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Lion Links: 7/17/20

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How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a pretty good week as an Orlando City fan, so hopefully those good vibes continue through the weekend. Before we hop into today’s links, let’s wish a very happy birthday to Orlando Pride draft pick Abi Kim, who was selected in the third round earlier this year in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.

Analyzing Orlando City’s Victory

Orlando City clinched a spot in the knockout round of the MLS is Back Tournament after a strong 3-1 win over New York City FC earlier this week. The Lions performed well across every position and the statistics back it up. Forward Chris Mueller not only scored twice in 10 minutes, but excelled in passing in the final third during the match. The Lions also dominated in the midfield and Head Coach Oscar Pareja is making the most of fullbacks João Moutinho and Ruan by playing to their strengths.

Miguel Gallardo also broke down the key substitutions Pareja made to make sure the Lions hung on to their lead and grabbed all three points.

Forward Tesho Akindele also scored in the win and he attributes a lot of the Lions’ success to the preparation taken before the tournament began.

Lions Affected By MLS Rulings

In other Lion news, the MLS Disciplinary Committee issued Nani an undisclosed fine for embellishment after Tuesday’s game. Defender Robin Jansson had his yellow card rescinded for an incident with NYCFC forward Valentin Castellanos, who was fined for embellishment as well. The Lions also won’t have to worry about Philadelphia Union midfielder Jose Martinez, who was suspended for violent conduct and will miss the match between the two clubs on July 20.

Orlando City B’s Home Opener Announced

With the USL League One season set to begin this weekend, the league announced each team’s home opener for the season. Orlando City B won’t play at home until Aug. 14, when it hosts Fort Lauderdale CF at Osceola Heritage Park. It’s unclear when the Young Lions will play their first game on the season or who they will play, but hopefully more details on OCB’s schedule will come out soon.

NWSL Challenge Cup Begins Knockout Round

With the teams warmed up after the preliminary round, the National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup starts its knockout stage today. The North Carolina Courage are the heavy favorites to win it all and they take on the Portland Thorns at 12:30 p.m. today. The rest of the field is fairly even, making for exciting matches throughout the tournament. Utah Royals SC host the Houston Dash later tonight. Tomorrow, OL Reign faces the Chicago Red Stars and the Washington Spirit take on Sky Blue FC. Although the Orlando Pride aren’t participating, there is still plenty to of women’s soccer to enjoy this weekend.

MLS is Back Tournament Results

Atlanta United fell 1-0 to FC Cincinnati in the tournament’s morning game yesterday. After Atlanta went a man down due to a red card in the first half, Cincinnati midfielder Frankie Amaya scored a beauty for his first goal in MLS to lift his team to its first win of 2020.

Atlanta Head Coach Frank de Boer criticized the league having games at 9 a.m. and gave his thoughts on its impact not only on the players, but the fans watching at home. The Five Stripes have lost both of their games and have yet to score in the tournament.

In a Canadian showdown, Toronto FC defeated the Montreal Impact 4-3. Former Lion Richie Laryea got the scoring started and an Ayo Akinola hat trick sealed the deal to secure all three points for Toronto. The Columbus Crew clinched a spot in the knockout round after winning 2-0 over the New York Red Bulls.

Today’s games will all be played at night, with the New England Revolution’s trio of Designated Players leading the charge against D.C. United at 8 p.m. At that same time, the Colorado Rapids aim to bounce back in a tough match against Sporting Kansas City. Then later at 10:30 p.m., Minnesota United and Real Salt Lake face off with advancement going to the victor and both fans and RSL will have their eyes on former Lion Kevin Molino.

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  • The Lions may have earned a spot in the next round, but there is still plenty to prepare for when they take on the Union for the top spot in Group A.

  • The Swan and Dolphin Resort where MLS teams are staying for the tournament will open one of its wings to the public the day after the Round of 16 ends. A courtyard separates the wings of the resort, and additional barriers will keep the final eight teams from interacting with hotel guests.
  • With a 2-1 win over Villarreal on Thursday, Real Madrid won the La Liga title for the first time since 2017.
  • Christian Pulisic has had an incredible first year with Chelsea, but how does he compare to other Americans who have tried their luck in Europe?
  • If you’re tired of scrolling through Netflix for something to watch, check out this documentary series that gives a unique look at young Orange County SC players and Rangers FC prospects. The episodes can be seen on ESPN2 Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. and they’ll be available to stream at the ESPNFC YouTube channel 48 hours after they air.
  • Let’s end our links with some good news. After a heart attack forced him into retirement in 2019, goalkeeper Iker Casillas returned to the field to celebrate FC Porto’s league title.


