14.05.25 – The Mähneland

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! Orlando City has games during the week this month, which means that we can enjoy a football this evening. But before we deal with this match and more in today’s links, we all wish for a nice 18th birthday to the striker Justin Ellis, the striker of Orlando C City B! On my 18th birthday I won $ 10 for the first scratch-off ticket that I could legally buy. I wish him a similar happiness today.

Orlando City will compete against Charlotte FC this evening

The busy month of Orlando City will continue tonight when Charlotte FC organizes a matchup during the week at the Inter & Co Stadium in one of the more fascinating games of today’s MLS Slate. The Lions have not lost since March 8, but they only won four of their 12 games this season and are one point behind Charlotte in the overall ranking. Orlando’s offense struggled in this route, but after Martin Ojeda’s Hattrick against the New England Revolution on Saturday turned a corner. The Lions could also benefit from the return of midfielder Eduard Atuesta, who was in training when he worked back from an injury. I would not be surprised if he had returned to things this month after tonight and the club still has five games. Even if Atuesta cannot go this evening, he may get a few minutes this weekend.

Marta returns to the Brazilian national team

Marta was called up by Brazil chief coach Arthur Elias for friendship against Japan, which is rather shocking news when you consider that she announced her retirement from international football last year.

“I was recently with Marta and said to her. She said she was available to help the team, while she is playing at a high level as she is now,” Elias told reporters. “Marta had a great season and was very important for her club, which is the American League champion.

“Your presence in some calls is very important for the younger players for the renewal that takes place in the national team.”

Marta’s international career seemed to end in Paris, where she helped Brazil to claim the silver medal at the Olympic Games. The 39-year-old appears on the Brazil list on the Pride teammate Angelina when the team is preparing for the Copa America this summer. It will be interesting to see whether Marta will take part in this tournament, and it can be worth mentioning that the 2027 World Cup will take place in Brazil. That’s a few years away, but I would not rule out anything at that time.

US football reveals new kits

The US football announced two new kits that were designed in cooperation with Nike and Senior players from both the US women’s national team and the US national team of the US men. The “Brilliant Kit” is white and light blue with star details and celebrates the etc. for 40 years. The “Heartbeat Kit” is a dark blue with vertical red and blue stripes and is supposed to be the passion of our football fans.

I am also a pretty big fan of the jacket as part of this collection. The etc. will carry both jerseys all year round, while the USMNT will continue to wear its current white kit and will debut the darker kit on June 7th.

USMNT will play South Korea and Japan in friendly games

A few friendly games were announced for the USMNT in September, with the Yanks playing against Japan on September 6th in New Jersey on September 9th in Columbus. This will be the first games of the USMNT after the Gold Cup of this summer and help the team prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Japan has already qualified for the World Cup and South Korea is on the right track to do the same. The USMNT has not played in South Korea since winning 2-0 in 2014, while his last game against Japan was a 2-0 defeat in Germany in 2022 before this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Free fights

• Marta and Angelina are not the only pride players who are appointed for international service, since goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse in England will take part in the games of the UEFA Nations League.