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Lion Links: 7/27/17

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Happy Thursday morning to you, Lion Nation. Several Orlando Pride players take to the pitch tonight in the Tournament of Nations. The United States opens the tournament against Australia at 10 p.m. ET in Seattle, so Alex Morgan and Ali Krieger will be going up against Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley. Brazilians Marta, Monica, and Camila will square off with Japan — also at CenturyLink Field in Seattle in the early match (7:15 p.m. ET).

While we wait for the U.S. women to play, let’s learn more about the U.S. men in today’s Lion Links.

USMNT Captures Sixth Gold Cup Title

It was a tight game throughout even though the USMNT held most of the possession and took most of the shots. Jozy Altidore opened the scoring with a scintillating free kick, only to see Je-Vaughn Watson tie the match for Jamaica just after the restart. Just when it looked like a 1-1 game would go into extra time — and perhaps to penalties — Jordan Morris blasted a shot into the net to win the match for the U.S., 2-1. The performances were lacking through much of the tournament but the Yanks held back their best for the final two matches.

New Lion and recent Gold Cup participant Dom Dwyer enjoyed Morris’ strike.

Rumor: Turkish Giants Besiktas Keen on Cyle Larin

NTV Spor out of Turkey says that Besiktas is interested in swooping in and grabbing Cyle Larin. While it would make more financial sense for Orlando City to hold onto the Canadian international, it’s difficult to discount the amount of money Besiktas is capable of spending. Larin’s countryman Atiba Hutchinson recommended the club pursue Larin, according to the story. If the Lions were to sell Larin now, it would essentially undo all the good from acquiring Dom Dwyer. The team would then have a Rivas-Dwyer attacking line rather than a Rivas-Larin strike force, which seems rather a more sideways move than the promising idea of having Dwyer-Larin or even a Rivas-Dwyer-Larin front three in a 4-3-3. Some people think it’s going to happen, though.

If Mr. Sabetti means in his 140 characters the fact Besiktas can offer UCL play, that’s probably something Larin’s interested in but that would mean little to Orlando City, which still holds club options on his contract. If, however, he means the offer to MLS/OCSC is too big to pass up, that’s an entirely different matter. Rumors have an offer at around $5 million but pump the brakes a bit on that figure.

Dom Meets the Press

If you haven’t gotten your fill of Dom Dwyer news yet, you’re in luck. Dom toured Orlando City Stadium for the first time and met with local media yesterday, just a little over 12 hours after his plane landed at Orlando International Airport. Dwyer seems eager to fit in and score goals and stated that one of the things he wants to do is bring an MLS Cup to the City Beautiful.

“The moment I left Orlando in 2013, I definitely felt like I left something here. I still felt like I had some unfinished business,” Dwyer said. “Now, the club’s evolved and it’s a new place, it’s a new team. I’m excited to play with a lot of the players here, and it’s time to try to bring a championship to Orlando.”

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes video of his first (almost) 24 hours with Orlando City via MLSsoccer.com:

Giles Barnes Enjoys Television Role with FOX

Jamaican international and Orlando City attacking player Giles Barnes spent some time helping out FOX with the network’s Gold Cup coverage and he’s discovered that he likes it and possibly sees it as a career for after he retires from playing soccer.

“Football doesn't last forever but if you can stay in the game in any way shape or form that’s a good way to go.”

Orlando City teammate José Aja said TV is a good route for Barnes.

“Yes, clearly,” Aja said laughing. “He has a lot of charisma and he’s always good at doing media. Yea, I think he has a future in that.”

Free Kicks

  • This article from Will Parchman illustrates why Sporting Kansas City actually benefits from a roster standpoint by selling Dom Dwyer to Orlando City for $1.6 million in allocation rather than selling him outright to a European club for $3 million.
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not on the 1000-krona Swedish banknote (yet) but this story features a picture of him posing with a painting of what that would look like.
  • Be careful what you bet on. This French mayor ended up eating a rat in front of an audience when PSG lost to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
  • Colorado Rapids added German winger Stefan Aigner from 1860 Munich.
  • The LA Galaxy are adding midfielder Jonathan dos Santos. Does having both brothers make them quatros Santos?
  • Those born on this date include longtime baseball manager Leo Durocher (1905), legendary sitcom writer and producer — All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Good Times, One Day at a Time, Maude, etc. — Norman Lear (1922), actor Jerry van Dyke (1931), Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax (1938), figure skating’s Peggy Fleming (1948), Aussie actor Yahoo Serious (1953), actress/comedian/writer Carol Leifer (1956), “blue collar” comic Bill Engvall (1957), wrestler Triple H (1969), Game of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (1970), baseball’s Alex Rodriguez (1975), Orange is the New Black actress Taylor Schilling (1984), Miami Dolphins quarterback and die-hard Orlando City fan Ryan Tannehill (1988), and golf’s Jordan Spieth (1993).

