Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/11/23
Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all of you are doing well down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work covering high school sports up here in Chicago this past week. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Linked With Young Attacker
Per Cesar Luis Merlo, the Lions are reportedly finalizing the signing of Argentine forward Ramiro Enrique from Banfield in Argentina’s top flight. Enrique would fill the MLS U22 Initiative spot left by Andres Perea’s departure this off-season. The versatile 21-year-old attacker could be developed to fill some of the void up front after the exits of Benji Michel, Tesho Akindele, and Alexandre Pato.
Source: Orlando City finalizing the acquisition of Argentine attacker Ramiro Enrique from Banfield for around $2m + add-ons. @CLMerlo first.
Enrique, 21, would be U22 Initiative signing. Can play center forward or on the wing. 12g/3a in ~4000 first team mins. pic.twitter.com/stBlo7Axq3
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 11, 2023
OCSC Acquires International Roster Spot
In a minor trade to help get Orlando City’s roster compliant before the 2023 season, the Lions have received a 2023 international roster spot from the Portland Timbers in exchange for $200,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM). This trade could be related to the reports regarding Enrique. It could also just be due to the club recently signing Argentine midfielder Martin Ojeda and Brazilian left back Rafael Santos. If the latter, look for the club to acquire another slot via trade.
Apple and MLS Announce Broadcasters for MLS Season Pass
Apple and Major League Soccer released an initial list of broadcasters for its MLS Season Pass for the upcoming 2023 season. Analysts will include former MLS stars such as Bradley Wright-Phillips, Diego Valeri, and former Lion Sacha Kljestan. Some of the other match analysts mentioned are Taylor Twellman, Kyndra de St. Aubin, Maurice Edu, Lori Lindsey, and Danielle Slaton. Some notable names handling the play-by-play duties include Max Bretos, Steve Cangialosi, and Pablo Ramírez. Also, Liam McHugh, Jilian Sakovits, and Tony Cherchi will be hosts in the studio. This list is not final and the complete broadcasting team will be announced prior to the season’s start next month.
MLS Off-Season Moves Continue
Plenty of MLS teams are busy getting their rosters set for the upcoming season. Real Salt Lake officially acquired winger Carlos Andres Gómez from Colombian club Millonarios for a club-record transfer fee. The contract is for five years and includes a player option for the 2028 season. Austin FC made a trade with the Houston Dynamo, acquiring defender Adam Lundkvist in exchange for $300,000 in 2023 GAM and $200,000 in 2024 GAM. The New England Revolution signed midfielder Jack Panayotou to a Homegrown Player contract. Nashville SC announced that it’s mutually agreed to part ways with midfielder Handwalla Bwana. FC Dallas signed center back Amet Korca from Croatian side HNK Gorica to a deal while also mutually reaching an agreement to terminate forward Franco Jara’s contract to free up a Designated Player spot. Atlanta United will reportedly buy out Josef Martinez’s contract, with the Venezuelan then joining Inter Miami without taking up a Designated Player spot.
Reporting with @samstejskal:
Atlanta United is finalizing an offseason buyout of Josef Martínez, per sources. The 2018 MLS MVP would then join Inter Miami, which would pick up a portion of his salary. Martínez would not require a DP spot for either team.https://t.co/Cl4oLlZrmt
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) January 10, 2023
MLS Owners Considering New Playoff Format
According to The Athletic , Major League Soccer is reportedly considering changing its playoff format (paywall), to include a best-of-three series. The best-of-three format would only apply to the first round, while the next rounds will be single elimination if the league owners approve the proposal. The proposed format would include 16 teams, with eight from each conference qualifying for the playoffs. MLS had reportedly previously discussed a playoff format featuring groups and a knockout stage as well. The league is also reportedly discussing the possibility of allowing clubs to buy and sell players to other MLS clubs through an intra-league transfer market. What do you think of the new proposals? Let me know in the comments section below.
NWSL Announces 2023 Draft Broadcast Details
The 2023 NWSL Draft will start tomorrow at 6 p.m. in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Orlando Pride have the third overall pick in this year's draft. The league announced the broadcast details for the draft, with coverage beginning on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports HQ at 6 p.m. Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ will then stream the draft until its conclusion. The Attacking Third podcast, hosted by Sandra Herrera and Lisa Roman, will also have a live show analyzing the draft and interviewing some of the selected players.
