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Lion Links: 5/24/23

Lions prepare to take on Atlanta United, Michael Halliday starts in U-20 USMNT win, Orlando academy teams finish seasons, and more.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Hello, Mane Landers. How are you all doing this week? I’ve been covering the playoffs and state championships for spring high school sports lately and am getting ready for a busy holiday weekend at work. There is plenty to get to today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Prepares to Take on Atlanta United

Orlando City is preparing for its next matchup at Exploria Stadium this Saturday against Atlanta United. Head Coach Oscar Pareja got his 49th win as Orlando City’s coach (in all competitions) last weekend as the Lions defeated Inter Miami 3-1, and can secure his 50th win at home this Saturday. Ercan Kara leads the Lions with five goals across all competitions. The Austrian forward has scored in three consecutive matches and can tie the club record of four consecutive matches with a goal if he can find the back of the net against the Five Stripes. Gaston Gonzalez was not present at training on Tuesday, and we may get updates today on the injury he sustained against Miami.

Michael Halliday Starts as the U-20 USMNT Beats Fiji

Orlando City defender Michael Halliday started in the U.S. U-20 Men’s Youth National Team’s group match against Fiji in the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in Argentina. He played a full 90 minutes as the U.S defeated Fiji 3-0 for its second win in the group. With six points, the U.S. is on the verge of qualifying to the knockout stage as one of the top two teams from its group. Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna, San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell, and Atlanta United defender Caleb Wiley all scored for the Americans. The next match for the U.S. will be on Friday when it takes on Slovakia in its final match of group play.

OCSC Academy Teams Wrap Up Regular Seasons

The Orlando City U-17 squad clinched its division title with a 4-0 victory against Atlanta United this past weekend. Bernardo Goncalves scored two goals while Thomas Bowe and Justin Ellis added the other goals to help the Young Lions earn a spot in the MLS NEXT playoffs and win the division title for the first time since 2021. The U-15 squad lost 3-0 to Atlanta and finished second in the final standings. However, since the U-15 squad performed well at the MLS NEXT Flex tournament last weekend, it still qualified for the playoffs. The MLS NEXT Cup playoff schedule will be released on June 9.

Catarina Macario Will Miss the 2023 Women’s World Cup

United States Women’s National Team forward Catarina Macario announced on social media on Tuesday that she will miss the Women’s World Cup this summer. Macario has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered last June and missed the entire past season for Olympique Lyon. Macario helped the French club win a league championship and the UEFA Women’s Champions League title the previous season. Macario’s contract is set to expire and she has recently been linked to joining Chelsea in the Women’s Super League.

U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 Kicks Off

The 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup round of 16 got started last night. The El Trafico rivalry provided another battle between LAFC and the LA Galaxy. The Galaxy scored twice shortly after halftime to win 2-0 on the road and reach the next round. Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 2-1 at home to move on to the quarterfinals. Corey Baird had a hat trick as the Houston Dynamo won 4-0 over Minnesota United. New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir scored a late equalizer, but had his penalty kick saved in a shootout loss to FC Cincinnati.

In tonight’s matchups, we’ll see two USL Champion sides try to go for a “cupset” against MLS sides. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds face the Columbus Crew while the Birmingham Legion take on Charlotte FC. Austin FC will host the Chicago Fire at Q2 Stadium. The final match of the night features a rivalry clash as the Colorado Rapids take on Real Salt Lake at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Free Kicks

  • Enjoy this video of Orlando’s win over Miami, including some looks behind the scenes. Be sure to stay through the end.
  • The latest MLS Power rankings were released. The Lions moved up five spots to 14th after their 3-1 win against Miami.
  • MLS NEXT Pro also unveiled its power rankings. OCB dropped a spot to eighth spot after it drew 2-2 at home with Atlanta United 2 last Friday, with the visitors claiming the extra shootout point.
  • MLSSoccer.com‘s Joseph Lowery gave grades for how every MLS club is doing this season, with Orlando City receiving a B-.
  • MLS announced the launch of MLS Go, which is a recreational program to help increase youth participation in soccer. Orlando is featured alongside 17 other U.S. cities and the program will launch this fall.
  • FIFA approved LAFC midfielder Timmy Tillman’s one-time switch to change his national team affiliation from Germany to the United States.

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

Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/8/24

Barbra Banda’s soccer journey, Celia will retire after 2024 season, NWSL playoffs begin tonight, and much more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Congratulations on making it to Friday. It’s been a long week, but we’re rewarded with Orlando playoff soccer both today and tomorrow. Before we dive into today’s jam-packed links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City B defender Manuel Cocca!