That’s all for today. We’ll have full coverage of the USWNT in the Tournament of Nations tonight, plus any news from the Japan-Brazil match. In the meantime, I leave you with a compilation of goal celebrations (watch for Kaká and Dom!).

Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/2/25

Orlando Pride players on International duty, NWSL power rankings, USWNT friendlies, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. There is plenty of Orlando Pride news today, which is good considering we’re heading into an international break. That means we can look forward to some women’s international matches in addition to Orlando City’s next bout against the Philadelphia Union. Before we jump into today’s news, please join us in wishing Orlando City midfielder Cesar Araujo a happy 24th birthday. Let’s get to the links.

International Duty, Pride Edition

Four players from the Orlando Pride have been called up for international duty. Anna Moorhouse (England), Angelina (Brazil), Emily Sams (U.S.), and Zara Chavoshi (U.S. U-23 training camp) will all head to their respective national teams. Moorhouse’s England will compete in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, while Angelina and Sams will face off in a pair of friendlies between the USWNT and the Brazil Women’s National Team.

Pride Still on Top

It seems that there are more outlets providing NWSL power rankings every week, but as long as they keep the Pride on top, I’ll keep letting you know about it. Given that the Pride are undefeated, with the most goals scored and the best goal differential, it isn’t surprising that the club is sitting atop the official standings along with these “highly scientific” power rankings. Goal.com, Sports Illustrated, and All For IX all rank the Pride in first place just above the Kansas City Current. I suppose even power rankings are occasionally correct.

Orlando’s Various World Cup Ties

You probably know that Orlando wasn’t selected to be one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As disappointing as that was, there’s still a chance that the city, and Orlando City SC’s training grounds at Osceola Heritage Park will host team training during the event. The top notch facilities, plus the relatively close proximity to host cities Miami and Atlanta, make Orlando a good option.

On a more positive note, Orlando was chosen as a host city for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Camping World Stadium will see Club León vs. CR Flamengo, and Juventus vs. Manchester City. The Group H runner-up vs. Group G winner match and one of the quarterfinal round matches will also be in Orlando. There’s plenty to see and do in the City Beautiful, including some great soccer.

USWNT Youth Movement

Sams won’t be the only younger player in Emma Hayes’ lineup for the friendlies against Brazil. Hayes wants to deepen the player pool, which means bringing in players with an average age of just over 25 years old, and the average number of appearances is less than 35. Hayes also believes this is a chance for the younger players who appeared in the loss to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup. The first of the two matches is this Saturday at 5 p.m., with the second coming up Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Orlando City and OCB matches this weekend. Hopefully, you have two screens since the match start times overlap. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/1/25

Barbra Banda’s continued importance, Americans in midweek action, USWNT announces friendly, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Good morning everyone! It was a great weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both won, meaning that we got treated to a six-point weekend (OCB was off). As always we have plenty to talk through this morning, so let’s get into today’s links.

Barbra Banda Keeps Rolling in 2025

After a wildly successful debut season with the Orlando Pride in 2024, Barbra Banda has showed no signs of slowing down this year. A brace in the season opener meant that she picked up right where she left off last year, and the team has continued to be successful too. The Pride have made it three wins from three to start the 2025 season, and while Banda hasn’t scored since the opener, her blend of pace, power, dribbling, passing, and movement have continuously helped open things up for her teammates, and she drew a penalty that led to the Pride’s game-winning goal Saturday. She isn’t the Pride’s only offensive weapon, but the team clicks into a different gear when she’s at her best.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing in games during the working week, and there are some very important clashes on hand. Things get going later today when Antonee Robinson and Fulham visit Arsenal in Premier League play as the Cottagers are in hot pursuit of a coveted European place. Wednesday has Chris Richards, Matt Turner and Crystal Palace facing Southampton, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth take on Manchester City. Also on Wednesday, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will face Inter Milan in a Coppa Italia semifinal. Things finish up on Friday as Aidan Morris and Middlesborough travel to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.

USWNT Announces Canada Match

The United States Women’s National Team has announced another friendly taking place this summer, as the team will face Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C. The match will be the third that the USWNT will play during the window, following a pair of friendlies against Ireland in late June. The neighboring countries will meet at Audi Field with the match designated as the Allstate Continental Clasico, with this being the first time that the match will feature the USWNT. The U.S. faced Canada twice in 2024, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws and the USWNT emerging victorious in shootouts.

Concacaf Champions Cup Preview

The Concacaf Champions Cup returns this week, with the first legs of the four quarterfinal matches set to be played today and tomorrow. Things get started tonight with what should be an exciting match between Club America and Cruz Azul, with the crosstown rivals two of the winningest teams in the competition. Cruz Azul’s Angel Sepulveda leads the CCC’s golden boot race with four tallies. The late game sees the LA Galaxy taking on Tigres as the Galaxy will try to distract themselves from a difficult start to their MLS Cup title defense. Wednesday’s slate has the Vancouver Whitecaps taking on Pumas UNAM in Canada in what will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The late game will be an all-MLS affair as LAFC hosts Inter Miami in the first meeting between the two sides in CCC play.

Sporting Kansas City Fires Peter Vermes

The longest-tenured coach in Major League Soccer is out of work, as Sporting Kansas City announced the firing of Peter Vermes on Monday morning. It’s an end of an era in Kansas City, as Vermes was the head coach since 2009, back when the team was still called the Kansas City Wizards, and he had been named the club’s technical director three years earlier in 2006. He guided the team to an MLS Cup win in 2013; claimed U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015, and 2017; and helped the team be consistently competitive for a majority of his tenure. Despite all of that, SKC missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and was mired in the midst of a 13-game winless streak in all competitions that stretched back to Sept. 18 of last year. After being an assistant on Vermes’ staff, Kerry Zavagnin will take over as interim head coach.

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That’s all I have for this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/31/25

Lions and Pride win, NWSL weekend recap, FA Cup quarterfinals, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work but will attend the Chicago Cubs’ home opener at Wrigley Field later this week. Our Lions and Pride won while OCB was off this weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Beats LA Galaxy on the Road

On Saturday, Orlando City fought back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat the LA Galaxy 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy struck early in the first half to jump on top. In the second half, the Lions were awarded a penalty kick after Eduard Atuesta was taken down in the box, and Martin Ojeda buried the spot kick to tie the match at one. In the 90th minute, Luis Muriel scored the winning goal on a long-range free kick to complete the comeback. Orlando is on a three-match unbeaten streak and beat the LA Galaxy for the third consecutive time. Orlando City’s next match will be on the road Saturday against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.

Orlando Pride Defeat San Diego Wave at Home

The Orlando Pride defeated the San Diego Wave 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Inter&Co Stadium and extended their win streak to three matches to start the season. After a scoreless first half, Haley McCutcheon scored to give Orlando the lead. The Wave equalized before Marta converted a penalty kick goal to seal the win for Orlando. The Pride are off to a great start this season, outscoring their opponents 10-1, and are atop the NWSL standings ahead of the Kansas City Current on goal difference. The Pride are off this weekend due to the international break but will be on the road in their next match against the Seattle Reign on April 12.

NWSL Weekend Recap

The National Women’s Soccer League’s third week of matches is in the books. On Friday, the Houston Dash and NJ/NY Gotham FC match ended in a scoreless draw. The Washington Spirit defeated Bay FC 2-0, with Ashley Hatch scoring both goals. On Saturday, the Kansas City Current defeated the Utah Royals 3-0, while the Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage match ended in a scoreless draw. On Sunday, the Chicago Stars fell 1-0 to Racing Louisville and remain winless, while Angel City FC edged the Seattle Reign 2-1 to secure its first win of the season.

FA Cup Quarterfinals Recap

The FA Cup quarterfinals wrapped up with thrilling drama as four clubs booked a spot in the semifinals. Crystal Palace cruised to a 3-0 victory against Fulham, while Nottingham Forest edged Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw to advance. Aston Villa dominated Preston North End as Marcus Rashford scored twice to seal a 3-0 win, while Manchester City edged Bournemouth 2-1. The FA Cup semifinals are set for April 26 as Crystal Palace faces Aston Villa while Nottingham Forest will take on Manchester City.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City GM Luiz Muzzi provided some insight in an ESPN.com article on player transfers and highlighted the importance of building connections with different clubs to facilitate transfers.
  • Former Lion Benji Michel is going to play for HJK Helsinki.

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

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