Lion Links: 8/22/20

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope everyone had a great week as we get ready for another Orlando City game day. It will be interesting to see how the Lions will adapt to being away from Orlando for the first time in months, but I’m looking forward to tonight’s match-up against Inter Miami CF. Now, let’s get to the Links!

Lions Add Striker Matheus Aiás

Orlando City SC acquired forward Matheus Aiás from English Championship side Watford FC via transfer for an undisclosed amount. The 23-year-old Brazilian signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Lions with an option for a third year. Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi shared his thoughts below on the Lions’ recent signing.

“We are very excited to add Matheus to our roster. He is an exciting young player that we have been looking at for some time that we think will make an immediate impact amongst our group,” Orlando City EVP of Soccer Ops Luiz Muzzi said. “As a club we continue to work to add difference makers to our team and we think Matheus will fit that mold in the near future and beyond.”

Matheus was recently on loan with CD Mirandés for two seasons, helping the club get promoted to Spain’s Segunda División in 2019. He’ll add much-needed depth at the position with Dom Dwyer still recovering from knee surgery.

Orlando City Sends Patiño Out On Loan

While the Lions added a new striker, they also announced that Santiago Patiño will go out on loan to Mexico. He will join Cimarrones de Sonora of Mexico’s  Liga de Expansión MX for the rest of the 2020 season. Muzzi weighed in on Patiño’s move to Mexico.

“We’re excited about this opportunity for Santi to gain additional experience and some competitive minutes with Sonora, which will be an important opportunity for him,” Orlando City EVP of Soccer Ops Luiz Muzzi said. “We look forward to seeing his continued development and how he fares in his time in Mexico.”

The 23-year-old made 13 league appearances for the Lions with two goals and an assist and will certainly benefit from more playing time in Mexico.

Pedro Gallese Donates MLS is Back Gloves

Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese is donating the gloves he wore during the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando.

The Peruvian goalkeeper’s decision is part of a challenge for a charity campaign where athletes can donate symbolic soccer objects like replica trophies, historic items, or game-worn apparel for a raffle to assist those in need. Gallese is doing his part to support the cause in South America and all the proceeds that are donated will be used to help others recover from the effects of COVID-19.

Could Messi Leave FC Barcelona?

Lionel Messi has been considering his future with FC Barcelona after the Spanish club was knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich 8-2 a week ago. Even though Barcelona hired former Dutch national team manager Ronald Koeman, and Koeman publicly stated he wants Messi to stay, some board members feel it may be time to sell Messi under the right circumstances. It also appears the board is willing to listen to offers for Messi and allow Koeman to reconstruct the club while reducing its wage bill. He may not be the only one leaving, as Luis Saurez and Jordi Alba may also head out.

I would say it has been a frustrating year for Barcelona considering the lack of trophies, fallout between Messi and former sporting director Eric Abidal earlier this year, and struggles with the coronavirus pandemic. The club has been in disarray for some time and we’ll see how this one plays out. Do you think Lionel Messi will leave FC Barcelona? Let me know in the comments below.

Free Kicks

• Lions boss Oscar Pareja looks forward to a fresh start for the Lions today.

• A loyal soccer fan scored some free tickets to Orlando City’s next home match after some help from Alex Leitão.

• North Carolina Courage Head Coach Paul Riley shut down rumors that Crystal Dunn was heading to the Portland Thorns.

• Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the remainder of the club’s preseason. He may also miss the start of the upcoming season after suffering a knee injury during training.
• Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies has some jokes and is apparently a huge Backstreet Boys fan.

• It appears Juventus decided to move on from Gonzalo Higuain and Sami Khedira.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Stay safe, take care of yourselves, and I’ll see you next time. Go Lions!