Lion Links: 4/3/23

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! I know you might not be feeling very merry given the results from this weekend, but at least Orlando City B won its second match on Friday. Regardless, we’re into April and there are still plenty of matches to play, plus we get the remainder of season three of Ted Lasso to look forward to each Wednesday. I’m saying things could be worse.

Before we get started, let’s wish a happy birthday to Orlando City defender Rodrigo Schlegel. OK, let’s get to the links.

Pride Fall to Angel City

After going into the half down a goal on a first-half penalty, the Orlando Pride played a wild second half against Angel City FC in a 2-1 loss at Exploria Stadium. The Pride got on the front foot and gave the visitors all they could handle after the restart, and Messiah Bright broke through in the 51st minute with her first professional goal. 

The match then opened up and it was back and forth all the way to the end. The Pride gave away two more penalties, with Anna Moorhouse saving the first, and the second being waved off due to an offside call. With nine minutes of stoppage time, referee Danielle Chesky gave10 minutes of play allowing Angel City to get a last second goal off a corner kick to doom the Pride to a second loss on the season. 

Central Florida Crusaders Make the Playoffs

The Central Florida Crusaders men’s side secured a spot in the NISL Playoffs. The team is the first in the NISL to earn a playoff spot, sporting an 11-0-0 record and a +78 goal differential. The playoffs will take the top three teams from each division, with the top team earning a first-round bye. As of now, that team is the Crusaders, with the latest victory coming in a 7-1 win over the Columbus Rapids.

The women’s side is also currently in a playoff spot, sitting in third place with a 6-4-0 record and a +4 goal differential. The Crusaders earned the club’s first shutout victory with a 3-0 win over the Columbus Rapids.

Pride Honor Artist Mary Ann Carroll

The Pride’s new Highway Woman Kit was inspired by the only woman of the original Highwaymen artists from the 1950s, Mary Ann Carroll. The artists were all Black, and as such, were unable to have their art showing in galleries. Instead, they traveled around Florida, selling their landscape pieces from the back of their cars. 

Now, the Pride have introduced a Match Day Poster Artist Series from Carroll that will be available at each of the Pride’s 14 home matches. The posters will be available for $5 each at the matches, with all proceeds going to Mary Ann Carroll’s estate to continue her legacy. The posters will also be available online.

OCSC Academy Results from the Generation Adidas Tournament

Orlando City’s U-15s played FC Nordsjælland to a 1-1 draw, but fell 3-1 in the post-draw penalty shootout. The baby Lions will finish group play against Minnesota United to determine which team advances to the Round of 16.

The slightly older Orlando City U-17s defeated the New England Revolution U-17s 3-2 on Sunday. The U-17 Lions control their own destiny, sitting at the top of their group and will face Nashville SC’s U-17 team on Monday.

Free Kicks

• Graham Potter was given a half a year before Chelsea ownership pulled the plug on his tenure with The Blues. Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern Munich’s manager, is thought to be Chelsea’s target, but the German is reluctant to make a decision until the summer.
• Potter isn’t the only manager out of a job, with Brendan Rodgers leaving Leicester City amid a relegation battle. Rogers’ departure was by mutual agreement with the club.
• Karim Benzema is good at soccer. He showed that in Real Madrid’s 6-0 win over Valladolid. Benzema scored a hat trick in seven minutes against his opponent. That is pretty quick.
• Vancouver Whitecaps forward Simon Becher set a record, scoring his first four goals in only 87 minutes of play.

That will do it for today. I hope you’re enjoying the new site. We’re happy you’re here. Vamos Orlando!