PawedCast Episode 127: Tony Rocha Interview, Chicago Recap, Pride & More

We’re unhappy about Orlando City’s third straight loss but all things considered — a makeshift lineup, the team outplaying the Chicago Fire, etc. — it could be worse. Soccer is a fickle game and sometimes the better team doesn’t win. We break down the Lions’ 2-1 loss to Chicago and give you our Man of the Match picks.

We’ve also got two Pride matches this week, a home loss and a road win. The Pride seem to have found their scoring boots based on the team’s eight goals in the last two games.

Tony Rocha is normally a midfielder but on Saturday night he got his baptism by fire at center back due to a slew of injuries and Amro Tarek’s international absence. We discuss it with Tony, who returns to the program for the first time since 2016, plus his brief loan to Saint Louis FC and more.

We’ve also got a USMNT match to discuss, with lots of new faces. Plus, we answer listener mail in our Ask The Mane Land PawedCast segment and give you our key match-ups and score predictions for Orlando City’s trip to New York City FC.

If there’s something you want us to address on our next show, just tweet it to us @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC.

Here’s how show No. 127 shuffled out:

0:12- The Lions are sliding even though they’ve played well enough to earn points. The team must start scoring again and find a way to limit the opposition’s chances. We discuss that and the awakening of the Pride’s offense.

43:01- Tony Rocha joins us and talks about his return to center back, a position he last played competitively in college. Plus a whole lot more.

59:19- The USMNT’s win, Cincinnati is in MLS, the #AskTMLPC mailbag and our predictions for the Lions vs. NYCFC.