Free Kicks
- Looks like Orlando City’s Ercan Kara is the strongest MLS player in FIFA 23.
💪Coming in at number one for strength in our latest #MLSRatingsRefresh is @OrlandoCitySC's Ercan Kara!
1. Kara (OVR: 73, Strength: 92)
2. @cfmontreal's Wanyama (OVR: 75, Strength: 92)
3. @MNUFC's Boxall (OVR: 69, Strength: 91)
4. @LAFC's Chiellini (OVR: 82, Strength: 91) pic.twitter.com/zgQT0TFHfm— FIFA Ratings Collective (@EAFIFARATINGS) January 10, 2023
- Former Lion Luis Gil and his girlfriend Salua welcomed their newborn son this past weekend. Gil is currently playing for USL League One side Union Omaha. Congratulations to the happy couple.
There's a new baby búho in town!🦉🍼
Congratulations to @Luisitogil_10 and his girlfriend, Salua, on the birth of their son over the weekend 💙#OneMeansAll pic.twitter.com/xISdWq0rJ4
— Union Omaha (@Union_Omaha) January 10, 2023
- The Central Florida Crusaders posted this video on social media recapping their first day of the preseason.
The preseason has officially 𝕓𝕖𝕘𝕦𝕟!#CFLCrusaders pic.twitter.com/eCPKx8zjKn
— Central Florida Crusaders (@CrusadersNISL) January 10, 2023
- Racing Louisville FC midfielder Jaelin Howell has agreed to a contract extension with the club through the 2025 season.
- The United Soccer League announced that the USL Super League will delay its launch until August 2024.
- CF Montréal terminated the contract of its reserve team head coach, Sandro Grande, just one day after hiring him due to receiving backlash on social media about his controversial comments from several years ago.
- HBO Max and TNT announced their broadcasters for USMNT and USWNT matches, including Luke Wileman, Kyle Martino, Julie Foudy, DaMarcus Beasley, and Shannon Boxx.
- Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has bought an ownership stake with the NWSL’s Kansas City Current.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Wednesday, and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/16/24
Orlando City draws with Inter Miami, Orlando City B loses in Ohio, Austin awarded 2025 MLS All-Star Game, and more.
I hope you’re all having a nice and easy start to your Thursday morning. Orlando City’s match Wednesday night could’ve gone worse, but could’ve gone better as well. As far as rivalry games go, it probably won’t be all too memorable, but I still hope you enjoyed yourself if you went to the game. Let’s dive into today’s links!
Orlando City Draws Inter Miami at Home
The Lions hosted rival Inter Miami and had to settle for a scoreless draw that featured solid chances for both sides. Orlando remains shorthanded defensively, but Pedro Gallese and the back line of Rodrigo Schlegel, Wilder Cartagena, and David Brekalo did well to get a clean sheet against a Miami side that leads the league in goals by a wide margin. Familiar attacking struggles plagued the Lions though with many chances going unfinished. The Lions will now turn their attention to a trip across the country for a match with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Orlando City B Falls On the Road
After earning its first home win last week, Orlando City B was handed its first road defeat of the season in a 4-3 loss against Columbus Crew 2. OCB was without Yutaro Tsukada, who made his debut with the first team, but the team still did well generating chances on offense. The Young Lions took the lead on two different occasions in the match, but they ultimately couldn’t hold on for a result in a rollercoaster of a match. There’s plenty of time for Head Coach Manuel Goldberg to get his team ready for its next match, which is set to take place at Osceola County Stadium on May 26 against Huntsville City FC.
Orlando City Fined After Match in Philadelphia
Following Orlando City’s win over the Philadelphia Union, the club and Head Coach Oscar Pareja have been issued fines by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for the team violating the mass confrontation policy for the second time this season. The violation took place in the 86th minute at Philadelphia, when the Union were awarded their second penalty of the game. Gallese, Nicolas Lodeiro, Ivan Angulo, and Duncan McGuire were issued fines for their role in things as well.
Luis Muriel was also fined an undisclosed amount for embellishment during an incident with Damion Lowe in the 81st minute of the match. You can judge for yourself if the MLS Disciplinary Committee got it right, but what’s not up for debate is that the Lions got the job done on the road and survived an obscene amount of stoppage time.
