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Lion Links: 8/19/15

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10 years ago

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What’s up y’all? It’s Wednesday and if you were hoping to get season tickets for Orlando City, you are now out of luck.

Yesterday, the club announced it has already sold of out the 18,000 allotted season tickets for the new stadium. On the off chance you were questioning how big the soccer community is in Orlando, that should give you your answer. It speaks to what the club is doing right that they have officially sold out of next year’s season tickets before this year is even over. Impressive.

We got some more links for you today, too. Let’s get to it.

Ceren Suspended

The MLS Disciplinary Committee announced that Darwin Ceren’s yellow card shown to him in the 61st minute against the Sounders Sunday has been upgraded to a red card, so he will be suspended for next match. The committee also announced Ceren would be fined an undisclosed amount.

The play in question is, in the unanimous opinion of the Committee from all the video evidence, a clear and unequivocal red card; and The play in question is of an egregious or reckless nature, such that the Committee must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game. It is the Committee’s unanimous decision that Darwin Ceren’s action was violent conduct that endangered the safety of an opponent. Mr. Ceren is suspended for 1 game and will be issued an undisclosed fine for this action.

It was already known that Ceren would not play in the next match, because when he was originally shown a yellow card it was his fifth of the year and meant he would be suspended for the next match anyway. Since it has been upgraded to a red, Ceren still stands at four yellow cards and when upon return will need to be a little more careful on the pitch or risk another suspension.

Why St. Ledger and Paterson are Gone

As the transfer window wound down, Orlando City made two surprising moves that left many fans speculating what could have happened and what went wrong. The club started by suddenly releasing center back Sean St. Ledger after bringing David Mateos to help out at the position. A couple weeks later, oft-injured Martin Paterson agreed to terminate his contract.

The Orlando Sentinel’s Paul Tenorio reported yesterday that it was due the duo skipping flights and training while staying in New York City after a match with NYCFC.

It’s interesting to note that the report says the two players stayed for several days, which would insinuate they made no effort to even bother coming back with the team. One has to wonder what the situation each player was going through was that would drive them to make such a decision.

I’ve never played professional soccer. But I have had my fair share of days of missing work. But I always made up an excuse for the reason why. These two don’t even seemed to have done that. Here are my top reasons for why I’ve missed work:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Hangover
  • Weather
  • Low morale
  • Dropped a hot pan on my toe
  • A woman

Assuming they’re regular guys like myself, I’d be willing to bet their reason for skipping the flight falls in one of those choices. And it’s probably not the fifth one because they’re coordinated.

Piggy-backing off of that, I would love to hear some of your best reasons for skipping work. Drop a comment.

Practice in Louisville

Ahead of its friendly with former club affiliate Louisville City FC, Orlando City will take part in a free, open-to-the-public practice at Louisville Slugger Field from 3-4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24.

This would seem a lot less awkward to me if the clubs had not announced they were going to end their affiliation at the end of the season. But anywho, it is a great chance for Louisville City fans to get out and see some stars like Kaká and Tally Hall for free. The record attendance is just over 8,000 at Louisville Slugger Field.

The game will almost certainly top that number. I wouldn’t be surprised if the practice gets close. Going to be a lot of autographs for this guy to sign.

God love him.

Shocker! Players Could be Missing

In you’re not breaking news of the day, Orlando City could potentially be playing without more players than just Kaká in the Sept. 5 match against the New England Revolution.

The Lions could be missing up to five players, including Cyle Larin, Darwin Ceren, Cristian Higuita and Carlos Rivas. Larin and Ceren are likely to be called up for World Cup qualifiers, while Higuita and Rivas are being considered for a camp with the U-23 Colombian team.

Hard to compete for a playoff spot when you’re playing with a vastly different lineup every single match.

Shea Close to Returning

In an injury that seemed to be the start of Orlando City’s collapse, Brek Shea has missed the past eight games and the Lions have won just one.

But Shea is back practicing and close to returning from his groin injury.

Healthy, good players are a welcome return for a floundering Orlando City team. But it will take Shea a while to get back into game form.

And by then someone else will probably be hurt.

Good times. Good times.

Giovinco Excited

In case you didn’t hear, Orlando City is headed north to play Toronto FC this weekend, and Sebastian Giovinco is pretty excited about it.

