Lion Links
Lion Links: 11/12/22
Happy Saturday, Mane Land fam. Yesterday was filled with both positive and negative club news. Hopefully, we can make it through the rest of the weekend without any additional surprises. Aside from that, I hope you all are taking time to fill out your 2022 FIFA World Cup brackets. I have completed mine now, and since I’m a self-proclaimed expert, you should follow my advice and have France in the final. The rest is up to you! Let me know in the comments who you have for this year’s main soccer event. Now, on to the links!
Lions Lose Nicholas Gioacchini to St. Louis City
When Orlando City chose to leave USMNT forward Nicholas Gioacchini off of the protected list for the 2022 MLS Expansion Draft, the front office was crossing its fingers he would not get selected. However, Gioacchini was the first player selected by St. Louis City SC.
Gioacchini was brought in to strengthen a struggling Orlando City attack. However, he made only a few appearances across the back half of the season as Head Coach Oscar Pareja often opted for the services of Jake Mulraney or Iván Angulo. With only two starts in six MLS games and another appearance off the bench in the U.S. Open Cup, Gioacchini’s tenure in Orlando has come to a premature close.
Seb Hines Named Pride Head Coach; Team Parts Ways with GM Ian Fleming
The Orlando Pride announced the promotion of Seb Hines to head coach on Friday, removing his “interim” tag. Hines has signed a multi-year contract to lead the Pride, although the length of the contract is undisclosed. At the time of his interim appointment, Hines became the first Black head coach in the NWSL and now makes history as the league’s first-ever Black full-time head coach.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity and look forward to leading the Pride ahead of the 2023 NWSL season. Orlando is a diverse and dynamic city, and I’m excited to build a team identity that reflects the values of our club and our community—a team that Pride fans can be proud of,” Hines said. “It’s an inspiring time to be a part of this organization. We’re creating a competitive environment where players feel heard and supported to succeed. Our ownership group is deeply committed to building a world-class, winning culture, and I’m thrilled to work alongside them to make it a reality.”
The Pride also parted ways with now-former general manager Ian Fleming. The organization will look to increase investment in the Orlando Pride’s staff and resources while the front office will see an overall restructuring of the soccer operations department. As part of the organization’s soccer operations restructure, the GM position will expand and directly report to ownership.
“We are appreciative of the dedication Ian has shown to our organization over the last two seasons and, on behalf of the Pride, wish him the best of luck in his next chapter,” Wilf added. “The NWSL is growing at an incredible and exciting rate, and as we move forward it is important that our Club remains at the forefront of that trajectory to best position ourselves for success in the future. As an ownership group, we are dedicated to investing in Pride soccer operations more than ever before, including the evolution and hiring of new, key positions on the technical staff.”
More from the Newest MLS Expansion Team
Here is how the rest of the 2022 MLS Expansion Draft played out. Following the draft, St. Louis City sent Jake La Cava to Inter Miami in exchange for up to $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). In addition, the expansion side acquired defender Tim Parker from the Houston Dynamo — a player who was eligible for selection in the Expansion Draft — in exchange for $500,000 in GAM split over the next two seasons. However, Houston is giving St. Louis some relief on Parker’s salary, eating a chunk of the defender’s budget charge in 2023 and 2024. St. Louis City SC has already signed two Designated Players for the team’s 2023 season debut — German midfielder Eduard Löwen and Brazilian forward João Klauss, but it will not use the allotted third.
EPL News and Notes
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told national team managers hopeful of having their World Cup players rested this weekend: “Don’t call me!”…Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will miss today’s Premier League match after being given a one-match touchline ban by the Football Association for clashing with the assistant referee during last month’s win over Manchester City…Erik ten Hag is intent on offloading Harry Maguire in the summer to help fund his overhaul of the Manchester United squad.
Free Kicks
- Here is how the rest of the 2022 MLS Expansion Draft played out.
- St. Louis City SC has already signed two Designated Players for the team’s 2023 season debut — German midfielder Eduard Löwen and Brazilian forward João Klauss, but it will not use the allotted third.
- Former USWNT captain Carli Lloyd claims the “winning culture and mentality” that has carried on from generation to generation within the USWNT has been fizzling away.
- Canada found goals from Ismaël Koné and Lucas Cavallini for a 2-2 draw against Bahrain in their final warm-up match ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Paris Saint-Germain has made a €45 million offer for Palmeiras 16-year-old forward Endrick but the bid was promptly rejected.
- Spain’s record appearance holder and Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos will miss out on the World Cup after being left out by Spain coach Luis Enrique.
- Injured forward Paulo Dybala made the 26-man cut as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni named his squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Netherlands Head Coach Louis van Gaal included injured Barcelona forward Memphis Depay and uncapped teenager Xavi Simons in his 26-man squad for the World Cup.
- The England Women’s side has extended its unbeaten run under manager Sarina Wiegman to 25 games with a 4-0 win over Japan.
That is all I have for you today. I hope you take time for yourself this weekend. Catch up on your favorite shows, read a good book, sit on the porch with an ice cold beverage, or go for a long walk. Whatever it is that makes you happy, I wish you the best in enjoying it today. Until next time — vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/9/24
Get to know Wilder Cartagena, Orlando Pride get ready for Bay FC, Orlando City B wins, and more.
