Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/12/19
What’s up, Mane Landers? Friday is finally upon us as we finish up the work week and head into a weekend filled to the brim with Orlando soccer. Hopefully, the week hasn’t been too rough on you and maybe it’s even your payday. Just don’t spend it all in one place. It’s going to be a fun and exciting couple of days. Now, let’s get to the links.
Lions Make a Trade
Orlando City completed a trade with the LA Galaxy, sending the Galaxy the second spot in the MLS Allocation Order in exchange for a total of $400,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. Okay, so maybe it isn’t the most exciting news in the world, but it is certainly nice to see the club has some spending money to use during this summer transfer window or after the season. As for how that Allocation Order spot was spent, the Galaxy sent it and a first-round 2020 SuperDraft pick to Toronto FC for the top spot in order to sign defender Giancarlo Gonzalez.
Akindele Fitting In Well With Orlando Offense
One of the biggest needs Head Coach James O’Connor wanted to fill in the off-season was at the forward position, and it looks like he’s addressed it well with the production seen from Tesho Akindele. The 28-year-old striker has scored twice and had an assist already this season, despite battling a hamstring injury that has only let him play in three games so far. Akindele credits the Orlando City training staff and his teammates for his performance in 2019, particularly noting how well his skills pair with the offensive talent around him.
“I feel like we have players who complement each other,” Akindele said. “I like to get in behind. Maybe Dom likes to battle more with defenders, so I think we have a good thing. Maybe Sacha [Kljestan] and Chris [Mueller] like to come in for the ball. So, I think we have a lot of players who complement each other’s strengths.”
Ruan Putting Speed to Good Use
Orlando right back Ruan is no stranger to being the fastest player on the pitch. Even playing at the MLS level, the Brazilian is able to outpace most other players with an ability to turn a defensive turnover into an offensive opportunity in the blink of an eye. With fancy footwork and a talent for drawing fouls, Ruan is making the most of his one-year deal as a Lion. Off the pitch, he is in the process of learning English and thanks his wife for making the process of moving to another country smoother.
Alex Morgan Becoming Unstoppable
With 28 goals in her past 33 games with the United States Women’s National Team, Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan is undoubtedly one of the best attacking players on the planet. The 29-year-old recently became the seventh USWNT player to reach 100 goals, which is great news for USWNT and Pride fans alike as she prepares for both the NWSL season and the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer. While her success with the national team has not always translated to success on the pitch for the Pride, she is performing at such an incredibly high level that it could be a historic year for her, her country, and her club.
Young Lion Recognized
It may have been in a 2-0 loss against Toronto FC II, but Orlando City B goalkeeper Christian Herrera may have had the save of his career and was nominated for USL League One Save of the Week. When the game was still scoreless early in the second half, Herrera had a diving save to keep out a free kick shot that seemed destined to sneak into the top corner. Lend him some support and vote, it’s not often an Orlando player of any sort gets nominated. Congrats on the big save, Herrera. OCB will need more of those tonight when it takes on Tormenta at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Our own Christian Herrera is up for @USLLeagueOne Save of the Week! #NextGenOC
Go vote: https://t.co/wKL1rIVEDe pic.twitter.com/ZLH2FUClxW
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) April 11, 2019
Free Kicks
- They may be out of the playoff picture, but the season isn’t over for the Orlando SeaWolves as they finish out their 2019 campaign with a game tonight against playoff-bound Utica FC and tomorrow against the Florida Tropics.
We host @UticaCityFC Friday at 7:35pm and close out with a War On I4 against the @FLTropicsSC Saturday at 7:05pm. Tix available starting at $15. Make sure to join us for SeaWolves Happy Hour featuring $2 sodas, $2 hot dogs, & $2 draft beers from doors opening until kickoff. pic.twitter.com/jR8hWHpM8c
— Orlando SeaWolves (@MCOSeaWolves) April 10, 2019
- United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter is excited to get into camp as his team prepares for the Gold Cup and weighs in on how the U.S. match up with group opponents.
- MLS Goal of the Week went to Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro for his game-winning volley.
The #ATTGotW belongs to Nico!