Austin Will Host 2025 MLS All-Star Game
MLS announced that next year’s MLS All-Star Game will take place at Q2 Stadium in Austin. It will be the first time the event is held there and the first time Texas has hosted it since Houston had it back in 2010. The official date, along with what team the MLS All-Stars will play against, will be announced at a later time. Austin FC entered the league in 2021 and every game played at Q2 Stadium has sold out. There is a strong soccer community there, and I’m glad it will get a chance to show the league what it is all about. I also really like the graphic promoting the event and feel it captures Austin fairly well.
Free Kicks
- It’s been proposed that the first Women’s Club World Cup be held during January and February of 2026. Not many other details are known at this time, but I’m pretty excited regardless, especially with how the Orlando Pride have been playing.
- Juventus beat Atalanta 1-0 to lift the Italian Cup with Dusan Vlahovic scoring the game’s only goal. American midfielder Weston McKennie played every minute of the match, while Timothy Weah came off the bench late.
- American defender Cameron Carter-Vickers also helped his club secure some silverware with Celtic beating Kilmarnock 5-0 to clinch the Scottish Premiership title.
- Former New York City FC head coach Dome Torrent was appointed as the new head coach of San Luis in Liga MX. Orlando City is set to host San Luis on Aug. 4 as part of the Leagues Cup group stage.
- Everett Palache was named as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team and he will prepare the team for the 2024 Deaf Pan American Games in Brazil this November.
- A hat trick by Antoine Griezmann gave Atletico Madrid a 3-0 win over Getafe and a spot in next year’s Champions League.
- Pep Lijnders, who has been an assistant coach with Liverpool since 2018, will be RB Salzburg’s manager after signing a three-year contract with the Austrian club.
- We end our links with a special guest at the match between the Union and NYCFC, as a raccoon was the latest visitor to run rampant at Subaru Park.
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: 5/15/24
Tropic Thunder is tonight, OCB plays away today, Americans playing abroad, and more.
Welcome to Wednesday Mane Landers. The next installment of the Tropic Thunder rivalry between the good guys (Orlando City) and the bad guys (Inter Miami) is tonight. I hope you can make it out to the match since there will probably be a bunch of Lionel Messi fans there and more purple in the stands is needed. To get ready for the match, you can listen to the latest edition of The Mane Land PawedCast, and check out our match preview later today . For now, let’s get to the links.
Lions Host Tropic Thunder Tonight
I don’t know why others insist on calling matches between Orlando City and Inter Miami the “Florida Derby.” Our name for the match — Tropic Thunder — is just so much better. Regardless, the Lions host the Herons tonight at Inter&Co Stadium looking to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. The spotlight might be on Miami, but the pressure is on Orlando City. The Lions surprised me with their win over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Let’s hope the club can keep the momentum going.
Miami May Be Without Messi Today
While I never want anyone to get seriously injured, I’m not sorry to hear that there is a chance Messi will be unavailable for tonight’s match. It seems that Miami’s magician picked up a minor knee injury in the match against CF Montreal on Saturday. Say what you want, but he is a competitor and could still take the field tonight. Hopefully, he remembers the welcome Cesar Araujo and Wilder Cartagena gave him when he joined the league and decides it’s not worth aggravating the knee.
OCB Back in Action On the Road
The senior squad isn’t the only team playing today as Orlando City B is in Ohio to take on Columbus Crew II at Lower.com Field. You’ll need to take a long lunch to watch this one because kickoff is set for noon. There will be plenty to watch since the two clubs are only separated by one point in the standings, with OCB sitting in sixth place (3-2-3, 13 points) and Crew II in eighth place (3-3-2, 12 points).
Keeping Up With Americans Abroad
Most of us know that Christian Pulisic had a great season with AC Milan after moving to the Serie A club from Chelsea. What I did not know is that Pulisic is the first AC Milan midfielder to score more than 10 goals in a season since former Orlando City star Kaká did it when he was there.
Things are not as bright for Giovanni Reyna at Nottingham Forest. He hasn’t played a ton of minutes for the Premier League side and hasn’t done much when he has played. It was a loan without a purchase option, but Forest is reportedly not interested in making an offer for him regardless.
Free Kicks
- Let’s all give a big congratulations to Orlando City Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira. He was accepted into the third edition of the FIFA Diploma in Club Management.
- We believe once a Lion, always a Lion, but I didn’t know MLS thought the same thing. Richie Laryea getting the biggest suspension is on brand for anyone related to Orlando City.
- MLSsoccer.com decided that the Lions should be 22nd in its latest power rankings after a road win against the Philadelphia Union. Power rankings are dumb.
