PawedCast Episode 247: Toronto FC and Pride-Courage Rewinds, Red Bulls Preview, Nani’s Suspension, and More

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Orlando City extended its season-opening unbeaten to six matches with Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Toronto FC. The Lions were forced to beat the Reds with their captain and both starting fullbacks tied behind their backs but they were stout defensively and got a timely early goal from Tesho Akindele. They also got some great saves from Pedro Gallese.

We discuss the match, Silvester van der Water’s first MLS start, another solid game for the back line, and more. We handed out our Man of the Match selections to the same guy this week. Then we discuss the suspension MLS handed down to Nani just 25 hours before the game. Who asked for it? Why was it necessary? We dissect this and can come to only one conclusion, so put on your tin foil hat before listening to this pod.

We also discussed Daryl Dike’s season at Barnsley coming to an end and what’s next for the big guy before we could possibly see him back in a purple kit at Exploria Stadium. We hope he represents the USMNT proudly and has some success in his upcoming friendlies.

We’re joined by Ben Cork of Once a Metro this week to find out more about Orlando City’s opponents Saturday afternoon — the New York Red Bulls. Ben tells us what’s new with the Red Bulls under their new manager, what is being done to cover for Aaron Long’s season-ending injury, and what we can expect on Saturday at Red Bull Arena.

The Pride got a huge 2-1 road win at the North Carolina Courage on Saturday night, making it a six-point night for the club. Alex Morgan seems to be getting going and Sydney Leroux also found the net, while backup goalkeeper Erin McLeod turned in a standout performance while filling in for Ashlyn Harris (no injury issues there, just some fixture congestion ahead). Orlando faces its toughest challenge of the season so far tonight against Portland and then will also host Kansas City this Sunday. Morgan got another USWNT call-up but it might not affect the Pride much until the Olympics. We explain.

This week’s mailbag has some snark as well as questions about Dike and van der Water. Then we get to our key match-ups and score predictions for Orlando City at the New York Red Bulls.

If there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the next show, just ask by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC.

That’s all for this week.

Stay safe and enjoy the show!

Here’s how show No. 247 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City got its second straight 1-0 win and continued to play stingy defense. We break down the win, Nani’s suspension, and Daryl’s upcoming schedule.

39:29 – Ben Cork jumps on to give us all the intel we need on the New York Red Bulls. With no Nani to fear, he’s setting his sights on Chris Mueller. Not a bad guy to keep an eye on.

1:02:53 – The Orlando Pride win at North Carolina, the Pride’s upcoming opponents, our mailbag, and our key match-ups and predictions for a trip to Red Bull Arena.