What a volley from the @SoundersFC man. pic.twitter.com/ijL0q7mHFQ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 11, 2019
- Although still open about wanting a second Designated Player, the New England Revolution are not interested in Andy Carroll of West Ham. It was a rumored move that was born and shot down in the span of five hours.
- With the Generation Adidas Cup set to start this weekend, former Orlando City Academy coach Jeff Negalha and other experts weighed in on how MLS teams are investing heavily in the game’s youth and academy systems.
- We end our links with historic news from Israel, as 73-year-old Isaak Hayik started for Ironi Or Yehuda FC to officially become the oldest player in a professional match. Sure, he allowed five goals in a loss, but I doubt I’ll be able to make any saves 50 years from now.
That’s all I have for you today. Make sure to check in throughout the day for your Orlando soccer news. Have a wonderful Friday and celebrate responsibly this weekend!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/7/24
Barbra Banda up for NWSL Goal of the Week, Americans in midweek action, Champions League preview, and more.
Happy Tuesday, everyone. It was a mixed bag for Orlando’s teams over the weekend, as Orlando City B drew 1-1 with Chattanooga FC and lost the subsequent shootout, Orlando City lost 1-0 to FC Cincinnati, and the Orlando Pride won 1-0 over Racing Louisville. As usual, we have a lot to talk through this morning, so let’s dig into the links.
Barbra Banda Up for Goal of the Week
Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been nominated for the NWSL Goal of the Week for her strike in the 77th minute against the North Carolina Courage last Wednesday. Banda controlled the ball off a throw-in, turned, and drove across the box before slotting a low shot past Casey Murphy for the Pride’s fourth and final goal of the game. She scored twice in that game and scored again in Sunday’s win over Racing Louisville. Banda now has four goals in four games — including at least one in each of her three starts since appearing off the bench in her debut — and shows no sign of slowing down. Make sure you go vote for her to win this week’s award!
Americans in Midweek Action
As usual, there are a number of Americans playing games this week, so make sure you mark down any that you want to tune in for. Wednesday has Brandon Vazquez and Monterrey traveling to El Volcan to take on Tigres in the quarterfinals of the Clausura. Moving to Friday, Tanner Tessmann, Gianluca Busio, and Venezia have a chance to gain promotion to Serie A if they beat Spezia and Como loses. On the other side of things, former Lion Nicholas Gioacchini and Como play Cosenza, and will secure automatic promotion as long as they don’t have a worse result than Venezia.
UEFA Champions League Preview
The UEFA Champions League continues this week with the second legs of the two semifinal matchups. In this afternoon’s game, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has said that even Kylian Mbappe will have to work hard defensively if his team is going to progress to the final. Borussia Dortmund leads that tie 1-0, and will need to rely on a defense that has kept five clean sheets in this year’s tournament. However, the German club has a concerning record away from home, where it has lost nine of its last 11 games. In tomorrow’s game between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, this season’s La Liga winner will hope its finishing prowess continues from the first leg, when it turned two chances into two goals.
European Transfer Rumor Roundup
With European seasons drawing to a close, the transfer rumor mill is starting to heat up, which means there are several items worth discussing today. First, Manchester United will reportedly face competition to sign Crystal Palace star Michael Olise. Chelsea and PSG are said to also be interested in signing the Frenchman, who was instrumental in his side’s 4-0 drubbing of the Red Devils yesterday. Staying in the Premier League, Virgil van Dijk has said he intends to be part of the transition following Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool, confirming that he does not intend to leave in the summer. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich is said to have agreed to personal terms with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez. David Moyes has confirmed he will leave West Ham at the end of the season, with reports suggesting that the Hammers have reached an agreement with Julen Lopetegui to be the team’s new manager.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City held steady at 20th in ESPN’s MLS power rankings.
- Bruno Fernandes missed a club match due to injury for the first time in his career, as he did not play in Manchester United’s loss to Crystal Palace.
- Speaking of that match, the Premier League outfitted the referee with a camera for the first time in that game, with the footage to be released at a later date.
- Angel City FC will enter a team in The Soccer Tournament this summer.
