Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/9/22
Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I got a chance to watch Orlando City at Soldier Field this past weekend, and even though the match ended in a draw, it was fun to catch up with some friends from the Orlando Ruckus and Iron Lion Firm supporters groups. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
OCSC Prepares for FC Cincinnati
Orlando City returns home to Exploria Stadium this Saturday to take on FC Cincinnati. The Lions managed to get a 0-0 draw on the road against the Chicago Fire while Cincinnati lost 1-0 to D.C. United and remain at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Orlando sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with four points from its first two matches. It has been a rough start for Cincinnati, which lost its opening match 5-0 on the road to Austin FC. Cincinnati could’ve earned a point against D.C. United this past weekend, but a handball by defender Geoff Cameron late into stoppage time allowed Ola Kamara to slot home a penalty kick. Cincy has given up six goals in two matches and has not been able to find the back of the net.
The Lions have had success against FC Cincinnati in the past two games played between the two at Exploria Stadium, winning 5-1 in 2019 and cruising to a 3-0 victory in 2021. Miguel Gallardo and Evan Weston discussed the Lions’ defensive strengths as they have yet to concede a goal this season.
Taking a quick look back at the first two matches of the season on the #OrlandoCity Roundtable with @EvanLWeston and @migallardo01 🎥 @Ford | #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/WokU29x3HP
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 8, 2022
Orlando Pride Re-sign Parker Roberts
The Orlando Pride announced they have re-signed midfielder Parker Roberts and placed her on the supplemental roster for the upcoming season. Roberts signed a two-year contract that will last through the 2023 NWSL season. She joined the Pride in August of last year and made two appearances for the Pride, coming off the bench and playing 22 minutes. This move will help strengthen the Pride’s midfield depth and give Roberts an opportunity to further her career and development.
Roberts was the final player offered a new contract by the Pride following the 2021 season to re-sign, returning alongside midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard and goalkeeper Kaylie Collins. Ali Riley, Jade Moore, and Taylor Kornieck were also offered new contracts, but have since left the Pride.
Marta Named Pride Captain
Orlando Pride Head Coach Amanda Cromwell made it official that Marta will wear the captain's armband for the Pride this year. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris had served as the team’s captain since 2017 but was traded to NJ/NY Gotham FC this off-season. Marta spoke about representing the Pride and how the team will lead together.
The 2022 Orlando Pride Captain, Marta ©️🐐 #AdAstra pic.twitter.com/doCYIP3436
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) March 8, 2022
Queretaro Will Play Without Fans
After violence at a match between Atlas and Queretaro this past weekend that left 26 people injured and three critically wounded, Liga MX announced that Queretaro will play its home matches without fans for one year and banned the barras supporters’ groups for three years. Queretaro’s ownership group was also banned from league activities for five years and the club will return to previous owners Grupo Caliente, which also owns Club Tijuana and must sell Queretaro by the end of the year. Authorities announced that 14 arrests have been made by police on potential charges such as violence in a sporting event and attempted homicide.
U.S. U-20 Women Beat Haiti 6-0
The United States Women’s U-20 team defeated Haiti 6-0 in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship. Emily Mason scored in the eighth minute, but that was the only goal of the first half. The floodgates opened in the second half as five other players joined Mason on the score sheet. The U.S. has yet to concede a goal in the tournament and will face Puerto Rico in the semifinals tomorrow, with the winner claiming a spot in the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in August. Canada and Mexico will face off in the other semifinal tomorrow.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City remains in the 11th spot in the MLS power rankings after drawing with the Fire.
- MLSsoccer.com’s Charles Boehm listed the best performances from young players in MLS’ Week 2 and Orlando midfielder Cesar Araujo was honorably mentioned.
- Fredy Montero netted a brace and Jordan Morris added a late goal as the Seattle Sounders won 3-0 against Club Leon in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals. New York City FC played against Guatemala’s Comunicaciones FC and won 3-1.
- New York Red Bulls legend Bradley Wright-Phillips has retired. Wright-Phillips thanked his clubs, coaches, teammates, and fans from over the years.
