Lion Links: 5/30/22

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t a great soccer weekend for me, as three of my teams lost, but life goes on. In fact, with MLS taking a break, there’s one less club for me to worry about for a few weeks, though I’m certain I’ll be champing at the bit for the Lions to get back to playing. Before we start today’s links, let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando City B midfielder Alejandro Granados!

Orlando City B Loses to FC Cincinnati 2

The Young Lions played a high-scoring, back-and-forth match with FC Cincinnati 2. Despite scoring first, OCB was ultimately defeated 5-3. It wasn’t all bad as Orlando’s Moises Tablante started things off with an absolute rocket of a goal in the early going.

Jack Lynn added OCB’s other two goals, with one coming from a penalty kick in the second half. The Young Lions are back in action on June 4 at 7 p.m. against New York City FC II.

Giving Back to the Community

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are a part of our local community. Yes, the clubs are in Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League, respectively, but the foundation for the organization is the connection it has with the greater Orlando area. That connection was in effect last week as Vice President of Community Relations Kay Rawlins helped organize the Delivering Hope event in which the club gave 100 beds to children and their families from seven local nonprofit organizations.

Nottingham Forest Earns Promotion to the English Premier League

Nottingham Forest defeated Huddersfield 1-0 to get promoted to the English Premier League for the first time in 23 years. All it took was an own goal from Huddersfield defender Levi Colwill to secure Forest’s promotion. Forest was once one of the best teams in the top tier of English football, and will have the opportunity to build upon what manager Steve Cooper has done since taking over partway into the 2021-2022 campaign.

Player Departures Following Champions League

With many European leagues and the Champions League finished, players and clubs are making decisions heading into the off-season. Marcelo has decided to leave Real Madrid following its 14th Champions League victory. The 34-year-old right back is the most decorated player in the club’s history.

On the other side of that match is Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. The forward is reportedly leaving his club even though his current contract runs through next season. The Senegal international is looking for a new challenge according to reports and there are rumors that the Bundesliga’s Bayern Munich is eyeing the attacker.

Free Kicks

• Ralf Rangnick is leaving Manchester United after taking over for the club as its interim manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s departure back in November. Rangnick is the Austrian National Team’s skipper, and will not continue as an advisor with United due to the demands of running the national team.
• Following Paul Arriola’s brace against Orlando City on Saturday night, some are proposing that he is the best winger in MLS. It’s a bit hard to dispute that claim given the form the United States Men’s National Team player is in at the moment.
• New England Revolution forward Adam Buksa is rumored to depart his MLS side for RC Lens in Ligue 1. With France’s transfer window opening June 10, and New England’s next match scheduled for June 12, Buksa may have played his last match for the Revolution if the move comes to fruition.
• Supporters of Saint-Etienne stormed the field after their club was relegated from Ligue 1 following a 1-1 (5-4) loss on penalty kicks to AJ Auxerre.

That will do it for this edition of your links. Have a great week and check back for our continuing coverage of all things Orlando City, Orlando Pride, and OCB.