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Lion Links: 3/9/23

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How’s it going, Mane Landers? I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to the time changing this weekend. Losing that hour of sleep Saturday night will be rough, but it will be nice to have more sunshine to enjoy in the evenings. Before we dive into today’s links, I just want to wish a happy birthday to my mom, who has been an Orlando City soccer fan for as long as I have. I can’t wait to head to a match with her and the rest of my family later this year. Now, let’s enjoy these links from around the soccer world!

Orlando Pride Celebrate International Women’s Day

As part of International Women’s Day Wednesday, all of the women in the Orlando Pride’s front office came out to the team’s training to celebrate and support the players. Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter spoke on how the players and staff are working towards creating both a winning team and a winning culture in Orlando. Founder Kay Rawlins was also in attendance and talked about the continued investment into the Pride and how much the team has grown since its creation.

Spoiler alert: Carter is this week’s guest on The Mane Land PawedCast, which will drop later this morning.

Women’s Gold Cup Coming in 2024

Concacaf announced the dates and format of the inaugural W Gold Cup set to take place in 2024. The new tournament will take place in the U.S. next year, with the 12-team group stage starting on Feb. 20. The U.S. has already qualified after winning the 2022 Concacaf W Championship and will be joined by the winner of an Olympic playoff between Jamaica and Canada. As part of a partnership between Concacaf and CONMEBOL, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay will also take part in the tournament. The remaining six spots will be claimed by Concacaf nations, with qualification set for this fall. The tournament will feature three groups of four teams, with eight advancing to a single-elimination knockout stage.

CBS Golazo Network Launches Next Month

CBS announced that it is launching a 24-hour digital network dedicated to soccer on April 11. The CBS Golazo Network will feature live matches, analysis, and a two-hour morning show hosted by Susannah Collins. Former Orlando City and Pride reporter Jenny Chiu will also be providing updates of the day’s top stories. The network will launch for free on CBSSports.com and other digital platforms, as well as on Paramount+. Personally, I’m looking forward to how this should put more of a spotlight on soccer in the U.S., particularly the National Women’s Soccer League, since those matches are streamed on Paramount+.

Bayern Munich and AC Milan Advance in Champions League

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe both started for Paris Saint-Germain, but the French club came up short in a 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich. After a scoreless first half, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored for Bayern in the 61st minute and Serge Gnabry put the game out of reach with another goal in the 89th. While plenty of attention will be on PSG’s exit, Bayern deserves credit for excelling despite a tough draw. The German club has faced Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, and PSG twice, but has only conceded two goals this tournament.

In the other match, AC Milan kept Tottenham Hotspur’s attack quiet in a scoreless draw in London. Neither team managed to put a shot on target in the first half, and a second yellow card to Cristian Romero in the 78th minute put a dent in Tottenham’s hopes. Harry Kane had a chance to score in stoppage time, but Mike Maignan came up with the save and AC Milan advanced on aggregate.

Free Kicks

  • In the Concacaf Champions League, Olimpia bossed Atlas in a 4-1 win in Honduras and Leon won 1-0 over Tauro FC in Panama City.
  • Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor won Goal of the Matchday for his volleyed strike against the Philadelphia Union.

  • Former Orlando Pride assistant coach Khano Smith was named head coach and general manager of Rhode Island FC.
  • Select matches from the first three rounds of the U.S. Open Cup will be streamed on the Bleacher Report app and YouTube channel. Orlando City won’t join the tournament until the round of 32, but it should still be a nice way to watch the tournament for free.
  • FC Cincinnati signed defender Nick Hagglund to a contract extension through the 2024 season. The 30-year-old is Cincy’s all-time leader in minutes, appearances, and starts.
  • After less than three months in charge, Scott Parker was sacked by Club Brugge following the Belgian club’s 5-1 loss to Benfica. Brugge won just two of its 12 matches with Parker at the helm.
  • Marcia Tafarel was named as the first coach of the U.S. Women’s Futsal National Team.