- Will Ferrell has bought a stake in Leeds United.
That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/6/24
Lions lose at home, Orlando Pride win, OCB draws Chattanooga FC, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you down in Florida. It was another mixed weekend for our teams as the Lions lost, the Pride won, and OCB drew. As for me, I’ve been busy managing the broadcast operations for the NISA league’s matches this weekend and also got a chance to cover high school soccer, softball, and badminton. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Lions Lose at Home to FC Cincinnati
Orlando City lost at home for the second straight weekend with a 1-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. Luciano Acosta scored the lone goal for Cincinnati just seconds into the match. Orlando City went down to 10 men when defender Rodrigo Schlegel received a red card in the first half. The Lions had some chances to get back in this one, including a free kick opportunity in the second half when Wilder Cartagena scored what would have been the equalizer, but Facundo Torres was ruled offside, and the goal was waved off. Cincinnati also dropped to 10 men late in the second half as defender Bret Halsey received his second yellow for a foul on Ivan Angulo and knocked the ball out to waste time. Still, FC Cincinnati found a way to hang on for the victory, securing its third win in a row. Orlando City will look to rebound on Saturday as it takes on the Philadelphia Union at Suburu Park.
Orlando Pride Win at Home Against Racing Louisville FC
The Orlando Pride defeated Racing Louisville FC on Sunday, 1-0, at Inter&Co Stadium, winning their fifth straight game. Barbra Banda scored the lone goal of the match and now has four goals for the Pride this season. The Pride remain undefeated in league play, keeping their unbeaten streak alive at eight matches (5-0-3). Orlando also moved up to first in the NWSL table with 18 points. The Pride will be back home on Saturday to face Bay FC.
OCB Draws Chattanooga FC
Orlando City B drew 1-1 on the road against Chattanooga FC on Saturday. The Young Lions trailed early in the first half as Mehdi Ouamri put Chattanooga FC in front 1-0. Later in the first half, OCB got an equalizer, with forward Shak Mohammed finding the back of the net to score his second goal of the season. The match went to penalties after 90 minutes of action, where Chattanooga FC won the extra point with a 5-4 win over OCB. Despite not getting the extra point in penalties, the Young Lions still keep their road unbeaten streak alive at five. OCB will have a quick turnaround with its next match at Osceola County Stadium on Wednesday against New York Red Bulls II.
European Soccer Roundup
Real Madrid clinched the La Liga title on Saturday, defeating Cadiz 3-0, while their rivals Barcelona dropped points in a 4-2 loss to Girona over the weekend. Madrid has now won La Liga for the 36th time and still has a shot of adding another trophy if it gets past Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday to reach the final next month. Elsewhere, we had plenty of drama in England. Let’s start in the EFL Championship, where Ipswich Town joined Leicester City, getting promoted to the Premier League after a 2-0 victory against Huddersfield Town. Leeds United, Southhampton, West Brom, and Norwich City will go to the playoffs to determine the third club to secure promotion. Arsenal won 3-0 over Bournemouth, while Manchester City cruised to a 5-1 win over Wolves to keep the EPL title race tight. Arsenal is in first with 83 points, with two matches remaining, while Manchester City is just behind in second with 82 points and three matches left to play.
Free Kicks
- Orlando Pride midfielder Ally Lemos gave insight on her first NWSL start for the Pride after their match against Racing Louisville FC on Sunday.
- PSV Eindhoven clinched the Eredivisie title on Sunday with a 4-2 win over Sparta Rotterdam. American Malik Tillman played for 90 minutes, while Ricardo Pepi came off the bench and added an assist.
- USMNT midfielder Christian Pulisic put on a solid performance and contributed an assist for AC Milan in a 3-3 draw against Genoa on Saturday.
- USWNT forward Catarina Macario came off the bench for Chelsea in the second half and made WSL history by adding two assists in 10 minutes in an 8-0 win over Bristol City.
- Despite their manager Xabi Alonso being in the stands serving a suspension due to yellow card accumulation, Bayer Leverkusen dominated Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 and extended its unbeaten streak to 48 matches.
