Lion Links
Lion Links: 11/12/18

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! It was a busy weekend between the MLS playoffs, the English Premier League, the first ever Orlando SeaWolves match, and NCAA games. Hopefully, you were able to watch some of it. It’s been a hectic week or so for me, but we don’t have time to get into it since it’s time to get to the links!
MLS Playoff Results
The MLS playoffs continued without Orlando City on Sunday. Surprising, I know. Sporting Kansas City advanced to the Western Conference finals with a 4-2 victory over Real Salt Lake and will now face the Portland Timbers. The win gave Sporting KC a 5-3 aggregate score over RSL.
In the Eastern Conference, Atlanta United FC held the advantage over New York City FC heading into the match, but it wasn’t really needed. Atlanta defeated New York City FC 3-1 to move on to the Eastern Conference finals. Atlanta’s opponent will be the New York Red Bulls, as the Red Bulls took down the Columbus Crew 3-0 to win 3-1 on aggregate. Now the conference finals are set.
Ali Krieger Weighs In
Orlando Pride’s own, Ali Krieger is joining the Major League Soccer broadcast crew for the MLS playoffs. This isn’t her first foray into the television scene, as she has done commenting for United States Women’s National Team and NWSL matches over the last year. I certainly hope that Ali stays on with the Orlando Pride for a while longer, but it’s nice to know she’s already getting ready for the next stage of her work life. You were going to watch anyway, but now you can enjoy it even more.
.@FIFAWWC champ @alikrieger joins the squad for @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs Central!
We’ll be live right here on Twitter at 2 ET. pic.twitter.com/0TWLXvhglf
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 11, 2018
U.S. Soccer Update
It’s been over a year since Bruce Arena stepped down from the head coaching position for the United States Men’s National Team, and there is still no new permanent coach. Interim head coach Dave Sarachan has been a good steward, but there is hope for a new coach before the end of the year. Of course, the USWNT is getting ready for one final friendly against Scotland before the end of the year, hoping to stay unbeaten in 2018. Meanwhile, U-20 men’s head coach Tab Ramos is bringing in more youngsters for his U-20 World Cup qualifying roster. It’s an exciting time for U.S. Soccer.
Progress in Iran
For the first time in 37 years, women were allowed to attend a top-tier Tehran league match. Now, let’s be clear, the 500 or so women were not allowed to be in the same area as the men, but at least they were in the stadium. While I personally still find that unacceptable, progress is progress. Believe it or not, FIFA is working with Iran to end the ban on a permanent basis as this remains an ongoing struggle towards equality in the world’s game.
Free Kicks
- Top-seeded FSU Women’s soccer defeated Loyola, 1-0 on a rainy night in Tallahassee to advance in the NCAA tournament.
NOLES WIN! Florida State advances to the second round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship, defeating Loyola Chicago 1-0. #ShowUpEarnIt pic.twitter.com/X2ldj2ERZp
— FSU Soccer (@FSUSoccer) November 10, 2018
- It’s been a busy few weeks for the Tallahassee Soccer Club. It has joined the Gulf Coast Premier League and secured a jersey sponsor with the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic.
The GCPL welcomes @TLHSoccerClub to the league!#GCPL19 #Expansion #panhandlegamestronghttps://t.co/vTLwjeIyBA
— GCPL (@GCPLsoccer) November 8, 2018
🚨🚨We are incredibly excited to announce that Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic will be our Home Jersey Sponsor and more!!! It is an honor to be able to partner with such an outstanding business in our region. What they have accomplished for athletes & families over the years is 🌟 pic.twitter.com/p8uJmxNHr7
— Tallahassee Soccer Club (@TLHSoccerClub) November 9, 2018
- The 2018 MLS Best XI is out, and there are no Lions in the bunch. Though to be fair that’s not very surprising because there really weren’t any defensive midfielders to be seen and that’s about all Orlando has on any given week.
That’ll do it for this Monday. Enjoy the week, and check back with us every hour or so. Seriously, we’ll know if you don’t.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 9/28/23
Ajax is reportedly scouting Facundo Torres, Orlando Pride focus on upcoming matches, Houston Dynamo win U.S. Open Cup, and more.

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope this work week has gone smoothly for you as we get ready to bid farewell to September. It’s been a hectic week for me, but I started and then promptly devoured all of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. It was a nice read, albeit a bit intense at times. I’m not sure what I’ll read next as most of my reading list is packed up for a move, but if you have any recommendations then let me know in the comments below. Let’s dive into today’s links!
Ajax Reportedly Interested in Facundo Torres
Orlando City forward Facundo Torres has reportedly garnered the interest of Dutch club Ajax according to Fabrizio Romano.
