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Lion Links: 10/13/22

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How’s it going, Mane Landers? This time last week, we were in anguish over Orlando City’s loss to Inter Miami. Now, we’re gearing up for Orlando’s playoff match this Sunday. That’s just the kind of season it’s been for the Lions, and hopefully we have more to be happy about come next Thursday. For now though, let’s enjoy these links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Will Play a Tough CF Montreal Team

The Lions are in the playoffs for the third straight year and will face one of the league’s best teams on Sunday when they travel to Canada to take on CF Montreal. The Canadian club has not lost since Aug. 31 and has won eight of its past 10 matches. These two teams last faced off on May 7, with Orlando falling 4-1 on the road. However, Orlando won 2-0 in its season opener against Montreal back in February and also beat Montreal on Decision Day last year to clinch a playoff spot. Orlando’s defense will have to find a way to stop a potent Montreal attack led by Kei Kamara, Romell Quioto, and Djordje Mihailovic. While the Lions will be underdogs in this match, they’ve found ways to win important games throughout this year.

Gallese Up for MLS Save of the Year, Kara Up for Top Goal

The recognition doesn’t end there for Orlando players. Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s save on the road against Dom Dwyer was nominated for MLS Save of the Year. El Pulpo made a full extension to deny Dwyer from scoring against his former team, helping the Lions secure a crucial result on the road against their rival. Gallese’s save faces stiff competition from the other excellent goalkeepers in the league, such as Andre Blake, Joe Willis, and Dayne St. Clair.

Orlando also had a player nominated for MLS Goal of the Year in the form of Ercan Kara. The Austrian Designated Player is up for the award due to his silky smooth team goal back on April 16 in a 2-0 win at Columbus. If you don’t want to watch all of the nominees, you can just watch Kara’s below.

Getting Ready for the MLS Playoffs

While we’re all understandably focused on Orlando’s match on Sunday, there’s plenty of playoff soccer worth checking out this weekend. Here’s a nice refresher on the playoff format, the schedule, and how yellow card accumulation will work. Half of the teams in this year’s playoffs didn’t qualify last year and only three of the teams have ever won the MLS Cup before. LAFC and the Philadelphia Union are the favorites to win it all, but there are plenty of dark horses in this race.

If Orlando beats Montreal, it will face the winner between New York City FC and Inter Miami. After some uncertainty on where the Pigeons would play, NYCFC will host Miami at Citi Field on Monday at 7 p.m. Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati’s red-hot offense heads to Red Bull Arena to face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at noon. It should be an exciting match to get the playoffs started.

More Clubs Reach the Champions League Knockout Stage

Napoli advanced to the knockout stage of the Champions League after a 4-2 win at home against Ajax. The Italian club has won all four of its matches so far, scoring an impressive 17 goals while only conceding four. Belgium’s Club Brugge clinched a spot in the knockout stage for the first time following its scoreless draw with Atletico Madrid. Club Brugge is undefeated in the group stage and has yet to concede a goal. Bayern Munich also secured its spot in the knockout round, beating Viktoria Plzen 4-2.

The most dramatic match was a 3-3 draw between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan. Barcelona struck first, but needed Robert Lewandowski to equalize twice late in the match to keep the Spanish club’s hopes of making it out of the group stage. Despite the result, Inter only needs a win over Viktoria Plzen to advance and send Barcelona to the Europa League. Mo Salah scored a hat trick in just a little over six minutes after coming off the bench in Liverpool’s 7-1 win over Rangers. Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min had a brace in his club’s 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Free Kicks

  • Cincy forward Brenner was named MLS Player of the Month for the months of September and October after scoring nine goals and adding two assists in the club’s final five games. Brenner also won MLS Goal of the Week for his nice goal on Decision Day.
  • Although the Orlando Pride won’t be participating, there is still NWSL playoff soccer to look forward to this Sunday. The Houston Dash will host the Kansas City Current at 5 p.m. Later, at 10 p.m., former Pride forward Alex Morgan and San Diego Wave FC will welcome the Chicago Red Stars to Snapdragon Stadium.
  • While controversy surrounds the Portland Thorns organization, goalkeeper Bella Bixby asked that fans attend the team’s playoff match on Oct. 23 to support the players. Bixby also spoke about the complexity of this issue and that she understands the decision by some fans not to attend.

  • Former Pride head coach Marc Skinner spoke about the need for women’s soccer to adapt and improve so that it can better protect players.
  • Following the USWNT’s pair of losses in Europe, All For XI’s Kudzi Musarurwa dived into if a change in formation and tactics is needed and how the team’s inflexibility could be a weakness.
  • UEFA wants an explanation on why Sunil Gulati, the former president of the United States Soccer Federation, ignored claims of abuse in the NWSL according to the Yates Report. Gulati is currently the chairman of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body.

I hope you enjoyed today’s links! We have a weekend filled with soccer ahead of us, so that should help get us through the next couple of work days. Have a great Thursday!

Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/14/24

MLS playoff predictions, Barbra Banda and Marta earn recognition, USMNT takes on Jamaica tonight, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve been a bit under the weather this week, but it’s at least meant I’ve been able to spend more time with my cat and get some reading done when not hacking up a lung. But enough about that, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

MLS Conference Semifinal Predictions

Former Orlando City captain Sacha Kljestan weighed in on which of the remaining eight teams will prevail in the MLS playoffs. He predicts that Atlanta United can lean on its counterattacking and Brad Guzan’s goalkeeping to beat Orlando City when the two rivals face off in Orlando on Nov. 24. A key thing to watch heading into the match is if Head Coach Oscar Pareja switches things up up top given Ramiro Enrique’s slump.

Kljestan predicts a tight match between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls, but has NYCFC moving on. He also has both the LA Galaxy and LAFC advancing in the Western Conference, which would set up a playoff edition of El Trafico.

Pride Players Make ESPN’s Top 50

ESPN unveiled its annual list of the top 50 women’s soccer players and a pair of Orlando Pride players made the list. Forward Barbra Banda is ranked third on the list for crushing it in her first year in the NWSL, scoring 13 goals to help the Pride win the NWSL Shield. Marta, who has not been listed in the past two years, ranked 26th for turning back the clock at 38 years old and creating 46 chances for Orlando this season. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati tops the list, with Naomi Girma in second, Caroline Graham Hansen in fourth, and Sophia Smith rounding out the top five. There are many voters for this year’s list from around the world, including Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter.

Steven Moreira Named Defender of the Year

The Columbus Crew’s Steven Moreira was named 2024 MLS Defender of the Year after a strong season. He made 27 appearances for the Crew this season and was a key part of his team’s success in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup this year. Moreira also helped out offensively with two goals and four assists and was an All-Star this year. The 30-year-old beat out Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba and Seattle Sounders center back Jackson Ragen for the award.

USMNT Takes On Jamaica Tonight

The United States Men’s National Team will play its first competitive match under Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino tonight when it takes on Jamaica in Kingston in the Concacaf Nations League. Although the U.S. may be favored in this series, playing on the road in Concacaf is always tough and Jamaica tends to keep things close against the Yanks. Tonight’s match is the first of the two-leg quarterfinals, with the two nations facing off again in St. Louis on Monday. Hopefully Pochettino can get the team firing on all cylinders as it continues to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Free Kicks

  • In a rollercoaster of a match, the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team fell in a penalty shootout to Brazil in the Deaf Pan American Games. The U.S. took the lead in extra time, but Brazil battled back to tie it, winning from the spot to reach the final.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/13/24

Orlando City’s international call-ups, Orlando Pride playoffs preview, NWSL Awards voting opens, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Orlando City might have to wait a week to continue its playoff journey, but the Orlando Pride do not. The Kansas City Current are coming to town this Sunday for the third meeting between these NWSL heavyweights this year, and I will be there. I hope you will make it to Inter&Co Stadium to show this Pride club how much we appreciate all they have done this season in their final home match of the season. For now, let’s get to the links.

Lions on International Duty

Several Orlando City players received call-ups for this international break, including Facundo Torres for Uruguay. Additionally, the following also got the call: David Brekalo with Slovenia, Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena for Peru, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson for Iceland, and Favian Loyola for Chile’s U-20 squad. All we can hope for is they all stay healthy and in form. Orlando City’s next opponent, Atlanta United, also had several players called up.

The NWSL Playoffs Continue

The Orlando Pride will face the fourth-place Kansas City Current this weekend after decimating the Chicago Red Stars Friday. There’s been a lot of drama between these two clubs, making this an intriguing semifinal match. The other match sees the second-place Washington Spirit take on third-place NJ/NY Gotham FC. While we get to enjoy seeing the Pride continue their NWSL playoff run, many clubs are now watching from home and working on next season’s campaign.

NWSL Award Voting Open

The NWSL has opened the “fans voting round” for its 2024 end-of-season awards. There are several Pride players who were named finalists, including Barbra Banda, Marta, Emily Sams, Kylie Strom, and Anna Moorhouse. Of course, Seb Hines is up for NWSL Coach of the Year in what should be a foregone conclusion. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out there and submit your vote here. This is your chance to make a difference for Hines and these Pride players who have given so much this season.

