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Lion Links: 4/22/18

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7 years ago

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Happy Sunday, Mane Landers. Let me start out today’s Links with a birthday wish to Orlando City’s first-ever MLS club captain, Kaká, who turns 36 years young today! The legend was probably smiling ear to ear during yesterday’s Orlando City match, as the Lions held on to their exciting early lead to down the San Jose Earthquakes, 3-2.

Today’s featured match comes later in the day as the Pride take on the Houston Dash at Orlando City Stadium. Unfortunately, there’s some time between now and then…so I’ll do what I can to distract you, even it only for a few minutes.

With that said, here’s your daily dosage of Lion Links:

Lions Win Fourth Straight

The Lions jumped out to an impressive early lead and then weathered the potential comeback storm from the Earthquakes to secure all three points and add to their growing winning streak. This one was full of captivating stories, including the continuing emergence of young Chris Mueller and star striker Dom Dwyer’s 100th career goal. The former, still only a rookie, is truly starting to shine in the squad as he netted yet another splendid goal, nabbing an assist to go along with it. Dwyer continues to put in glowing performances that display his importance to the club. Things are truly starting to come together for the Lions, and the Colorado Rapids, next up on the Lions’ schedule, would have been wise to have taken notes on the night.

And tune in later this morning for Guilherme Torres’ five takeaways from the match.

The High School Soccer Debate Rages On

Despite vast improvements in structure over the last few decades, high school soccer is still the topic of contentious debate. For some, it represents an irreparably broken system to youth development in this country. To others, it’s an infrastructure that should be heavily invested in due to its unique environment. It’s a topic that often incites furious disagreements among the footy faithful in the United States and it won’t be going away anytime soon. Mike Woitalla over at socceramerica.com provides his take on what should be done to emphasize high school soccer. What do you think?

Orlando City Youth Updates

The Orlando City youth teams were out in full force yesterday as the various age groups took on Weston FC. The young ladies took home only positive results, as the U-14s won (5-1), the U-15s won (5-0), and U-17s drew (1-1). The young men brought home a mixed bag of results as the U-15s lost (1-2) and the U-17s won (1-0). It’s always encouraging to see the young Lions perform well and put up results, and this update is no different. Keep it up youngsters, the future is bright purple!

U.S. U-17s Off to an Excellent Start in World Cup Qualifying

The Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship kicked off this weekend and the ladies representing the U.S. showed up to play, winning their first group stage match against Costa Rica, 4-0. The tournament, which also doubles as World Cup qualifying, will serve as a measuring stick for the U-17 team, which has historically struggled since the inaugural 2008 U-17 Women’s World Cup. The bright start is painting a promising picture for the rest of the tournament. Tune in later this evening as the U.S. takes on Bermuda at 10 p.m. (ET).

Free Kicks

  • Don’t miss any more of the action! The folks over at mlssoccer.com put this handy little guide together to help fans tune in to out-of-market MLS action.
  • MLS standout Marvell Wynne is calling it quits after an impressive 13-year career that saw him win an MLS Cup with the Colorado Rapids.
  • Do you always root for the little guy? The underdog? Meet Dulwich Hamlet, a club with more than a century of history that’s fighting for it’s life.
  • Tom Sermanni is just pure class. Here he is congratulating some of his Pride stars on their recent exploits in qualifying for the 2019 World Cup in France:

Congratulations, ladies!

  • Mexico legend and former Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez has been given the green light to play in what would be his fifth World Cup, pending the manager naming him to the squad. The news comes after Marquez battled allegations of connections to drug trafficking groups. He intends to retire after hopefully captaining a World Cup team a record five times.
  • FC Dallas hosted Chris Shiflett and the Foo Fighters for a scrimmage break from their Concrete and Gold Tour. They also went the full 90 — quite impressive for a couple of rock stars.

