Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/20/15
This isn't a pep talk Orlando City fans. Because you don't need one.
All you need to know is that next weekend, the Lions will head to the Bronx to take on New York City FC, North American soccer’s equivalent of that rich kid down the street who gets to spend all of daddy’s money. And it looks like they’re is going to be unveiling some shiny new toys against Orlando, as Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo are set to make their MLS debuts.
So that anger you’re feeling right now, that frustration with the questionable officiating the Lions have endured during their last couple games? Just channel that towards reminding NYCFC that a successful club is built not bought and that nothing can stop the purple hurricane that is descending on New York City this week..at least until Kaká is sent off three minutes in for breathing on David Villa.
So, to help you get ready for battle, here are your Monday morning Lion Links.
Recapping Saturday's Loss to NYRB
For the third week in a row, Orlando City found themselves on the wrong side of some questionable officiating, as a first half red card to Cyle Larin completely changed the complexion of the match. RBNY scored early and late to bookend a 2-0 victory over the Lions, as Orlando emerges from a two-game home stand with absolutely nothing to show for it. The good news is that Orlando City remains in playoff position this week and still controls its own destiny in that department.
As always, The Mane Land is your go-to source for coverage of Saturday's clash with the Red Bulls, featuring…
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A recap of the disappointing loss
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Notes and Takeaways from Gavin Ewbank
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A photo gallery featuring shots of Saturday’s match by J.D. Casto
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Reaction from Once A Metro, SB Nation’s New York Red Bulls blog
Orlando City to Appeal Larin Red Card
Club president Philip Rawlins tweeted on Sunday morning that Orlando City planned to appeal the red card issued to Cyle Larin during Saturday's loss to the Red Bulls.
.@OrlandoCitySC after reviewing video, we will be appealing @CyleLarin red card
— philip rawlins (@OCPres) July 19, 2015
Larin was sent off in the 32nd minute for this studs-up challenge on Sacha Kljestan that sent the RBNY midfielder (and his mustache) tumbling in the air. It was, to be generous, a slightly “dramatic” reaction from Kljestan. See for yourself:
It's important to remember that MLS appeals work a little different than those in most other North American sports leagues.
Each club is allowed two unsuccessful red card appeals throughout the season. If Orlando's appeal is successful, then it doesn't count against their total, Larin can play next week against NYCFC, and everyone goes home happy. If their appeal is rejected, then it does count against their total and Larin is still out.
But, if the appeal not only fails but is deemed "frivolous" by the MLS officials who review it, then Orlando loses the right to make red card appeals for two years, they're fined $250,000 and Larin's suspension will be doubled. Yikes.
Be sure to check back with The Mane Land for the result of Orlando City’s appeal and reaction to the decision.
The Wall Unveils "Holy Trinity" Tifo Against Red Bulls
Flavio, Inchy and Phil Rawlins, in case it wasn't clear. Nice work, as always, from the best fans in MLS.
Drogba Wants Montreal for MLS Move
Maybe he just wants to keep wearing blue.
With Didier Drogba eyeing a move to MLS, several teams have reportedly been in the running for his services. But reports out of Canada indicate that the Ivory Coast legend might be most interested in a move to Montreal.
While the Impact are currently sitting outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture, they're the only MLS team to play in a city where Drogba's native language, French, is primarily spoken. The Francophone environment reportedly appeals to Drogba, who has spent the last several seasons playing everywhere from Shanghai to Turkey and England.
A legend in both the Premier League and the international game, Drogba has scored 104 goals over two stints with Chelsea and has been capped 104 times with Ivory Coast. He would be the latest European star to make the jump to MLS, and another coup for a league trying to gain more international recognition.
USMNT Ends Diplomatic Relations with Cuba in 6-0 Rout
The USMNT dispatched Cuba 6-0 on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
It was a scoreline unlike anything seen in the knockout round of the tournament (literally, it was the biggest blowout post-group stage in Gold Cup history), as the United States took advantage of a shorthanded Cuba squad to move within two wins of a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Clint Dempsey got the party started just four minutes in, en route to his first ever international hat trick. While Dempsey was responsible for 50% of the final scoreline, he was joined by Aron Jóhannsson, Gyasi Zardes and Omar Gonzales, as the United States cruised past a Cuba team that shocked many in advancing past the group stage.
Several Cuban players defected throughout the tournament, including starting forward Ariel Martinez, as Leones del Caribe were forced to make do with the players they had against the USMNT. To put it simply, it would not be enough.
The USMNT will face Jamaica in the semifinals of the tournament on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the Gold Cup Final in Philadelphia.
Zlatan Returning to AC Milan, According to Reports
More accurately, AC Milan announces they'll be returning to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swedish international, long-considered one of the best football players of his generation (especially by himself), could be headed back to Serie A at the end of the summer, if a report from Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà is to be believed.
The 33-year old Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a rather nomadic career across Europe, but he had perhaps his greatest success playing in Milan, where he scored an astounding 28 goals in 33 appearances during the 2011-2012 season.
