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Lion Links: 6/9/19

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6 years ago

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Happy Sunday, Mane Landers. The Women’s World Cup is finally here! I hope you’ve all been soaking in the action and enjoying the beautiful game, I know I am. With that said, a lot of today’s news will naturally relate to the monumental tournament.

Let’s get straight to it, shall we?

Marta Set to Miss World Cup Opener

With the Women’s World Cup finally upon us, some unfortunate news has made its way out of the Brazil camp. Orlando Pride and Brazilian superstar Marta, a six-time winner of FIFA’s World Player of the Year award, will not be available for selection in today’s opener against Jamaica. The injury, a left thigh knock sustained on May 25 in training, will hold the iconic player out, which is extremely bad news for a Brazil side that has lost its last eight matches headed into the tournament. Keep a close eye on today’s result. A loss will almost certainly highlight her importance to the squad’s success. Marta has scored 15 times in five World Cup matches and the team will not only miss her goal-scoring prowess, but her technical skills on the ball, as well as her ability to make everyone around her better.

Hope Solo Calls Out Jill Ellis, USWNT Shifts Focus

Oh boy, here we go again. Embattled soccer personality and former world class goalkeeper Hope Solo has publicly called out head coach Jill Ellis ahead of the team’s first World Cup match against Thailand. Solo’s gripes stem from her opinion of Ellis’ lack of leadership.

“Jill is not the leader I wish her to be,” Solo said. “She relies heavily on her assistant coaches. She cracks under the pressure quite a bit. But often that doesn’t matter because the quality of the players on the U.S. team is superb. It doesn’t matter who is coaching us because we will find a way to win. The United States knows how to find a way to win in spite of who the coach is.”

Strange, huh? A goalkeeper taking shots instead of saving them.

Meanwhile, Ellis and her squad are focusing on shifting from World Cup preparations to World Cup performances. The opening match against Thailand, slated to kick off on Tuesday, June 11, at 3 p.m. EST, will certainly be one to watch after France trounced South Korea, making their presence loud and clear. If there’s one thing that I would bet the house on, it’s that this World Cup is going to be an exciting tournament.

Jonathan dos Santos Expecting Mexico vs. USA Gold Cup Final

I can’t disagree with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Mexico star, as the two countries are the clear favorites to progress through to the final. It wouldn’t be the first time the two have met each other in the final, as the rivalry has seen itself front and center on this stage five times since 1991. Dos Santos, a player with a rich history of playing for some of the world’s most reputable and famous clubs, believes that the U.S. isn’t too far behind Mexico in terms of quality, and has expressed publicly his respect for his country’s international rivals.

“I think the United States has a very good national team with talented and young players. I think they will do a great tournament, and it will certainly be between them and us on who will be crowned champion of the Gold Cup. I think as time passes, [the US is] getting close to Mexico.”

The Baby Nats Fall in Quarterfinals

After an incredible win against the powerhouse favorites France, the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team failed to find the same success against Ecuador, losing 2-1 and subsequently being knocked out of the U-20 World Cup. The run this young team made was both promising yet disappointing, as the Baby Nats seemed to be making a strong run towards the final. Unfortunately, this loss after a big win isn’t a new trend to the country’s teams.

Regardless of the result though, it’s still a huge leap forward for our country and the growing interest of the sport in the States. If it tickles your fancy, have a look at the team’s player grades. Note: Paul’s tweet isn’t entirely factual as I think he may have forgotten about the USMNT’s success in the Gold Cup.

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  • Oh Toni, we love you so much, and we wish we could watch you play during this World Cup!

  • Tallahassee Soccer Club hosted the Gulf Coast Premier League’s defending champions, Port City FC in an exciting affair that saw the Battle Lions take down Port City, 3-1. The Battle Lions who found the back of the net included Michael Seng, Daniel Villa, and Boneco Bazil.

  • The CFSC Panthers, Orlando’s National Premier Soccer League team, traveled down south to take on the defending national champions, Miami United FC. The Panthers held strong and went into the half only trailing by one, but fell victim to excellent play from an incredibly strong Miami side and ultimately lost 5-0.
  • You can’t see it, but I’m giving a standing ovation to Phoenix Rising right now. The club made the admirable decision to sell beer at a dollar apiece in recognition of their club’s incredible 11-match winning streak. Bravo, Phoenix. Bravo. And hey Orlando…take note.
  • FIFA has handed out a lifetime ban to ex-Afghan football chief Keramuudin Karim and issued a $1 million dollar fine after they received multiple complaints of sexual assault from players that represent the country on the international stage. Personally, assuming the allegations are true, I don’t think this is a severe enough punishment.
  • I’m a huge Bayern Munich fan, for those that may not know, and I’m also a huge Manuel Neuer fan (I had the privilege of sitting in his locker at Allianz Arena in Munich last November, too). Here’s one of the many reasons why he’ll go down as one of the best goalkeepers to have ever graced a pitch:

  • Now that you’ve seen the quality and touch of Neuer, have a quick gander at the lack of quality and touch from San Jose’s Mario Daniel Vega. Sorry, Mr. Vega.

