Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/22/23
Lions draw with the Philadelphia Union, Orlando’s U-17 team wins in MLS NEXT Cup, USWNT roster for the World Cup announced, and more.
Orlando City’s result last night stung. In times like these, I like to cherry pick a positive fact to help see the bigger picture and its silver lining. Orlando City has only lost one of its past eight games. Things could certainly be better, but things could be much worse as well. Drink some water, do some stretches, and enjoy today’s links.
Orlando City Draws With the Philadelphia Union
The Lions looked to be the better team for a majority of the match but had to settle for a 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union due to an unstoppable strike in the 90th minute and a controversial call. Orlando took an early lead and then doubled that lead shortly after halftime, but the Union battled back with a pair of goals in the second half to leave Exploria Stadium with a point. Mason Stajduhar came up with some great saves while filling in for Pedro Gallese as well. Although dropping points at home is always tough to swallow, the Lions played well against one of the league’s better teams. They’ll look to take all three points this Saturday when they face the Seattle Sounders on the road.
Orlando City U-17 Team Advances to Semifinals
In the MLS NEXT Cup quarterfinals, Orlando City’s U-17 team faced off against the New England Revolution and won 2-1. Brandon Kristel scored both of Orlando’s goals and the defense held on for the victory.
Orlando will take on Real Colorado tomorrow morning at 10:15 a.m in the semifinals. Real Colorado has beaten its past two opponents in the tournament in penalty shootouts, advancing past Austin FC and St. Louis City. The winner of this semifinal will take on the victor between the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes, with the final set for Sunday night at 9 p.m.
USWNT World Cup Roster Announced
United States Women’s National Team Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski named the 23 players who will take part in next month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. This will be the first World Cup for 14 of the players called up, including forwards Alyssa Thompson, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Lynn Williams. They’re joined up top by Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who are two of three players called up for their fourth World Cup, along with defender Kelley O’Hara. Alyssa Naeher, Aubrey Kingsbury, and Casey Murphy were the three goalkeepers called up. The USWNT’s first match of the World Cup will be on July 22 against Vietnam in New Zealand.
Gold Cup Kicks Off This Weekend
Just a week after winning the Concacaf Nations League, the United States Men’s National Team will kick off the Concacaf Gold Cup on Saturday against Jamaica. Only five of the players who took part in the recent Nations League matches are with the team for this tournament as well, with many MLS players called up for the Gold Cup. The U.S. won the last iteration of the tournament in 2021 and is in a group with Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Kitts & Nevis. Although the Yanks will be favorites to make it out of the group, their opponents aren’t to be overlooked. Former Lion Kevin Molino, who plays for Trinidad & Tobago, is one of the players who could give the U.S. trouble in the group stage.
Free Kicks
- Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos received Orlando jerseys while in attendance for Orlando’s match. The two will be in action tomorrow night for the celebrity match at Exploria Stadium.
- Pablo Ruiz predictably won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his strike from roughly 68 yards out.
- LAFC signed 17-year-old defender Diego Rosales as a Homegrown Player, with a contract that includes options through 2026.
- The USL W League announced the Tallahassee Reckoning as its newest expansion team. Not only is it great to know a USL W League team will be in Florida’s capital, but the Reckoning is one of the coolest names for a team I’ve heard in a while.
- Jose Mourinho was handed a four-game ban from UEFA for verbally abusing a referee after the Europa League final. He will sit out Roma’s first four games of the next Europa League’s group stage.
- Arsenal will reportedly pay Chelsea $85.8 million to sign forward Kai Havertz. It’s a hefty price to pay, but Havertz could be a title-winning piece of the puzzle for Arsenal next season.
- Manchester City and Chelsea have reportedly agreed to a fee for Mateo Kovacic to play for City, with an up front price tag of $32 million.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week.