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Lion Links: 5/8/23

Orlando City to debut U.S. Open Cup documentary, Lions shift focus to Charlotte FC, Moorhouse grabs first clean sheet, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

Welcome to Monday, Mane Landers. It’s the start of the work week and a rare Monday post from myself. The Pride grabbed a win this weekend, but both the men’s teams failed to grab a point. Perhaps they will kick their work week off on the right foot in preparation for a Tuesday night U.S. Open Cup match. For those of you who missed the matches, be sure to check out all the recaps on our website. Now let’s see what is happening around the soccer world in today’s links!

Orlando City to Debut Documentary

With the Lions soon to join in on the 2023 U.S. Open Cup festivities, the club will debut a documentary titled For Our City. It follows the journey of Orlando City’s first-ever MLS era trophy from last season with never-before-seen content and interviews with many of the key figures along the six-game streak.

“2022 was a historic season for our club, our fans, and our community, and we’re so excited to kick off the defense of our championship with the debut of this incredible documentary,” Orlando City SC President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon said. “A lot of hard work went into winning the Open Cup trophy on the field, and a lot of hard work went into putting this film together off the field. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in this production, especially to Luiz, Oscar, and the soccer operations group for trusting us with access and opportunity to bring this project to life.”

Orlando City Shifts Focus to Charlotte FC

Reigning U.S. Open Cup champions Orlando City played all of its tournament matches at home last year. The Lions enter the Round of 32 Tuesday night. It is a quick turnaround from a league defeat against CF Montreal, but the Lions are quickly shifting focus to their cup match against Charlotte FC. Orlando City left back Kyle Smith hopes to take the positives from the first half of the Montreal match and put the rest behind as soon as possible to turn the page for Charlotte.

“Yeah, we have to put this game behind us and take the positives from this game, which is the first half because we played very well. We were dangerous and good. I don’t think they had many chances at all in the first half, so you have to take the positives and have a short memory so we can get a result on Tuesday.” 

Anna Moorhouse Earns First Clean Sheet of Season

The Orlando Pride won a second consecutive match by defeating Racing Louisville. on Saturday night. For Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, the 1-0 victory also served as her first clean sheet of the season. Orlando Pride defender Megan Montefusco is elated with the milestone and back line chemistry.

“It felt amazing to finally get a clean sheet. We’ve been working toward that for a long time, so it felt right to finally get that tonight. We’re building our relationships too. I feel really good next to Emily [Madril]. Obviously, me and Haley [McCutcheon] go way back, I think we’re just solid and then Anna [Moorhouse] came up huge as she does. Just a great team performance and our back line is just really coming together. It’s exciting for us.”

MLS Matchday 11 Roundup

There were quite a few storylines to follow this weekend around MLS. One of the most hyped would be that of Josef Martínez taking on Atlanta United for the first time. While the striker had yet to find the net this season, that streak came to an end in the 59th and 75th minutes, as he grabbed a brace for Inter Miami. Martínez is now the fastest player in MLS history to 100 regular-season goals.

Elsewhere, Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar scored a hat trick against the Chicago Fire. No player has more goal contributions in MLS than Mukhtar since the start of the 2022 season. New England Revolution Head Coach Bruce Arena bested a fellow former USMNT coach in Bob Bradley, as Toronto FC fell, 2-0. The Revs were able to get the win without the services of Giacomo Vrioni or Dylan Borrero in the starting lineup, with Jozy Altidore making his BMO Field return. Another club missing stars was Austin FC. The Verde and Black snatched a late 2-2 draw at the Portland Timbers even without their star, Sebastián Driussi, who picked up a midweek groin strain.

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That’s all I have for you today. I hope you enjoy your week and are off to a great start. And, don’t forget about the midweek Orlando City action. Vamos Orlando!

Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/2/23

Orlando City’s trophy aspirations, the Orlando Pride playoff hunt, OCB falls to Columbus Crew 2, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! Though I’m still reveling in the huge win over CF Montreal, I’m also looking ahead to a big week for both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride. It’s such a great time of the year with MLS and NWSL matches, plus the European leagues, and American football. So much to watch, so little sleep to be had. Let’s get to the links.

Lions Looking for Hardware

Orlando City set a record for wins and points in a season with the win over CF Montreal on Saturday night. Hopefully it’s a record that will be extended over the final three matches of the regular season. The coaches and the players certainly think that Orlando City has an opportunity to win the MLS Cup. Where the Lions finish in the standings will go a long way towards reaching the final and that all starts Wednesday night.