All right Mane Landers, that’s all I’ve got for you today. Enjoy the World Cup while you can, have a great Sunday, and have an even better week. Much love!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/25/25

Orlando City gets ready for Atlanta United, Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira promoted, NWSL MVP candidates, and more.

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1 day ago

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April 25, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday! Today starts three straight days of Orlando soccer to enjoy, so make sure to plan your weekend accordingly. It was a fairly fast week for me, and I was able to read three books somehow. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a very happy 21st birthday to Orlando City winger Nicolas Rodriguez!

Orlando City Gets Ready for Rivalry Match

The Lions are back in action Saturday night against rival Atlanta United in what should be one of the more interesting matchups of the weekend. Both teams are looking for answers on offense heading into this match, as Orlando is coming off of three straight scoreless draws and Atlanta hasn’t won since March. Taking on a rival at home could be just what’s needed for the Lions to jumpstart their attack and return to the form they had earlier this season. Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on how it’s an important game to win for Orlando, as well as how the offense needs to exercise some calmness to finish its chances.

Orlando City Promotes Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira

Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira were both promoted by Orlando City, with Moreira taking over as the club’s general manager and sporting director and Muzzi becoming senior advisor to ownership, global soccer ventures. It’s a natural step up for Moreira, who joined the club in 2018 and has helped build a competitive roster that’s made the playoffs for the past five seasons. Muzzi’s new role is a bit of a mouthful, but he’ll be taking on an advisory role focused on the growth of the club while working closely with ownership.

“I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as Orlando City Soccer Club’s EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager for seven seasons, and I am excited to continue my journey with the club in this new role,” said Luiz Muzzi. “I look forward to working alongside the Wilf family and the leadership team to help shape the future of the club and its continued success, both on and off the field, and I know Orlando City’s Soccer Operations will be in great hands under Ricardo’s leadership.”

Orlando Pride Players in the NWSL MVP Hunt

Now that we’re over a month into the NWSL season, ESPN‘s Jeff Kassouf highlighted the league’s early MVP candidates, and there are a couple of familiar faces in his rankings. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda is predictably in the mix in sixth on the list, as she has three goals and an assist to her name so far. But a surprise inclusion is midfielder Haley McCutcheon, who has impressed on both sides of the ball to earn ninth place in the rankings. While I think the MVP race will ultimately be between scorers like Banda, Temwa Chawinga, Ashley Hatch, and Debinha, it’s pretty great to see McCutcheon receive deserved praise for her performance this year.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

The transfer deadline may be over for MLS clubs, but deals that crossed the finish line are still coming in. The Columbus Crew added yet another forward by sending up to $1.2 million to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for Aliyu Ibrahim. The 23-year-old will maintain his U22 Initiative Player status in Columbus and recorded 12 goals and nine assists across 90 appearances for Houston. LAFC signed 26-year-old midfielder Ryan Raposo, who spent the past five seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps and was a free agent this year. St. Louis City also made things official with Simon Becher by making his loan move a permanent one so that he stays with the club.

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That’s all I have for you this time around. Mother’s Day is less than a month away, just as a warning. If the mothers in your life like romance books and you’re looking for a gift, I can’t recommend The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center enough. Have a great Friday!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/24/25

Orlando Pride prepare for Angel City FC, MLS deadline day deals, OCB slips in power rankings, and more.

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2 days ago

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April 24, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a few days since a rough weekend for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride. Time heals all wounds, but let’s also hope it heals offenses considering both teams were shut out. Let’s go ahead and manifest some good officiating this weekend as well while we’re at it. That might be a tall order, but I’m feeling optimistic. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando Pride Prepare for Angel City FC

The Orlando Pride will look to bounce back when they welcome Angel City FC to the City Beautiful for a home game Friday night. Orlando lost its first game of the year and first home game since 2023 last week against the Washington Spirit, falling 1-0. Angel City is also coming off of its first loss of the season, falling 4-0 at home to NJ/NY Gotham FC at home. Pride defender Kerry Abello spoke on how the Pride will need to create better chances compared to last week as they prepare to right the ship with a home victory.