That’s going to be all from me today. I hope you all have a great Friday and rest of your weekend. It’s still kind of weird having both MLS and NWSL soccer to look forward to, but I’m hardly complaining.

Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/28/24

Getting to know Rafael Santos, Orlando Pride prepare for Chicago, Midge Purce out for the season, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope the work week has been treating you well as we gear up for another weekend of soccer. March flew by for me and April is shaping up to be a pretty busy month as well. In other news, I’m looking into adopting a cat and gathering the supplies to make that happen. Let’s dive into today’s links!

Getting to Know Rafael Santos

Orlando City left back Rafael Santos was the latest Lion to field questions as part of the club’s video series for fans to learn more about its players. The 26-year-old spoke about the decision process behind joining Orlando and playing outside of Brazil for the first time in his career after five years with Cruzeiro. He’s brought his attack-minded style of play to the team, particularly in terms of providing lethal crossing from the wing. Make sure to check out the full video as Santos also shared photos of his newborn and showcased his skill with a cavaquinho.

Orlando Pride Prepare to Host Chicago

After a pair of draws to start their season, the Orlando Pride will have a chance to claim their first win of the season when they host the Chicago Red Stars tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Head Coach Seb Hines spoke about how the Pride have shown plenty of resilience so far this young season. The team managed to secure a point in last week’s 1-1 draw with Angel City FC despite a patchwork back line due to injuries. That defense will likely have its hands full against Mallory Swanson and a Chicago team that won both of its first two games. Hines spoke about how the Pride are preparing for Chicago and how they will need the home crowd to bring the support tomorrow night.

Sophia Smith Signs Record-Breaking New Deal

American forward Sophia Smith signed a new contract with the Portland Thorns that will make her the highest-paid NWSL player, according to the club. The new deal will last through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026 as well. The 23-year-old was drafted by the Thorns with the first overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft and has gone on to score 34 regular-season goals. Smith re-signed with the club in 2022 and was set to become a free agent following this season, but will instead stay in Portland.

Midge Purce Out for NWSL Season

NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Midge Purce will miss the remainder of the NWSL season after tearing her ACL. The 28-year-old will undergo surgery and suffered the injury in her team’s 1-0 victory over the Portland Thorns this past weekend. She’s been with Gotham since 2020 and assisted on both goals in her team’s 2-1 win in the 2023 NWSL Championship. It’s a tough blow for the United States Women’s National Team too, as she will not be representing the U.S. during this summer’s Olympics in France.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City B’s match against Carolina Core FC on April 14 has been rescheduled.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/27/24

Bally Sports will broadcast Orlando Pride matches, Pride players called up, USWNT announces SheBelieves Cup roster, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I attended my friend’s wedding this past weekend and have been getting myself back into work mode by covering high school tennis this week. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Bally Sports Will Broadcast Select Orlando Pride Matches

Bally Sports was announced as the new local television partner for the Orlando Pride. There will be 13 select Pride matches broadcast this season across Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Sun, and on the Bally Sports app. The partnership will begin this Friday, with the Orlando Soccer Insider show taking place before the kickoff of the Pride’s home match against the Chicago Red Stars at 7 p.m. The show will be broadcast on Bally Sports Florida, and then you can switch to the Bally Sports app to watch Friday’s match. Below are all the select matches that will be broadcast on Bally Sports this season.

Brazilian Orlando Pride Players Called Up

The Orlando Pride’s Marta, Angelina, and Luana were all called up by Brazil for next month’s SheBelieves Cup. Brazil heads into this tournament after a solid showing in the Concacaf W Gold Cup. The format is different for this year’s SheBelieves Cup, as there will only be four matches instead of six. Brazil’s first match of the tournament will be a semifinal on April 6 against Canada in Atlanta.

USWNT Announces Roster for SheBelieves Cup

United States Women’s National Team interim head coach Twila Kilgore announced the 23-player roster for the 2024 SheBelieves Cup matches next month. The USWNT has won this competition four consecutive times since 2020, and is going for a seventh title in 2024. Of those called up, 19 players on this squad were part of the team that won the Concacaf W Gold Cup earlier this month. San Diego Wave forward Jaedyn Shaw, the Concacaf W Gold Cup’s MVP, is back on the roster after she led the USWNT with four goals. The squad also includes familiar names like former Pride forward Alex Morgan, Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, and Olympique Lyon midfielder Lindsey Horan. Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario return to the squad after being sidelined with injuries. The USWNT will begin its quest to defend its SheBelieves Cup title when it faces Japan on April 6 in Atlanta.