- Olivier Giroud has officially signed with LAFC, where he will join former France teammate Hugo Lloris. Perhaps some current Orlando City players could convince their international teammates to come to the City Beautiful. I’m just saying, Facundo Torres plays with Darwin Núñez.
- Wrexham AFC’s men’s and women’s squads are coming to America for the “Wrex Coast Tour” this summer. It’s the women’s team’s first trip to the U.S. Of course, if you want to see either of the teams, you will need to travel to the West Coast to do so.
That will do it for today. Let’s hope that the Lions can get a second win in a row. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/14/24
Orlando City players earn recognition, Luis Muriel up for Goal of the Week, Blackburn still wants Duncan McGuire, and more.
Happy Tuesday, everyone! Orlando’s teams were firing on all cylinders this weekend, as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride combined to take all six points on offer. Orlando City beat the Philadelphia Union on the road by a score of 3-2, while Adriana’s penalty kick saw the Pride safely to a 1-0 win over Bay FC. As usual, we have a lot to discuss today, so let’s get after it.
Three Lions Earn Recognition After Win
A trio of Lions have been recognized for their efforts in Saturday’s win, as Luis Muriel is in the starting lineup of the MLS Team of the Matchday, with Nico Lodeiro and Pedro Gallese on the bench. Muriel led the way for Orlando on the scoresheet with a brace, while also doing some creative work in addition to the scoring. Lodeiro assisted on all three Orlando City goals, as he turned in an outstanding performance in the midfield. Gallese made two big saves from open play, and stonewalled what would have been an equalizer by Daniel Gazdag from the spot to preserve all three points for Orlando City. Here’s hoping the good performances continue.
Luis Muriel Up for Weekly Honors
The recognition didn’t stop with the Team of the Matchday for Muriel though. The Colombian striker was also nominated for MLS Player of the Matchday, although the award ultimately went to Christian Benteke. While he missed out on Player of the Matchday honors, it’s hard to argue with Benteke’s hat trick that saw D.C. United beat Atlanta United 3-2, and I’m sure Muriel will take Orlando’s victory over personal honors any day of the week. Muriel also received a nomination for MLS Goal of the Week. Which goal he was nominated for should come as little surprise, with his thunderous left-footed strike to open his Orlando City account getting the nod.
Blackburn Rovers Still After Duncan McGuire
It seems that Blackburn is still interested in Duncan McGuire, as the English team is said to be sending someone stateside to scout him this week. If Orlando City has its way, that interest won’t matter, as the club has reportedly offered him a new contract (paywall) with improved terms from the last one offered to the young striker. It’ll be interesting to see how things play out after a move to England collapsed so spectacularly during the January window. If McGuire keeps scoring at the rate he has so far this season then he’ll presumably have bigger fish than Blackburn chasing his services.
Jesse Marsch Takes Canada Job
Jesse Marsch has been named the new manager of the Canadian Men’s National Team. Out of a coaching job since his time managing Leeds United ended back in 2023, Marsch will take over for John Herdman, who left the post last summer to take the reins at Toronto FC. Marsch’s appointment could add an extra level of intrigue to games between Canada and the United States Men’s National Team, as Marsch has been critical of Gregg Berhalter at times. While he will be in charge of Canada for this summer’s Copa America, the USMNT and Canada find themselves on the opposite side of the bracket, and the only way they will meet is in either the final or the third-place game.
Americans in Midweek Action
Speaking of the USMNT, a number of American players will be in action this week, so make sure you have everything noted on your calendar. On Wednesday, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic will win the Scottish league if they beat or draw with Killie, while Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Juventus square off against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final. Thursday sees Josh Sargent and Norwich City take on Leeds United in the second leg of the Championship playoff semifinals, while Friday will see Daryl Dike’s West Brom play the second leg of its semifinal against Southampton, although Dike will miss out through injury.
Free Kicks
- Oscar Pareja says Robin Jansson’s injury isn’t as bad as initially feared, but didn’t elaborate much more beyond that.
- In an interesting decision, ESPN has the Orlando Pride at third in its NWSL power rankings, although CBS Sports managed to do slightly better, and has the Pride in second.
- Meanwhile, Orlando City is up to 18th in ESPN‘s MLS power rankings.
- Former Lion Nani is a free agent after a year playing in Turkey.
That’s all I have for today. Vamos Orlando!
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