How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope this week hasn’t been too hectic for you. There’s been plenty of soccer to enjoy over the past few days and I’m looking forward to the weekend slate of games as well. But for now, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!
Learning More About Wilder Cartagena
Orlando City midfielder Wilder Cartagena was the latest Lion to field questions for fans to learn more about the players. The 29-year-old discussed growing up playing soccer in Peru as a child, as well as having to spend time away from family and friends to fulfill his dreams as a professional player. Cartagena also talked about how important his friendship with Pedro Gallese is, as the two have played together at both the club level and internationally with Peru. It’s a fun interview and I’m glad we have Cartagena here in Orlando.
Pride Prepare to Host Bay FC
The Orlando Pride are on a five-game win streak and will look to make it six when they take on Bay FC for the first time ever on Saturday. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on the difficulty of the team’s past few matches, along with the importance of getting wins in those games. Bay FC is in 12th in the standings, but Hines noted how this week’s opponent has plenty of talented attackers. Saturday’s match could be a tough one for Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, and she talked about the team’s grit and determination to close out games for points this season. Moorhouse also credited her back line for the Pride’s three shutouts this season.
OCB Secures First Win at Home
It took a few games, but Orlando City B won at Osceola Heritage Park for the first time this season after a 3-1 win over New York Red Bulls II. The Young Lions didn’t make it easy on themselves, but ultimately held on for the win after scoring twice early on. It’s nice for OCB to put another tally in the win column to climb up the conference standings. The Young Lions will be back in action next Wednesday with a road match against Columbus Crew 2.
Champions League Final is Set
The semifinal matchup between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich lived up to expectations, with Real Madrid advancing after a dramatic finish. Bayern was up to the task on the road and took the lead in the second half thanks to a goal from Alphonso Davies. But Real Madrid did what it always does, with Joselu scoring two late goals in quick succession. Bayern nearly had an equalizer, but a player was ruled offside and it couldn’t be checked as the flag was raised and whistle blown before the attack fully played out. It all sets up for a final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on June 1 at Wembley Stadium. Dortmund will be the clear underdog, but the German club has proven capable of taking down some of Europe’s best this tournament.
Free Kicks
- St. Louis City is reportedly interested in signing Marco Reus once his contract with Dortmund ends this summer, although talks are just in the preliminary stage at this point.
- Not a single Pride player was named to the NWSL’s Best XI of the Month for the months of April and May. While I can see the reasoning behind each inclusion, it’s crazy that Angelina, Marta, Summer Yates, or Emily Sams didn’t earn a spot in the eyes of the league’s voters.
- American midfielder Keyrol Figueroa has signed with Liverpool’s first team. The 17-year-old has risen through the ranks of Liverpool’s youth system and scored seven goals for the U.S. in the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship.
- Luis Rubiales will face trial for one count of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso and a count of coercion for his actions in the aftermath. The former head coach of the Spanish women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, is also accused of coercion, along with Sporting Director Albert Luque and the federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/8/24
Orlando Pride move up in power rankings, OCSC will celebrate Pride Month, Orlando City B plays tonight, and more.
Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. We’re halfway through the week and I hope you’re doing well. Personally, I love Wednesdays, because in my job they are effectively my “Friday,” as my day off is on Thursday. So, as such, I love bringing you the news to start out your midweek morning. Let’s get to the links.
Orlando Pride Nearly Top Power Rankings
The Orlando Pride are at the top of the NWSL standings with 18 points, and are riding a five-match winning streak while staying undefeated so far this season. If you thought that would be enough for the team to top ESPN‘s NWSL power rankings, you’d be wrong. The Pride actually came in at second despite all the factors I listed above, with the Kansas City Current ranked above them. Even more shocking is that the writer admits he doesn’t have much of a reason for not ranking the Pride first. I’m not sure what to do with my hands.
Orlando Soccer Matches Will Celebrate Pride Month
Orlando City and the Orlando Pride will recognize Pride Month during a pair of matches in June at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride are set to host the Utah Royals on June 21 and the Lions will then host the Chicago Fire on June 22. Both matches will include celebrating Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community and honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. There are plenty of additional events throughout Pride Month in the Greater Orlando Area as well. I will be at those matches and I hope to see you there as well.
Orlando City B Hosts New York Red Bulls II Tonight
OCB will try to follow up a result on the road with its first result at home tonight at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee. Forwards Yutaro Tsukada and Shak Mohammed lead the attack for the Young Lions as the club plays only its third home match of the season — and only the second at its actual home field. There’s plenty to look for from OCB as it takes on New York Red Bulls II at 7 p.m. Try to make it to the match if you are able.
U.S. Soccer Doubles Down
The battle between the USWNT and U.S. Soccer over equal pay has been going on for years. Now, U.S. Soccer has reportedly employed Washington D.C. lobbying firms to provide what the organization asserts are “accurate information and factual numbers” to policy makers. Spokespersons for the players’ associations of both the USWNT and USMNT expressed disappointment regarding the move by U.S. Soccer. The issue is front and center as two congresswomen have proposed legislation to block funding for the 2026 World Cup unless equal pay is enacted.
