season podcast schedule, which is guaranteed to give you at least one episode per month but we will only be weekly if/when news warrants it.

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.

If you’d like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we’d love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how No. 510 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City is out of the playoffs after a poor performance at Chicago. We provide your playoff autopsy and look at Luiz Muzzi's Orlando's exit.

19:56 – The mailbagbox is chock full this week and there's an underlying (sometimes overlying) sense of frustration.

35:35 - It's our annual stays/goes segment. Walk through the roster with us and help us build next year's team.

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The Lions had a lot to play for on Saturday but forgot to do so. Orlando City's trip to Toronto hopefully led to some cool sightseeing in Canada, because it didn't produce any points. As a result — and other results elsewhere — the club has to go to Chicago for the wild card game instead of facing a first-round, best-of-three series. We reluctantly look back at a game that started poorly, could have changed significantly if two major calls hadn't gone the way of the hosts, and the complete capitulation despite Orlando firing 31 shots toward Sean Johnson's net.

We discussed the game longer than it deserved, looked back at our hilariously wrong score predictions, and made our selections for Man of the Match. One of us persuaded the other to change his pick, which rarely happens.

This week's mailbagbox asked us about Orlando City's many draws this season, non-alcoholic beer recommendations, how much we'd sell Marco Pasalic for, 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.

Finally, Orlando City must play a midweek game against the Chicago Fire on the road to advance to the first round of the MLS playoffs. The Lions are not in a great position and are dealing with some key absences, but at least they get to start over with a clean slate now. We looked back at the season series with Chicago, the all-time series against the Fire, and compare the teams. We also provide our key matchups and make our (pessimistic) score predictions.

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Here’s how No. 509 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City did not seem prepared to take on a middling Toronto FC team on the road on Decision Day despite the Lions having much more to play for hanging in the balance. Now the Lions will have an even more uphill climb in the postseason, traveling for a wild card game.

25:52 – The mailbagbox isn't sure which of Orlando City's draws was the most frustrating.

39:31 - Orlando City's postseason could be a short one, as the Lions visit the Windy City to take on a dangerous Chicago Fire attack.

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The Lions entered Saturday's matchup against Vancouver missing a lot of bodies, including half the starting back line. Then things got worse when starting center back and team captain Robin Jansson suffered a nasty-looking injury early in the game.

Despite all that, the Lions took the lead through Dagur Dan Thorhallsson's well-taken goal. Although the Whitecaps dominated possession and smothered Orlando whenever the Lions had the ball, the lads in purple were just minutes away from a gigantic three points. But Kyle Smith smashed a clearance off a Whitecap and into his own net to tie the game late, and Vancouver's big signing scored in the seventh of five added minutes to take all the points from Orlando. After seeing the good side of the Cardiac Cats in recent weeks, the game was a reminder that the bad Cardiac Cats are also out there lurking.

We tried not to dwell too much on a gut punch of a game in our recap, checked our score predictions, and made our selections for Man of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked us about Saturday's center back pairing and pizza toppings — in completely separate questions. 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, Orlando City will have to try once more to score more than one goal in a game as the Lions visit BMO Field in Toronto Saturday for a Decision Day match against the Reds of Toronto FC. We look back at the series history, discuss the relative performances of the two clubs, provide our key matchups, and make our predictions for the final score on Saturday.

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Here’s how No. 508 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City was nine minutes plus stoppage from an improbable but much-needed win. Then a dumb thing happened. And then a bad thing happened.

22:57 – The mailbagbox is succinct this week but still quite fun.

30:53 - The Lions travel north of the border for a Decision Day match against Toronto FC. Orlando needs three points to safely avoid the wild card game, but the Reds have been drawing almost everyone lately.

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The Lions fell behind in the first half, but struck back immediately against the Columbus Crew on Saturday. However, neither side could dent the twine in the back of the net afterwards, despite each club getting some quality looks at goal. Marco Pasalic's goal broke a dry spell for him and secured a point for Orlando City, allowing the lads in purple to stay above the dreaded play-in wild card game — at least for the moment.

We look back at the key moments, players, and plays of a home game with some squandered chances to claim all three points. We also check our score predictions, and make our selections for Man of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked us about Orlando City's back four, the Eastern time zone, beers, hikes, 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.