- Wrexham is reportedly targeting Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy. His contract expires with the Premier League-bound club at the end of June.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/3/24
MLS roster profiles revealed, Marta’s best moments, Kelley O’Hara announces her retirement, and more.
Happy Friday! We’ve reached the homestretch of the week and I couldn’t be happier. A busy weekend awaits me, but I’m hoping for some quiet, nice moments to offset some of the hustle and bustle. It’s also another weekend packed with Orlando soccer to enjoy, so make sure to plan your next couple of days accordingly. But for now, let’s get to the links!
MLS Unveils Club Roster Details
There’s a little more transparency in Major League Soccer after the league released helpful snapshots of each club that detail the composition of each roster. From Designated Players and MLS U22 Initiative Players to international roster slots and contract lengths, the graphics are easy to comprehend and give a nice look behind the curtain on each team. Using this, we can see that Orlando City midfielder Cesar Araujo no longer takes up a U22 Initiative slot and that the team also has an open international roster slot. It should be a fairly nice reference guide for fans moving forward, as well as a way to check out how other MLS teams are building their rosters.
Emily Sams Earns Recognition as Potential USWNT Player
Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams was mentioned as one of the top 20 eligible Americans who have yet to make an appearance with the United States Women’s National Team according to Pro Soccer Wire. The shout out is well deserved, as Sams has helped anchor a Pride defense that’s only given up seven goals this season. Only time will tell if Sams will earn a call-up once Emma Hayes is at the helm of the USWNT, but it does feel inevitable given how she’s been playing. Other notable players on the list include Ajax’s Lily Yohannes, Washington Spirit rookie Croix Bethune, and Angel City FC defender Sarah Gorden.
Marta’s Top Moments
All For XI compiled some of the best moments from Marta’s career into a tidy top five. Considering how prolific she has been for Brazil over the years, it was nice to see a pair of goals from her time with the Pride receive some recognition. Both of those moments were from 2018, with her free kick to equalize against the Seattle Reign placing fifth and her solo effort to stun the Spirit taking third. It’s fitting though that the top moment on the list showcases the impact she’s had off the field, as it’s Marta’s emotional speech after Brazil’s exit in the 2019 World Cup.
Kelley O’Hara Will Retire After 2024 Season
USWNT defender Kelley O’Hara announced that she will retire from professional soccer following the 2024 season. Over the course of her international career, she’s played in four World Cups, three Olympic Games, and was named to the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2019. O’Hara has played in every NWSL season since the league’s inception, winning the title with the Spirit in 2021 and again with NJ/NY Gotham FC last year. She joined Gotham as the first free agent signing in NWSL history and she is set to close out her illustrious career there.
Free Kicks
- Curve Fragrances was named the official fragrance partner of Orlando City. As part of the partnership, there will be giveaways and product sampling at select games this season.
- Wrexham’s women’s squad for The Soccer Tournament this summer will include a trio of former Pride players, with Bridget Callahan, Danica Evans, and Nickolette Driesse all taking part. I can’t wait to see if Callahan will make SkoRed a rallying cry at the tournament.
- Orlando City won’t have to contend with FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza tomorrow, as he will miss the next six to eight weeks due to a broken jaw suffered in an off-field incident.
- The Europa League semifinals are underway and Bayer Leverkusen extended its unbeaten run to 47 games after a 2-0 road win against Roma. In the other matchup, Atalanta and Marseille drew 1-1 in France.
- American midfielder Johnny Cardoso hasn’t been with Real Betis for long, but he’s doing well enough that Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs reportedly interested in signing the 22-year-old.
- Lucas Hernandez suffered an ACL injury in Paris Saint-Germain’s loss to Borussia Dortmund and will miss out on this summer’s Euros with France.
- Reims and Will Still have mutually agreed to part ways, with the coach leaving now despite just having three games left in the Ligue 1 season. It will be interesting to see where the 31-year-old coaches next, as he had a notable 19-game unbeaten stretch with Reims last season.
- Here’s a detailed dive into the obstacles Everton has faced in recent years, as well as how the club has avoided relegation amid another difficult season.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!
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