Lion Links: 4/8/23

Happy Easter weekend, Mane Landers! My wife’s family is in town visiting our new house for the holiday. Currently, this brings our total up to eight, plus a dog, all under one roof. While I’m sure that isn’t a lot for some of you, it is for us, as we are usually just a duo. It is all in good fun though, and I’m glad we are lucky enough to still have the opportunity to spend time with family on holiday weekends. If anything, it helps pass the time as both first teams are off, and we only have the USWNT this afternoon and the Young Lions on Easter Sunday. OCB kicks off at 6 p.m. against at Osceola Heritage Park tomorrow. Now, let’s get to what you all came here for — the links!

Thais Reiss Returns To Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride have brought back a familiar face by signing midfielder Thais Reiss to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year. After Reiss spent part of the 2022 NWSL season with the Pride, earning five appearances, she found herself waived in the off-season. However, she came back this preseason as a non-roster invitee and has earned a new deal from Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter, who had this to say:

“We’re very excited to welcome Thais back, officially, as a member of the Pride. Thais has earned this contract through her hard work, day in and day out, on the training field. We’re looking forward to having her bring even more competition to our midfield and add another exciting skill set to our roster.”

Young Lions Host Inter Miami II on Easter

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Sunday as rival Inter Miami II looks to play spoiler to Orlando City B’s unbeaten streak at Osceola Heritage Park. It’ll be OCB’s second home match of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season. Last week, Inter Miami II was led to victory by goals from Lucas Meek and Farid Sar-Sar in a road victory against Philadelphia Union II. The goals were the first with the club for each player as Head Coach Federico Higuaín has been handing out debuts for his Young Herons.

Must-Watch MLS Matches

Orlando City might not be playing today, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the league is taking the day off. There are plenty of marquee matchups for MLS Matchday 7. FC Cincinnati is first in the Eastern Conference and takes on the Philadelphia Union, runners-up in the 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield races, at 7:30 p.m. at TQL Stadium. The Eastern Conference’s second-place team, Atlanta United, travels to Yankee Stadium where New York City FC looks to stay above the playoff line. Fellow Florida club Inter Miami has a cross-conference match in Fort Lauderdale with FC Dallas. Out west, Dénis Bouanga will look to keep LAFC flying high and continue his good run of form against Austin FC.

Austin Hosts USWNT and Republic of Ireland

The United States Women’s National Team is back in action today at 2:30 p.m. The match will be the USWNT’s second ever at Q2 Stadium and the first of a two-game series against the Republic of Ireland as the Yanks continue to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer. The second match will be played in St. Louis on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The two games against the Irish are the final chances for players to make their mark before Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski selects the 23-player roster for the World Cup. The April camp roster includes 21 of the 23 players who helped the U.S. to victory at the 2023 SheBelieves Cup as well as the return of five players following extended absences.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City captain Mauricio Pereyra is currently ranked second in the best passer category for MLS.

• Burnley secured promotion into the Premier League.
• The United States Women’s and Men’s Beach Soccer National Teams are on to their respective championship matches after semifinal victories over Trinidad & Tobago.

• If you are looking for your favorite USMNT players abroad this weekend, check out the full guide here of where to catch a match.
• Wrexham dropped to second in the National League table ending the team’s 28-match unbeaten run in the league. It is a blow in Wrexham’s race for automatic promotion to the English Football League after a shock 3-1 defeat at FC Halifax Town.
• Carlo Ancelotti will be considered and could return to Chelsea should he leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
• Erik ten Hag has confirmed Christian Eriksen is in the Manchester United squad to face Everton this weekend after recovering from an ankle injury.

No matter what you celebrate, I wish you and your family a happy and restful weekend, Mane Landers. Be sure to tune in to OCB if you can’t make it to the game. Vamos Orlando!