That's it for Lion Links today. Have a good week everybody!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/21/25
Orlando Pride release preseason camp roster, scouting Costa Rica, women’s soccer transfer grades, and more.
Good morning, everyone! If you had yesterday off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, then I hope you enjoyed some restful time off. If not, then I hope you got your week started off on a good and productive note. There’s a lot going on around here this week as the United States Men’s National Team is in town, and Orlando City will play its first preseason match on Saturday. That means we have plenty to discuss, so let’s dig into today’s links.
Orlando Pride Drop Preseason Roster
Monday might have been a holiday but the Orlando Pride were busy, as they announced the roster for their upcoming preseason camp. Almost all of the usual suspects from the 2024 season are back, as the Pride return 98% of the player-minutes from last season and every single scorer. Mariana Larroquette is on the list although she’s currently on loan in Argentina, and Amanda Allen is likewise included after her loan at Lexington Sporting Club was terminated due to a torn labrum. The biggest intrigue comes from the trio of non-roster invitees: goalkeeper DeAira Jackson, midfielder Aryssa Mahrt, and forward Simone Jackson.
Scouting Costa Rica
The USMNT takes on Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium to wrap up the team’s annual January camp. Like the U.S., Costa Rica is bringing a roster devoid of the majority of its important players. Costa Rica also has a new manager at the helm in Miguel Herrera, who will take charge of the team for the very first time on Wednesday. Herrera typically lines his teams up in a 5-3-2 where the wingbacks take on a very important role and the team looks to hit on the counter while staying compact at the back. This will be the last time we see the USMNT in action until the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in early March.
Women’s Soccer January Transfer Grades
January has been a busy time for transfers in the women’s soccer world, so which teams have done the best business? Well, the Orlando Pride received an A grade for signing Marta to a new two-year deal, retaining a player who helped the team win its first ever trophies. Liverpool got an A for signing Julia Bartel on loan from Chelsea. Leicester City made an interesting call by transferring goalkeeper Lize Kop to Tottenham despite just being a point above the relegation zone. The Foxes get a C for the move, while Spurs get a B+ for adding a capable netminder.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a number of Americans taking part in some very important games over the course of this week. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus face Club Brugge today in the UEFA Champions League, while Ricardo Pepi, Richy Ledezma, Esmir Bajraktarević, Malik Tillman and PSV Eindhoven take on Crvena Zvezda in the same competition. Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will play Girona in the UCL on Wednesday, while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic take on Young Boys. On Friday, John Tolkin could make his Bundesliga debut when his new team, Holstein Kiel, travels to face Wolfsburg.
Free Kicks
- Orlando Pride players reported for their preseason physicals on Monday.
- Meanwhile, Orlando City took on the dreaded beep test during Monday’s training session.
- Toronto FC has signed goalkeeper Luka Gavran to a contract extension that runs through 2027, with an option for 2028.
- Australia Men’s National Team Head Coach Tony Popovic praised MLS as a destination for Australian players, noting the league’s resources and professionalism.
That’s all I have for you today. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/20/25
Orlando City signs Nicolas Rodriguez, Jack Lynn announces retirement, USMNT defeats Venezuela in friendly, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Over the past week, I’ve been working and covering high school ice hockey. It will be a busy week in Orlando, with the United States Men’s National Team’s match against Costa Rica on Wednesday and Orlando City’s first preseason match against Atletico Mineiro on Saturday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Signs Nicolas Rodriguez
Orlando City announced on Friday that the club has signed forward Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza CEIF in Colombia’s top flight. The deal is through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028, and Rodriguez will occupy a MLS U22 Initiative slot. Rodriguez made 19 appearances for Fortaleza, recording 1,607 minutes, five goals, and three assists during the 2024 Primera A Clausura season. The Lions add a young attacking player the club can develop and Rodriguez can play on the right wing, the right side of a three-man midfield, or in the No. 10 spot.
Jack Lynn Announces Retirement
Orlando City forward Jack Lynn announced his retirement from professional soccer on Saturday. Lynn was drafted by Orlando in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He became a regular starter for Orlando City B, scoring a team-record 38 goals in over three seasons with the MLS NEXT Pro side. Lynn also won the Golden Boot with 19 goals during the 2023 season and became the first OCB player to be named MLS NEXT Pro MVP. He played sparingly with the first team, but he scored twice last season as his role increased. The Lions will likely look to add another striker for more depth up top.
Orlando Pride Acquire Allocation Money in Trade
On Friday, the Orlando Pride announced that the club has acquired $50,000 in Allocation Money from the Washington Spirit. In exchange, the Pride sent the Spirit a 2025 international roster spot. The Pride will face the Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup final on March 7 at Inter&Co Stadium.
USMNT Defeats Venezuela in Friendly
The USMNT defeated Venezuela 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday in a friendly. Jack McGlynn and Patrick Agyemang scored in the first half to give the USMNT a 2-0 lead just before halftime. Matko Milijevic scored the third goal for the Americans in the second half, with Venezuela pulling one back thanks to a goal from Jorge Yriarte. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has led the USMNT to winning four out of its first five matches since he took charge last September. The USMNT’s next match will be against Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium.
