Lion Links: 8/30/19

How’s it going, Mane Landers? As we start to say farewell to the summer, it looks like we’re about to say hello to a whole bunch of rain. With a hurricane on the way, make sure to stock up on all of the essentials like gas and bottled water. I’m sure you all know the drill but keep an eye out for your neighbors too. Jot down their contact info and try to help out those who may have a hard time boarding windows or heading out to the store. Storms are never fun but they have a habit of bringing the best out of communities. But for now, let’s get to the links!

Orlando Pride Match Rescheduled

With Hurricane Dorian expected to dump buckets starting late this holiday weekend, the Orlando Pride’s match with the Washington that was scheduled for tomorrow was postponed and rescheduled for Oct. 5. The game will still be held at Exploria Stadium and fans can exchange tickets for another Pride home game if the new date doesn’t work for their schedule. The move has little impact on the Pride with the playoffs well out of reach, although it does give the Spirit a huge break before their next match on Sept. 14.

Chioma Ubogagu Waived By Pride

The Orlando Pride waived forward Chioma Ubogagu in the first of what will will likely be many moves between now and the 2020 season as Head Coach Marc Skinner restructures the team and prepares for next year. The move comes as a shock as Ubogagu played well in Skinner’s system with other starters missing, tallying four goals and two assists in 17 appearances this season. The 26-year-old finishes her Pride career third in appearances (57) and goals (12), and thanked the club for her years in Orlando.

Although her destination isn’t certain, a move to Europe is likely with Real Madrid’s women’s team rumored as a landing spot. Wherever she decides to take her talents, we wish her the absolute best of luck in the future.

Santiago Patino Prepared to Step Up

One of the things Orlando City has not gotten enough credit for this year has been the performance of its younger players. Rookie defender Kamal Miller has started in 11 games this year and Homegrown Player Benji Michel has been a regular fixture in the offense this month. However, rookie forward Santiago Patino, who was selected third overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, hasn’t found his way onto the field since July 21.

That is likely to change in the coming games, with Orlando a bit shorthanded for its match with Los Angeles FC on Sept. 7. It hasn’t been a bad year for Patino by any means, with a pair of goals on the road for Orlando and his first call-up to the Colombian U-23 National Team. With chances to shine on the horizon, the 22-year-old is ready to help the team with the playoff push.

“Right now, I’m just focused on what’s next,” Patiño said. “Today, I’m just focused on having a good training, working my body hard and getting ready for our game. I take it day by day and I know good things will come with time.”

Marta Will Receive a Global Honor

Pride midfielder and global superstar Marta will receive one of the greatest awards in sports: the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award. To say Marta deserves the award would be an understatement as the 33-year-old has exemplified a lifetime of rising above adversity and doing exemplary work both on and off the field. Presented by the Women’s Sports Foundation, Marta will accept the award on Oct. 16 in New York City for the 40th Annual Salute to Women in Sports.

USWNT Rewards Huge Crowd with Four Goals

In front of a record crowd of nearly 50,000, the United States Women’s National Team dominated Portugal, 4-0 in Philadelphia. Part of the team’s Victory Tour after its World Cup victory this summer, the USWNT wasted no time showing why it is the world’s best. It took Tobin Heath four minutes to score the first goal of the match and Morgan Brian, Carli Lloyd, and Allie Long all added goals of their own.

Pride players Alex Morgan (concussion) and Ali Krieger (family emergency) were both away from the team while Ashlyn Harris sat on the bench with Adrianna Franch getting the start in goal.

Champions League Hopefuls Learn Their Fates

The UEFA Champions League is back and the 32 teams are officially drawn into their groups with action ready to begin next month. Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea all have relatively easy journeys ahead while the toughest group features FC Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan.

Chelsea’s group also features some familiar faces if you follow American soccer with Christian Pulisic, Lille’s Tim Weah, and Ajax’s Sergino Dest all in action. The players aren’t the only Americans to keep an eye out for though; FC Salzburg Head Coach Jesse Marsch will become the first American to coach in the Champions League.

Free Kicks

• It seems like Marta picked up an injury in her last match. Hopefully it is isn’t anything too serious and she will be able to play in the Pride’s road match with Reign FC on Sept. 7.

• Orlando’s playoff hopes are still alive, but dwindling. Thankfully, the Lions have the ninth-easiest strength of schedule for their remaining games as the matches ease up after the next few weeks.
• As for tomorrow’s clash with the San Jose Earthquakes, it looks like San Jose Head Coach Matias Almeyda won’t be in attendance.

• Nani remains an honorable mention for MLS Newcomer of the Year predictions, but would need to take the team by the reins and propel Orlando into the playoffs to become a serious contender.
• The Orlando SeaWolves re-signed midfielder Kevin Naranjo, a young talent who did well in his rookie season last year.
• United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter gave a really nice breakdown on his roster selections and what he looks forward to seeing from the team moving forward.
• USWNT legend Heather O’Reilly will join the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team as the new volunteer assistant coach.
• Here is a pretty interesting look at how Canada is left out in the cold by a change in World Cup qualifying.
• Carlos Vela originally agreed to a move to Barcelona this past January, but was passed over for Kevin-Prince Boateng. I’m not sure who suffered more by that choice: Barcelona or all of the teams Vela has buried this MLS season.

That will do it from me for today’s links. I wish you all the best of luck in your hurricane preparations and please be safe out there this weekend and next week.