Giovinco: “I scored a hat trick last time against Orlando. I’m looking forward to playing them again.” #TFCLive

— Toronto FC (@torontofc) August 18, 2015

And when you’re having arguably one of the best seasons in MLS history, and coming to play against a defense that has been as bad as Orlando City’s, who could blame the guy for being excited?

That’s all we’ve got for you from the Lion Links. Enjoy your Wednesday.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/18/25

Orlando City set to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Lions reach Generation Adidas Cup semifinals, Angel City hires Alexander Straus, and more.

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1 day ago

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April 18, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday! I hope today finds you well as we gear up for another Saturday filled with soccer to enjoy. I don’t have many plans this Easter weekend beyond working, catching soccer when I can, and playing Baldur’s Gate 3 for the first time if I find some spare hours. Let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Learns U.S. Open Cup Opponents

Orlando City’s 2025 U.S. Open Cup campaign will begin on the road against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in what will be the latest edition of the I-4 Derby. It will be Orlando’s first game of this year’s tournament, while the Rowdies joined in the previous round and got past FC Naples in penalties. The Rowdies have lost four of their five games so far this season in the USL Championship and fired Robbie Neilson as head coach earlier this month. The Lions also notably would have hosting priority if they reach the round of 16, where they will play either Nashville SC or the Chattanooga Red Wolves.

Here’s the full schedule for the round of 32, which includes some interesting matchups across the country. The Tacoma Defiance are the only MLS NEXT Pro side left and will face the Portland Timbers, while the New York Red Bulls will have a long road trip to take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Lions Advance to Generation Adidas Cup Semifinals

Orlando City’s U-18 team beat Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the Generation Adidas Cup to secure a spot in the semifinals. The Young Lions have won four of their five games of the tournament and will take on Santos Laguna in the semifinal on Saturday. The winner of that match will face whichever team becomes victorious in the other semifinal between Atlanta United and the Colorado Rapids.

The U-16 team’s run in the Premier bracket is also going strong after a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich, and Orlando will take on the New England Revolution in the semifinals on Saturday.

Angel City FC Hires Alexander Straus

Bayern Munich’s Alexander Straus was named Angel City FC’s next head coach and will officially join the club on June 1. The Norwegian coach has won back-to-back Bundesliga titles and has Bayern positioned well to make it three straight this season. He’ll join an Angel City team that’s unbeaten in its first four games of the season under interim head coach Sam Laity, who will stay on as an assistant coach once Straus joins.

Europa League Quarterfinals End In Dramatic Fashion

Old Trafford hosted one of the wildest games in Europa League history, with Manchester United and Lyon battling for a spot in the quarterfinals. United scored twice in the first half, then conceded twice in the second, sending the game to extra time. Lyon took the lead despite being a man down and then the teams traded penalty kicks as the madness continued. Casemiro orchestrated Manchester’s victory in the end, assisting on two late goals within a minute of each other to beat Lyon 5-4 and advance. This United fan pretty much sums up just how much of a rollercoaster this match was.

There was also drama in Italy, as Lazio came back in the second leg to force extra time against Bodo/Glimt. The match went to penalties and Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikitka Haikin denied former New York City FC player Taty Castellanos from the spot to book his team’s place in the semifinals. Although Tottenham was without Son Heung-Min, it got the job done in a 1-0 road win against Eintracht Frankfurt, while Athletic Club beat Rangers 2-0 in Spain to advance as well. In the semifinals, Tottenham will face Bodo/Glimt and Manchester United will take on Athletic Club.

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That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Lion Links: 4/17/25

Oscar Pareja signs new contract with Orlando City, Orlando Pride prepare for the Washington Spirit, Orlando’s youth teams win, and more.

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2025

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I can’t believe we’re already into the back half of April and Easter is right around the corner. There’s plenty of soccer to enjoy between now and then and we also have the draw for the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 32 this morning at 9:15. MLS teams are finally joining the fray, so we’ll see where the chips fall for Orlando City. Let’s get to the links!

