Lion Links
Lion Links: 10/6/17
It’s match day everyone! No, not your usual excitement for the boys in purple, but a day for all of us to get American as possible to cheer on our boys on the USMNT in a critical World Cup qualifier against Panama. This is a dominant story in American soccer right now, but there are other items to bring to your attention. Here are today’s Lion Links for you to chew on before those Yanks go marching in.
Orlando City Stadium Makes History Today
This isn’t the first time the USMNT has visited The City Beautiful, but this is the first time in 20 years, and it is a World Cup qualifying match. Did you know it is being played in Orlando City Stadium for the first time? Of course you did. Orlando City Stadium also received a makeover for the match, a game of extreme importance in the Hex as a win today will go far in helping the Yanks book their ticket to Russia in 2018. Here is hoping that Orlando City Stadium becomes a fortress for U.S. Soccer for many years to come.
24 hours 'til kick. #USAvPAN
📷: @OrlandoCitySC pic.twitter.com/UJGtnuXznp
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 5, 2017
Sermanni and Morgan Reveal Pride’s X Factor
The Orlando Pride begin their NWSL playoff push on Saturday when they visit the Portland Thorns in a semifinal match. Head Coach Tom Sermanni and Alex Morgan both say that one key factor to the late season push that saw the Pride reach the playoffs in their second year was commitment. Commitment can be contagious, especially when younger players see the dedication coming from veterans. Could this help drive the Pride to winning the NWSL championship? Some think so.
Marta and Kennedy Make Team of the Month
For the fourth straight month, Orlando Pride’s Marta has made the NWSL Team of the Month — this time for September. She is joined by Pride midfielder Alanna Kennedy, who also won the Week 22 Goal of the Week. Congratulations ladies!
Kaká Gives Details on Past and Future
Kaká has revealed that he turned down an offer to play for Manchester City. While playing for Milan in 2009, the recently Sheikh Mansour-acquired City offered $100 million in a bid for the Brazilian midfielder in an effort to immediately bring City to power in English football. As we all know now, Kaká declined the offer, although the reasons why and what happened shortly after may surprise you.
Now, Kaká is currently in talks with the club to extend his contract through 2018. City CEO Alex Leitão has confirmed that the team has made an offer to Kaká. No details yet, but the ball is in Kaká’s court at the moment.
Kreis is ‘100%’ Orlando City’s Coach in 2018
Alex Leitão also said that Jason Kreis will return as the Lions’ coach next season. Meetings are already planned for the two to meet with majority owner Flávio Augusto da Silva and General Manager Niki Budalic to plan for next season. Leitão also expressed his readiness for a busy off-season.
Bob Bradley Flies In for Bruce Arena
The pressure couldn’t be higher building up to tonight’s World Cup qualifying match. USMNT Head Coach Bruce Arena called in some familiar faces to help this week. Former USMNT Coach, and current Los Angeles Football Club Head Coach Bob Bradley flew in to Orlando on Wednesday. No official role has been given, but Arena and the boys can use all the help they can get. Panama has only conceded five goals in eight Hex matches and has a very physical defense, which targeted Christian Pulisic. But Pulisic says he is ready for it this time around.
Free Kicks
- While we wait on work from MLS on the outcome of the ineligible player fiasco during the Orlando City vs. FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake Coach Mike Petke was asked his opinion and he freely gave it.
Mike Petke on FC Dallas violation reported by @PaulTenorio: pic.twitter.com/DVbPFnix7V
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) October 5, 2017
- Some sources are letting info out in regards to what the outcome will eventually be from MLS and the investigation.
Source tells me #MLS has decided to fine FC Dallas for the Barrios roster violation. No points dropped or added for either team.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) October 6, 2017
- Salaries have been revealed for MLS players signed during the summer transfer window, including our very own Yoshimar Yotun.
- Portland Thorns’ Emily Menges is throwing shade on social media before her team’s match with the Orlando Pride tomorrow. Not sure I would want to taunt the Pride right now.
I heard Epcot is cool. #AskEM4 @amica #BAONPDX https://t.co/xrdUBSxJBc
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) October 5, 2017
- Ever wonder how much a Ballon d’Or goes for on the open market? Cristiano Ronaldo just offered a replica of one of his four to raise money for charity and it sold for some decent scratch.
