Lion Links: 9/21/21

I know it’s Tuesday, but I’m back for a second day in a row to bring you all the soccer goodness that is at least Orlando adjacent. Well, goodness might be a stretch for most of us right now, but we can take comfort in knowing that Ted Lasso won seven Emmy awards Sunday night. So, we have that. Which is nice. Oh, and my local Wal-Mart is stocking Utz brand potato chips. I grew up eating Utz potato chips, and this makes me very happy. Now that I’ve shared some positive stuff, let’s get to the links.

Orlando Drops Points and in Polls

The Lions are riding a three-match losing streak, and the club has dropped to fourth in the Eastern Conference and is only four points above the playoff line. They also dropped to ninth in the ESPN Power Rankings thanks to the run of bad form. Of course, there are potential consequences for a series of losses at this point in the season. The players and coaches are well aware, and are saying all the right things. Whether they back up the words may determine how Orlando City’s season finishes.

Orlando City: ”It’s in the Game”

I’m not a huge gamer, but I understand that there are those who are, and some gamers also follow Orlando City. It turns out that a few Orlando City players made some top 10 lists in EA Sports FIFA 22. Nani ranked second overall for MLS players.

As you can see, Ruan is the fastest, beating out the likes of Michael Barrios and Jürgen Damm. On the defensive side of things, Pedro Gallese makes the list, as does Emmanuel Mas.

USWNT Friendly Tonight

The USWNT closes out the two-game series against Paraguay at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati tonight at 7:45 p.m. The U.S. defeated Paraguay 9-0 in the previous match, and this match shouldn’t be much of a challenge either. Alex Morgan will be on hand for the U.S. and these matches are a part of four games that will be the last of Carli Lloyd’s career with the USWNT. Lloyd scored a massive five goals in the first match. I’m not saying Lloyd will or should match that output tonight, but I’m not not saying she will either. The USWNT’s next matches are against Korea Republic on Oct. 21 and 26.

The GOAT Does it Again

No one is more familiar with Marta’s quality than Orlando Pride fans, except perhaps Brazil Women’s National Team supporters. Brazil defeated Argentina 4-1 in a friendly yesterday with Marta scoring the goal that sealed the win in the 37th minute. Marta put a free kick off the top bar and into the goal. It was so well placed the keeper didn’t even move.

I can’t wait for Marta to come back and do that for the Pride.

Free Kicks

• Attacking midfielder Alan Soñora plays for Club Atlético Independiente in the Argentine Primera División. Soñora is expressing interest in playing internationally for the USMNT.
• Australian referee Jarred Gillett is slated to become the first overseas official to be the head referee of an English Premier League match. Gillett will referee the match between Watford and Newcastle this coming Saturday.
• Concacaf is making some sort of “big announcement” today at 4 p.m. If that doesn’t scare you, just know that Don Garber will be in attendance.

That will do it for today. Enjoy the USWNT match tonight and go Yanks!