Lion Links
Lion Links: 11/25/21
Happy Thanksgiving, Mane Landers! I hope you all made it to your Thanksgiving gathering location safely and are surrounded by your loved ones. So, before you get started preparing your dish for the Thanksgiving meal, lets get into the Lions Links!
Chris Mueller Says Goodbye
After the loss against Nashville SC in the playoffs that marked the end of the 2021 campaign, many Orlando City players came out to thank the fans and say goodbye to the season. There was one player in particular who said his final goodbyes to fans and the club that he has built fond memories with over the years. Chris Mueller will be moving on and took to Twitter to express his heartfelt gratitude along with a two-minute video to the club with which he spent the past four years. Mueller will be leaving the club with many memorable moments, along with being the Lions’ regular-season appearance leader at 112 and tied for all-time assists at 23. It was great to see the young Lion, drafted by Orlando City out of the University of Wisconsin, develop into what he has become now. Here’s to a great Orlando career and a much earned transfer to Europe. Show them what you’ve got in Scotland! Forever a Lion.
Words can’t express the gratitude I feel in my heart for getting to spend the past 4 years in Our City. I will cherish the experiences I’ve had, people I’ve met, and memories I’ve created for the rest of my life ♾
Thank you Orlando, from the bottom of my heart 💜#BTB #CashOut pic.twitter.com/7iSzkJ4Ian
— Christopher Mueller (@cmueller1662) November 24, 2021
USMNT Selects Qualifier Venues
U.S. Soccer has announced the location of the next two home matches for World Cup qualifying. With six matches remaining in qualifying, the USMNT will look to get the most out of its home field advantage by playing these matches up north and hoping the cold weather in late January and early February will work in their favor against these traditionally warm weather countries in El Salvador and Honduras. The selection of Lower.com Field in Columbus may also be a strategic move as the Red, White & Blue will go north to face Canada away just days after the El Salvador game, which will mean shorter travel time for the squad. If you happen to be in the area during these matches or are planning to make the trip, the site also links information for tickets since U.S. Soccer will be using a random draw system once again.
Two Coaches Find New Homes
With the coaching carousel in full effect in MLS, two vacancies have been filled. Former USMNT and LAFC head coach Bob Bradley will be joining forces once again with his son, Michael — this time north of the border with Toronto FC. The Chicago Fire also filled their void at head coach by appointing Ezra Hendrickson. Hendrickson was previously an assistant with the Columbus Crew and also has experience with the LA Galaxy and and Seattle Sounders. It will be interesting to see how the father-son dynamic will work in Toronto with the Bradleys, but the powers that be at TFC are betting it will go smoothly. As for Hendrickson, this will be his first MLS head coaching gig after stints as an assistant. Hendrickson is no stranger on the pitch as he played in MLS from 1997-2008.
A Biennial World Cup Could Be Costly
There have been discussions recently of a biennial World Cup after a recent proposal was made to change the tournament from its traditional four-year cycle, down to every two. This change has been met with strong opposition mainly from UEFA and its leagues as it stands to lose the most in revenue due to it being the most followed globally. A recent report published by Reuters added more fuel for the argument against the change. In the report, a two-year World Cup could cost domestic leagues up to $9 billion annually combined. In addition to UEFA leagues, this report also included MLS along with leagues in Mexico, Japan, and South Africa. Although a World Cup may be fun on paper, player breaks, continental tournaments, and television interest from fans must also be taken into account.
Free Kicks
- MLS has announced its Comeback Player of the Year in Carles Gil.
- ESPN looks at how the top favorites left in the MLS playoffs can avoid shocks in the conference semifinals like the one we saw with Real Salt Lake and Seattle.
- Also announced by MLS is the details on the inaugural MLS NEXT Fest for youth competition.
- If you are looking for the recap of the recent Champions League results, CBS Sports has you covered here.
- With the rumors surrounding Mauricio Pochettino possibly being the next manager for Manchester United, the recent PSG result against Manchester City could be sign of even more trouble in Paris.
- Manchester United is looking for more than just a manager as the latest transfer talk is heating up.
Thats all for me, Mane Landers! Have a great Thanksgiving and make sure to eat as much as you can while in the company of those who mean the most to you. Enjoy!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 11/4/24
Orlando City falls to Charlotte FC in penalty shootout, Orlando Pride defeat the Seattle Reign, Megan Montefusco retires and more.
Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I covered high school cross country state semifinals over the weekend, and I’m getting ready to cover a high school soccer playoff match later this week. We have plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Lions Lose Penalty Shootout to Charlotte FC
Orlando City fell 3-1 on penalties to Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night after playing to a scoreless draw in Game 2 of the MLS Cup playoffs. Orlando’s offense struggled to create anything throughout the match in the attack. The best chance came late in the second half when Facundo Torres thought he had scored the game-winner for Orlando, but the assistant referee deemed him to be offside. In the penalty shootout, Luis Muriel was the only Lion to find the back of the net. Nico Lodeiro and Duncan McGuire had their penalty kicks saved by Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, while Robin Jansson’s kick sailed over the net. The Lions will host Charlotte FC in Game 3 at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday with a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals on the line.
