Lion Links: 5/6/23

I feel like I say it just about every week now, but happy double match day, Mane Landers! I hope you all enjoyed your Cinco de Mayo yesterday. For myself, the day was spent sipping margaritas and finally getting to play Hogwarts Legacy after months of delay for the PS4 release. Somehow, I managed to avoid all spoilers up to this point and I’m glad that I did. It is fantastic! My morning will likely be filled yet again with magical mischief before catching the Orlando Pride and senior Lions tonight. Last night, OCB was defeated on the road against Charlotte’s Crown Legacy, so hopefully the Pride and Orlando City can right the ship for us this weekend. Now let’s dig right into today’s links!

Orlando City Travels to CF Montréal

Tonight, the Lions head across the border to Stade Saputo, where CF Montréal is waiting. The home side will be looking to make it four straight wins across all competitions with its most recent match ending in a 2-0 road victory over Sporting Kansas City. Orlando City has also found good form after defeating the LA Galaxy 2-0 in its own recent match ending a home drought. When playing tonight’s opponent in Canada, the record is 4-3-0 in Montréal’s favor in regular-season play and 5-3-0 in all competitions.

Orlando City has scored 10 goals in nine games, which ties for the fourth fewest in the Eastern Conference, although the team has a game in hand against all but four teams in the conference. In order for the Lions to climb the table, Head Coach Oscar Pareja hopes to find more consistency from the team and the attack.

“It’s important to get consistency. I answered last week as well, but this season is just starting. Teams are looking to, just trying to settle things. It’s early in the season, only the first third of the season, and this year we’re looking for that consistency because we want to be in the top places. In order to do that, we have to get results.”

Orlando Pride Host Racing Louisville

It is a battle of the bottom of the table tonight at Exploria Stadium. Winless Racing Louisville enters the fixture above the Orlando Pride due to four draws this season. But there is no shortage of firepower as three draws finished with a 2-2 scoreline. For this match, Louisville will be without star midfielder Savannah DeMelo, who is suspended from the match after receiving two yellow cards in her team’s latest 2-2 draw with OL Reign. Orlando grabbed its first win of the season last week on the road in San Diego. The Pride walked away 3-1 victors, posting the most goals by a visitor at San Diego since the Wave’s introduction to the NWSL last year. This will be the sixth meeting between the two clubs, and unfortunately Racing has secured more points against Orlando than any other team in the NWSL since joining the league in 2021.

Orlando City B Squanders Lead, Loses at Crown Legacy FC

The Young Lions of Orlando City B journeyed to Mecklenburg County Sportsplex where they went to battle with Crown Legacy FC. OCB headed into the halftime break against Crown Legacy up 2-1 thanks to Moises Tablante and an own goal by the hosts, but ultimately dropped the points in the second half, losing 3-2. Crown Legacy was able to score back-to-back goals, with Iuri Tavares completing his brace on the night. Check out the match recap from Sean Rollins here.

Orlando’s 2023 SPORTYS Nominations

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission revealed the list of finalists for the 2023 SPORTYS. Included in the list of nominees were seven members of the Orlando City and Orlando Pride front office, in addition to a nomination for Orlando City’s Kicking Childhood Cancer Fantasy Camp. The finalists were selected by a voting committee made up of members of the GO Sports board of directors. The winners will be revealed on June 17.

“On behalf of our entire organization, congratulations to each of our teammates and partners that have been nominated. It’s always a great honor to have the hard work and commitment of our teammates recognized, especially amongst a collection of some of the best in the Orlando sports market,” said Caesar Lopez, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel.

Free Kicks

• Here is everything you need to know around the league heading into MLS Matchday 11.
• MLS Commissioner Don Garber has critized the USSF for making it difficult to view games in this year’s U.S. Open Cup.
• Two former USMNT coaches in Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena will be coaching against each other in today’s Toronto FC and New England Revolution match. Check out the history behind these two managers.
• Natalie Portman is showing soccer fans what goes on behind the scenes in starting a female-founded team with a new three-part HBO documentary titled “Angel City.”
• Arsenal boasts a £150 million transfer budget with goals to sign three key signings this summer. West Ham United defensive midfielder Declan Rice is at the top of their shopping list.
• Underdog club Osasuna will play its second cup final in the club’s 103-year history. They face Real Madrid, which has emerged victorious in 19 of the 23 it has played in the last decade.
• Claiming to be the first inclusive team in Mexico that represents and supports the LGBTQ+ community, Muxes has used its platform to educate, promote, and engage in social change that the club’s leadership believes can be achieved through soccer.

That’s all I have for you today. Enjoy your Saturday morning, but don’t forget to show up early for the Pride and tune in for the Lions. Vamos Orlando!