Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/21/18
Hey, Mane Landers. Hope you all are having an awesome week and a wonderful Thursday. The World Cup has produced some wild results so far and Orlando was back in action last night for its first game without Jason Kreis since 2016. Anyway, let’s get right into today’s links.
Orlando Advances Past D.C. United in U.S. Open Cup on Penalties
After an hour and a half delay due to lightning just minutes in, Orlando City and D.C. United finally got back underway last night. The cardiac cats brought out a new 3-4-3 formation under interim head coach Bobby Murphy and he had this to say about it.
“Whether you’re an adult or you’re a child or whatever, sometimes you need new things to get the neurons firing again and to re-engage,” said Murphy. “I think the same old same old becomes routine so we’ll see what happens with that.”
The Lions fell behind early on a goal from Luciano Acosta in the 10th minute but answered back quickly with a goal from Justin Meram to equalize in the 17th minute. The game had plenty of moments and ended up going into extra time at 1-1. Orlando City had numerous chances in extra time with the best coming on a wonderful shot from Josué Colmán that was saved by Steve Clark. The Lions advanced on penalty kicks, 4-2, to their third U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals as Colmán scored the clincher.
Mason Stajduhar Has Completed His Cancer Treatment
Orlando City announced on Wednesday that the 20-year-old goalkeeper rang the bell at the Orlando Health Pediatric Cancer Unit to signal an end to his bone cancer treatment. Stajduhar was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in November 2017, which placed him on the season-ending injury list for this season. Even in his time of treatment, Mason was practicing with the club and has recently been cleared for diving drills as well. The young goalkeeper has been with the club since November 2015. He was a staple for Orlando’s academy teams as well as the U.S. U-18 and U-20 teams. Congrats on completing your cancer treatment, Mason, and best of luck to you moving forward.
Congrats to City goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar for ringing the bell!
He has officially completed his cancer treatment! 👏 pic.twitter.com/NtnQKRyw1e
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 20, 2018
Orlando City U-19s Draw 1-1 Against Baltimore Armour
The Orlando City U-19 team drew with the U-19 Baltimore Armour, 1-1, in a playoff match-up. Orlando City came into the match as the sixth wildcard team while the Baltimore Armour came in as the 11th playoff team. Baltimore’s Jacob Williams got the scoring started in the 26th minute and it did not take long for Orlando City to respond. Alejandro Pereira scored just eight minutes later in the 34th minute to equalize and the score held firm. Orlando will play BW Gottschee Academy on June 22, which obtained the third wildcard playoff spot.
FIFA World Cup Day 7 Recap
- Portugal defeated Morocco, 1-0, behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s fourth-minute goal, putting him over Ferenc Puskas for second in all-time international goals.
- Uruguay won 1-0 again over Saudi Arabia with Luis Suárez netting the winner in the 23rd minute and putting his country and Russia into the Round of 16.
- Spain survived Iran in a tough 1-0 victory after Iran’s equalizer was removed by an offside call.
Are you not entertained?!
It all comes down to the last matchday in group B at the FIFA #WorldCup. pic.twitter.com/X6YaSW5CVh
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 20, 2018
Free Kicks
- Marta received the top NWSL moment from Weeks 11 and 12.
It's that time again. #NWSL 3 Moments from Weeks 11 & 12!
1️⃣ M A R T A
2️⃣ @Imdorsey96's 💥 interception
3️⃣ @EstelleJohnson brings it again pic.twitter.com/VgGVO3y8ah— NWSL (@NWSL) June 20, 2018
- Orlando Pride’s Alex Morgan ranked higher than Zach Steffen and other men’s players on ebid.net in a U.S. jersey auction.
- Fans of Senegal and Japan also cleaned up after themselves and others before leaving their respective matches.
Respect 👏🏽
Fans of Senegal and Japan put celebrations on hold to pick up litter after their World Cup victories: https://t.co/WGHtvXLaHfpic.twitter.com/3Oqb4sI2fR
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 20, 2018
- As with smaller countries comes amazing support, and this picture of Tunisians sitting in a 2000-year old amphitheater says a lot.
Amazing picture of Tunisians watching their World Cup match yesterday – in a 2000-year old amphitheater pic.twitter.com/BswYfDA9TV
— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) June 19, 2018
- The NFL announced that the 2019 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando at Camping World Stadium
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.
-
Orlando City2 weeks ago
Orlando City is Often Late to the Transfer Party
-
Opinion1 week ago
Three Questions on the Eve of Orlando City’s 2025 Preseason Camp
-
Lion Links1 week ago
Lion Links: 1/13/25
-
Orlando City2 weeks ago
Evaluating How Orlando City May Fill Its Open Designated Player Spot
-
Orlando Pride1 week ago
Orlando Pride Sign Defender Zara Chavoshi to One-Year Deal
-
Orlando City B2 weeks ago
Orlando City B Signs Goalkeeper Tristan Himes
-
Orlando Pride2 weeks ago
Orlando Pride Re-Sign Marta through 2026 Season
-
Orlando City7 days ago
Orlando City Trades Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake