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Lion Links: 3/15/20

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Happy Sunday, everyone. You may find it odd that I’m writing this column today but your usual Sunday author has departed from the TML staff. So you might be stuck with me for a while, although we have discussed limiting our Lion Links columns to weekdays only. We’ll keep you posted on that.

It’s a weird time for all of us, but we’ll get through this coronavirus-affected time together. We just need to have a dialogue about what is going on, how we’re all coping, and what you need from our site during this odd hiatus in our sports lives.

On Friday, I finally picked up a book I got for Christmas and plowed through the first 100 pages and then I pushed past the 250-page mark Saturday. It’s been a while since I had time to read like that between my TML duties, my real job, dad/husband/household stuff, etc., and it was kind of nice to cover so much ground for a change. I’ve also smashed through Hunters on Amazon Prime Video and The Outsider on HBO in recent days and found both enjoyable. What has replaced that sports gap in your life? It’s strange that now that I have time to take my family to various places, many of them are closed.

Before I dive into the news of the day, I want to wish a happy birthday to Orlando City midfielder Mauricio Pereyra. Magic Mo (let me just throw that out there as a nickname) turns 30 today and I can’t wait to see what he can do out there when games resume and Nani and Dom Dwyer are both available.

Lions Dealing with Odd Circumstances

Obviously, fans aren’t the only ones dealing with the sudden halt to normal sporting activities. Orlando City players Brian Rowe and Tesho Akindele weighed in on the unusual circumstances they find themselves in as there is a ban on team training and no word on when games might resume.

“I’ve never seen anything like this, in the league or in life, that has affected us as greatly as this,” said Rowe, who is playing in his eighth year in the league. “There isn’t really a manual or a rule book on how to deal with this.”

“It’s a really crazy feeling, obviously, because nobody has ever experienced that before,” Akindele said. “It’s a really weird feeling. Obviously we all wish we could be out there, but we understand the decision from the league and the union because it’s a public safety issue. But it’s a tough time.”

Indeed, life is strange at the moment. Hopefully we can return to normalcy soon.

Orlando Pride Players to Compete for W-League Title

Orlando Pride international stars Claire Emslie and Emily van Egmond starred last night for Melbourne City, helping their W-League club advance to the Grand Final with a 5-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers. Emslie opened the scoring and assisted on the second goal with a good cross for Kyah Simon to head home. A van Egmond cross was misplayed by goalkeeper Abby Smith and fell for Rebekah Stott to finish on the third Melbourne City goal and the team just rolled from there. Emslie and van Egmond will face Pride teammate Alanna Kennedy and her Sydney FC teammates in the Grand Final next weekend. Here’s a look at Emslie’s goal:

Not Everything is Shut Down

While most leagues around the world are shut down, there are some still playing — for now, anyway. Liga MX in Mexico and the A-League and W-League in Australia are among those still operating, while leagues in Hungary, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine all held matches yesterday. But that may not last much longer, as teams are starting to ask for measures to be taken in response to COVID-19.

Though Mexico has relatively few reported cases, making it seem somewhat OK for their leagues to continue playing, it’s important to keep in mind that the availability of tests, reporting standards, lack of data transmitted to the media, and willingness of citizens to get tested may all be skewing the numbers.

Ronaldinho’s Prison Team Dominates

Speaking of interesting times, Ronaldinho playing soccer in jail is one of the strangest stories of the year. We previously told you about the Brazilian’s arrest for inexplicably using a fake pass to sneak into Paraguay. The former Brazil star had a big day, reportedly, with five goals and six assists in a lopsided 11-2 affair.

Italian Football Could Face Strike if Players Rushed Back

Italy has been hit hard by the coronavirus and Serie A was one of the first sports leagues — if not the very first — to be affected by the pandemic, starting with games without fans and then a full shutdown. Things have gotten so bad in that country that Catholic churches nationwide are holding virtual services in lieu of attending mass. Serie A players and club medical staffs are threatening to take action if the league pushes for normal training to resume too soon.

“Considering the serious evolution of the COVID-19 infection around the world, the emerging spread of contagion within football and its staff, Serie A medics express their strong concern about protecting the health of club employees should training and other group assemblies be resumed soon.

“Therefore, unanimously, the medics advise that we do not resume training until a clear improvement of the emergency situation.”

Medical personnel and players could strike if pushed to return sooner than they deem safe.

Free Kicks

  • As someone who has a normal grocery day approaching and [/does quick inventory] four remaining rolls of toilet paper in the house, I got a kick out of this sign.

  • Send Paul Shaw your training video after watching this tip:

  • Antonio Nocerino showing off his skills.

  • I always felt like Ole Gunnar Solskjær was probably a good dude. Now we have even more confirmation of that.

  • I can’t decide what’s better here — the goal or the celly.

  • In addition to Pereyra, those born on this date include former U.S. president Andrew Jackson (1767); American blues man Lightnin’ Hopkins (1912); football’s Norm Van Brocklin (1926); Ruth Bader Ginsberg (1933); Taxi star Judd Hirsch (1935); Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh (1940); Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love (1941); wrestling’s The Iron Sheik (1942); horror filmmaking legend David Cronenberg (1943); soul/funk icon Sly Stone (1943); baseball’s Bobby Bonds (1946); Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider (1955); baseball’s Mike Pagliarulo (1960); singers Terence Trent D’Arby, (1962), Bret Michaels (1962), Rockwell (1964), and Mark McGrath (1968), Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (1972); actress Eva Longoria (1975); and France/Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (1993).

That’s all my time for this morning. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, stay safe, and keep checking The Mane Land for updates. And let us know what you’re binge watching during this sports-less segment of our existence.

Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/14/24

MLS playoff predictions, Barbra Banda and Marta earn recognition, USMNT takes on Jamaica tonight, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve been a bit under the weather this week, but it’s at least meant I’ve been able to spend more time with my cat and get some reading done when not hacking up a lung. But enough about that, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

MLS Conference Semifinal Predictions

Former Orlando City captain Sacha Kljestan weighed in on which of the remaining eight teams will prevail in the MLS playoffs. He predicts that Atlanta United can lean on its counterattacking and Brad Guzan’s goalkeeping to beat Orlando City when the two rivals face off in Orlando on Nov. 24. A key thing to watch heading into the match is if Head Coach Oscar Pareja switches things up up top given Ramiro Enrique’s slump.

Kljestan predicts a tight match between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls, but has NYCFC moving on. He also has both the LA Galaxy and LAFC advancing in the Western Conference, which would set up a playoff edition of El Trafico.

Pride Players Make ESPN’s Top 50

ESPN unveiled its annual list of the top 50 women’s soccer players and a pair of Orlando Pride players made the list. Forward Barbra Banda is ranked third on the list for crushing it in her first year in the NWSL, scoring 13 goals to help the Pride win the NWSL Shield. Marta, who has not been listed in the past two years, ranked 26th for turning back the clock at 38 years old and creating 46 chances for Orlando this season. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati tops the list, with Naomi Girma in second, Caroline Graham Hansen in fourth, and Sophia Smith rounding out the top five. There are many voters for this year’s list from around the world, including Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter.

Steven Moreira Named Defender of the Year

The Columbus Crew’s Steven Moreira was named 2024 MLS Defender of the Year after a strong season. He made 27 appearances for the Crew this season and was a key part of his team’s success in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup this year. Moreira also helped out offensively with two goals and four assists and was an All-Star this year. The 30-year-old beat out Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba and Seattle Sounders center back Jackson Ragen for the award.

USMNT Takes On Jamaica Tonight

The United States Men’s National Team will play its first competitive match under Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino tonight when it takes on Jamaica in Kingston in the Concacaf Nations League. Although the U.S. may be favored in this series, playing on the road in Concacaf is always tough and Jamaica tends to keep things close against the Yanks. Tonight’s match is the first of the two-leg quarterfinals, with the two nations facing off again in St. Louis on Monday. Hopefully Pochettino can get the team firing on all cylinders as it continues to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Free Kicks

  • In a rollercoaster of a match, the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team fell in a penalty shootout to Brazil in the Deaf Pan American Games. The U.S. took the lead in extra time, but Brazil battled back to tie it, winning from the spot to reach the final.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/13/24

Orlando City’s international call-ups, Orlando Pride playoffs preview, NWSL Awards voting opens, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Orlando City might have to wait a week to continue its playoff journey, but the Orlando Pride do not. The Kansas City Current are coming to town this Sunday for the third meeting between these NWSL heavyweights this year, and I will be there. I hope you will make it to Inter&Co Stadium to show this Pride club how much we appreciate all they have done this season in their final home match of the season. For now, let’s get to the links.

Lions on International Duty

Several Orlando City players received call-ups for this international break, including Facundo Torres for Uruguay. Additionally, the following also got the call: David Brekalo with Slovenia, Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena for Peru, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson for Iceland, and Favian Loyola for Chile’s U-20 squad. All we can hope for is they all stay healthy and in form. Orlando City’s next opponent, Atlanta United, also had several players called up.

The NWSL Playoffs Continue

The Orlando Pride will face the fourth-place Kansas City Current this weekend after decimating the Chicago Red Stars Friday. There’s been a lot of drama between these two clubs, making this an intriguing semifinal match. The other match sees the second-place Washington Spirit take on third-place NJ/NY Gotham FC. While we get to enjoy seeing the Pride continue their NWSL playoff run, many clubs are now watching from home and working on next season’s campaign.

NWSL Award Voting Open

The NWSL has opened the “fans voting round” for its 2024 end-of-season awards. There are several Pride players who were named finalists, including Barbra Banda, Marta, Emily Sams, Kylie Strom, and Anna Moorhouse. Of course, Seb Hines is up for NWSL Coach of the Year in what should be a foregone conclusion. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out there and submit your vote here. This is your chance to make a difference for Hines and these Pride players who have given so much this season.

Pepi is Ready

The USMNT will play its first competitive match under Mauricio Pochettino against Jamaica Thursday night in the first leg of a Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series. The U.S. doesn’t have a ton of options at forward, meaning Ricardo Pepi will likely get the start. The PSV striker said he feels he’s “ready to be the man.” It’s been years since anyone locked down the starting role up top for the USMNT. Let’s hope that Pepi is indeed ready.

Free Kicks

  • In unsurprising news, Charlotte FC’s Kristijan Kahlina was named 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Orlando fans are all too familiar with how good Kahlina is in goal. Honestly, Khalina is a very deserving winner.
  • England’s squad will look very different this international window with eight players out due to injury, including Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.
  • The UScpMNT match scheduled for today has been postponed due to inclement weather.
  • Coventry City has its eye on Frank Lampard as a possible replacement for Mark Robins as manager.
  • We have unfortunately seen the last of Memphis 901 FC. It is a sad day, as we’re unlikely to see such a cool name with whatever Santa Barbara comes up with.
  • We’re sad to share that FC Cincinnati’s Marco Angulo passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and teammates.
  • Finally, I leave you with Ally Watt solving a Rubik’s Cube.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Pride’s playoff match against the Kansas City Current. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/12/24

Examining Orlando City’s playoff path, what to watch in the Concacaf Nations League, Lily Yohannes declares for the U.S., and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City / Jeremy Reper

Happy Tuesday, everyone! The weekend couldn’t have gone much better for Orlando’s soccer teams, as both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride advanced after their respective playoff games, with the Pride dominating Chicago and the Lions getting a late, dramatic equalizer before winning the penalty shootout. The Pride will return to action Sunday against the Kansas City Current, while the Lions have a slightly longer layoff before they take on Atlanta United. As usual, we have plenty to discuss this morning, so let’s get into the links.

Orlando City’s Playoff Path

It was a wild weekend for the MLS playoffs as far as the Eastern Conference was concerned, and a slew of upsets suddenly means that the path to the MLS Cup final in the Eastern Conference goes through Orlando. The Lions are the highest remaining seed in the East, and not only will they host Atlanta Nov. 24, but they would also host the Eastern Conference final, should they come out victorious. Oscar Pareja spoke after the game about not wanting the victory over Charlotte FC to be the end of the playoff journey, and says the team intends to chase the MLS Cup. If Orlando does make it that far, the team wouldn’t be likely to host the match, as it would require Minnesota United to come out of the Western Conference in order for the final to be held in Orlando. Stranger things have happened though.

What to Watch For With the USMNT

It seems like we just had an international break, but here we are again with two more United States Men’s National Team games on the docket. These are two important games, as the USMNT squares off against Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. Besides the obvious chance to advance to the semifinals, there are plenty of other storylines to keep an eye on. With Josh Sargent and Folarin Balogun both absent due to injury, can Ricardo Pepi seize an opportunity to lay claim to the starting striker role? What sort of impacts can Brendan Aaronson and Weston McKennie have in the midst of good starts to the season for their clubs? Last, but certainly not least, is Christian Pulisic, who has had a fantastic start to the season and will have many eyes on him in the first competitive matches under Mauricio Pochettino.

Lily Yohannes Chooses the United States

The United States Women’s National Team has landed a great young talent, as Lily Yohannes announced on Monday that she has chosen to represent the U.S. over the Netherlands. While she was born in Virginia, Yohannes has lived abroad since the age of 10, making her eligible to play for either country. However, she stated that with the United States being her country of birth, as well as where her extended family lives, she decided to commit to representing Emma Hayes’ team. Yohannes made her debut for Ajax’s senior side in November of last year, and has seven goals in 40 appearances for the Dutch team.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

As always, the transfer rumor mill continues to turn, which means we have plenty of things to catch up on. We start with Major League Soccer itself, where FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta has said he may have played his final game for the club. He cited frustration with falling short of silverware as a possible reason for wanting to move on, so he may change his mind once the sting has faded more. Moving to Spain, Barcelona is reportedly monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush as an option to replace the aging Robert Lewandowski. Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be interested in Leroy Sane, and will pursue him hard if contract talks with Bayern Munich don’t progress well.

Free Kicks

  • NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman had some friendly words for the Orlando Pride.

That does it for me today. Vamos Orlando!

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