- According to some of our European-playing Yanks, the pitch at Orlando City Stadium is firm.
Word among the Euro-based USMNT players is they have found the Orlando City Stadium field to be a "hard" playing surface.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) October 5, 2017
- One of the hot buttons in U.S. sports right now is what are players going to do during the playing of our national anthem. Tim Howard was asked how he would react if one of his USMNT teammates decided to take a knee.
- As you may have noticed, I like to sneak in some music for your listening pleasure that has a tie to an upcoming match from the place where it is going to be played. This Free Kick is no different as I submit to you Death, from Orlando, FL, playing “Destiny.”
- And one extra because I… I Believe… I Believe That… I Believe That We Will Win!
Just so many Links to enjoy. It is going to big day in Orlando today. Remember to hydrate, stretch out before all activity, and exercise those vocal cords. Orlando is going to make a big statement tonight and I am extremely excited to be a part of it. If you see me at the match, stop by, say hi, and let’s chat soccer! Come on you Yanks!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 12/20/24
Orlando City’s 2025 MLS season schedule announced, MLS mock drafts, MLS clubs making moves, and more.
Happy Friday, Mane Landers! I finally have everything squared away after a week of hustling and bustling, meaning I can thankfully avoid the stores this weekend and just relax before next week’s chaos. I’m still trying to nail down what I’ll be cooking as my contribution for my family’s holiday dinner, but it should be fun trialing some options over the next few days. For now though, let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!
Orlando City’s 2025 MLS Schedule Announced
MLS revealed the schedule for the 2025 season and Orlando City’s first game of the season will be at home against the Philadelphia Union on Feb. 22. Orlando has yet to start a season on the road since joining the league back in 2015. The Lions aren’t scheduled to play against expansion club San Diego FC this year, but they will play their first road game against St. Louis City on June 25. While a majority of Orlando’s games will be on Saturdays, they do have a pair of games on Sundays against Inter Miami, including a rivalry week showdown on May 18. Decision Day will be on Oct. 18, with the Lions on the road to take on Toronto FC to close out the regular season.
Predicting the 2025 MLS SuperDraft
The MLS SuperDraft is set to take place today and Top Drawer Soccer did a mock draft to predict how the first two rounds will go. Orlando City currently has the 27th pick in the first round and Top Drawer Soccer has them selecting defensive midfielder Jackson Castro out of Creighton. The pick makes enough sense to me, as Orlando lost some depth in its midfield following the 2024 season and Castro was Duncan McGuire’s teammate on a strong Creighton team a couple of years ago. The Lions were also predicted to take West Virginia winger Sergio Ors Navarro and Kentucky forward Logan Dorsey in the second round.
Travis Clark of MLSsoccer.com also did a mock draft of the first round, with Orlando taking Cornell winger Alioune Ka. Interestingly enough, both mock drafts have NCAA leading scorer Emil Jaaskelainen going in the first round after Orlando’s pick. I’m pretty excited to see how it all shakes out today and learn which players will become the latest Lions on the team.
MLS Transfer News Roundup
The off-season is bringing plenty of change across the league as teams continue wheeling and dealing in preparation for the 2025 season. The New England Revolution made a splash by trading away up to $3.25 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) to Miami in exchange for attacker Leonardo Campana. The 24-year-old should give a needed boost to a New England team that only scored 37 goals this season. As for Miami, it now has an MLS-trade record fee of $2.5 million in guaranteed GAM and an open Designated Player spot at its disposal.
The LA Galaxy traded away 2024 MLS Cup MVP Gastón Brugman and a conditional $100,000 in GAM to Nashville SC in exchange for midfielder Sean Davis. Brugman will help Nashville fill the gap left by Anibal Godoy, who joined San Diego FC as a free agent. FC Dallas also added a free agent, signing defender Lalas Abubakar to a two-year deal.
GAM Amounts Revealed for Each MLS Club
MLS pulled back the curtain a bit and unveiled the amount of General Allocation Money that each team had as of Dec. 10. Orlando City’s total comes in at $3,990,312, which is a pretty hefty amount that can be used to improve the team. Atlanta United’s $6,503,478 is the most in the league, while the Houston Dynamo are at the other end of the spectrum with just $2,063,538. The Campana trade helps put these amounts into perspective, but there are many uses for GAM and it’s interesting to see where each club stands. It’s also just nice to get some transparency from the league about this and hopefully that trend continues in 2025.