It’s not too surprising that Ajax, which currently sits in 14th in the Eredivisie with just seven goals from five games, has scouts keeping tabs on Torres. The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals this season, powering Orlando to second in the Eastern Conference. It wouldn’t be the first time Torres has received attention from European clubs and likely won’t be the last as he continues to impress with the Lions
Orlando Pride Focus During Playoff Push
The Orlando Pride are back in action on Monday for a crucial road match with Angel City FC. Both teams have 25 points this season, one point from the sixth and final playoff spot currently held by the Washington Spirit. It will be the first of three remaining games for the Pride this season, with matches against fellow playoff hopefuls Racing Louisville and the Houston Dash set for later in October. As a result, there’s not much margin for error if the Pride wish to make the playoffs and Kylie Strom talked about how the team is focused for these games.
MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs Begin This Weekend
The first round of the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs kicks off this weekend with six matches that can all be watched on MLS Season Pass. Unlike last year, Orlando City B will be taking part and is set to face off with Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Although the Young Lions have struggled on the road against Columbus, Jack Lynn and Shak Mohammed can make things difficult for the hosts. Hopefully we’ll see OCB make Columbus regret its choice of opponent in the postseason. I like the wrinkle and mind games to the playoffs the new rule gave and am interested to see which of the lower seeds plays with a chip on their shoulder. The playoffs begin on Friday when Sporting Kansas City II hosts Austin FC II in a battle between the third and fourth seeds of the Western Conference.
Houston Dynamo Win U.S. Open Cup
The Houston Dynamo have lifted the U.S. Open Cup trophy after winning 2-1 on the road against Inter Miami. A pair of goals in the first half were enough for Houston to win its second U.S. Open Cup title after also winning in 2018. A goal in stoppage time from Josef Martinez made things interesting, but the Dynamo defense did well to secure the win and deny Miami its second tournament title this year. It was a strong end to a solid tournament campaign from the Dynamo, as they beat four MLS sides before taking down Miami in the final.
Albertin Montoya Hired as Bay FC Head Coach
Ahead of its inaugural NWSL season next year, Bay FC named Albertin Montoya as the club’s first head coach. Montoya, who has lived in California for most of his life, served as the interim coach for the Washington Spirit in 2022 and also coached the U.S. U-17 women’s national team in 2011. Bay FC General Manager Lucy Rushton spoke on how Montoya’s name came up often while the club searched for a head coach, as well as how his skill at developing players will help build the club’s foundation.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja called for the supporters to continue filling Exploria Stadium and pushing the Lions forward for the team’s remaining home games this season.
- St. Louis City midfielder Njabulo Blom won MLS Goal of the Week for his winner against Minnesota United. It was also the 23-year-old’s first professional goal.
- In the Carabao Cup, Newcastle eliminated Manchester City in a 1-0 win. Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal all advanced as well. The fourth round is set, with Newcastle taking on Manchester United, Bournemouth hosting Liverpool, and West Ham facing off against Arsenal.
- Speaking of Bournemouth, American midfielder Tyler Adams made his debut in the club’s 2-0 win over Stoke CIty.
- Inter Milan’s five-game win streak in Serie A was snapped after a 2-1 loss to Sassuolo.
- Morocco won the hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while a joint bid from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda won the rights to host in 2027.
- FIFA’s legal department and other teams are moving from Switzerland to Coral Gables in Florida for a permanent office there.
That’s all I have for you today. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 9/27/23
Orlando City falls in power rankings, OCB will take on Columbus Crew 2 in MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, U.S. Open Cup final preview, and more.

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you down in Florida. There’s not much new with me, I’m just staying busy at work lately and hoping to catch some soccer this weekend. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Drops Two Spots in Power Rankings
The latest MLS power rankings have been released and Orlando City fell two spots to fourth. The Lions lost their midweek matchup 2-0 on the road against New York City FC last Wednesday and closed out the weekend with a 1-1 draw against rival Inter Miami at Exploria Stadium. It wasn’t all bad this past week for the Lions, as Duncan McGuire scored his 11th goal of the year across all competitions. Despite losing to NYCFC a week ago, the Lions remain in second place in the Eastern Conference and are two points ahead of the Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United, and the New England Revolution.
OCB Will Take On Columbus Crew 2 in MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs
Orlando City B’s opponent for the first round of the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs was announced on Tuesday, as it will go on the road to take on defending champion Columbus Crew 2 on Oct. 1 at Historic Crew Stadium. As part of the new playoff format that lets higher seeds choose their opponents, Columbus chose to host OCB in the quarterfinals. The Young Lions closed out their regular season this past weekend with a 2-1 win against FC Cincinnati and finished fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Columbus Crew 2 finished its regular season with a 3-2 win against Atlanta United 2 to place third. The clubs split the regular season series, with OCB winning 4-1 on Aug. 27 and Columbus winning 4-0 on May 14. The conference semifinals will be on the following weekend, and the MLS NEXT Pro Cup final is set for Oct. 22.
