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Lion Links: 8/3/17

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7 years ago

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Happy Thursday, Lion Nation. We’re just one day away from the weekend and two days removed from the Lions invading the French part of Canada and the Pride returning to the pitch to take on Chicago in search of that elusive first win against the Red Stars. OCB just played last night (more on that below) but the young Lions will also get back to it on Saturday at Cincinnati.

But there’s still soccer to be played tonight while we wait. Up to seven Pride players could be in action on the final match day of the inaugural Tournament of Nations tonight, with Brazil meeting Australia in the early game, and the United States taking on Japan in the nightcap.

Let’s burn some minutes between now and then with a few morning links.

OCB Unbeaten in Six but Draws Fifth Straight

Orlando City B is good at keeping teams from scoring. The young Lions have conceded just twice in six games during their current 1-0-5 unbeaten streak. The problem is that OCB is bad at scoring goals, having found the net just three times in that same span. The team has gone goal-less in two straight matches as it drew 0-0 against the City Islanders last night, just days after a scoreless draw at Charleston. The good news is that the Lions created more chances after Pierre Da Silva returned from suspension. But the ball has to go home. Is it too good for its home?!

MLS All-Stars Draw Real Madrid but Lose Penalty Shootout

Dom Dwyer’s first goal since being traded from Sporting Kansas City to Orlando City didn’t come in a league game. Dwyer scored to pull the MLS All-Stars level with Real Madrid, 1-1, but the Spanish team won a penalty shootout, 4-2. Here’s Dom’s goal:

Dwyer was one of two MLS players who failed to score in the penalty shootout, however (Gio dos Santos hit the bar), after having his attempt saved. Kaká showed well, nearly getting a first-half assist after setting up David Villa, but the NYCFC man had his shot saved by Keylor Navas from point-blank range. Here’s how Villa ruined a perfectly good assist from the captain:

And, in case you went to bed early Tuesday night, the MLS Homegrown Team scored a stoppage-time equalizer to draw the Chivas de Guadalajara U-20 team, 2-2. Chicago Fire product Djordje Mihailovic also scored for the MLS Homegrowns, who are showing technical improvements.

Pride’s Pressley Reinvented Herself for 2017

If you’ve watched the Orlando Pride these first two seasons in club history, there’s no doubt one player’s improvement from 2016 to 2017 stands out above the rest — defender Toni Pressley. Her play on the field is the result of a physical and mental transformation that started this past off-season. Pressley began a detailed running and lifting program in the off-season in addition to going vegan to transform herself physically. She also has turned to hypnosis videos to help with relaxation, concentration, and confidence. These life changes have paid off this season for the Florida State product, who claimed a starting spot on the back line and scored her first NWSL goal.

Unhappy Ending in Atlanta

Orlando City fans had a disappointing end to the game on Saturday in Atlanta when Hector Villalba scored two minutes into stoppage time to tie the game. But three fans had an even worse end to the day, as they were arrested for damaging metal bleachers at Bobby Dodd Stadium by jumping up and down on them.

The three men were charged with damage to property, according to a Georgia Tech incident report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cage and Pandya were booked into the Fulton County Jail. Ambrose was not.

Without having been there, I can only speculate what happened, but many people jump on bleachers in an attempt to make more noise. People jump on the aluminum flooring in the safe standing section at Orlando City Stadium to do just that. But when you do it and the seat breaks…well, there are consequences. I asked about the situation prior to last night’s Orlando City B match and a club spokesman said Orlando City was aware of the arrests but had no official comment. However, whether intentional destruction or not, it’s always important to represent our club in the best possible manner, so thinking through any possible consequences in advance is always a good idea.

Neymar Saga Nears an End

The long transfer saga of Barcelona winger Neymar seems to be coming to a close, as the player informed the Spanish club on Wednesday of his desire to leave. Now it’s all up to PSG to pay the sizable escape clause in his contract to sign the Brazilian. Lionel Messi bade farewell to his teammate on Instagram.

"It was an enormous pleasure to have shared all these years with you friend Neymar," Messi wrote, alongside a video montage of the pair's highlights as team-mates and friends. 

"I wish you luck in this new stage of your life. I love you."

Free Kicks

  • FC Cincinnati’s magical run in the U.S. Open Cup continued last night with a 1-0 win over Miami FC. Cincy is the first non-MLS team to reach the semifinals since 2011. Good riddance, Florida-based NASL team!
  • With VAR coming to MLS this week, Four Four Two’s Andrew King picked out five moments from the first half of the season that would have been different with video replay, including Rafa Ramos’ red card against Chicago.
  • Speaking of Chicago, not only did that city host this year’s MLS All-Star Game, but it’s becoming a hotbed for European clubs seeking to expand their worldwide brands.
  • If you hate the triple-stripe Adidas look, you’re not going to like this story but the athletic apparel company is extending its MLS deal and throwing boat loads of money at the league. Adidas will be on MLS kits through 2024.
  • More and more African-born players are finding success by moving to MLS.
  • Those born on this date include longtime Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy (1925), legendary crooner Tony Bennett (1926), wrestler Haystacks Calhoun (1934), actor Martin Sheen (1940), noted businesswoman and jailbird Martha Stewart (1941), hockey’s Marcel Dionne (1951), Alan Parsons Project saxophonist Ian Bairnson (1953), football’s Todd Christensen (1956), Scrubs and Office Space actor John McGinley (1959), Metallica’s James Hetfield (1963), Texas A&M football coach Kevin Sumlin (1964), baseball’s Rod Beck (1968), Tom Brady (1977), Lost actress Evangeline Lilly (1979), U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte (1984), and Rams running back Todd Gurley (1994).

That’s all my time this morning, folks. Enjoy your Thursday, and check back with The Mane Land tonight for coverage of the final round of the Tournament of Nations.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/21/25

Orlando Pride release preseason camp roster, scouting Costa Rica, women’s soccer transfer grades, and more.

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19 hours ago

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January 21, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

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.

That’s all I have for you today. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/20/25

Orlando City signs Nicolas Rodriguez, Jack Lynn announces retirement, USMNT defeats Venezuela in friendly, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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January 20, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

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

  • 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.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/17/25

Orlando Pride loan out Mariana Larroquette, USMNT gets ready for Venezuela, MLS transfer news, and much more.

Published

5 days ago

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January 17, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

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.

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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