Orlando City B Drops a Spot in Power Rankings

Although OCB fell from third to fourth in the latest MLS NEXT Pro power rankings, the Young Lions are solidly in the top five teams in the league. OCB was on a bye last weekend, so not moving too much in the rankings can be expected. While the Young Lions fell 3-2 in their last league game against Inter Miami II, spirits are likely high with the team due to the Orlando City U-18 team’s success in the Generation Adidas Cup. Let’s hope the Young Lions can ride that momentum into Sunday night’s match with New York Red Bulls II.

MLS Deadline Day Transfer News

The MLS transfer deadline day has come and gone and there were some notable moves to catch up on. Real Salt Lake’s deal with Boavista for forward Robert Bozenik reportedly collapsed, but the club still added striker William Agada from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for $500,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money and another $350,000 in GAM if he re-signs. Inter Miami traded winger Robert Taylor to Austin FC in exchange for up to $750,000 in GAM, with only $50,000 of that being conditional. Atlanta United traded winger Xande Silva to St. Louis City SC for up to $250,000 in GAM as well.

The Houston Dynamo also have a new forward, signing Toyosi Olusanya from Scottish club St. Mirren. The New England Revolution traded Noel Buck to the San Jose Earthquakes for up to $650,000 in cold, hard cash, reuniting the 20-year-old with Bruce Arena. Frankie Amaya is back in MLS, joining LAFC on loan from Toluca. As of this writing, Minnesota United are reportedly in hot pursuit of Miami’s Julian Gressel.

Sources: Minnesota United in advanced talks to acquire Julian Gressel from Inter Miami.Nothing done yet. Still details to figure out. Optimism something gets done, but not there yet.

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2025-04-24T00:25:26.971Z

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

The race for a place in the English Premier League is heating up in the EFL Championship and Americans are right in the thick of it. Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United have already secured promotion, along with Burnley. Forward Haji Wright has scored 12 goals for Coventry City this season, and his club currently holds the final playoff spot. Midfielder Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough are three points behind, while former Lion Daryl Dike and West Brom will need to win their remaining two matches for a shot at sneaking in.

In Italy, Christian Pulisic started in AC Milan’s 3-0 victory over rival Inter to book a spot in the Italian Cup final on May 14. Fellow American Yunus Musah was an unused substitute. Catarina Macario scored twice and Mia Fishel added a goal as well in Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Crystal Palace, helping their team get ever closer to winning its sixth straight Women’s Super League title.

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That’s it for today’s links! Make sure to stay hydrated out there as we get closer and closer to summer. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/23/25

The Orlando Pride drop, OCSC Academy awards, USMNT characters, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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April 23, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. This weekend we have the most convenient schedule, with the Orlando Pride playing Friday night, Orlando City on Saturday night, and Orlando City B on Sunday night. It’s nice knowing what I’ll be doing each night. Now, I just need all three teams to get back on the winning side of things. Until then, let’s get to the links.

Bad Pride, Good Pride

It might have been the dumbest way to lose a match against the Washington Spirit, but — actually nevermind, there is no “but” about it. We can, however, decide to move forward rather than dwell on it after today. Unsurprisingly, the Pride dropped in the all-knowing power rankings. All for XI only dropped the Pride one spot to No. 2 since everyone has a bad day now and again. The CBS power ranking dropped the team to No. 3. That was the “bad.” The “good” is that we can revisit the puppies that showed up at Inter&Co Stadium. The loss still hurts, but it’s hard to stay mad after looking at the puppies.

The (OCSC) Academy Awards

Assuming you read Lion Links on Monday morning (or listened to The Mane Land PawedCast this week) you know that the Orlando City SC Academy U-18 team won the Generation Adidas Cup. Now we know that three of the very young Lions — Gustavo Caraballo, Jackson Platts, and Justin Ellis — were named to the U18 Best XI. Additionally, Caraballo and Ellis earned MVP and Top Scorer awards, respectively. It was truly the bright spot of an otherwise forgettable weekend.

Pochettino Prepares

The USMNT did not do well in the Concacaf Nations League, falling to Panama and then Canada in the third place match. Now, U.S. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has to prepare the team for the Gold Cup. Pochettino said that he needs the “right characters” on the squad, whether they are the most talented or not. He also spoke of the need for the players to fight for the badge and the flag. Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena said Pochettino may not be the right man for the job because he’s not an American. The USMNT’s next matches are friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland on June 7 and June 10, respectively.

MLS Transfer News

The Columbus Crew are making moves. The club received $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot. The club then sent DeJuan Jones to the San Jose Earthquakes for $425,000 in GAM and a 2025 international roster slot. Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City acquired forward Santiago Muñoz on loan from Liga MX side Santos Laguna.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the full slate of matches coming up.

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