U.S. Open Cup Final Preview
The 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will conclude tonight with the final at DRV PNK Stadium as Inter Miami takes on the Houston Dynamo. The match will kick off at 8:30 p.m. and you can watch the match on Paramount+ or CBS Sports Network. Inter Miami’s journey included edging out Nashville SC 2-1 in the Round of 16 and needing to go all the way to penalties to knock out FC Cincinnati after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the semifinals. The Houston Dynamo began their run with a pair of 1-0 wins against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Sporting Kansas City. Since the Round of 16, the Dynamo cruised past Minnesota United, the Chicago Fire, and Real Salt Lake to get to the final. Houston was on a seven-match unbeaten run before losing to Sporting Kansas City this past weekend. The Dynamo will look to add another U.S. Open Cup title after winning it back in 2018. Lionel Messi will reportedly be a game-time decision for tonight’s final after he didn’t play in Miami’s draw with Orlando.
Spain Wins First Home Match Since World Cup Victory
Spain’s women’s national team won its first match since lifting the World Cup trophy last month, cruising to a 5-0 win against Switzerland in a UEFA Nations League matchup. After dealing with the fallout of former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales and players boycotting call-ups to the national team before a deal was reached last week, the team wore wristbands that read “Se Acabo,” meaning “this is over,” and players from both teams held a banner with the same phrase before the match. Spain celebrated its win in front of a record-breaking crowd of 14,194 fans that came out to support the team at Nuevo Arcangel Stadium.
Free Kicks
- Carrie Lawrence and the Orlando Pride were hard at work preparing for the match on Monday against Angel City FC.
- Angel City exercised its club option to extend former Pride forward Sydney Leroux’s contract through the end of the 2024 NWSL season.
- The Canadian Women’s National Team defeated Jamaica 4-1 on aggregate to book a spot in next summer’s Olympics.
- The Seattle Sounders have unveiled their new crest for next year.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Wednesday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 9/26/23
Pedro Gallese honored, Orlando Pride and Lions celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Campeones Cup preview, and more.

Happy Tuesday, everyone. I won’t lie to you, I’m dragging a bit to start this week. I’m still recovering from being sick and frankly had to fight the urge to take Monday off. I’m soldiering on though, and there’s plenty of soccer happening this week to help keep me entertained and in good spirits. Let’s have a look at today’s links.
Pedro Gallese Recognized
Pedro Gallese turned in another superb performance during Orlando City’s 1-1 draw with Inter Miami on Sunday, and he’s been rewarded with a place in the most recent edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday. El Pulpo made four saves on the night, including a fantastic stop on a header from close range, and helped the Lions stay in the game until they could find the equalizer. Congratulations to Pedro, and here’s hoping he keeps up the good work!
Orlando Pride and Orlando City Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Orlando Pride defender Celia fielded questions for fans to learn more about both her and Spain. Celia is from Alicante, a port city in southern Spain, and shared her favorite food, music, and activity while in her home country. She also spoke on a common misconception about spices used in Spain being spicy.
Orlando City’s Facundo Torres also shared the meaning behind some of his tattoos, which include the Uruguayan flag and La Paz, the city he grew up in. Orlando City’s match with CF Montreal on Saturday will also be Hispanic Heritage Night at Exploria Stadium.
Campeones Cup Preview
You can be forgiven if you forgot that the Campeones Cup is still a thing, because I know I did. Here’s a little refresher on the annual match. It’s being played tomorrow night at BMO Stadium between LAFC and Tigres, the reigning MLS and Liga MX champions, respectively. The MLS representative has won three out of the four contests, with Tigres beating Toronto FC 3-1 in the first iteration of the competition in 2018. This match will also be a rematch of the 2020 Concacaf Champions League final, which saw Tigres emerge victorious 2-1 at Exploria Stadium.
Americans in Midweek Action
A number of Americans will be taking part in games for their clubs this week. Tim Weah and Weston McKennie’s Juventus will take on Lecce today in Serie A, while Chris Richards and Crystal Palace face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah have a league match when AC Milan plays Cagliari tomorrow. PSV Eindhoven has a game against Go Ahead Eagles tomorrow as well, which means Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman could all be involved. Friday closes out the week with Hoffenheim taking on Borussia Dortmund, which could see John Brooks matched up against Gio Reyna depending on Reyna’s fitness.
Spanish Players Will Testify Against Rubiales
Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, and Misa Rodriguez have all been called to testify as witnesses in the case against Luis Rubiales. Jenni Hermoso’s brother and a friend of the player both testified on Monday afternoon, as Rubiales is facing charges of sexual assault and coercion. Rubiales has already testified and maintains he did nothing wrong amid uproar that has led to a number of Spanish players refusing to return to the team until changes are made, and a general overshadowing of Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup. Putellas, Paredes, and Rodriguez will testify next Monday.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City B came in 10th in the latest edition of the MLS NEXT Pro power rankings.
- Edgar Paez, the president of Colombian team Tigres, was shot and killed following the team’s loss on Saturday.
- Jadon Sancho’s Manchester United teammates have reportedly urged him to apologize to Erik ten Hag.
That’s all I have for today. Y’all stay safe out there!
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