Lion Links: 6/17/23

It’s matchday, Mane Landers! I hope you’re ready for some Orlando City and Orlando Pride action tonight. I’m still riding high off that USMNT win over Mexico, and I hope that continues through tonight and Orlando’s matches. Before we get started today, let’s wish a warm happy birthday to Pride midfielder Summer Yates, who turns 23 today. OK, now let’s get to the links.

Granados’ Great Month

Alejandro Granados has had one heck of a month. It all started out with him playing with Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro. Then came the call-up to the Spanish U-17 national team. An academy player getting a call-up is special. It is a feather not only in Granados’ cap, but also the club’s. He even scored a goal in the quarterfinal of the UEFA U-17 European Championship. Following his time with Spain, he signed a short-term contract and made an appearance with the Orlando City senior team. That is a lot of firsts for a young man that made his way up from the academy.

Orlando Pride Prepare for North Carolina

The Pride are coming off a huge win over the Portland Thorns and are heading up to North Carolina to take on the Courage. The Pride last met the Courage in the Challenge Cup earlier this year and played to a 1-1 draw. Now, the Pride will look to keep the momentum going and secure a second straight win. It won’t be easy, but if Adriana and Messiah Bright can continue to score, it’s anyone’s match.

Berhalter Officially Rehired as USMNT Coach

U.S. Soccer announced that after an exhaustive search of every available — and unavailable — coach in the world, the committee decided on…Gregg Berhalter. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. His new contract will run through the 2026 World Cup, giving Berhalter the chance to build upon what he started during the last World Cup. He stated that this new tenure as coach is not just a continuation of what he did before, but rather a new project built upon what was done before. You can check out the press conference below.

No Consequences for Mexico…Yet.

If you were watching the USMNT versus Mexico match on Thursday night you might have heard the despicable, homophobic chant by the Mexico supporters. Chants that are supposed to result in negative consequences did not during the match. Well, the referee did stop the match for a few minutes and then ended second-half stoppage time early, but that was it. Concacaf is looking into the matter, but unless there are significant consequences for the Mexico Men’s National Team, nothing will change.

Free Kicks

• Secretary-General Fatma Samoura is leaving FIFA at the end of 2023. The first female and non-European secretary general didn’t seem to make much of an impact during her tenure.
• If there is ever an argument for one player to play every match against another team, it has to be for Miles Robinson to play against Mexico.

• Bayern Munich is looking to sign Manchester City’s Kyle Walker as the treble-winning club looks to unload some talent before the next season.
• Becky Sauerbrunn will miss the 2024 Women’s World Cup due to a lingering foot injury suffered with the Portland Thorns. This is yet another blow to the USWNT’s chances at the competition.
• With Sauerbrunn out, who are the players that will make the final cut for the USWNT as they defend their Women’s World Cup title?
• Crystal Dunn is certain to make the squad, but she is now a veteran and is adjusting to her new role as a leader for the USWNT.
• I’ll leave you with this gem. If you do a preview of Orlando City and mention that Facundo Torres is the reason the Lions have been successful as of late but neglect to mention he will be away on international duty, have you really done a preview?

That will do it for today. Go Lions and go Pride!