Lion Links: 10/5/20

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! I know that it’s the fifth of October, but the number that’s been on my mind is nine. Nine games. Orlando City has just been leading us down the primrose path of unbeaten matches, and I’m here for it. Speaking of being here for something, the entire first season of Ted Lasso is available to stream. If for some reason you haven’t heard me or thousands of others on social media recommend it already, you should check this show out. It is exactly the type of show that we need right now in the longest year ever.

Orlando City Makes Adjustments

With several usual starters out of the lineup for Orlando City, plenty of other players needed to step up, and that is just what happened in the match against the New York Red Bulls. 2020 has seen multiple players score goals, including Antonio Carlos in the last match. With both Ruan and João Moutinho out, Orlando City has had to adjust to different fullbacks with different skill sets, though the results have been the same.

Lions Still Not On Top

Having the best season since joining MLS, extending the club’s longest unbeaten streak in MLS, and playing beautiful soccer are not enough reasons to put the club in the top echelon of the Eastern Conference according to some. I get that there have been five years of pain and disappointment for Orlando City supporters, but surely the product on the field should garner more respect? Of course, even Alexi Lalas didn’t want to do more than say that the Lions are doing well, but he doesn’t see them as MLS Cup winners. As it is, the Columbus Crew and Toronto FC are evidently at a different level than the Lions despite a nine-game run of form. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Alex Morgan Nearing Return to Full Fitness

Some of the biggest names on the United States Women’s National Team are plying their trade in Europe, including Rose Lavelle, Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Sam Mewis, and the Orlando Pride’s own Alex Morgan. Heath provided an assist for Manchester United, and Mewis scored a goal for Manchester City this weekend in the Women’s Super League.

Despite joining Tottenham Hotspur, Morgan has yet to make her debut, which is not especially surprising given she is still working her way back from her pregnancy, but she is making great progress. Of course, that didn’t help her new club or Pride teammates Alanna Kennedy and Shelina Zadorsky as Tottenham fell 4-1 to Manchester United. 

Sergino Dest Makes His Debut

United States Men’s National Team defender Sergino Dest was the very first American to play for Barcelona’s first team in an official game. The youngster came on in the 75th minute, and was 11-for-11 in his passing, creating a chance for Lionel Messi. Dest is now one of many young Americans playing with some of the biggest clubs in the world. Between Dest, Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, and others, the future is bright for the USMNT.

Free Kicks

• Pride forward Claire Emslie scored a brace in Everton’s 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa this weekend. Elsewhere in England, Emily van Egmond made her first start for West Ham United in the club’s 1-0 loss to Reading. Emslie and van Egmond are just two of the many Pride players sent abroad to get more playing time before next season.
• It turns out that Fulham is one of the best clubs for American talent. With Antonee Robinson getting the start for Fulham this weekend, that makes eight Americans to have played for the club. 
• In the Bundesliga, Chris Richards was the first American to start for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and he had an assist as well. Landon Donovan did play six matches for Bayern Munich, but all were off the bench.
• It was a painful day for both Michael and myself as our respective English Premier League clubs both lost by five (yes, five) goals. It wasn’t pretty, but at least we have Orlando City. It really does sound weird to say that. 
• The Florida State women’s soccer team recorded its fourth-straight shutout this season, defeating Wake Forest 4-0 on Sunday. 

That will do it for today. Keep checking back for match previews and coverage, as the matches are coming fast and furious. Go City!