- The United States Men’s National Team may be without goalkeepers Matt Turner and Zack Steffen for its World Cup qualifying matches later this month. Ethan Horvath, Sean Johnson, and 17-year-old Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina could be options in goal for the USMNT.
- FIFA announced that Poland will receive a bye in World Cup qualifying and will face the winner between the Czech Republic and Sweden. Also, the playoff match between Ukraine and Scotland was moved from later this month to June.
- Despite losing 1-0 to Inter, Liverpool won 2-1 on aggregate to advance in the UEFA Champions League. The other match saw Bayern Munich crush Red Bull Salzburg 7-1 to advance to the next round.
- Cincinnati loaned midfielder Ben Mines to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Championship.
- We end our links today with the Lions having fun in training and celebrating center back Antonio Carlos’ birthday with “cake.”
Everything you need for a cake, just deconstructed 😂
A nice late birthday surprise for Antonio Carlos 🎂 #DaleMiAmor | @Pato | @JrUrso pic.twitter.com/lqvk5oS94r
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 8, 2022
That will do it for me, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Wednesday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 11/5/24
Orlando City announces preseason match, how the Orlando Pride turned things around, Americans in midweek action, and more.
Happy Tuesday, everyone. We have a massive week ahead of us, as the Orlando Pride take on the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL playoffs on Friday. That will be followed up by a pivotal Game 3 for Orlando City against Charlotte FC on Saturday. Both matches will be at home, so suffice it to say we have a lot going on around these parts. As usual, we have lots to talk through today, so let’s get into the links.
Orlando City Announces Friendly
Orlando City has announced that the club will play a preseason match against Inter Miami in Tampa on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. The game will take place at Raymond James Stadium at 7:30 p.m., with tickets going on sale to the general public on Nov. 14. There will also be a pregame fan festival set up outside the stadium, which is free if you have a ticket. The decision to play Miami in a preseason game isn’t a surprising one, as it involves minimal travel for both clubs, and a chance to capitalize on the box office draw of Lionel Messi. It is a little surprising that the decision was made to host the game at Raymond James Stadium rather than Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, but it’s possible that the latter wasn’t available, or that there was a desire to capitalize on the additional gate money from the extra 15,000 seats at Raymond James.
How the Pride Escaped the Cellar
In a season that featured several teams who played outstanding campaigns, the Orlando Pride still managed to finish first in the National Women’s Soccer League. It’s a feat made even more impressive when considering how the club has historically struggled, but the change didn’t happen overnight. The rebuild really got underway in 2021, which was when a series of high profile exits and trades began to take place, which would eventually allow the Pride to do a lot of maneuvering in the transfer market. It was a long process though, and it took the arrival of Haley Carter in the front office and Seb Hines as the head coach for things to really start coming together. It’s been an all-around effort, but one that paid off with a first-place finish this season.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a number of Americans playing this week, so make sure you’ve got everything marked down on your calendar. UEFA Champions League action returns tomorrow, as Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, and Richie Ledezma will take on Girona with PSV Eindhoven. Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan face Real Madrid, and Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and Juventus hit the road to take on Weah’s former club, Lille. European action then continues on Thursday as Tanner Tessmann and Lyon face Hoffenheim on the road in the Europa League, and Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis host Celje in the Conference League.
Transfer Rumor Roundup
As always seems to be the case, there are a number of transfer rumors floating around. First up, Spanish outlet Marca says that if Vinicius Jr. becomes available then Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain would be interested in signing him. This comes amid reports that the Brazilian is considering a move to Saudi Arabia. Speaking of Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez could seek an exit from the Blues reportedly due to not being favored by boss Enzo Maresca, with Barcelona and Inter Milan as possible destinations. Finally, Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush is reportedly attracting interest from some of Europe’s big clubs, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool both interested in signing him.
Free Kicks
- The Orlando Pride slipped a spot to third in ESPN’s NWSL power rankings.
- Josh Sargent will be sidelined for at least two months after having surgery for a groin injury.
- Fellow United State’s Men’s National Team player Antonee Robinson assisted on Fulham’s late winner on Monday afternoon.
- Neymar went off injured in his second appearance for Al Hilal since suffering an ACL tear last October.
- Edu has resigned from his position as Arsenal’s sporting director.
That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
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!
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