Lion Links: 6/15/23

How’s it going, Mane Landers? We’ve reached the midpoint of June and I’m pretty much already over this summer heat. It feels like I can’t walk from my car to my front door without sweating. Thankfully, there has been plenty of Orlando soccer to enjoy while chugging water and keeping cool. Let’s kick this Thursday off with some refreshing links from around the soccer world.

Shorthanded Lions Gear Up for the Revolution

Orlando City is on a six-game unbeaten run, but has a tough task ahead of itself on the road this Saturday against the New England Revolution. The Lions are still looking for their first win against the Revolution at Gillette Stadium and have not beaten the Revs in MLS play since 2017. This match will also be difficult for Orlando as the team is without many of the players who have been key during this stretch. Pedro Gallese, Facundo Torres, and Wilder Cartagena are all on international duty, while defenders Antonio Carlos and Kyle Smith are suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Although Orlando has decent depth to fill in the gaps, it should still be a difficult match against a Revolution side that’s unbeaten at home this season.

Brazil Aims to Give Marta a Storybook Ending

Orlando Pride and Brazilian midfielder Marta is expected to take part in her sixth, and possibly final, Women’s World Cup next month. It’s a chance for Marta to win the trophy that has eluded her throughout a career that’s included 115 international goals and six FIFA World Player of the Year awards. Her 17 World Cup goals are also the most by any player — men’s or women’s. Kerolin, who is preparing for her first World Cup with Brazil, spoke on how the team is rallying around giving Marta a sendoff similar to what Argentina gave Lionel Messi last year.

“We want to win this trophy – particularly for Marta,” Brazil forward Kerolin said this week. “Our sights are firmly set on achieving that. She deserves it, because of everything she’s done in the game and because of the person she is. It’s hard to put into words the kind of person she is. We’re looking to follow Argentina’s example, what they did for Lionel Messi [at the men’s World Cup in 2022]. We’re out to follow in those footsteps with Marta.”

Orlando City B Takes On Chicago Fire II Tonight

After dismantling FC Cincinnati 2, 4-0 at home, Orlando City B is on the road tonight for a match against Chicago Fire II. Although the Young Lions remain unbeaten at home this season, they’ve struggled on the road, winning just two of their six away games. Tonight’s match is the first of three between the two teams this season, and also OCB’s first trip to Seatgeek Stadium since a 4-3 win there last July. OCB’s offense bounced back well after its shutout loss in Canada earlier this month and Jack Lynn has scored five goals across the team’s past five matches. However, the Young Lions will be without goalkeeper Javier Otero and Moises Tablante, as they are with the Venezuelan National Team for friendlies against Honduras and Guatemala.

MLS Announces Juneteenth Initiative

As part of commemorating Juneteenth, a holiday that celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. following the Civil War, MLS announced an initiative called “The Seeds We Plant. The Flowers We Share.” Collaborating with Black Players for Change, this includes 29 collectible jerseys designed by Black artist Gianni Lee that help celebrate African culture and its influence on the world. The player-signed jerseys are up for auction, with the raised funds going towards organizations that support and uplift Black communities in each club’s local market. The Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will also be played for this weekend’s matches.

USMNT Faces Mexico Tonight in Las Vegas

The United States Men’s National Team will take on Mexico tonight in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. It’s the latest installment of a rivalry in which the USMNT has had an edge in recent years. The USMNT beat Mexico in the Nations League final in 2021 and has not lost in its past five matches against El Tri. While control of the midfield could prove pivotal, many eyes will be on if forward Folarin Balogun can be a difference maker, should he make his USMNT debut at Allegiant Stadium. The winner of this match will face either Canada or Panama in the final on Sunday.

Free Kicks

• Inter Miami’s Corentin Jean is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury.
• FC Cincinnati captain Luciano Acosta is reportedly close to U.S. citizenship, which would open up a path to playing for the USMNT.

• Lucas Zelarayan’s game-winning goal from his own half predictably won MLS Goal of the Matchday, garnering 60.8% of the vote.

• Naomi Girma signed a new contract with the San Diego Wave that will keep her with the club through 2026.
• West Ham United is reportedly interested in American midfielder Yunus Musah, who helped Valencia stave off relegation in La Liga this past season.
• Patrick Vieira, who has coached New York City FC and Crystal Palace, is reportedly interested in the USMNT head coach vacancy and has been contacted by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
• Meanwhile, LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo stated that the rumors linking him with the USMNT head coaching job are false.
• The Kansas City Current added former Revolution and USMNT midfielder Lee Nguyen as an assistant coach.
• NWSL expansion side Bay FC has hired Lucy Rushton as the club’s first general manager. Rushton heads to California after serving as D.C. United’s general manager and Atlanta United’s head of technical recruitment and analysis.
• After eight years with Liverpool, James Milner is joining Brighton & Hove Albion on a one-year deal.
• Croatia beat the Netherlands 4-2 in a dramatic UEFA Nations League semifinal. Dutch winger Noa Lang equalized in stoppage time to send the game into extra time, but Luka Modric had a goal and an assist to give Croatia the win.
• FIFA reached an agreement with the European Broadcasting Union to extend its media right partnership to include major European markets, ending the standoff between FIFA and European broadcasters regarding the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

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