Barbra Banda Shares Her Soccer Journey

Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda sat down with The Athletic ($) to talk about her time playing soccer both as a young girl in Zambia and in her first season in the City Beautiful. She also discussed her upbringing, including her mother’s initial disapproval in her playing soccer until she joined Bauleni United Sports Academy in Lusaka. Now one of the best players in the world, Banda has lived up to the lofty expectations set since joining Orlando and has excelled at both the club and international level this year. Banda also spoke about her friendship with teammate Grace Chanda, the differences in her playstyle since joining the Pride from Shanghai Shengli, and what it’s like playing alongside Marta in Orlando.

Celia Announces Her Retirement

Pride right back Celia announced that she will retire following the end of the 2024 season. The 29-year-old joined the Pride before the 2022 season as part of a trade with the club then known as OL Reign, and she’s appeared in 37 matches with the Pride. She was also the Pride’s nominee for the 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award for her work with SpaceKids Global. Celia will hang up her cleats after a playing career that’s also included stints with European clubs and trips to the World Cup with Spain in 2015 and 2019. We wish her the best of luck in whatever path she takes moving forward!

NWSL Playoffs Kick Off Tonight

This year’s NWSL playoffs will get started in Orlando tonight when the Pride host the Chicago Red Stars. Although the Red Stars will be without forward Ludmila due to suspension, they should still be a tough opponent for the Pride. Temwa Chawinga’s availability looms over Saturday’s clash between the Kansas City Current and the North Carolina Courage, as the Golden Boot winner did not play in the Current’s season finale. Sunday’s slate includes the Washington Spirit hosting Bay FC before NJ/NY Gotham FC squares off against the Portland Thorns.

San Jose Earthquakes Hire Bruce Arena

Bruce Arena is back in MLS, as the San Jose Earthquakes have hired him as the club’s head coach and sporting director. The 73-year-old has a stellar coaching career that’s included success at the collegiate, club, and international levels. He’s the winningest coach in both MLS and United States Men’s National Team history and was named to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010. He returns to MLS after resigning as the New England Revolution’s head coach in 2023 while on administrative leave amid a league investigation into allegations of insensitive remarks made by him. While he’s had successful rebuilds in the past with the LA Galaxy and the Revolution, Arena has his work cut out for him with a San Jose team that finished last in the league this season and conceded a record 78 goals.

Jim Curtin and Philadelphia Union Part Ways

The MLS coaching carousel is in full swing as Jim Curtin is no longer the head coach of the Philadelphia Union. Curtin has been with the Union since 2014 and was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022. While the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 may be the only silverware Curtin put in the Union’s trophy case, the team reached the U.S. Open Cup final three times, the MLS Cup final once, and the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals twice in his tenure. Philadelphia finished 14th in the Eastern Conference and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2017. With a rebuild looming, it makes sense for both Curtin and the Union to part ways. It will still be admittedly weird seeing Curtin coaching anywhere but Philadelphia.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City and Pride owners the Wilf family applied to develop parts of the Osceola Heritage Park complex. While the land that encompasses Osceola County Stadium or Silver Spurs Arena isn’t included, the former Johnson University campus is available.
  • United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino will be in Orlando this weekend for the Lions’ playoff match against Charlotte.
  • Kylian Mbappe was not called up for France’s UEFA Nations League games this month against Israel and Italy.
  • Let’s wrap things up with a moment of zen courtesy of Orlando right back Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.

That’s all I have for you on this fine Friday. I hope you all have a fantastic day and rest of your weekend. Go Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/7/24

Orlando Pride prepare for the playoffs, Lewis Morgan named MLS Comeback Player of the Year, Champions League roundup, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to Thursday, Mane Landers. Playoff soccer looms here in the City Beautiful, as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both host games in which defeat means elimination. I’ll unfortunately be spending the next few days working but am still looking forward to following along when I can. Let’s dive into today’s links!

Orlando Pride Focus On Playoff Game

A historic season for the Orlando Pride will continue Friday when they host the Chicago Red Stars in their first playoff game at home. Preparing for the postseason is unfamiliar territory of sorts for this Pride team, but NWSL veterans like Morgan Gautrat and Carson Pickett can help the team get in the playoff mindset. Emily Sams, who is in just her second year with the Pride but has experience winning an NCAA championship with Florida State, spoke on how the team is focused on its goal of winning the championship that’s driven the team forward this year.

