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Lion Links: 12/30/17

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7 years ago

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Well, we’ve nearly run out of 2017. It’s been a crazy year and, like most, was full of ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad. The turn of the year is often a time of optimism and I hear a lot of people say things like, “well, it’s got to be better than this year was!” I think if you take a good, long look at the year that was, most years you can find plenty of good in them, but everyone’s different and has their own prism to see things through.

Anyway, it’s time to see today’s piping hot soccer news through the prism of these Lion Links, so let’s get right on it as we enjoy our final weekend of 2017.

Sacha Kljestan: How Would He Fit with Orlando City?

As we await word on whether the mustachioed assist machine from New York Red Bulls will be wearing purple next year — and please, don’t @ me with your scalding hot takes on how you don’t want him on your team, when he would clearly be an attacking midfield upgrade — Jeff Rueter put together a piece on how he might best fit into Jason Kreis’ scheme. You may recall that it was Rueter who broke the news that Orlando City was finalizing a deal to bring Kljestan to Central Florida. Yesterday there was this:

I personally take whatever this account says with a gargantuan grain of salt, but it occurs to me if the clubs were ‘finalizing’ a deal, then you’re talking details more minute than players at that stage. Pierre Da Silva is a talented young prospect who I’d like to see kept and developed into a starter here. However, he’s also a guy the Lions didn’t protect in the recent MLS Expansion Draft. We’ll find out how this plays out in due time and even if a Kljestan deal doesn’t go through, isn’t it good to know the club is showing ambition? So many people were complaining just over a week ago about how the Lions weren’t doing (or at least seeming to do) anything.

First Ever U.S. YNT Summit Coming to Florida

Tab Ramos has named 153 youth players to U.S. U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 teams for what the federation is calling the “first ever U.S. Soccer Men’s YNT Summit Camp.” The camp will be held Jan. 2-11 in nearby Lakewood Ranch, FL. The camp includes nine players native to the state of Florida including Orlando City U-19 midfielder A.J. Seals. Why are they doing this? Per the USSF:

With the 2018-2019 player cycle officially kicking off at the turn of the new year, Ramos and the coaching staff will look to continue fostering a program-wide effort to develop world class players, coaches at the summit, which represents a first its kind youth training camp that will focus on integration between players, coaches and staff from the five oldest Youth National Teams, while laying the first foundational elements for qualifying the U.S. for the 2019 FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cups.

National Boys and Girls ECNL Events to Kick Off in Central Florida

Orlando City will co-host the inaugural boys ECNL Florida national event in Sanford, FL from tomorrow through Jan. 2. The girls ECNL Florida national event, entering its eighth consecutive year in the area, will be held from Jan. 6-8. Games will be held at Seminole Soccer Complex, Sylvan Lake Park, and Central Winds Park. While events like World Cup qualifiers, the College Cup, and SheBelieves Tournament grab all the headlines, it’s the large number of major youth events like this one that makes Orlando the soccer capital of the south, in my opinion.

Blockbuster NWSL Trade Involves Kelley O’Hara     

New NWSL franchise the Utah Royals and Sky Blue FC completed a blockbuster trade yesterday that sends USWNT fullback/midfielder Kelley O’Hara, midfielder Taylor Lytle, and the 25th pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft to Salt Lake City, in exchange for forward Shea Groom, defender Christina Gibbons and the fourth overall selection. This is an interesting trade that looks like it will help both teams. It will be interesting to see how Laura Harvey completes her Utah roster.

Free Kicks

  • Once rumored as an Orlando City target, it appears defender Jonatan Maidana may be headed to FC Dallas soon.
  • In case you’ve been busy, Charles Boehm gives an overview of the off-season signings so far.
  • ICYMI, Arsene Wenger equaled Sir Alex Ferguson's record of managing 810 Premier League games. That’s a lot of games (I’ll still take Fergie, though, despite the respect I have for Wenger’s accomplishments through the years.)

  • Those born on this date include Rudyard Kipling (1865), former Miss America pageant host Bert Parks (1914), Bo Diddley (1928), Sandy Koufax (1935), Michael Nesmith (1942) and Davy Jones (1945) of The Monkees, singer/poet Patti Smith (1946), ELO’s Jeff Lynne (1947), Tiger Woods (1975), Eliza Dushku (1980), Smallville’s Kristin Kreuk (1982), LeBron James (1984), and Carson Wentz (1992).

