Lion Links
Lion Links: 2/15/22
Happy Tuesday, everyone. We are officially under two weeks until Orlando City kicks off its 2022 Major League Soccer season, and personally I’m more excited by the day. As usual, there’s lots to discuss today so let’s get straight into things.
Orlando City Media Day Highlights
Orlando City had its annual Media Day yesterday and there are some important nuggets to take from the day. First up, Ercan Kara said that he got back to training on Monday and he aims to be part of the season opener.
An Ercan Kara update: The #OrlandoCity forward says he returned to training today from an ankle injury he suffered almost 2 weeks ago, says he hopes to be part of the season opening game.
Without asking, he said he was aware of the fan engagement following injury scared.
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) February 14, 2022
On a more concerning note, Luiz Muzzi said that Antonio Carlos is having visa issues, and while the team expected him to join up two weeks ago, the issues have persisted and there currently isn’t an answer. To go back to a brighter subject, Muzzi also said that Pedro Gallese is part of the team’s plans this year, and that a contract renewal for El Pulpo is in the works. Oscar Pareja also spoke about the team’s work on new tactics to try to take the team deeper in the playoffs, and Papi is optimistic that fans will be happy with what they see on Feb. 27.
USWNT World Cup Qualifiers Set
The United States Women’s National Team now knows what it will need to do in order to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the Olympics. For the first time, the Concacaf Women’s Championship will serve as the qualification tournament for both events, and it will take place from July 4-18 in Monterrey, Mexico. The top four finishers in the tournament will qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the winner will automatically qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The second- and third-place teams will compete in a playoff in September 2023 for the second and final spot in the Olympics. This will be the first time in almost a decade that the USWNT will have to qualify for a World Cup in a foreign country, after the last two qualification tournaments were both held in the United States.
MLS Transfer News
Two deals that were reported on over the weekend have been made official. The first one is Jozy Altidore’s move to the New England Revolution, and the terms of the move are…interesting. Jeffrey Carlisle reported that Toronto FC bought out Jozy’s contract, meaning that he joins the Revs as a free agent, and the Canadian club will pay part of his salary during the 2022 and 2023 season. In addition, the Revs will pay Altidore $5 million over the next three years. It seems like an odd choice for a team that didn’t lack in the firepower department last year, but there you go.
4) #NERevs has ponied up a 3-year, max TAM contract that will pay Altidore $5m over three years. So basically he comes out ahead and gets an additional year on his contract from what he originally had with #TFCLive.
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) February 14, 2022
The second official transfer is confirmation of what we covered in yesterday’s Free Kicks, as the transfer of Jamiro Monteiro to the San Jose Earthquakes on a Designated Player deal has been made official. In exchange for Monteiro, the Philadelphia Union will receive $250,000 of 2022 General Allocation Money, a 2022 international roster slot, and up to $200,000 of performance-based GAM in 2023.
Brazil vs. Argentina Set for Replay
FIFA has determined that the Sept. 5 World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will be replayed after it was abandoned due to reported COVID-19 breaches. The original match was called off by the referee after only seven minutes with the score tied at 0-0 after Brazilian health officials entered the field to remove four Argentinian players who had allegedly not complied with COVID-19 guidelines. Both federations were fined by FIFA and the four Argentinian players removed back in September, Emiliano Buendia, Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero, have been given two-match bans for international games. The date and location of the game is yet to be decided.
MLS Teams Dropping New Kits
With the Major League Soccer season just a couple of weeks away, teams are starting to release their jerseys for the upcoming season. League newcomers Charlotte FC dropped another kit that it will wear during the 2022 season after already releasing its “Carolina Kit” back in December. The most recent release, dubbed the “Newly Minted Community Kit” is black with mint green lettering, trim, and accents. Staying closer to home, Orlando City’s new away jersey will be released this Friday at the City Art jam. The launch will feature a speed painting competition by local artists, who will duke it out to create depictions of the club we all love.
Be there for the launch of our new away jersey at this year's City Art Jam 🖼
RSVP Today ➡️ https://t.co/LXvgktAAnx#VamosOrlando | @orlandohealth pic.twitter.com/JuzTfzde2j
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 13, 2022
Free Kicks
- The U.S. schedule has also been set for the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Women’s Championship, with the top three finishers qualifying for the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
- Manchester United is said to have an eye on signing Christopher Nkunku in the summer.
- Antonio Conte has urged patience after Tottenham suffered a third consecutive defeat.
- St. Louis City SC will unveil the naming rights for the team’s stadium today.
That does it for me today. Y’all stay safe out there.
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!
-
Podcasts2 weeks ago
PawedCast Episode 452: Atlanta Rewind, OCB at Chicago, Charlotte Playoff Preview, and More
-
Orlando City1 week ago
Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC: Player Grades and Man of the Match
-
Orlando City2 weeks ago
Orlando City vs. Atlanta United: Player Grades and Man of the Match
-
Lion Links2 weeks ago
Lion Links: 10/21/24
-
Lion Links2 weeks ago
Lion Links: 10/22/24
-
Orlando Pride5 days ago
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign: Three Keys to Victory
-
Orlando City1 week ago
Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC: Five Takeaways
-
Podcasts2 weeks ago
SkoPurp Soccer Episode 66: Gotham Rewind, Orlando Pride News, and More