Lion Links: 7/22/15

Welcome to Wednesday Mane Landers. It’s match day for Orlando City as the Lions take on Chicago Fire tonight in U.S. Open Cup action. But Tuesday was filled with action too from more details on the possible acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, Orlando City addressing the question of a women’s pro team in the city, the USWNT announcing a schedule for friendlies, and the USMNT getting ready for Jamaica’s best shot. Check out today’s Lion Links.

Orlando City Sets Thursday Deadline for Sao Paulo
Orlando City has reportedly set Thursday as the deadline for Sao Paulo to accept an agreement to accept a proposal for Paulo Henrique Ganso or pay off debt owed to the team from Kaká’s loan, or face legal action. The hope for Orlando City is that it can land Ganso from the Brazilian side to pay off the debt. However, Sao Paulo doesn’t seem so willing to pay up just yet. This all seems like a situation that is going to get pretty messy. Note: The story is written in Portuguese so if you can’t read Portuguese get yourself a translator.

As The Mane Land said yesterday, the Brazilian version of ESPNFC is saying that an agreement for Ganso has been accepted by the player, but is still dependent on the two clubs settling the dispute.

OCSC on the NWSL in Orlando

There have been recent talks heating up about Orlando City getting themselves an NWSL team, and speculation is only going to increase after the Lions acquired Servando Carrasco. Carrasco is married to USWNT striker and FIFA 16 cover star Alex Morgan, but Carrasco’s presence is far from any guarantee of being able to bring Morgan to Orlando.

Up until yesterday, Orlando City executives had been mum on the possibility of an NWSL team. Then team spokesman Lenny Santiago released this statement.

First, we’re very proud of the U.S. women’s national team on winning the FIFA World Cup last month. Orlando has proven itself to be the ‘Soccer Capital of the South’ with tremendous fan support for the MLS team and very high local ratings for televised soccer. Additionally, Orlando City boasts one of the nation’s most competitive girls youth clubs featuring high-performing teams in the prestigious ECNL (Elite Clubs National League). Considering the massive support for top-caliber soccer in Central Florida, Orlando City will continue to evaluate all opportunities to bring the highest levels of the sport to the market in the future.”

I mean, I guess that counts as saying something. It doesn’t really lend itself to saying the team is leaning one way or the other when it comes to acquiring a team, but it would likely be down the road if something like that were to happen.

Hit Me with Your Best Shot

Coming off the USMNT’s 6-0 beat down of Cuba, the U.S. takes on Jamaica in a regional semifinal of the Gold Cup tonight, and the Yanks are anticipating getting the Reggae Boyz’s best effort. Jurgen Klinsmann is calling his side “the team to beat” in this tournament despite a few underwhelming performances before its match against Cuba.

The U.S. will have to prevent a letdown tonight to avoid being another one of the tournament’s many surprises.

Friendlies Announced for USWNT

The World Champion USWNT is heading to Detroit and Birmingham, AL, to take on the Aussies in friendlies in September. Australia pushed the U.S. to the brink in group play in the World Cup and a couple of rematches between the two teams are sure to be entertaining.

Anyway, remember this?

And this?

How bout this?

Damn I love this country.

Enjoy your Wednesday.