That’s all the time I’ve got for you today. Be sure to stick around this weekend to check out our top two moments of 2017 for Orlando City SC. In the spirit of these year-ending top 10 list thingies, here are my picks for best television shows of 2017:

10. Mindhunter
9. Better Call Saul
8. American Vandal
7. The Punisher
6. The Deuce
5. Legion
4. Game of Thrones
3. Stranger Things 2
2. Mr. Robot
1. The Leftovers

Honorable mentions: Fargo, Atlanta, The Expanse, American Gods, Lucifer, Friends from College, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Halt and Catch Fire.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/22/25

Orlando City transfer rumors, Orlando Pride preseason begins, USMNT at Inter&Co, and more.

Published

13 hours ago

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January 22, 2025

By

Dan MacDonald, The ManeLand

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Up here in Tallahassee, I’m waking up to snow/sleet, closed schools, closed government offices, and potentially icy roads. Many people will get an extra day off of work, however, I still get to go to work. I’m sure you can imagine how happy I am about that. Enough of my winter grumbling. Let’s get to the links but not until after we wish Orlando City fullback Michael Halliday a happy 22nd birthday.

Orlando City Reportedly Targeting Croatian International

While I can no longer say that Orlando City hasn’t signed any new players, the club is still moving at its traditionally slow speed as compared to other MLS clubs. We had the signing of Nicolas Rodriguez last week. Now, we have Tom Bogert report of yet another winger prospect for the club in Croatian Marco Pasalic from HNK Rijeka, though it is not a done deal. Hopefully the other targets Bogert mentions are of the striker variety.

https://twitter.com/tombogert/status/1881755961125449765?s=46&t=pMoq7Wulqfb35D7C8ydroA

Pride Preseason Begins

The 2024 NWSL champions are back to defend their title. The Orlando Pride returned to training on Tuesday. The club hasn’t needed to add many pieces, though some of the players already here, like Simone Charley and Grace Chanda, haven’t actually played any minutes for the Pride yet. Most of the chemistry is in place for Seb Hines, but reinforcing those bonds will be the challenge as the Pride look to repeat.

USMNT at Inter&Co Tonight

Hopefully you have tickets to the USMNT friendly match versus Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium tonight. The match starts at 7 p.m. and there are television and streaming options if you’re not going in person. Despite the squad having 14 players with three or fewer caps, Mauricio Pochettino does not consider this an “alternative” squad, nor does he want the players to think of themselves like that.

Girma Reportedly Nearing Completion of Chelsea Move

USWNT defender Naomi Girma is reportedly headed to Chelsea FC Women for a record $1.1 million transfer fee. That is a very big chunk of change for San Diego FC to use to try to replace one of the best defenders in the world. The deal is not complete as of Tuesday evening, but according to the original report from The Athletic, it is close to being done. Girma would be the first women’s soccer player to earn a transfer fee of over $1 million.

MLS Transfer Updates

Other MLS clubs keep on putting pen to paper when it comes to new players. The Chicago Fire are bringing in Jonathan Bamba on a Designated Player deal from La Liga side Celta de Vigo. The Luca de la Torre loan from Spain’s RC Celta de Vigo to San Diego FC is also official.

https://twitter.com/sandiegofc/status/1881741042904350864

Cucho Hernandez evidently wants to stay with the Columbus Crew, though he is still waiting on a new offer.

https://twitter.com/tombogert/status/1881786193693823104

Free Kicks

https://twitter.com/weareangelcity/status/1881749040863588770?s=12&t=_WZBNG4ILAyRLdwBeB4mpQ
  • Keep your eyes peeled later today for the NWSL schedule drop.
https://twitter.com/nwsl/status/1881749035218042954?s=46&t=pN-YJp3s7ZQlCXqnTAgSfw

That will do it for today. Stay warm out there, my friends. Vamos Orlando!

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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.

Published

2 days ago

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January 21, 2025

By

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

3 days ago

on

January 20, 2025

By

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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