  • And last but not least, here’s Christian Pulisic doing Christian Pulisic things:

That’s all I have for you today, Mane Landers. If you’re tailgating for the Pride match at 5 p.m., have a great time and be safe! It should be a good one with both the Pride and Dash still searching for their first wins of the season. They’ll be coming in with a purpose, and the tilt should prove to be an entertaining affair. I predict a 2-0 win for the Pride at home.

Enjoy the match and your Sunday evening, folks, and then have an excellent week!

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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

22 hours ago

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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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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

4 days ago

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January 17, 2025

By

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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Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/16/25

Mason Stajduhar traded to Real Salt Lake, Orlando City reportedly interested in Evander, MLS transfer news, and more.

Published

5 days ago

on

January 16, 2025

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane land

How’s it going, Mane Landers? We’re halfway through the first month of the year and I’ve been able to knock out three books on my reading list. The Wedding People by Alison Espach was my favorite of the bunch, and I’m going to take a crack at a fantasy book or two to close out the month. But for now, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Mason Stajduhar Traded to Real Salt Lake

Orlando City made a surprising move by trading goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake in exchange for $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) and a second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. The Lions could also receive up to an additional $150,000 in GAM if Stajduhar reaches performance-based metrics with Real Salt Lake. Stajduhar was signed as a Homegrown Player by Orlando back in November of 2015 after developing with the club’s academy, so it’s a bit melancholy seeing him moved to another club after all this time. Unless a new goalkeeper walks through the door, Javier Otero would replace Stajduhar as Pedro Gallese’s backup this season.

Orlando City Reportedly Interested in Evander

On the Soccerwise podcast, Tom Bogert stated that Orlando City has serious interest in Portland Timbers midfielder Evander. Discussion of this begins around the 29-minute mark in the video.

An official offer reportedly hasn’t been made and Orlando may have to meet a hefty asking price in order to sign the 26-year-old. Evander would be a fantastic addition to an Orlando attack that could use a bona fide No. 10. He recorded 15 goals and 19 assists last season for the Timbers. Bogert also spoke on how fluid the transfer market is, and a potential offer by Orlando for Evander may depend on how other dominos fall this window.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

The Eastern Conference is in an arms race of sorts as teams prepare for the 2025 season by eyeing star attackers. Charlotte FC is also reportedly close to adding winger Wilfried Zaha on loan, with the 32-year-old set to be a Designated Player. A reunion may be coming in Atlanta as well, with Atlanta United and Newcastle United reportedly in talks for Miguel Almiron to return to MLS. The Chicago Fire are reportedly one of three MLS clubs in talks with Brazilian forward Neymar for him to join the league, with Inter Miami not among those three teams.

Charlotte sent $100,000 in 2025 GAM to the Portland Timbers in exchange for Eryk Williamson. The Timbers could receive another $250,000 in GAM if metrics are met, and they retain a sell-on percentage as well. They helped fill the void left by Williamson’s departure by signing Joao Ortiz from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle. FC Cincinnati re-signed defender Nick Haggland to a new deal through 2027, D.C. United added Kye Rowles from Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, and the LA Galaxy added a new center back by signing Mathias Jorgensen from Anderlecht.

Vancouver Whitecaps Name New Head Coach

Jesper Sorensen is the new head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps, joining the Canadian club on a two-year contract. It will be the 51-year-old’s first job in MLS and he’s coming off a two-year stint with Brondby IF in Denmark’s top flight. Sorensen becomes the sixth coach in Vancouver’s MLS history and he replaces Vanni Sartini. We’ll see how he adapts to the league in a trial by fire of sorts, as the Whitecaps have a tough season opener against the rival Timbers and a pair of Concacaf Champions Cup games against Deportivo Saprissa.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando Pride defender Carson Pickett was honored by Clay County for her work in the community.
  • Sao Paulo and Cruzeiro battled to a 1-1 draw at Inter&Co Stadium in the FC Series.
  • The North Carolina Courage announced that Kerolin won’t return to the team for the 2025 season and will instead explore free agency. Maybe the Pride can work their magic and have the 2023 NWSL MVP join the team’s Brazilian contingent in Orlando.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week.

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