OCB needed to win on Decision Day to get into the playoffs given other results around MLS NEXT Pro. However, the Young Lions played poorly, got throttled, and instead allowed visiting FC Cincinnati 2 to get into the postseason. OCB's streak of playoff appearances was snapped at two, and the Young Lions are done for 2025 after a rough second half of the season.

Finally, Orlando City will be missing a plethora of key players against a Vancouver Whitecaps side looking to finish atop the Western Conference. The Whitecaps will mostly be intact during this international window, while the Lions will be thin. That said, you've got to play who is in front of you, and that deep run in Leagues Cup ended up preventing Orlando City from playing Vancouver outside the international window with a more full-strength squad. We give you the series history against the Whitecaps, compare the two teams, provide our key matchups for Saturday night, and make 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.

If you’d like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we’d love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how No. 507 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City wasted too many good transition chances and it was costly against Columbus — as was a bad-looking injury to Joran Gerbet.

21:30 – The mailbagbox pleads with us to help convince a listener's spouse of something.

36:05 - OCB went gently into that goodnight on Decision Day, and the senior Lions (or what's left of them) will brace themselves for one of the best Vancouver teams in years.

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Orlando City left it late again. Tyrese Spicer reprised his role from the Nashville game by providing the assist for a goal late in stoppage time, but this time it was a different goal scorer and a road draw instead of a home win. Alex Freeman played great against FC Cincinnati, so it was fitting that he literally pulled a point out of thin air on a Sunday night that saw the Lions squander numerous good opportunities to score while allowing the hosts only one Kevin Denkey strike.

We look back at the key moments, players, and plays of a critical road match, check our score predictions, and make our selections for Man of the Match, splitting the vote

This week's mailbagbox asked us a pair of trivia questions and added an individual question for each host. 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.

OCB got two points at Carolina Core FC when it needed three, but it did enough to stay alive in the postseason race but there is no margin for error. The Young Lions fell behind by two goals, battled back to get level, conceded again, and once again equalized on the road. Carlos Mercado then helped his team win the penalty shootout on his birthday to claim the extra point. OCB must beat FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday at home and get help to reach the postseason.

Finally, Orlando City returns home with another game against a good team from the Buckeye State, as the Columbus Crew visits Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. Whether Diego Rossi plays or not, the Crew are always a difficult opponent. We break down the series history, look at the battle ahead, provide our key matchups, and make 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.

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Here’s how No. 506 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City didn't seem to want to put the ball in the net, but maybe that's because it wasn't yet the death of stoppage time. Earlier goals are OK too, guys!

27:55 – The mailbagbox offers trivia, but no prizes if we get them right.

39:11 - OCB was listening to Meat Loaf and thinking two out of three ain't bad, and the senior Lions prepare for Columbus.

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Orlando City made up for drawing at D.C. United by getting an important win over Nashville SC, one of the team's chief competitors for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Martin Ojeda's brace was worth the price of admission alone, but after the visitors drew level, it required a show-stopping performance by Duncan McGuire, who snatched all three points at the death with a vintage Cardiac Cats goal.

We look back at the key moments, players, and plays of the match, check our score predictions, and make our selections for Man of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked about an Orlando City Best XI, ranking rock bands, using MLS U22 Initiative slots, 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.

OCB did not help itself in the playoff race by losing 1-0 at home to Huntsville City. We discussed the difficult spot the loss put the Young Lions in with just two games remaining. The schedule is favorable, but OCB needs to get wins and a little help to get back above the line or the team will miss the postseason. We give a brief preview of the all-important visit to Carolina Core FC on Saturday.

Finally, the senior Lions head to Ohio to face a good FC Cincinnati team that won the first meeting in Orlando. Stopping Evander is the key but it's much easier said than done. Can Orlando City finally pitch a shutout? If so, can the Lions keep scoring? It's an important game, as they all are down the stretch, with a playoff spot not yet clinched and home field far from certain. We provide the history of the series and our key matchups 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.

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Here’s how No. 505 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City threw away the two-goal lead Ojeda provided but McGuire called game.

22:47 – The mailbagbox is concerned with Alex Freeman getting sold.

39:11 - OCB-dropped a heartbreaker to Huntsville City and has no margin for error, and the MLS side heads north to Cincinnati.

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Orlando City went to Audi Field needing three points against last-place D.C. United, but the Lions had one of their periodic nights when putting the ball in the net was an issue. After falling behind, the Lions got back on level footing and went up a man for more than half an hour of the second half, but Orlando still couldn't find a second goal, dropping valuable points in the race for a postseason berth with a lot of much more difficult opponents still to play in the coming weeks.