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: 2/27/25

Getting to know Ramiro Enrique, USWNT loses to Japan, Concacaf Champions Cup results, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I haven’t done too much this week beyond working, but I did manage to put together a cat tree that my cat has already sent crashing into a wall twice so far. Pet ownership has been a joy, I must say. Let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Learning More About Ramiro Enrique

Orlando City put a spotlight on forward Ramiro Enrique with a nice video showcasing what he brings to the team for the 2025 season. Along with interviews from Enrique and Head Coach Oscar Pareja, the video includes highlights of his some of his biggest moments as a Lion so far. The 23-year-old spoke on how his father, World Cup winner Hector Enrique, is a major inspiration for him and how he’s both a scorer and Orlando’s first line of defense. Pareja praised both Enrique’s natural talent and his commitment to improving himself moving forward. It’s a pretty well-produced video and I’m looking forward to seeing the profiles for other Lions as well throughout the season.

USWNT Falls to Japan in SheBelieves Cup

The United States Women’s National Team lost its final game of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, falling 2-1 to Japan in San Diego. Japan took an early lead, but Ally Sentnor tied things up soon after with her second goal of the tournament. Toko Koga then scored for Japan in the 50th minute and the U.S. was unable to find the back of the net again against Japan’s solid defense. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams did not play in the match despite a strong showing against Australia on Sunday. It’s the USWNT’s first loss under Head Coach Emma Hayes and its first time losing the tournament since England won it in 2019.

In what was effectively the third-place match, Colombia beat Australia 2-1 to finish the tournament on a high note. Australia’s Hayley Raso equalized things in the second half, but Catalina Usme gave Colombia its winner a few minutes later.

Bay FC Scouting Director Resigns Amid Backlash

Graeme Abel, who was hired as Bay FC’s director of domestic scouting last week, has resigned from his position. This decision comes after backlash from his hiring due to reported allegations of abuse by former players from his time as the University of Oregon’s women’s soccer coach. A report last April detailed allegations of verbal abuse that included threatening to revoke scholarships, having players kicked off the team, and throwing objects, with players stating that they dealt with suicidal ideation while playing there.

Concacaf Champions Cup Results

Real Salt Lake was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup after losing 2-1 at home to Costa Rican club Herediano. The MLS side took the lead in the first half, but Herediano leveled things in the second half and sealed victory with a late penalty kick. FC Cincinnati took care of business at home in a 1-1 draw against Honduran club Motagua, with Kevin Denkey scoring in his third straight game for his new team. The Seattle Sounders also reached the next round, beating Guatemala’s Antigua GFC 3-1. Cincinnati will face Tigres in the round of 16, while the Sounders will take on Cruz Azul. The first round wraps up tonight when the Vancouver Whitecaps host Saprissa for the final spot in the round of 16, which kicks off on Tuesday.

Free Kicks

  • The Orlando Pride will unveil their new home jersey for the 2025 season today and I’m pretty excited to see what they’ve come up with. I’m also looking forward to seeing the team sport a shiny new star after winning last year, as teased by Marta.
  • The Pride gave a shoutout to coaches Seb Hines, Giles Barnes, and Yolanda Thomas this Black History Month.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Thursday and rest of your week!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/26/25

Tsukada out for the season, OCB adds a striker, the SheBelieves Cup finishes tonight, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. I hope you’re recovering from the season opener. I find it best to look for the positives or just pretend none of it ever happened. I’m certain one of those two is a healthy way to process your feelings. The good news is that the season is underway, the Orlando Pride are close to starting their new campaign, and we get to watch the USWNT play tonight. See? It isn’t all bad. Let’s get to the links, but first, let’s wish Pride midfielder Morgan Gautrat a happy birthday.

Tsukada Out for the Season

Yutaro Tsukada has been placed on the Season-Ending Injury list for Orlando City following successful surgery on his left ACL. The young midfielder sustained the injury in the preseason match against CF Montreal. While we expected this news, it doesn’t make it any easier for Tsukada, the club, or any of us. It’s another blow to the depth of Orlando City in a season that has only just begun. We wish Tsukada a full and speedy recovery.

OCB Striker Signing

When I said I wanted Orlando City to sign a new striker, I should have been more specific. The club acquired the SuperDraft Priority to forward Dyson Clapier from Sporting Kansas City. In return, Sporting Kansas City gets Orlando City’s natural second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. Following the acquisition, Clapier was signed to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2025, with a club option in 2026.

