Lion Links: 6/12/23

Happy Monday, Mane Landers. It looks like you’re getting the rare back-to-back Lion Links posting from myself. If you remember on Saturday, I said, “I’m hopeful Facundo Torres has finally turned the page he needed to this season.” After another dominating performance and another goal, it seems that he has found his form.

Aside from spending time smiling over an Orlando nine-point weekend, I also spent my days vacationing with family, sitting by the pool, and reading. I have been working through the Dune series and also just started the Mistborn books. I’m loving them both and highly recommend them to those looking for some longer works in the sci-fi and fantasy realms. But enough about my weekend, let’s dig right into everything soccer had to offer in the links!

Ramiro Enrique Finds The Net

Orlando City found itself in a rare position playing against nine men in the final stages of the match against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night. The Lions played to a 2-0 victory to gather all three points at home. But for one particular player, it was the step in the right direction that he really needed. Struggling MLS U22 Initiative striker Ramiro Enrique officially opened his scoring account and was the player to put the nail in the coffin after subbing into the match in the 78th minute. Five minutes after entering the pitch, he found the back of the net thanks to a Facundo Torres pass across the area.

“Facu [Torres] was out on the wing with the ball and we were all just trying to bring it into the area, and I saw the forwards go up and take the focus of the center backs,” Enrique said. “I just kind of dropped back and hoped that Facu was going to play the ball and thankfully he did, and I hit it and thankfully it went in. There was a lot of joy in that moment for it to finally come.”

Orlando Pride Defeat Portland Thorns

The Orlando Pride defeated the Portland Thorns 3-1 at Exploria Stadium behind a brace from forward Adriana. Despite the Thorns beginning the scoring in the 20th minute, the Pride quickly answered back when Adriana scored from a free kick with a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner. Coming out of halftime 1-1, Adriana scored her second of the night with a right footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner set up by Ally Watt following a fast break. But before the night was over, Messiah Bright also jumped on the scoresheet after intercepting a poor pass in the back to secure the Pride victory — just Orlando’s second ever home win over Portland.

Orlando City B Defeats Cincinnati, Stays Undefeated At Home

The Young Lions continued their home unbeaten run with a dominating performance over FC Cincinnati 2. Goals were plentiful as OCB racked up four in the outing and kept a clean sheet. Forward Jack Lynn started the scoring with his seventh goal of the year and four different Young Lions got the goals. All four came in a 20-minute span in the first half and it could have been worse. It was one of the team’s most complete matches of 2023.

USWNT World Cup Roster Woes

The United States Women’s National Team is just days away from releasing the official roster for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be played in this summer in Australia and New Zealand. This Saturday, Megan Rapinoe was subbed out of her fixture with an apparent calf injury. Rapinoe started the match for the Reign, but within the first 45 seconds she could be seen touching her lower leg and trying to loosen up an issue that she suffered off the ball. Following a discussion with the training staff and an attempt to jog as play continued, the Reign opted to make a change, with Veronica Latsko entering the game. Losing out on Rapinoe would add to a long list of USWNT attackers who are on course to miss the tournament, such as Catarina Macario, Christen Press, Mallory Swanson, and Rose Lavelle.

Free Kicks

• Columbus Crew attacking midfielder Lucas Zelarayán scored what could likely be the Goal of the Year from beyond midfield in stoppage time to beat the Chicago Fire.

• OL Reign captain Lauren Barnes is the first player to make 200 regular season appearances in NWSL history.
• Manchester City midfielder Rodri was named the Champions League Player of the Season by UEFA following a phenomenal 2022-23 campaign.
• After leaving the pitch with an injury in the 36th minute of Manchester City’s Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, midfielder Kevin de Bruyne revealed he has been playing with a hamstring tear for two months.
• Following the Manchester City Champions League victory, we now know the seeds and pots for the 2023-24 Champions League group stage draw.
• Uruguay, who eliminated the U-20 USMNT, beat Italy 1-0 on Sunday to win its first FIFA U-20 World Cup title.
• Cagliari’s Leonardo Pavoletti scored in stoppage time to secure his team’s return to Serie A with a 1-0 win at Bari in their promotion playoff second leg, and 2-1 aggregate.
• Steven Gerrard is considering an offer to become coach of Saudi club Al Ettifaq.
• Cody Gakpo will step into the central forward role for the Netherlands in this week’s Nations League finals after first choice Memphis Depay has been ruled out.
• Jude Bellingham and Lewis Dunk will not be ready for the England squad for the upcoming European qualifiers due to injuries.
• Algerian international Houssem Aouar signed a five-year deal with Roma on a free transfer from Ligue 1 side Lyon.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you have a great week. Vamos Orlando!