Free Kicks
- Were you wondering how good Barbra Banda has been since arriving in Orlando? Me neither, but here is a cool stat from OptaJack on her shot production.
- Orlando City fans know all too well how good FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta is at scoring goals. Now, the striker is in the process of becoming a naturalized citizen of the U.S. and expressed a desire to play for the USMNT. It would be nice to have him score goals for a team I support.
- Nottingham Forest’s point reduction appeal was rejected by the independent board overseeing the decision. Only three points separate Nottingham from Luton Town and the relegation zone with two matches left this season.
- I know that some Orlando City fans were hoping to see Thiago Silva join the Lions after he left Chelsea, but that rumor never made sense financially, and the defender has chosen to rejoin his old Brazilian club, Fluminense.
- It’s not often that someone follows up an unpopular decision with an even more unpopular explanation for that decision, but that is exactly what MLS Commissioner Don Garber did when explaining that the U.S. Open Cup didn’t offer a competition that “drives value” and that “rises to the level where fans care about it.” I’m sure everyone will now understand the decision. Well done, Commish.
That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/7/24
Barbra Banda up for NWSL Goal of the Week, Americans in midweek action, Champions League preview, and more.
Happy Tuesday, everyone. It was a mixed bag for Orlando’s teams over the weekend, as Orlando City B drew 1-1 with Chattanooga FC and lost the subsequent shootout, Orlando City lost 1-0 to FC Cincinnati, and the Orlando Pride won 1-0 over Racing Louisville. As usual, we have a lot to talk through this morning, so let’s dig into the links.
Barbra Banda Up for Goal of the Week
Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been nominated for the NWSL Goal of the Week for her strike in the 77th minute against the North Carolina Courage last Wednesday. Banda controlled the ball off a throw-in, turned, and drove across the box before slotting a low shot past Casey Murphy for the Pride’s fourth and final goal of the game. She scored twice in that game and scored again in Sunday’s win over Racing Louisville. Banda now has four goals in four games — including at least one in each of her three starts since appearing off the bench in her debut — and shows no sign of slowing down. Make sure you go vote for her to win this week’s award!
Americans in Midweek Action
As usual, there are a number of Americans playing games this week, so make sure you mark down any that you want to tune in for. Wednesday has Brandon Vazquez and Monterrey traveling to El Volcan to take on Tigres in the quarterfinals of the Clausura. Moving to Friday, Tanner Tessmann, Gianluca Busio, and Venezia have a chance to gain promotion to Serie A if they beat Spezia and Como loses. On the other side of things, former Lion Nicholas Gioacchini and Como play Cosenza, and will secure automatic promotion as long as they don’t have a worse result than Venezia.
UEFA Champions League Preview
The UEFA Champions League continues this week with the second legs of the two semifinal matchups. In this afternoon’s game, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has said that even Kylian Mbappe will have to work hard defensively if his team is going to progress to the final. Borussia Dortmund leads that tie 1-0, and will need to rely on a defense that has kept five clean sheets in this year’s tournament. However, the German club has a concerning record away from home, where it has lost nine of its last 11 games. In tomorrow’s game between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, this season’s La Liga winner will hope its finishing prowess continues from the first leg, when it turned two chances into two goals.
European Transfer Rumor Roundup
With European seasons drawing to a close, the transfer rumor mill is starting to heat up, which means there are several items worth discussing today. First, Manchester United will reportedly face competition to sign Crystal Palace star Michael Olise. Chelsea and PSG are said to also be interested in signing the Frenchman, who was instrumental in his side’s 4-0 drubbing of the Red Devils yesterday. Staying in the Premier League, Virgil van Dijk has said he intends to be part of the transition following Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool, confirming that he does not intend to leave in the summer. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich is said to have agreed to personal terms with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez. David Moyes has confirmed he will leave West Ham at the end of the season, with reports suggesting that the Hammers have reached an agreement with Julen Lopetegui to be the team’s new manager.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City held steady at 20th in ESPN’s MLS power rankings.
- Bruno Fernandes missed a club match due to injury for the first time in his career, as he did not play in Manchester United’s loss to Crystal Palace.
- Speaking of that match, the Premier League outfitted the referee with a camera for the first time in that game, with the footage to be released at a later date.
- Angel City FC will enter a team in The Soccer Tournament this summer.
- Will Ferrell has bought a stake in Leeds United.
That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
-
Orlando City2 weeks ago
Orlando City vs. Toronto FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando City2 weeks ago
Orlando City vs. Toronto FC: Five Takeaways
-
Lion Links1 week ago
Lion Links: 4/29/24
-
Orlando City4 days ago
Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati: Five Takeaways
-
Orlando Pride1 week ago
Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando Pride2 weeks ago
Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Final Score 3-2 as Pride Win Third Straight
-
Orlando City2 weeks ago
Orlando City vs. Toronto FC: Final Score 2-1 as Lions Blow Late Lead at Home
-
Orlando Pride1 week ago
Orlando Pride Midfielder Luana Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma