Lion Links: 10/3/20

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope you all are doing well this week and take advantage of the cooler weather as we enjoy October. It has been a tough week for me as I found out that I’ll be let go from my job at Walt Disney World. This has been a difficult time for everyone, but I believe there will be brighter days ahead. On a more positive note, it’s an Orlando City game day and I’m looking forward to the match this afternoon. Let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Takes on the New York Red Bulls

The Lions return home to face the New York Red Bulls at Exploria Stadium at 4:30 p.m. and you can watch the match on FOX. The Lions look to extend their win streak to nine matches after their 0-0 draw with FC Dallas on Sunday. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made four saves to help get the Lions their second clean sheet of the regular season. Chris Mueller is doing well this season and leads the team with seven goals, followed by Nani and Benji Michel with four each. Mueller also leads in assists with five, although Nani and Mauricio Pereyra are close behind with four.

The New York Red Bulls come into this game after defeating the Montreal Impact 4-1 on Sunday and look to climb up in the standings. The Lions will need to keep an eye on Daniel Royer, who leads the Red Bulls this season with four goals, and Head Coach Oscar Pareja knows this will be an intense match.

“We’re awaiting a team who normally is intense in their games, a team who has been performing lately very well in terms of results. We know very well their idea, so our intentions won’t change,” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. “Obviously recognizing what they do and the opportunities we may have is important for our players, but I don’t have any doubt that [New York] Red Bulls will be a very intense match for sure.”

Lions Staying Mentally Fit

With a hectic schedule pushing the Lions to the limits of their physical fitness, Pareja has done very well rotating players this season. But he’s keeping an eye on their mental health as well. After training this past Wednesday, Pareja had assistant coach and pitmaster Josema Bazan fire up the grill for barbecue to help the Lions enjoy themselves before six games in 16 days. The barbecue is a tradition from Pareja and his staff’s days with FC Dallas, although social distancing protocols had to be followed this time around. Still, the squad is cohesive and focused heading into the final stretch of the season.

Orlando City B Falls to the Greenville Triumph

On the road against the Triumph, Orlando City B lost 2-0 in a tough outing. The Young Lions held until the second half when two goals within a span of five minutes sunk them. The result extends OCB’s losing streak to four games, with no goals during that stretch. Their road trip continues with a meeting against the Richmond Kickers this upcoming Wednesday.

Americans Abroad

Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, who missed the past few games, will be fit to play today when Chelsea takes on Crystal Palace at 7:30 a.m. We also have some Bundesliga action on ESPN+. Giovanni Reyna has started every game for Borussia Dortmund this season and that could continue today against Freiburg at 9:30 a.m. Timothy Chandler could see some time today for Eintracht Frankfurt against Hoffenheim, while Josh Sargent and Werder Bremen play Arminia Bielefeld. Tyler Adams and RB Leipzig will take on Schalke 04 today at 12:30 p.m.

In tomorrow’s action, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson could suit up for Fulham against Wolverhampton. Weston McKennie and Juventus will host Napoli, and we will see if Sergiño Dest makes his debut for FC Barcelona in a match against Sevilla.

Matt Miazga on the Move

Chelsea will loan United States Men’s National Team defender Matt Miazga to Belgian side Anderlecht for the 2020-2021 season. Since joining Chelsea in 2016, this will be the fourth time Miazga has been loaned out after stints with Vitesse, Nantes, and Reading FC. Now that Miazga has joined Anderlecht, he will be reunited with former Red Bull teammate Kemar Lawrence. Miazga should also benefit greatly from learning from one of the greatest center backs in English Premier League history with Vincent Kompany now managing the team. Miazga’s addition will address Anderlecht’s back line issues as the club currently sits in sixth place in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride hit the ground running in training this week. Their next match is against the Houston Dash on Oct. 9.

• The Pride’s Alex Morgan could make her debut for Tottenham Hotspur this weekend against Manchester City, although she stated she wouldn’t be starting.
• Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is apparently prepared to sell winger Daniel James to fund a move for Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.

That will do it for me, Mane Landers. Enjoy your weekend, stay safe, and go Lions!