Lion Links: 5/10/23

Well, last night could have gone better. I plan on starting the day with the strongest coffee I can find to help shake off that Orlando City loss. Today is a new day and we have the Orlando Pride’s match to look forward to tonight as well. Let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world.

Orlando City Falls in U.S. Open Cup

Orlando City’s U.S. Open Cup title defense is already over, as the Lions lost 1-0 on the road against Charlotte FC. Charlotte’s Kamil Jozwiak made the most of an Orlando turnover, powering through Orlando’s defense to score the game’s only goal in the 70th minute. The Lions pushed for an equalizer but lacked sharpness, finishing the match without a shot on target. Mason Stajduhar came up with a few great saves, but the Lions came up short in their first game of the tournament. Orlando’s next game will be another road match on Saturday against the Columbus Crew.

Orlando Pride Face the Washington Spirit Tonight

After winning their first home game of the year, the Orlando Pride are on the road tonight to take on the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Pride started this year’s tournament with a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage, with the Courage scoring a late equalizer to leave Orlando with a point. Although the Spirit lost 1-0 to NJ/NY Gotham FC in their tournament opener, they are unbeaten in league play this season and are coming off of a 3-1 win at home against San Diego Wave FC. Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on how tonight’s match is a great chance for the team to keep building momentum.

“You want games, you want opportunities to play, another opportunity for us to go back to our identity and our style of play and just build on what we’ve already done this season. We’re looking forward to it. The energy is high, the confidence is high and there’s no better way to show it again than in a football match.”

More Teams Reach U.S. Open Cup Round of 16

The USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds “cupset” the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium to advance to the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 16. Danny Griffin scored right before halftime and Pittsburgh’s defense held on for the win. Inter Miami avoided a similar fate against the Charleston Battery, winning 1-0 due to an own goal. The Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner scored two equalizers against Minnesota United, but missed his penalty kick in the shootout as the Union were eliminated. Elsewhere in the tournament, the Chicago Fire beat St. Louis City 2-1 and the New York Red Bulls won 1-0 to oust D.C. United.

Real Madrid and Manchester City Draw in Champions League

The UEFA Champions League semifinals kicked off with a cagey 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and Manchester City. Vinicius Junior gave Real Madrid the lead in the first half, scoring off of a powerful shot from distance. Madrid’s defense did well and kept Erling Haaland in check for most of the game, but Kevin De Bruyne beat Thibaut Courtois to score an equalizer in the 67th minute. The two teams will meet again for the second leg on May 17 in Manchester. Today’s action features the first leg between rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Free Kicks

• The Lions dropped a spot to 16th in the MLS power rankings after losing 2-0 to CF Montreal.
• Following its 3-2 loss on the road to Crown Legacy FC, Orlando City B dropped to sixth in the MLS NEXT Pro power rankings.
• MLS NEXT Flex kicks off this weekend, and 18 games will be streamed on MLS Season Pass. You’ll be able to catch Orlando City’s U-17 team in action against Sockers FC on May 16 at 8:30 a.m.
• Toronto FC lost 2-1 to CF Montreal in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals. Montreal will face Forge FC in the semifinals.
• Americans Malik Tillman and Cameron Carter-Vickers were both named to the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season.
• NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman stated she expects to add two expansion teams for the league’s 2026 season.
• According to American Soccer Now writer Brian Sciaretta, Eintracht Frankfurt won’t release American midfielder Paxten Aaronson for the U-20 World Cup this month.

• The U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team roster was announced for the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship later this month. The U.S. is in a group with Canada, Jamaica, and Panama, with the top two finishers in the group advancing to the semifinals.
• Eintracht Frankfurt Head Coach Oliver Glasner will leave the club following the German Cup final against RB Leipzig on June 3. Glasner led Frankfurt to winning the Europa League title last year, but the club has not won in its past 10 Bundesliga matches.
• Paris Saint-Germain reportedly shortened Lionel Messi’s suspension and he will be available for the club’s match this Saturday against Ajaccio.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday and rest of your week.