Oscar Pareja Signs New Contract

Orlando City and Head Coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to a new three-year contract that will keep him in the City Beautiful through 2028. Pareja was hired as Orlando’s fourth head coach in its MLS era back in December of 2019 and he’s led the Lions to the playoffs in all five seasons he’s been at the helm.  Under Pareja, the Lions won the U.S. Open Cup in 2022, set club records in points and wins in 2023, and reached the Eastern Conference final for the first time last year. This year was the final one on the contract he signed in December of 2023, so it’s nice to know Pareja will be sticking around in the future.

Orlando Pride Prepare for the Washington Spirit

The Orlando Pride will look to make it five wins in a row when they host the Washington Spirit on Saturday in another rematch of last year’s final. While this is the first match between Orlando and Washington this season, the two clashed in the NWSL Challenge Cup on March 7 and the Spirit lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout. Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on how the team has grown since that game and has benefitted from depth and consistency carried over from last year.

Orlando City Youth Teams Win in Bradenton

Orlando City’s U-18 team won in the Generation Adidas Cup’s round of 16, beating St. Louis City 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. The Young Lions remain unbeaten in that age group and will take on a Real Salt Lake team that also won its group and just beat Toronto FC in a penalty shootout following a scoreless draw.

Orlando’s U-16 squad didn’t qualify for the Championship bracket, but still advanced in the Premier bracket. After a 1-1 draw with Toronto, Orlando prevailed in the ensuing penalty shootout and will play Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.

UEFA Champions League Semifinals Are Set

The quarterfinals for this year’s UEFA Champions League are over and only four teams remain in the tournament. Arsenal secured its spot in the semifinals after an impressive 2-1 road win against Real Madrid that included two assists from Mikel Merino. The Spanish club couldn’t muster its usual magic in the tournament and forward Kylian Mbappe exited in the second half due to injury. In Italy, Inter Milan held on for a 2-2 draw against Bayern to advance on aggregate, with defender Benjamin Pavard scoring a crucial goal for Inter against his old team. The semifinals will take place at the end of the month and will feature Arsenal taking on Paris Saint-Germain and Inter going up against Barcelona.

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  • Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of former FC Cincinnati player Aaron Boupendza, who died after falling from the 11th floor of a building in China.
  • The Chicago Fire are reportedly strongly interested in signing star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer. If any Western Conference teams could join the hunt for him, that would be great.

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

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Lion Links 4/16/25

Orlando Pride on top, OCB falls to Inter Miami II, USMNT eyes Gold Cup, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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April 16, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. I know I’ve said it before, but I love that I can always find soccer to watch. Whether it’s UEFA Champions League or the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, or anything in between, I love it. I’m willing to bet you love it too. Speaking of love, we want to wish a very happy birthday to Orlando City Designated Player Luis Muriel. Let’s get to the links.

All the Rankings

With the win over the Seattle Reign, the Orlando Pride stayed perfect on the season. It was enough for the Pride to remain on top of the standings and also at the top of numerous power rankings. All for XI kept the Pride at No. 1 with a shoutout to Anna Moorhouse, SI.com did the same, while noting Summer Yates’ injury, and Goal.com completed the sweep. The Pride also landed at No. 8 in Opta’s global power rankings for women’s clubs. Strangely, the Kansas City Current were two spots above on that particular list.

OCB Falls to Inter Miami II

Orlando City B traveled to IMG Academy to take on Inter Miami II Tuesday night. The Young Lions went down early on the road, but were able to equalize thanks to a goal from Tahir Reid-Brown. Unfortunately, Inter Miami scored two more goals before a penalty in second-half stoppage time gave OCB a slight lifeline. It was not enough as the team fell 3-2 to their in-state foes.

Generation Adidas Cup Matchups

Orlando City Academy’s U-18 squad won Group J in the Generation Adidas Cup. Now the team will face St. Louis City SC 2 in the Round of 16. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the younger generations of players in Orlando City’s system, here is your opportunity.

U.S. Eyes Gold Cup

We’re about two months out from the start of the Concacaf Gold Cup and it feels like a must-win for the USMNT given recent results. Winning an eighth Gold Cup title will not come easily. Naturally, all eyes fall on Christian Pulisic to lead the squad, though not everyone thinks he should be the pick for captain. Tyler Adams is looking for more belief from his teammates heading into the competition.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

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