Lion Links
Lion Links: 2/11/19
Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! We’re getting so close to the start of the season, I can almost taste it. I have no idea what is coming as we head into the season, but I’m certain that it will be interesting. Hopefully, it will be interesting for the right reasons. Let’s get to the links!
Pride Players Down Under: W-League Final is Set
The Perth Glory are headed to the W-League Final for a third straight year thanks to a 4-2 extra time win over Melbourne Victory. The Orlando Pride’s Christine Nairn had the Victory up 1-0 until the 72nd minute when Sam Kerr scored the first goal of her hat trick and Rachel Hill had an assist and a goal of her own as well. Kerr set a record for the most goals scored in the W-League finals with her performance.
The Glory will be taking on Sydney FC after the Sky Blues defeated the Brisbane Roar, 2-1. Caitlin Foord put the Blues up in the 33rd minute. Then the Orlando Pride’s Alanna Kennedy showed some fancy footwork to set up Sofia Huerta’s goal in the 68th minute to secure the win. The two teams will meet next weekend.
️⚽️ | The strike that ensured back to back @WLeague Grand Finals for your Sky Blues, enjoy @schuerta's winner at Dolphin Stadium!
🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs #BRIvSYD pic.twitter.com/CdsYdUKoxN
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 10, 2019
Pride’s Weatherholt Credits W-League for Personal Growth
Dani Weatherholt may have been on the losing side of the W-League semifinal against the Perth Glory, but she’s still pleased with her first season down under. The game is a bit slower down there, allowing her to see the game better. The NWSL is played at a faster pace, so anything that helps Weatherholt understand the game better can only help her once she’s back with the Orlando Pride.
Nagbe Trouble in Atlanta?
Darlington Nagbe has yet to see any minutes with Atlanta United’s first team in their two scrimmages. Head Coach Frank de Boer has said that Nagbe isn’t “match ready.” You can pretend that’s true, but given that Nagbe hasn’t spoken to the media and the Atlanta front office isn’t addressing the situation, there may be something else going on.
Argentinian Women Fighting for Equality
Macarena Sanchez is a 27-year-old Argentinian soccer player. She’s an amateur soccer player, since the women in her country make little to nothing to play the game. Sanchez wants to change that, but it’s an uphill battle. When I say a battle, I mean that she was recently dismissed from UAI Urquiza because of a “soccer-related decision.” Sanchez suspected that it had more to do with her wanting female players to be recognized as professionals and paid accordingly. As such, she has hired legal counsel and has the support of FIFPro, an organization that represents professional soccer players. Things often change slowly, but it’s people like Sanchez that make those changes.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City B is back! One week of training is down with more to come.
Preseason for OCB is now underway! 7 days into training of the Next Generation!! @OrlandoCitySC @USLLeagueOne #FaceOfCity pic.twitter.com/k669T99DxD
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) February 10, 2019
- FIFA Vice President and Confederation of African Football President Ahmad Ahmad has called for calm after there were leaked letters pointing to violations relating to financial procedures.
- Manchester United has done much better since Ole Gunnar Solskjær took over, and he has now been named as the full-time manager.
A decision has been made at board level to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United manager on a full-time basis. The club may not announce it until the end of the season. #mufc [Neil Custis]
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) February 10, 2019
- King eSports has won the third FIFA eClub World Cup in London defeating Dijon FCO. Nicolas “nicolas99FC” Villalba and Donovan “Tekkz” Hunt were the winning team. I have no idea what most of those words mean.
- Sweet footwork leading up to an even sweeter goal from Andrija Novakovich.
Nice goal from Andrija Novakovich against Excelsior. His footwork is excellent for a player of his size.
— Future USMNT (@FutureUsmnt) February 10, 2019
- It’s said you can’t trust the refs, but this is ridiculous.
Mike Dean hides the match ball from Sergio Aguero after his hat trick against Chelsea 😂 pic.twitter.com/kSJ8Nujogl
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 10, 2019
That’s going to do it for today, folks! Keep your heads up and keep checking in for more news from The Mane Land!
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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