Orlando Pride Defeat the Seattle Reign in Regular Season Finale
The Orlando Pride snapped their two-match losing streak and defeated the Seattle Reign 3-2 to close out the 2024 NWSL regular season. Ally Watt, Kerry Abello, and Marta all scored for the Pride. Even though the Reign fought back to keep it close, Orlando held on for the win. The Pride finished the regular season first in the NWSL standings with 60 points. The Pride will take on the Chicago Red Stars in the quarterfinals of the 2024 NWSL playoffs on Friday in their first home playoff match ever. The match will kick off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
Megan Montefusco Announces Retirement
Orlando Pride defender Megan Montefusco will retire from professional soccer following the 2024 season. She’s played in the NWSL since 2015 and joined the Pride prior to the 2022 season. In her time in Orlando, Montefusco made 45 appearances for Orlando and scored in a 2023 Challenge Cup match against NJ/NY Gotham FC. She did not play in any matches in the 2024 season after undergoing foot surgery during the off-season and was placed on the season-ending injury list. Montefusco finishes her career with 179 appearances, scoring three goals and adding four assists across all competitions.
MLS Playoff Roundup
The first round of the MLS Cup playoffs continued over the weekend, with a few teams booking their spot in the next round. The Columbus Crew’s title defense ended after they lost 5-4 on penalties to the New York Red Bulls after a 2-2 draw. The LA Galaxy dominated the Colorado Rapids 4-1 on the road to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. Minnesota United also moved on, defeating Real Salt Lake in a shootout after a 1-1 draw and the Loons will face the Galaxy. The Seattle Sounders edged past the Houston Dynamo 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to advance to the Western Conference semifinals as well.
New York City FC bounced back with a 3-1 win over FC Cincinnati, while Atlanta United did the same with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami as both teams stayed alive to force a third game in their series. LAFC fell 3-0 on the road to the Vancouver Whitecaps in a match that included two own goals.
Free Kicks
- The U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team defeated England 3-0 to claim third place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
- The MLS NEXT Pro Cup is set, as North Texas SC will host Philadelphia Union II on Saturday. Both clubs shut out their opponents over the weekend to advance.
- Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah posted a message on social media hinting at his future at the club after he scored the winning goal against Brighton on Saturday.
- Wrexham was eliminated from the FA Cup after a 1-0 defeat against Harrogate Town in the first round.
- In its first league match since firing former manager Erik ten Hag, Manchester United drew 1-1 against Chelsea on Sunday.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 11/1/24
Orlando City plays Charlotte FC tonight, Orlando Pride get ready for the Seattle Reign, NWSL playoff scenarios, and more.
Welcome to November, Mane Landers! It’s kind of crazy that there are only two months left of 2024, and I’m not looking forward to the holiday shopping frenzy. I checked on how my resolutions are doing for this year and am going to have to pick up the pace if I want to reach my reading goals. Let’s get this November started with today’s links!
Lions Takes On Charlotte FC Tonight
Orlando City has a chance to book its spot in the next round of the playoffs tonight when it faces off against Charlotte FC at 7:30 p.m. This will be Charlotte’s first playoff game at home since joining the league and it will likely be a loud environment for the Lions to deal with. Charlotte is without Designated Player Pep Biel due to his red card, but midfielders Kerwin Vargas and Patrick Agyemang are more than capable of making an impact. The Lions will have to remain at the top of their game to avoid the series being sent back to Orlando for Game 3 on Nov. 9.
Orlando Pride Prepare for Regular Season Finale
The Orlando Pride will aim to get back on track Saturday night when they take on the Seattle Reign at home in their final game of the regular season. After a pair of losses, a match against the Reign presents a good chance for the team to return to its winning ways after securing its first NWSL Shield. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on how the international break gives the team a decent chance to reset, as well as how playing at home should give the team a boost.
NWSL Playoff Race Nears Its End
While the Pride secured the top spot in the standings weeks ago, a majority of the league has plenty on the line this weekend. There are three teams in contention for the final two playoff spots, and there’s a three-team race for the second seed in the playoffs. The Portland Thorns can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a result tonight against Angel City FC, while Bay FC can clinch with a result tomorrow night against the Houston Dash. If either team loses, it opens the door for Racing Louisville to snatch a spot in the playoffs on Sunday against the San Diego Wave. After last year’s drama that included the Pride narrowly missing out on the playoffs, I’m glad things are already locked up for Orlando this year.
USWNT’s New Era Off to Strong Start
One of the biggest takeaways from the United States Women’s National Team’s trio of victories in the recent international window was how many new players took the field and impressed. Head Coach Emma Hayes utilized plenty of rotation across the three matches, and Pride defender Emily Sams was one of seven players who made their debut. Sams received a rating of 7 coming off the bench in the team’s win over Argentina, a match that showcased just how deep the U.S. player pool is. It’s been a fantastic past few months for Hayes, who leaned on innovation and experimentation with Chelsea and has the U.S. rebuilding while still staying on top.
