Lion Links: 4/19/23

Hello, Mane Landers. How is everyone doing so far this week? I’ve been busy at work the past few days but, hopefully, I’ll get a chance to watch some soccer later this week. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando Pride Kick Off NWSL Challenge Cup Tonight

The Orlando Pride will be in action tonight as they take on the North Carolina Courage at Exploria Stadium to start the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup. The match starts at 7 p.m. and you can watch it on Paramount+. The Pride will look to improve this time around after they finished last in their division without a win in the last year’s edition of the tournament. The Courage beat the Pride in both match-ups last year, including a 4-2 thriller at Exploria Stadium. There will be four other Challenge Cup matches tonight as well. NJ/NY Gotham FC will face the Washington Spirit and the Houston Dash will host the Kansas City Current. In California, Angel City FC will battle OL Reign, and the San Diego Wave will play the Portland Thorns.

Orlando Pride Sign Maliah Morris as Injury Replacement Player

The Orlando Pride have signed forward Maliah Morris as an injury replacement player. This move comes just days after forward Julie Doyle suffered an ankle injury during the Pride’s 2-1 loss to Angel City and the club has moved Doyle to the 45-day disabled list. Morris initially was on the Pride’s preseason roster as a non-roster invitee and played in multiple games prior to the season. Doyle will be out for an extended period of time and was a regular under Seb Hines last season, making nine starts in 17 appearances. The Pride have only scored one goal so far this season and it will be up to Adriana, Messiah Bright, and Ally Watt to carry the attack without Doyle.

Daryl Dike Out for Six to Nine Months

Former Lion and West Brom forward Daryl Dike will be out for six to nine months after it was determined he will need surgery to repair his ruptured right Achilles. Dike was injured in West Brom’s match this past Saturday against Stoke City in the EFL Championship. The American will begin his rehabilitation after the surgery is completed and the club will work to have him reach full fitness later this year. We here at The Mane Land wish Dike a speedy and full recovery.

USMNT Plays Mexico Tonight in Continental Clasico

The United States Men’s National Team will battle Mexico tonight at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, as both sides renew their rivalry in the inaugural Continental Clasico. Since this match is outside of the FIFA international window, it will feature mostly domestic players. Stars and Stripes FC broke down what to watch for in tonight’s match-up. The first thing to watch is the battle in possession. It will be interesting to see if the USMNT’s strategy will be to focus on controlling the ball or conceding possession to Mexico in favor of counter attacks. As far as the USMNT’s attack, Jordan Morris has been in good form lately with the Seattle Sounders and is the only player on the roster with more than 10 international goals. With Paul Arriola withdrawing from the team due to injury, only time will tell who will step up in the attack tonight. This is a rivalry match-up, so expect a tense battle.

Real Madrid and AC Milan Reach Champions League Semifinals

Rodrygo scored two goals in the second leg at Stamford Bridge to beat Chelsea 2-0 and book a spot in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. In Italy, AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud scored to give his team a 1-0 lead going into halftime. Napoli managed to get an equalizer late in stoppage time from Victor Osimhen, but it wasn’t enough as AC Milan advanced 2-1 on aggregate to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2007. The quarterfinals wrap up later today with Bayern Munich looking to claw its way back from being down 3-0 on aggregate against Manchester City. Inter Milan will play Benfica at the San Siro while up 2-0 on aggregate.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City will wear One Planet kits for this weekend’s match against D.C. United.

• The latest MLS power rankings have been released. Orlando City moved up one spot to 14th after its 2-1 comeback victory against Minnesota United this past weekend.
• Concacaf announced the 2023 Gold Cup schedule and venues for the tournament. The USMNT will be in Group A with Jamaica, Nicaragua, and the winner of a preliminary group that includes Curaçao, St. Kitts & Nevis, French Guiana, and Sint Maarten.
• Manchester United and goalkeeper David de Gea are reportedly close to an agreement on a new contract extension.
• Wrexham defeated Yeovil Town 3-0 on Tuesday and now only needs one more win to secure promotion to English Football League Two.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Wednesday and I’ll see you next time.