Lion Links: 8/15/22

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! If you didn’t know, this was the first time that Orlando City, OCB, and the Orlando Pride all won on the same weekend since May 2016. It is also the first time ever that all three teams earned shutout wins on the same weekend. It’s rare that the results are so merry, but I’ll take it. Let’s also wish a happy birthday to Orlando defender Thomas Williams! Without further ado, let’s get to the links.

Pato’s Injury Raises Concerns for Orlando

Orlando City may have won the match against the New York Red Bulls this weekend, but in doing so Alexandre Pato sustained an injury that forced him to be stretchered off the pitch. Pato was using crutches to get around after the match. Given his injury history, Orlando City supporters are right to be worried. We will have to wait to see how bad the injury is, and when he might be able to return. The injury doesn’t come at a great time with Ercan Kara still on the injured list. There are only a few weeks until the U.S. Open Cup match in September and the Lions will need all the attacking options they can get.

U.S. Falters in FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Group Match

The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team followed up its 3-0 win over Ghana with a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands. All three goals came before Dutch defender Samantha van Diemen was sent off on a red card in the 82nd minute. The U.S. will need all three points when it faces Japan this Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Ghana suffered another loss, falling 2-0 to Japan. The match was decided on two second-half penalty kicks that Japan converted. Nigeria also claimed victory, defeating South Korea, 1-0. There was plenty of action on Saturday with Germany defeating New Zealand 3-0, Brazil upending Australia 2-0, Spain decimating Costa Rica 5-0, and Mexico drawing Colombia 0-0.

Trouble in Portland

Typically, when one thinks of the Portland Timbers and the Portland Thorns, one thinks of clubs to be emulated. These clubs have excellent attendance numbers, are successful on the pitch, and the supporters seem to love them. Yes, Merritt Paulson hasn’t always been the best, but now it seems that it might go deeper.

There was the whole Paul Riley scandal that should have been a clue, but all the issues haven’t gone away when Riley departed. An internal review delved into current President of Business Mike Golub’s behavior and allegations of a toxic work environment. Many women also provided details on how they and others were inappropriately treated within the organization. This is not a good look for the club considering what happened with Riley, and hopefully this review will improve things moving forward.

Managers Clash in English Premier League

If you skipped Chelsea’s match against Tottenham Hotspur then you missed a good one. Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte were complimentary of each other heading into the match. That didn’t last very long as the pair had to be separated both during the match and after.

Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly started the scoring in the first half, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg equalized for Tottenham in the second half. Not long after, Reece James put Chelsea back on top, but Harry Kane found another equalizer in stoppage time to steal a point for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest earned its first win in the Premier League in decades, defeating West Ham United 1-0 thanks to a goal from Taiwo Awoniyi late in the first half. Liverpool hosts Crystal Palace today at 3 p.m. to finish out the second week of the season.

Free Kicks

• Leeds United is reportedly considering pursuing Kai Wagner of the Philadelphia Union. It seems that Jesse Marsch has been talking with Jim Curtin about it.
• Former USMNT player and current soccer analyst Stu Holden says that Yunus Musah is the player to watch when the U.S. plays in the World Cup later this year.
• The future of the USWNT’s midfield may be found in the college ranks. United Soccer Coaches has announced its list of Division 1 players to watch this upcoming season.
• The Afghanistan Women’s National Soccer Team is in exile in Australia, though its will and drive to compete is still strong.

That will do it for today. Enjoy a week of purple goodness, and check in for information on this week’s upcoming matches. Vamos Orlando!