We look back at the match and our score predictions and make our selections for Man of the Match.

This week's mailbagbox asked about playing teams down a man, sticking current Lions on our Premier League teams, 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.

OCB went south to face Inter Miami II in a critical rivalry match and despite playing a team that had conceded more than 60 goals on the season, the Young Lions — like the senior squad — scored just one in a wasteful 1-1 road draw. The Young Lions managed to snag the shootout point but dropping one point was enough to put OCB below the playoff line with three matches remaining. Next up is Huntsville City at home on Sunday.

Things won't get any easier for Orlando City, which enters Saturday riding five straight competitive matches without a win. Nashville SC has two wins in two tries against the Lions in 2025, and the high-powered duo of Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar will bring a lot of confidence into Saturday's showdown at Inter&Co Stadium. We discuss the series history, provide our key matchups, 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.

If you’d like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we’d love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.

Here’s how No. 504 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City struggled to score on 10-man D.C. on a frustrating night at Audi Field.

17:51 – The mailbagbox is stealing OCSC players!

27:52 - OCB-Miami didn't go as well as it could have, and the senior Lions brace for Nashville.

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Orlando City, as Duncan McGuire is still in the process of coming back from his second shoulder surgery in less than a year. The club will need him to get back to his old self sooner rather than later, or it could be costly down the stretch run toward the playoffs. With a tough schedule of opponents ahead, the Lions will need every goal they can find.

We discuss the pros and cons — and the less-than-ideal timing — of the Enrique sale.

This week's mailbagbox asked about Darwin Ceren, Cryptids, and Mauricio Pochettino. 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.

OCB will head south to face Inter Miami II in a critical rivalry match with just a few games remaining in the regular season. The Young Lions will enter the weekend clinging to the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but they'll need to add some points to solidify their positioning.

Meanwhile, the senior Lions will head to D.C. to face United. There aren't many familiar names remaining on the D.C. roster, but wins at Audi Field are still never easy. Orlando City hasn't won in its last four matches across all competitions. Hopefully, the international break allowed the squad to reset and get ready for the stretch run after a grueling Leagues Cup campaign. We break down the history of the series, present our key matchups for Saturday night, 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.

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Here’s how No. 503 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City sent a likeable and productive backup striker overseas for some cash and opened an MLS U22 Initiative slot in the process.

14:11 – The mailbagbox introduces us to Cryptids and asks us to rank them.

29:26 - OCB and OCSC hit the road in search of points. We preview!

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I couldn't tell you why this show is nearly an hour other than the fact that we are verbose. Orlando City crashed out of Leagues Cup with back-to-back losses in games that had a Concacaf Champions Cup berth on the line. The Lions did almost nothing in the first half against the LA Galaxy on the road, and threw Martin Ojeda's second-half equalizer away just seven minutes after he scored it with a horrendous turnover in their defensive third.

We discuss Orlando City's 2-1 road loss, which featured one of Pedro Gallese's best-ever saves as a Lion, although it ultimately didn't matter much, looked back at our score predictions, and made our selections for Man of the Match.

We also discussed Seattle's 3-0 win over Inter Miami in the final and the shenanigans that the Herons pulled after losing.

Ramiro Enrique was not in uniform Sunday night in the wake of reports that he's about to be sold for a reported $3 million to a Saudi team. Although the timing isn't perfect, it would be a good return for the Argentine striker.

This week's mailbagbox asked about ice cream, donuts, Carlos Mercado vs. Javier Otero, 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.

OCB picked up a much-needed three points with a home win over Crown Legacy at the death that nearly immediately became a draw at the even more death. Mercado was sensational in the match for the Young Lions and Thalles scored the timely goal to push the club over the playoff line for the time being. I nearly started to preview an OCB game that is more than a week ago, but the important thing is I stopped myself, otherwise the show would have been even longer.

The senior Lions are also off this week, so we'll see you next week!

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.

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Here’s how No. 502 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City looked to be following the same script as in the win at LA back in March, but then coughed up the ball in a dangerous spot to one of the Galaxy's best scorers.

29:36 – The mailbagbox is trying to make us fat(ter).

46:38 - OCB has put together two consecutive late wins as the Young Lions try to get back into playoff contention after several rough weeks.

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