SheBelieves Cup Finishes Tonight

The USWNT will need a victory against Japan tonight to win the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. Japan holds the advantage thanks to a plus-seven goal differential as compared to the plus-three goal differential of the U.S. The match is set for 7:30 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. There are on air and streaming options available to watch the match. If the USWNT can pull out the victory, it will be the sixth SheBelieves title in a row. Emily Sams got the start and went the full 90 minutes against Australia on Sunday. Hopefully, the Orlando Pride defender will see more action this evening.

Ream is a Believer

With the 2026 World Cup coming up next year, the USMNT wants to make a big splash. Longtime U.S. defender Tim Ream says that Mauricio Pochettino is the right man to do the job. Ream will certainly be an integral part of the next World Cup squad, and he asserts that Pochettino will evolve the USMNT to the next level.

Free Kicks

  • Casey Krueger’s time with the USWNT appears to be done. Emma Hayes is going younger.
  • The MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended and fined Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez for one match.
  • Gutierrez wasn’t the only player fined by DisCo. The only thing I’m certain of is that the fine wasn’t big enough.
  • Congratulations to Chris and Alyssa Mueller on the birth of their new baby.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the match this weekend. As for today, go USA!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/25/25

Marco Pasalic’s performance honored, Americans playing midweek games, USMNT announces preliminary semifinal roster, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Tuesday, everyone. It was a rough start to the season for Orlando City, but that (hopefully) means that there’s nowhere to go but up. Regardless of if that proves to be true or not, the only way out is through, which means we need to start getting ready for Toronto FC on Saturday. We have lots to talk about today though, so let’s get into the links.

Marco Pasalic Recognized on TotM Bench

Marco Pasalic made his competitive debut for Orlando City in the team’s 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday and was one of the bright spots in a rough performance as he scored both of the team’s goals. He was justifiably rewarded with a place on the bench in the first MLS Team of the Matchday of the 2025 season. In addition to the goals, the Croatian was a threat all evening, as he put four of his seven shots on target and also provided two key passes. Sean Rollins named him Man of the Match for his performance, and it’s nice to see him getting some love on the larger stage as well. Hopefully this is just the first of many times he earns weekly recognition like this.

Americans in Midweek Action

We’ve got a lot of Americans who will be taking part in games during the working week, so make sure you get everything you want to see marked down on your calendar. Things start Wednesday with Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace hosting Aston Villa in the Premier League, while Antonee Robinson and Fulham travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wednesday sees Richy Ledezma and PSV Eindhoven host Go Ahead Eagles in the KNVB Cup semifinals, while PSV’s other three Americans remain out injured. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus will also host Empoli in a Coppa Italia quarterfinal. The other big match of the week is on Thursday, as Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan try to bounce back from a wobbly run of form as they visit Bologna in Serie A play.

U.S. Announces Preliminary Nations League Roster

Along with the other three semifinalists in the competition, the United States Men’s National Team has released its preliminary roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League semifinals. Currently standing at 60, the roster will be cut down to 23 by March 10, with the USMNT taking on Panama on March 20. The usual suspects are all present, like Pulisic, McKennie, Robinson, Tyler Adams, and Matt Turner, with plenty of young names like Aidan Morris, Diego Kochen, Jackson Ragen, and Jack McGlynn. The most intrigue will take part at striker. While Josh Sargent is almost surely a lock to make the team, any one of Patrick Agyemang, Brandon Vazquez, and Jordan Morris could easily find themselves included or missing out.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

Despite most winter transfer windows being closed, there are still plenty of rumors we need to keep tabs on. First up, AC Milan is said to be monitoring the contract situations of stars Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, and Rafael Leao, and could be open to selling all three of them if the club does not qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season. Elsewhere, Vitor Roque’s proposed transfer from Barcelona to Palmeiras is reportedly off, as La Liga rules prevent Roque’s loan at Real Betis being cut short since the league is currently not in a registration period. Meanwhile, Manchester City has reportedly identified FC Porto netminder Diogo Costa as the man to replace current goalkeeper Ederson. Finally, Real Madrid is allegedly one of the teams in regular contact with Yamine Lamal’s agent, although Los Blancos have reportedly been told that Barcelona (unsurprisingly) refuses to sell him to its Spanish rivals.

Free Kicks

  • Former Orlando City manager Adrian Heath took a trip down memory lane during his time at the season opener on Saturday.
  • Inter&Co Stadium opened its doors just over eight years ago.
  • The Seattle Sounders have announced an initiative to try to get more new fans to attend games.

That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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