Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/20/18
How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope the work week hasn’t been too rough for you. If so, just take some comfort in the fact that it’s Friday and you’re that much closer to a weekend packed with soccer. The boys are back in town, as Orlando City hosts the San Jose Earthquakes tomorrow night looking to stretch its win streak to four straight. Sunday evening, the Orlando Pride will try to shake off their loss in Portland as they return to Orlando City Stadium seeking their first win of the season against the Houston Dash. That’s quite a bit to look forward to as you go about your day, but for now enjoy some links from what you may have missed in the world of soccer.
Mueller’s Hustle Recognized and Rewarded
I think most fans were expecting big things from Orlando City forward Chris Mueller in his Lions career, but I don’t think anyone was expecting him to have such an impact straight out of the gate. Just a rookie, Mueller has shown an unprecedented hustle and scoring prowess in MLS, playing in all six of the Lions’ games and scoring twice. His relentlessness is not going unnoticed by Head Coach Jason Kreis and the coaching staff as he fights for minutes in a crowded group of Orlando City attackers.
Pride Confident Before Sunday’s Game Despite Absences
When the Orlando Pride take the field Sunday, they will still be without the likes of Marta, Alanna Kennedy, and Monica. Despite those stars, and others, not getting back until the end of the month thanks to international duty, Head Coach Tom Sermanni believes his club is well-equipped to get three points Sunday. Sermanni has been preaching about patience all season in regards to the Pride’s slow start to 2018 and he’s right that things aren’t nearly as bad as they may look on paper. In fact, the Pride had an identical 0-2-1 start last season and ended up in the postseason after going on a strong run when the team was at full strength. Until then, the Pride will just need to grab points where they come and take advantage of their chances.
Marta and Brazil Beat Argentina, Qualify for 2019 World Cup
Rev up those page translators folks, because Marta and the Brazilian Women’s National Team are making headlines down in Chile during the 2018 Copa America Femenina. Brazil took on Argentina in its second game of the tournament’s final stage and came out of the match with all three points after a convincing 3-0 victory. Orlando Pride players Marta and Monica both started for Brazil and it was Marta who got the scoring started in the second half when she found Cristiane in the 47th minute for Brazil’s first goal.
The win, and the draw between Chile and Colombia yesterday, guaranteed the Brazilian women a spot in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the team deserves it after a dominant tournament thus far.
New Coach Joins OCYS
Orlando City’s Youth has added another coach to its staff by bringing on Scott McCulloch to coach the Orlando City 2006 Girls. McCulloch is a familiar face to Orlando City, having worked with Orlando City B in the past. But it was his time as the technical director for South Bervard FC that made McCulloch a reputable name in the youth training world. Congratulations on the new position Scott!
The Domino Effect of Target Allocation Money
Just call it Garbernomics. The “trickle-down” effect that comes from the use of Targeted Allocation Money creates many benefits for MLS, but no area has seen more impact than the international spot market. Only six teams have open international spots and the general price to buy a spot from another team has practically doubled. The injection of TAM is doing wonders for teams and hopefully it will lead to even more talent coming to MLS.
Free Kicks
- San Jose Earthquakes defender Harold Cummings will not be playing this weekend against Orlando City after the disciplinary committee has suspended him for an additional game after reviewing his red card last week.
- It’s not every day that you see a defender win MLS Goal of the Week, but Portland Timbers fullback Alvas Powell won the honor after his brilliant solo goal last week. The award gives Powell the MLS triple crown for Week 7 after winning both Man of the Match and Player of the Week honors earlier this week.
- Check out this screamer from former Lion Pedro Ribeiro as he scores from miles out for Fresno FC in the USL.
We are just going to sit this right here @ESPN #SCTop10!
OMG Pedro Ribeiro! Take. A. Bow#FRSvTUL pic.twitter.com/zt0b1149Am
— USL (@USL) April 19, 2018
- The Chicago Fire are renaming Toyota Park into probably one of the worst stadium names I’ve heard for the 2019 season: SeatGeek Stadium.
- According to FIFA, every World Cup match this summer will feature four VAR officials and large replay screens for review. FIFA believes this will help them make the right calls during the World Cup and you can totally refer back to this free kick when the officials inevitably get the calls wrong.
- Paris Saint-Germain became the first European soccer team to invest in the popular video game Dota 2 after partnering with LGD Gaming from China. I’m sure fans are thrilled at the announcement as at least now a PSG team will have a realistic shot at winning a title outside of France.
- Things took an ugly turn in Istanbul in a match between Fenerbahce and Besiktas when Besiktas Manager Senol Gunes was struck by a thrown object and fell to the ground. The match was abandoned and Gunes thankfully has no lasting damage according to doctors, but the pictures weren’t pretty in Turkey.
Scenes in Istanbul! Besiktas manager in Hospital after being struck by an object thrown from the Fenerbahce stand. pic.twitter.com/9siCxjy9sF
— ErenJam (@_ErenSarigul) April 19, 2018
That’s it for your Lion Links. Only a few hours separate you from the weekend so good luck out there Mane Landers. Have a great Friday!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/22/25
Orlando City transfer rumors, Orlando Pride preseason begins, USMNT at Inter&Co, and more.
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.
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.
Cucho Hernandez evidently wants to stay with the Columbus Crew, though he is still waiting on a new offer.
Free Kicks
- I know you might think that Orlando City has a lot to do personnel-wise as the preseason begins, but evidently, the Lions didn’t make the Top 5.
- EUFA Champions League is in full swing, with big names Liverpool and Barcelona winning yesterday. There’s also more to come today.
- Former Orlando Pride player Alanna Kennedy signed a one-year contract with Angel City FC.
- Keep your eyes peeled later today for the NWSL schedule drop.
That will do it for today. Stay warm out there, my friends. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/21/25
Orlando Pride release preseason camp roster, scouting Costa Rica, women’s soccer transfer grades, and more.
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.
- Toronto FC has signed goalkeeper Luka Gavran to a contract extension that runs through 2027, with an option for 2028.
- Australia Men’s National Team Head Coach Tony Popovic praised MLS as a destination for Australian players, noting the league’s resources and professionalism.
That’s all I have for you today. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/20/25
Orlando City signs Nicolas Rodriguez, Jack Lynn announces retirement, USMNT defeats Venezuela in friendly, and more.
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
- Orlando City and the Pride announced a partnership with the YMCA of Central Florida to launch the Lions Pride Jr. soccer program.
- Angel City FC forward Christen Press has reached an agreement with the club on a new one-year contract for the 2025 NWSL season.
- GiveMeSport ranked which MLS club has made the best winter transfer moves so far this off-season. Atlanta United, the San Jose Earthquakes, and FC Cincinnati were the top three ranked clubs.
- The LA Galaxy have re-signed defender and captain Maya Yoshida to a two-year contract through the 2026 MLS season.
- Brazilian side Santos is reportedly in talks to sign Neymar on a loan deal from Al-Hilal.
- 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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