“We’ve come back to that at different points in the season and reminded ourselves that our big goals are to win the shield and to win the championship,” Sams said after training. “We know that it’s very serious and that if we don’t perform well, we could possibly go home. But also knowing that Chicago’s in the same boat, they’re coming to our environment, they’re in front of our fans, where we can control things and just know that we’re the better team and that we can, if we play our best and play up to the standard that we want to, that we’ll be the ones happy at the end of the game.”

Lewis Morgan Named MLS Comeback Player of the Year

New York Red Bulls midfielder Lewis Morgan was voted 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year for his performance this season after undergoing hip surgery in September of last year. The 28-year-old led his team with 13 goals and also had seven assists to help the Red Bulls clinch a spot in the playoffs. Morgan was also called up by Scotland for the Euros and UEFA Nations League. Injuries kept him out for most of the 2023 season and there were concerns over whether he would be able to return to form this year. He received 37.69% of the vote to win the award over Robin Lod and Maxi Moralez.

Hector Herrera Not Returning to Houston

The Houston Dynamo declined the option on captain Hector Herrera’s contract for next year. Herrera joined the Dynamo from Atletico Madrid in the middle of the 2022 season and helped the club win the 2023 U.S. Open Cup and make the playoffs the past two years. He had five goals and 21 assists over 62 regular-season matches and was named an MLS All-Star twice. It will be interesting to see what the Dynamo do with the now open Designated Player spot. Only two Western Conference teams scored fewer goals than the Dynamo’s 47 this season, so we’ll see how they add some firepower to the attack heading into next year. Houston is also in discussions with five players regarding returning for next year, including goalkeeper Steve Clark and midfielder Latif Blessing.

Champions League Reaches Midway Point

The fourth round of the UEFA Champions League wrapped up and there were plenty of great games held across Europe. Atletico Madrid went to France and left with all three points after a win against Paris Saint-Germain that included a winner in stoppage time from Angel Correa. A penalty kick right before halftime was the difference in Inter Milan’s 1-0 win at home against Arsenal. Aston Villa was handed its first loss of its campaign in a 1-0 loss to Club Brugge due to Tyrone Mings picking up the ball in his own box. Barcelona, Atalanta, and Bayern Munich all won, while RB Salzburg got its first win of the tournament by beating Feyenoord on the road.

Free Kicks


That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a great Thursday and rest of your week.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/6/24

Orlando City and Orlando Pride set for upcoming playoff games, Rafaelle out for the season, UEFA Champions League results, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s win or go home time for both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride this weekend. As if this week wasn’t stressful enough, we have that to occupy our collective minds. I know that I often prefer to concentrate on soccer, so let’s let to the links.

Do or Die Time for the Lions

Thanks to a lackluster performance by Orlando City in the second match against Charlotte FC away from home, the Lions need a victory to advance in the playoffs. Fortunately, the next match will be back at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions will need Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda to return to form if they are to win. Orlando City isn’t the only home squad looking to win this weekend.

The NWSL Playoffs Are Here

With the NWSL playoffs imminent, it is any club’s championship to win. Of course, we want the Orlando Pride to win a second trophy. Each club has a chance to win, though some are better positioned to do so than others. The argument against the Pride stems from the two road matches they recently lost, and the goals given up after winning the NWSL Shield. If the Pride can return to the defensive form from earlier in the season, their odds will be better.

Rafaelle’s Season is Over

Any hope we had of Rafaelle bolstering the Orlando Pride back line came to an end Tuesday, as did her season. The Brazilian has been placed on the Season Ending Injury list with a partial tear of her quadriceps tendon in her right leg. The club is working with Orlando Health on a recovery program for Rafaelle, in hopes she’ll be available for the 2025 season. We wish her a complete and speedy recovery.

Champions League Doesn’t Disappoint

It was quite a day in the UEFA Champions League Tuesday. Liverpool dispatched Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on the back of a Luis Diaz hat trick, with all four goals coming after the 60th minute. Another high-scoring match saw Sporting CP down Manchester City 4-1 thanks to a hat trick from Victor Gyokeres.

Christian Pulisic helped AC Milan defeat Real Madrid 3-1 with the American providing an assist off a corner. It really was quite a beauty with a finish by Malick Thiaw.

The USMNT’s Malik Tillman scored a goal and added two assists in PSV’s 4-0 victory over Girona. Of course, Girona played a man down after Arnau Martinez received a second yellow card 10 minutes into the second half.

Free Kicks

  • This Atalanta supporter will have a story to tell that few, if any, could ever dream of when talking about his club.
  • If you were wondering what a day in the life of Felipe looks like, wonder no more.
  • If you’re looking for something to do tonight perhaps you’d like to meet Simone Charley and Grace Chanda? The info is in the post below from Tuesday.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for both matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

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