The Pride’s Playoff Push

The Orlando Pride continue their push to make the NWSL playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season with a trip across the country to take on Angel City FC later tonight. It is the first of two away matches this week — the last road games of the regular season. The Pride sit just above Angel City in the standings with the clubs in seventh and eighth places, respectively. The game will be Marta’s 100th match over all competitions. Securing three points over Angel City would make a big difference in the Pride’s race to the playoffs. Keep an eye out for our preview later today.

OCB Penalized Out of the Playoffs

On The Mane Land PawedCast, we often describe Orlando City B matches as being “drunk.” OCB’s 2-1 playoff loss to Columbus Crew 2 will definitely be described as such. There were three red cards, two penalties, and Jack Lynn didn’t score a goal for once. There were some questionable calls by both the refs and by OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman, but conceding only from the penalty spot while outscoring the hosts in the run of play won’t (and shouldn’t) sit well with the Young Lions. While the result is disappointing, one should remember that OCB is a development squad, and one that made the playoffs to boot.

USMNT Players in Action Abroad

USMNT players made some noise this weekend. Christian Pulisic played 82 minutes and scored AC Milan’s winning goal in the club’s 2-0 victory over Lazio. It was one of two shots on target for the American. Striker Folarin Balogun missed not one, but two penalty shots in Monaco’s match against Marseille. Fortunately, Balogun scored an equalizer in the run of play and his teammate secured the 3-2 win. The win moves Monaco to the top of Ligue 1.

Over in the Eredivisie, Malik Tillman got his first start for PSV. Tillman provided an assist and scored the game winner late in second-half stoppage time to give PSV a 3-1 win over FC Volendam. It was a Man of the Match performance by the American. In less good news, Tyler Adams will miss more time with AFC Bournemouth as he has had a setback with his hamstring injury. How long he will be out is still to be determined.

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That will do it for today. It’s a busy week coming up with Pride matches tonight and on Friday, and the Lions playing on Wednesday and Saturday. Check back for all of our coverage of your favorite teams. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/30/23

City’s home unbeaten run, Lions hunting for home field advantage, Facundo Torres loves scoring goals, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Welcome to the weekend, Mane Landers. The Lions are closing out the month of September at home tonight with CF Montréal. On Sunday, OCB takes on Crew 2, while the Orlando Pride have a late match against Angel City on Monday. I never hate this time of year, when it seems like at any moment we can turn on the TV and catch a match, whether it be Orlando-based or afar. I’m here for it.

Before we head into the links today, let’s take a moment to wish our Brazilian midfielder and master of the late match dark arts, Felipe, a happy birthday!

Orlando City Go Streaking at Home

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Inter Miami, Orlando City is powering towards the playoffs. The Lions will take on CF Montréal at Exploria Stadium tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Lions enter the match riding an impressive 10-game unbeaten home streak in league play. On the other side of the ball, CF Montréal has gone five straight games without a win and sits eighth in the East battling hard to stay above the playoff line. Orlando City sits on the cusp of a record points total, with 51 currently tied for the best in club history. A win or draw against tonight’s Canadian opposition would make this the best MLS season in its ninth campaign since joining MLS in 2015.

“Obviously, the last game was a great effort from the team and, you know, you’re disappointed to not take the three points at the end and only be able to take the draw,” Orlando forward Martin Ojeda said.  “I think we’re gonna give that little bit extra in these last four games and continue pushing to try and put ourselves in second place or as high as we possibly can.”

Orlando City Hunts for Home Field Advantage

With just four games left in the season, two points separate Orlando City’s second-place position with the New England, which is currently in sixth. The close gap could pivot the upper half of the Eastern Conference table with a combination of different results across the league. While the Lions have clinched a playoff spot, they have yet to fully secure postseason home field advantage. All season the club’s preparation has led up to this crucial moment where a knockout round mentality can push them forward in locking down a playoff match in Exploria Stadium.

“We have pushed for two-and-a-half, three months towards us achieving these objectives and putting the team in the best place we can,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. “Now we are in that spot, but we have to sustain it or even go higher. And knowing that in the playoffs, we need to be optimized to be sharp and advance.

Facundo Torres Keeps Scoring

With 12 goals and four assists, Uruguayan Designated Player Facundo Torres is having himself a great season heading into Matchday 35. As it stands, Torres sits tied for fourth in MLS goals and tied for third on the club in assists. If you need a hype video to get you pumped for the match tonight, take a look at this highlight reel showcasing the winger’s prowess in front of the net.