Pepi is Ready

The USMNT will play its first competitive match under Mauricio Pochettino against Jamaica Thursday night in the first leg of a Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series. The U.S. doesn’t have a ton of options at forward, meaning Ricardo Pepi will likely get the start. The PSV striker said he feels he’s “ready to be the man.” It’s been years since anyone locked down the starting role up top for the USMNT. Let’s hope that Pepi is indeed ready.

Free Kicks

  • In unsurprising news, Charlotte FC’s Kristijan Kahlina was named 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Orlando fans are all too familiar with how good Kahlina is in goal. Honestly, Khalina is a very deserving winner.
  • England’s squad will look very different this international window with eight players out due to injury, including Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.
  • The UScpMNT match scheduled for today has been postponed due to inclement weather.
  • Coventry City has its eye on Frank Lampard as a possible replacement for Mark Robins as manager.
  • We have unfortunately seen the last of Memphis 901 FC. It is a sad day, as we’re unlikely to see such a cool name with whatever Santa Barbara comes up with.
  • We’re sad to share that FC Cincinnati’s Marco Angulo passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and teammates.
  • Finally, I leave you with Ally Watt solving a Rubik’s Cube.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Pride’s playoff match against the Kansas City Current. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/12/24

Examining Orlando City’s playoff path, what to watch in the Concacaf Nations League, Lily Yohannes declares for the U.S., and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City / Jeremy Reper

Happy Tuesday, everyone! The weekend couldn’t have gone much better for Orlando’s soccer teams, as both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride advanced after their respective playoff games, with the Pride dominating Chicago and the Lions getting a late, dramatic equalizer before winning the penalty shootout. The Pride will return to action Sunday against the Kansas City Current, while the Lions have a slightly longer layoff before they take on Atlanta United. As usual, we have plenty to discuss this morning, so let’s get into the links.

Orlando City’s Playoff Path

It was a wild weekend for the MLS playoffs as far as the Eastern Conference was concerned, and a slew of upsets suddenly means that the path to the MLS Cup final in the Eastern Conference goes through Orlando. The Lions are the highest remaining seed in the East, and not only will they host Atlanta Nov. 24, but they would also host the Eastern Conference final, should they come out victorious. Oscar Pareja spoke after the game about not wanting the victory over Charlotte FC to be the end of the playoff journey, and says the team intends to chase the MLS Cup. If Orlando does make it that far, the team wouldn’t be likely to host the match, as it would require Minnesota United to come out of the Western Conference in order for the final to be held in Orlando. Stranger things have happened though.

What to Watch For With the USMNT

It seems like we just had an international break, but here we are again with two more United States Men’s National Team games on the docket. These are two important games, as the USMNT squares off against Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. Besides the obvious chance to advance to the semifinals, there are plenty of other storylines to keep an eye on. With Josh Sargent and Folarin Balogun both absent due to injury, can Ricardo Pepi seize an opportunity to lay claim to the starting striker role? What sort of impacts can Brendan Aaronson and Weston McKennie have in the midst of good starts to the season for their clubs? Last, but certainly not least, is Christian Pulisic, who has had a fantastic start to the season and will have many eyes on him in the first competitive matches under Mauricio Pochettino.

Lily Yohannes Chooses the United States

The United States Women’s National Team has landed a great young talent, as Lily Yohannes announced on Monday that she has chosen to represent the U.S. over the Netherlands. While she was born in Virginia, Yohannes has lived abroad since the age of 10, making her eligible to play for either country. However, she stated that with the United States being her country of birth, as well as where her extended family lives, she decided to commit to representing Emma Hayes’ team. Yohannes made her debut for Ajax’s senior side in November of last year, and has seven goals in 40 appearances for the Dutch team.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

As always, the transfer rumor mill continues to turn, which means we have plenty of things to catch up on. We start with Major League Soccer itself, where FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta has said he may have played his final game for the club. He cited frustration with falling short of silverware as a possible reason for wanting to move on, so he may change his mind once the sting has faded more. Moving to Spain, Barcelona is reportedly monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush as an option to replace the aging Robert Lewandowski. Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be interested in Leroy Sane, and will pursue him hard if contract talks with Bayern Munich don’t progress well.

Free Kicks

  • NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman had some friendly words for the Orlando Pride.

That does it for me today. Vamos Orlando!

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