Free Kicks
- Forward Diana Ordonez won’t play in the Dash’s final game of the season after undergoing successful surgery earlier this week.
- St. Louis City’s home stadium has been named Energizer Park as part of the club’s partnership with the battery manufacturer.
- The NWSL announced the schedule of events leading into the NWSL Championship on Nov. 23. The NWSL Skills Challenge will take place the night prior and the winner of the Lauren Holiday Impact Award will be announced on the day of the match.
- Chicago Fire FC II midfielder David Poreba was named 2024 MLS NEXT Pro MVP after leading the league with 18 goals this season.
- Ruben Amorim stated that there will be clarification on his reported move to Manchester United after Sporting CP’s match today.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and a relaxing weekend!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 10/31/24
Orlando City focused on Game 2, USWNT beats Argentina, U.S. loses in U-17 World Cup, and more.
Happy Halloween! I don’t have any plans for the holiday beyond annoying my cat by dressing him up like a wizard for some photos. Scary movies aren’t exactly my thing either, but I hope you all have a fun time celebrating regardless. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira!
Lions Stay Focused Ahead of Playoff Match
Orlando City will aim to close out its playoff series with Charlotte FC on Friday when the two sides square off in North Carolina. The Lions may be riding high after a solid 2-0 win at home to start its playoff campaign, but Head Coach Oscar Pareja has the team focused on finishing the job to advance to the next round. Pareja spoke about how Orlando’s ability to react and solve problems is a strength and helped the Lions win the first game of the series.
As for Charlotte, MLSsoccer.com‘s Joseph Lowery has it as one of the more likely clubs to turn things around and force a Game 3. Charlotte will have to keep Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda from running rampant if it wants that to happen. Orlando also won’t have to deal with Charlotte midfielder Pep Biel in Friday’s match, as the appeal for the Designated Player’s red card was rejected.
USWNT Shuts Out Argentina
The United States Women’s National Team closed out the international window with a 3-0 win over Argentina in Louisville. Naomi Girma got the scoring started in the 37th minute, nodding in an easy goal after some poor defending from Argentina for her first international goal. An own goal doubled the USWNT’s lead right before halftime, and then Girma secured her brace with another header in the second half. Goalkeeper Mandy Haught made her USWNT debut, making one save in the shutout. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams did not start this time around, with Head Coach Emma Hayes choosing Eva Gaetino to start alongside Girma in the center of the U.S. defense. However, Sams did enter the game in the second half, coming on in the 70th minute. The USWNT will play its final games of the year when it travels to take on England on Nov. 30 and the Netherlands on Dec. 3 in a pair of tough friendlies.
U.S. Falls in U-17 World Cup Semifinal
The U-17 USWNT lost 1-0 to North Korea in the U-17 World Cup semifinals. After a scoreless first half, Ro Un-hyang scored a great goal to give North Korea the win. The U.S. struggled to get much going on offense and didn’t get a single shot on target in the match. There’s still a chance the U.S. can leave the Dominican Republic with silverware, as it will play for third place against either England or Spain on Sunday.
UEFA Invests in Women’s Soccer
In an effort to grow women’s soccer in Europe, UEFA has pledged $1.08 billion towards all levels of the sport over the next six years. Part of the organization’s goals is to double the number of fully professional national leagues and increase the number of professional players. The plan also includes developing more ways for girls and women to play, coach, and referee, starting at the grassroots level. Although this is a hefty amount of money devoted towards women’s soccer, there’s still plenty of work to do in regards to ensuring women can make a living from soccer.
Free Kicks
- The City Beautiful is looking good in celebration of both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride being in the postseason this year.
- MLS Save of the Year went to FC Dallas’s Maarten Paes for his double save to deny Gabriel Pec from the penalty spot. I still prefer Pedro Gallese’s acrobatic double save that was nominated, but this was still nice work from Paes.
- FC Cincinnati’s Luca Orellano won MLS Goal of the Year for his strike from 79.81 yards out to beat CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois on Aug. 31.
- Weston McKennie scored his first goal of the Serie A season by getting his head on the end of a nice cross from fellow American Tim Weah, who later scored the equalizer in Juventus’ 2-2 draw with Parma.
- Diego Chara will return for a 15th season with the Portland Timbers after signing a contract extension with the club through 2025, with an option for 2026 as well.
- Concacaf announced that next year’s Gold Cup final will take place at NRG Stadium in Houston on July 6.
- In its first game since Erik ten Hag’s firing, Manchester United scored four goals in the first half of a 5-2 win over Leicester City. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes both bagged braces in the dominant display at home.
- Jamal Musiala had a hat trick in the first half of Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win against Mainz in the German Cup.
- Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have become co-owners of Wrexham Lager, the brewery that is also one of the team’s sponsors and was founded in 1882.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a happy Halloween and rest of your week!
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