Orlando Pride Travel to Angel City

On Monday night, the Orlando Pride will kick off at 10 p.m. against Angel City at BMO Stadium. Orlando currently sits in seventh place, just a point behind the playoff line. This will be the second meeting between the two sides. In their first fixture, Angel City walked away the victors at Exploria Stadium in April with a 2-1 scoreline. An Angel City first-half goal by forward Claire Emslie was countered early in the second half by Pride forward Messiah Bright. However, it was the visiting team with the last laugh as Angel City forward Katie Johnson scored a last-gasp header at the death in the 10th minute of stoppage time to earn all three points.

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  • The Orlando City match day media team had quite the time trolling Inter Miami fans at Exploria Stadium.
  • Orlando Pride staff put in the extra work this week improving the team’s training facility.
  • The United States Men’s Deaf National Team earned a 1-0 win against England in the Round of 16 at the 2023 DIFA Men’s World Deaf Football Championships.
  • You can take as many steps as you want when walking up to strike a penalty, but the more you take, the worse you look when you fail at scoring. Just ask Neymar.

That’s all I have for you today. Enjoy the match at home tonight. Show up early and be loud. Every point counts this late in the game. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 9/29/23

Orlando City prepares for CF Montreal, learning more about Duncan McGuire, Jack Lynn named to MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

It’s Friday, which means we’re just one day away from a pretty busy weekend of Orlando soccer. It should be a pretty fun next few days, with Orlando City, the Orlando Pride, and Orlando City B all in action. I don’t have many weekend plans beyond working and getting some writing and reading done. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for CF Montreal

Orlando City hosts CF Montreal tomorrow night in a showdown between two Eastern Conference teams with just four games remaining this season. It’s the second match between the two teams this year, with Montreal beating the Lions 2-0 in Canada on May 6. In the time since that game, the Lions have only lost three games this season and have not been defeated at home since April 22. Orlando’s next win will be Head Coach Oscar Pareja’s 60th with the Lions, and tomorrow’s match could also break club records for most wins and points in a season. A win for the Lions would be massive to put some breathing room between them and the other top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Get to Know Duncan McGuire

Orlando forward Duncan McGuire was the latest to go under the microscope as part of the club’s video series to learn more about the players. The rookie spoke on his upbringing as a middle child, as well as how he turned to soccer after struggling in other sports. McGuire also talked about his acrobatic goal celebrations and a clip is included of a time he didn’t quite stick the landing after scoring for Creighton. It’s a pretty fun interview, as he gave some details on how Mason Stajduhar is a quick learner when it comes to golf and how he wants to go out to dinner with Ana de Armas.

Jack Lynn Makes MLS NEXT Pro Best XI

Orlando City B forward Jack Lynn was named to the MLS NEXT Pro’s Best XI for the second straight year. Lynn fueled OCB’s offense this season, scoring 19 goals to help the Young Lions claim a spot in the playoffs. No MLS NEXT Pro player has scored more goals since the league’s inaugural season last year than Lynn, who has 34 goals under his belt. The 23-year-old is joined on the front line of this year’s Best XI with the two players he tied with for the Golden Boot, New York City FC II’s Matt Myers and Colorado Rapids 2 forward Remi Cabral.

Orlando City B Takes On Columbus Crew 2 This Sunday

The Young Lions will play their first MLS NEXT Pro playoff game this Sunday when they face Columbus Crew 2 on the road at 5:30 p.m. It will be the third and final match between the two sides this year, with each claiming a big win over the other earlier in the season. No team that qualified for the playoffs has lost more road games than OCB this season, which may be why Columbus elected to face Orlando. However, Orlando’s offense has been electric at times this year thanks to Lynn, Shak Mohammed, Wilfredo Rivera, and others. Sunday may be another wild game with the Young Lions involved and you can check it out on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.

Tahir Reid-Brown Called Up for Training Camp

United States U-17 Men’s National Team Head Coach Gonzalo Segares called up 20 players for a training camp in Brazil to prepare for the U-17 World Cup in November. OCB defender Tahir Reid-Brown was the lone Orlando representative called up for this camp. The 17-year-old was called up to the U-17 team earlier this April for a training camp in Florida. He’s had an impressive year, earning a spot in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game and making 10 appearances for OCB. The U.S. will take on Brazil on Oct. 4 and Oct. 6 in a pair of friendlies during this camp.

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  • Orlando City center back Rodrigo Schlegel unveiled the meaning behind his tattoos, including the ones for his parents and his biggest moments as a Lion.

That’s all I have for you today. Hopefully the weather plays nice this weekend and you’re able to do everything you have planned. Have a great Friday!

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