MLS Referees Agree to New CBA

After a lockout that resulted in Major League Soccer starting the season with replacement referees, the Professional Soccer Referees Association voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Referee Organization. The new CBA is a seven-year deal that runs through January of 2031. This deal will also include significant pay raises for referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees. The PRO referees will return to the pitch for this weekend’s MLS matches.

Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland Qualify for Euro 2024

Ukraine has qualified for this summer’s Euros after edging out Iceland 2-1 in its playoff final, with Mykhaylo Mudryk scoring the winning goal in the second half. Georgia eliminated Greece 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to book a spot in the tournament as well. Georgia qualifies for its first major tournament after coming up short in 2020. Poland also needed penalties to qualify, with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny making the final save against Daniel James to beat Wales 5-4 on penalties after a scoreless draw.

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That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Wednesday and I’ll see you next time.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/26/24

Jack Lynn named to MLS Team of the Matchday bench, Nico Lodeiro and Marta up for weekly awards, USMNT stock watch, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It was an enjoyable weekend for fans of Orlando soccer as the Lions got in the win column, the Pride stayed unbeaten, and Orlando City B picked up two points by way of a shootout win. As usual, we have plenty to discuss this morning, so let’s dive in.

Jack Lynn Makes Team of the Matchday Bench

Jack Lynn’s efforts in Orlando City’s 2-0 win over Austin FC have earned him a spot on the bench in the latest edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday. Lynn opened the scoring with a well-finished header in the first half, a tally which was also his very first for the senior side. Aside from his goal, he took another shot that was off target, completed 77% of his passes, and recorded 21 touches. The performance earned him a 6 out of 10 grade from Sean Rollins in his player grades from the match. Lynn’s inclusion in the TotM is well deserved, and hopefully it’s the first of many!

Orlando Players Up for Weekly Honors

Nico Lodeiro’s free kick during Orlando City’s win has been nominated for the MLS Goal of the Matchday. In the 64th minute, with the Lions holding a 1-0 lead, courtesy of Lynn’s goal, the good guys were awarded a free kick due to a handball on the edge of the box. Lodeiro proceeded to deliver the goods, scoring his first league goal for OCSC with a powerful, bending effort that Brad Stuver was unable to keep out of the top corner. Make sure you go and vote for Nico to win this week’s award!

He wasn’t the only Orlando player who had an impressive goal either, as the Orlando Pride’s Marta has been nominated for the National Women’s Soccer League Goal of the Week. It was a well-deserved nomination too, as she leveled the score and rescued a point for the Pride in spectacular fashion. With time ticking down in the 88th minute, she expertly volleyed in a corner kick at home. Go and vote for her to win the honor!

Post-Nations League Stock Watch

Several United States Men’s National Team players either boosted or hurt their stock over the course of last week’s Concacaf Nations League matches. Guys like Giovanni Reyna and Tyler Adams turned in impactful and timely performances. Reyna was named the best player of the tournament at a time when minutes at the club level are tough to come by, while Adams looked great as he continues to work his way back from a long injury layoff. Joe Scally and Folarin Balogun struggled though, with Scally being hooked at halftime against Jamaica and Balogun having a relatively quiet two games while fellow striker Haji Wright was the hero against Jamaica. Nobody’s stock dropped more than Mexico’s though, which has now gone seven games without beating the U.S., and hasn’t scored in almost 500 minutes. *Insert eagle screech here*

Big Names Missing for Euro 2024

The club season won’t be over for a couple more months, but there are a number of big stars who we either already know won’t be appearing at this summer’s Euro 2024, or who have a race against the clock in order to feature. The Real Madrid duo of David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois will both miss the tournament through injury, although Courtois’ rocky relationship with Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco means he may not have been called up anyway. Sven Botman will be unavailable for the Netherlands due to an ACL tear. Ivan Perisic suffered the same fate, sidelining him for Croatia. Then there are the cases of Sandro Tonali and Paul Pogba, who are unavailable for Italy and France, respectively, due to suspensions for off-field issues.

Free Kicks

  • Happy National Athletic Training Month from one AT (me) to another!
  • The young Yanks engineered a late comeback to earn a 2-2 draw with France, with Cade Cowell scoring the equalizer.
  • A vote has reportedly taken place on a new tentative agreeement between PRO and the PSRA.
  • LAFC has reportedly sent a formal contract offer for Olivier Giroud to join the Western Conference side once the Serie A season concludes.

That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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