Free Kicks
- Concacaf announced that Saudi Arabia was invited as a guest nation for both the 2025 and 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.
- The Kansas City Current bid farewell to goalkeepers Adrianna France and Almuth Schult. The club then announced that it signed goalkeeper Laurel Ivory to a one-year contract.
- The National Independent Soccer Association will reportedly no longer be sanctioned by the United States Soccer Foundation next year, which would leave MLS NEXT Pro and USL League One as the third-division leagues in the U.S.
- Tottenham beat Manchester United 4-3 to claim the final semifinal spot in the EFL Cup, with Son Heung-Min scoring directly from a corner kick. Tottenham will face off against Liverpool in the next round, with Newcastle and Arsenal squaring off in the other semifinal.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I wish you all a relaxing weekend and a very happy holidays!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 12/19/24
Preparing for the MLS SuperDraft, New York Red Bulls sign Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Tim Weah injured, and more.
How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve knocked out all of my shopping except for one gift I’m still trying to procure. I have a lead on it though and high hopes that I can get a literal bow on it before traveling to visit my family next week. For now though, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!
Getting Ready for the MLS SuperDraft
The 2025 MLS SuperDraft will take place on Friday and the league released the list of 477 eligible players clubs can choose from. This year’s Generation Adidas class includes Cornell forward Alex Harris, North Carolina left back Tate Johnson, Wisconsin forward Dean Boltz, and UC Santa Barbara defensive midfielder Manu Duah. Those players likely won’t be on the board by the time Orlando City’s 27th overall pick rolls around, but the team has proven in the past it isn’t afraid to make a trade for a top prospect.
Here’s a nice position-by-position breakdown of some of the best players available on Friday. I personally think Orlando could use some depth at center back, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the team rolls the dice on a center forward given its track record. Unfortunately, we’ll have to follow along with each pick on the league’s website rather than a stream.
MLS Transfer Roundup
After falling in the MLS Cup final earlier this month, the New York Red Bulls have added some firepower by signing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as a Designated Player. The 35-year-old heads to MLS after playing for Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Stoke City, and Schalke 04 over the past 10 years. The Red Bulls now have a fairly dangerous trio of Designated Players in Choupo-Moting, Emil Forsberg, and Dante Vanzeir.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the New England Revolution added midfielder Jackson Yueill as a free agent. The 27-year-old signed a three-year contract that includes options for 2028 and 2029. D.C. United traded away $150,000 in General Allocation Money to Nashville SC in exchange for defender Lukas MacNaughton. FC Dallas signed midfielder Ramiro Benetti, who has spent the past two seasons with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Brazil. Veteran defender Nick Lima has returned to the San Jose Earthquakes, signing a two-year contract with the club.
Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad
The injuries continue to rack up for the Americans, as Tim Weah will miss some time after sustaining a thigh injury earlier this week in Juventus’ win over Cagliari. In better news for Americans plying their trade abroad, forward Ricardo Pepi scored twice in PSV Eindhoven’s 8-0 win against Koninklijke HFC in the KNVB Cup. Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool are all reportedly interested in left back Antonee Robinson, who turned some heads with a pair of assists on Sunday.
EFL Cup Semifinals Nearly Set
The EFL Cup semifinals are setting up to be a heavyweight affair, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle all advancing from the quarterfinals. The day belonged to Gabriel Jesus, who scored his first hat trick for Arsenal in a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace. Liverpool extended its unbeaten streak to 20 games across all competitions after a 2-1 win over Southampton, while Newcastle United beat Brentford thanks to a brace from Sandro Tonali. The final semifinalist will come from today’s match between Manchester United and Tottenham, with the draw taking place afterwards.
Free Kicks
- The NWSL Shield and Championship trophy paid a visit to WFTV’s studios, and it’s still a bit surreal that the Orlando Pride secured both pieces of silverware this season.
- The Columbus Crew announced that they will play Inter Miami in Cleveland at Huntington Bank Field rather than its home stadium next season. The “home” game is a good two-hour drive north and reportedly has no opt-out option for season ticket holders, so this decision has not gone over well with some Crew fans.