Alyssa Naeher Named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year
On Saturday, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was voted 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Naeher won 40% of the vote, while defender Naomi Girma finished in second with 32%. In her final year with the USWNT, Naeher ended 2024 with 18 starts, playing 1,170 minutes and only conceding 11 goals. She played a crucial role with clutch saves to help the USWNT win the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, and gold at the Olympics in Paris. Naeher is the second goalkeeper to win the award since Hope Solo won it in 2009.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City and the Pride announced a partnership with the YMCA of Central Florida to launch the Lions Pride Jr. soccer program.
- Angel City FC forward Christen Press has reached an agreement with the club on a new one-year contract for the 2025 NWSL season.
- GiveMeSport ranked which MLS club has made the best winter transfer moves so far this off-season. Atlanta United, the San Jose Earthquakes, and FC Cincinnati were the top three ranked clubs.
- The LA Galaxy have re-signed defender and captain Maya Yoshida to a two-year contract through the 2026 MLS season.
- Brazilian side Santos is reportedly in talks to sign Neymar on a loan deal from Al-Hilal.
- Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has reached an agreement with the club on a record-breaking contract that extends his deal through 2034.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/17/25
Orlando Pride loan out Mariana Larroquette, USMNT gets ready for Venezuela, MLS transfer news, and much more.
Happy Friday! Maybe it’s just because I’m a San Jose Sharks fan when it comes to hockey, but I sure do miss being able to watch Orlando City and the Orlando Pride win games. Thankfully it won’t be much longer until Orlando’s soccer teams are back in action, although I wish the Lions would make some moves to get us excited for 2025. Let’s dive into today’s links!
Mariana Larroquette Heads to Argentina on Loan
The Pride have loaned forward Mariana Larroquette to Newell’s Old Boys Women in Argentina. The loan lasts through July 1, so Larroquette may still provide some attacking depth for the Pride later in the season. This should be a good opportunity for her to get some minutes in her home country after only making four appearances for the Pride last season. Larroquette joined the Pride back in July of 2023 on a contract through 2025, so this is a solid chance for her to get some consistent playing time to showcase her talent before her current contract ends.
USMNT Prepares for Friendly Against Venezuela
The United States Men’s National Team will play its first game of 2025 when it takes on Venezuela Saturday at 3 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale. This is just the seventh meeting between the two nations, with Venezuela winning the most recent match 3-0 back in 2019. Goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez started for Venezuela in that shutout and is expected to get the nod in goal again, with Orlando City’s Javier Otero backing him up. The Yanks will be without multiple players who were called up, as Jesus Ferreira, John Tolkin, Jalen Neal, and Drake Callender will no longer be available. The USMNT will be back in action on Wednesday for a friendly against Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium.
Catching Up On MLS Transfer News
Every MLS team apart from Orlando City seems to be making major moves in preparation for the 2025 season. Austin FC is reportedly signing Albanian forward Myrto Uzuni as a Designated Player, which would trigger a $12.3 million release clause in his contract with Granada. Uzuni has scored 14 goals in 18 appearances for the Spanish club this season. Austin also added midfielder Nicolas Dubersarsky from Instituto in Argentina’s top flight. He will be a U22 Initiative Player and signed a five-year contract with the club.
New York Red Bulls left back John Tolkin was officially transferred to Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga for a reported $3 million transfer fee. The New England Revolution continued to strengthen their attack, signing veteran forward Maxi Urruti to a one-year deal with an option for 2026. Atlanta United and Middlesbrough have reportedly reached a verbal agreement on a deal for forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, although Atlanta still has to finalize personal terms with him.
Chelsea Reportedly Leads Race for Naomi Girma
One of the biggest questions this NWSL off-season is whether or not San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma will remain with the club. The 24-year-old is under contract through 2026, but European teams are reportedly willing to pay up to secure her talents. Chelsea is the reported frontrunner, with Arsenal and Lyon also in the mix to sign her. Girma is one of the best defenders in the world and was a major reason behind the United States Women’s National Team winning Olympic gold last year. Speaking of Girma, she will not be in attendance for the USWNT training camp in Florida due to a minor injury.
Free Kicks
- Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter followed through on her promise to dye her hair after a historic season.
- In news that impacts Orlando City duo Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena, Jorge Fossati is no longer Peru’s head coach. Peru only won one of its six CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with Fossati at the helm and is last in the standings.
- Former Lion Chris Mueller spoke on the importance of mental health and the resources available to help.
- You’ll need to use a translation tool for the full details, but Brazilian forward Kerolin is reportedly set to join Manchester City.
- Amad Diallo scored a hat trick to help Manchester United come back and win against Southampton.
That’s all I have for you this Friday. I hope you all have a fantastic day and rest of your weekend!
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