Lion Links: 4/29/23

It’s time for another pair of matches today, Mane Landers! Orlando City invites one California team to town in the LA Galaxy, while the Orlando Pride takes the flight all the way across the country to San Diego. I feel like some jet fuel money and ozone layer could have been saved with a little bit of plane-pooling had both matches been played in the same state, but hey, I’m no airplane expert. But, it is a neat proposal to think that nearby men’s and women’s teams could start traveling together and playing double-headers for fans. While I’m almost certain this will never happen, I’ll take credit for it if it ever does, because I have now put the idea into print here. Alas, scroll no further, here’s what you really came here for, today’s links.

Orlando City Focused for LA Galaxy

With a home match upon us, the Lions of Orlando City spent their final Friday practice in the stadium. There is a photo gallery of the boys looking all-business as they aim for their first win at home since February. The LA Galaxy currently sit 13th in the West following their first win of the season last weekend against Austin FC. Orlando City midfielder Dagur Dan Thorhallsson discussed the team’s focus following another disappointing home loss.

“It is always kind of a worry when you’re not winning in front of your home fans. And of course, we as a team want to win every game. But especially, we want to make the Orlando City Stadium like… people come there and they fear to be there. But that is something that we need to do as a team. And I don’t have the answer why it is happening, but we are going to find out. And we’re going to start winning.”

The match is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Exploria Stadium. Be sure to get there early, be loud, and make the stadium somewhere for opponents to truly fear.

Orlando Pride Travel to San Diego

The Orlando Pride will look to pick up where they left off in San Diego. The last time the club traveled to San Diego it left Torero Stadium with a 1-0 victory. In that match, Meggie Dougherty Howard scored from the spot for the Pride. While she is now with the Wave, she has not accumulated any minutes so far this season due to injury. The Pride remained undefeated against the 2022 expansion team after playing to a 2-2 draw at Exploria Stadium. Dougherty Howard was once again able to find the back of the net, with Gunny Jónsdóttir scoring the second goal for Orlando. Despite the Pride sitting winless and in last place, Head Coach Seb Hines remains optimistic for his team to find a result.

“You know it is going to be a difficult game. They have some good players, but you know this league. Now anyone can win on any day so we’re hoping to go there and put a really good team performance out there and hopefully come away with three points.”

Tune into the match at 10 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network to see if the Pride can gather those first three points of the season.

MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 6: OCB Hosts Toronto FC II

The Young Lions of Orlando City B round out the festivities for the weekend, hosting Toronto FC II Sunday at 6 p.m. On MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 5, Toronto was able to finally find its scoring prowess. After an early 2-0 deficit, the match finished 3-3 in regulation. Ultimately, TFC II fell in a 5-4 shootout following regulation. Orlando City B earned two points on Matchday 5 in a thrilling 8-7 shootout of its own against NYCFC II after a 2-2 draw. OCB defender Nabi Kibunguchy claimed his first goals for the club in the match.

MLS Matchday 10 Preview

With 13 matches around the league, there are sure to be some fireworks this weekend. After catching Orlando City at home (or while simul-streaming from your seat), be sure to check out some notable other fixtures around the league. Giorgos Giakoumakis, who is tied for fourth in the Golden Boot race, will be unavailable for Atlanta United in its match against Nashville SC. Lucas Zelarayán and the Columbus Crew look to make it seven straight league losses for Inter Miami at Lower.com Field. The Eastern Conference’s two top clubs, FC Cincinnati and the New England Revolution, headline must-watch this week’s matches, playing at Gillette Stadium.

And finally, let us know in the comments below who you have in matchup of marquee strikers: D.C. United’s Christian Benteke or Charlotte FC’s Karol Swiderski?

Free Kicks

• Midfielder David Ruiz has signed a Homegrown contract with Inter Miami through the 2025 MLS season with options for 2026 and 2027.
• The Portland Timbers signed midfielder Noel Caliskan through the 2023 MLS season with options for 2024 and 2025. Caliskan was selected by Portland with the 15th pick of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
• Gareth Bale confirms that he will not be coming out of retirement to play for Wrexham next season, despite the begging of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
• Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani submitted his third and final bid to buy Manchester United on Friday and remains confident it will be successful.
• Alejandro Garnacho has signed a new contract that will extend his stay at Manchester United until 2028. At the age of 18, he has already made 31 appearances for the senior team.
• Napoli will secure the club’s third Serie A crown if it can beat visitors Salernitana and second-place Lazio drops points against Inter Milan.
• Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund’s title chances are in question after they stumbled to a 1-1 draw at struggling VfL Bochum with four games left to play.
• Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the scoresheet after a goalless three-game run by heading in the opening goal in Al Nassr’s 4-0 victory over Al Raed in the Saudi Pro League.
• The Liga MX match between Club Puebla and Club Tijuana has been rescheduled due to the activity of the Popocatepetl volcano.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the matches. Vamos Orlando!