- Forward Lynn Williams is reportedly expected to be traded from NJ/NY Gotham FC to the Seattle Reign so that she can close out her career on her home coast.
- We now know the eight quarterfinalists for the Women’s Champions League, with the draw set for Feb. 7. The usual suspects like Barcelona, Wolfsburg, and Lyon all made it, which should make for an exciting knockout stage.
- Real Madrid beat Pachuca to win the Intercontinental Cup, giving Carlo Ancelotti his 15th title with the club.
- Here’s a look at the absurd amount of minutes players like Federico Valverde and Jules Kounde have logged this year. Just seeing those numbers makes my legs tired.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 12/18/24
Another report on the Facundo Torres transfer, Marta wins her own award, Becky Sauerbrunn retires, and more.
Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. For those that celebrate Christmas, we’re only a week out, so I hope you’ve gotten your shopping done. If not, no judgement from me, just encouragement. I know you can do it! I think we can all do with a little more encouragement these days. For now, let’s get to the links.
Torres Deal Done?
WESH is reporting that the Facundo Torres to Palmeiras deal is done. As of this writing, there has been no confirmation from either club, but it is reasonable to think where there’s this much smoke, there’s fire. Torres may have scored his last goal in purple, and will leave as the club’s all-time leader in that category after three seasons. According to the report, Torres signed a five-year deal with the Brazilian club. We will provide updates as information becomes available.
Marta Wins Marta Award
In the most appropriate award selection in history, Marta has won the inaugural FIFA award for the best goal in women’s soccer, aptly named The FIFA Marta Award.
The award winning goal came in Brazil’s international friendly against Jamaica in June, as the Brazilian made a nice move to clear a defender and then sent in a long-range shot. Check it out.
Marta received the award at FIFA’s “The Best” Award ceremony in Doha, Qatar.
USWNT Legend Becky Sauerbrunn Retires
Former USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn is retiring from professional soccer. The legendary defender has played in the NWSL in every year of it’s existence. She retires having won three championships, one NWSL Shield, multiple Women’s World Cups, and Olympic medals. Sauerbrunn is definitively one of the best to ever wear a U.S. jersey.
NWSL, MLS NEXT Pro Expand
The NWSL is entering into exclusive negotiations with a Denver-area group regarding the league’s next expansion franchise. Denver was picked above both Cincinnati and Cleveland. The expansion fee is in the $105-$120 million range.
MLS NEXT Pro is also adding another new team. Until a new name, logo, and brand are settled on, the team will be called West Michigan Soccer. The team will be the sixth independent club in MLS NEXT Pro. Orlando City B won’t have the opportunity to play the new team until 2027.
Free Kicks
- Torres’ goal against Nashville made it into a compilation of volleyed goals from the MLS Twitter account.
- Vitor Pereira will be the new coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers following the departure of former boss Gary O’Neil. Pereira will have his work cut out for him getting Wolves out of the relegation zone.
- Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been suspended after testing positive for a banned substance in a recent drug test. Mudryk stated he has never knowingly used such substances, and hopes an investigation will clear up the matter.
- The Washington Spirit have signed free agent midfielder Narumi Miura to a two-year contract. Miura spent the last two years with the North Carolina Courage.
- The Columbus Crew re-signed goalkeeper Evan Bush through the 2025 season.
- New name, same idea. The European Super League is back as the “Unity League.” A proposal has been submitted to UEFA and FIFA.
That will do it for today. Keep checking in as our Orlando City and Orlando Pride Season in Review pieces continue. Vamos Orlando!
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Orlando Pride2 weeks ago
Orlando Pride Announce Roster Decisions Following 2024 NWSL Season
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Orlando City1 week ago
2024 Orlando City Season in Review: Facundo Torres
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Orlando City2 weeks ago
2024 Orlando City Season in Review: Mason Stajduhar
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Podcasts2 weeks ago
PawedCast Episode 459: Orlando City Roster Decisions and Facundo Torres Gone?
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Orlando Pride5 days ago
2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Emily Sams
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Orlando City2 weeks ago
2024 Orlando City Season in Review: Javier Otero
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Orlando Pride2 weeks ago
2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Ally Watt
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Podcasts5 days ago
PawedCast Episode 460: Facundo Torres, Orlando City and OCB News, and More