Lion Links: 6/30/23

It’s Friday! This summer heat is killing me, but I’ve stocked up on aloe and water bottles to survive. I’m also going to an Alicia Keys concert tonight and am very thankful it will be indoors. Between that and a cookout tomorrow, it should be a nice couple of days on my end. There’s also plenty of Orlando soccer to enjoy this weekend, along with the Concacaf Gold Cup. But for now, enjoy these links from around the soccer world.

Orlando City Takes on the Chicago Fire Tomorrow

Orlando City is back in action tomorrow night when it hosts the Chicago Fire in the first of four games this July. Although the Lions have only won three of their 10 home games this season, they are unbeaten in their past five. Pedro Gallese is back between the sticks and picked up where he left off before the international break, earning his third consecutive clean sheet in the team’s draw against the Seattle Sounders. He may have his hands full against a Chicago Fire offense that includes Kei Kamara and Kacper Przybylko, who have collectively scored 15 goals against the Lions over the years.

There are a couple of milestones to keep an eye out for tomorrow night as well. Mauricio Pereyra’s next appearance will be his 100th in the MLS regular season, and Facundo Torres’ next one will be his 50th regular-season match and his 60th across all competitions for Orlando. Kyle Smith will pass Chris Mueller for the second-most appearances in club history should he play tomorrow.

Tahir Reid-Brown Named to MLS NEXT All-Star Game

Orlando City academy and OCB defender Tahir Reid-Brown was chosen to be a part of the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game on July 19 at 10:30 a.m. Reid-Brown, who turns 17 on Sunday, helped Orlando’s U-17 team reach the MLS NEXT Cup semifinals earlier this month and has made six appearances for Orlando City B this season. He’s the lone representative for Orlando at this All-Star Game, which features 44 of the top young players in the country. Favian Loyola and Alejandro Granados both played in last year’s All-Star Game, with Loyola earning the title of MVP. Hopefully Reid-Brown can similarly impress in this year’s event.

Orlando City B Prepares for FC Cincinnati 2

After a midweek loss to Philadelphia Union II, Orlando City must shift its focus to this Sunday’s road match against FC Cincinnati 2. The Young Lions came out on top three weeks ago, beating Cincinnati 4-0 at Osceola County Stadium. That was OCB’s only victory in June, as it was shut out and beaten in its three other matches. Although Cincinnati sits in 11th in the Eastern Conference, it has only lost one of its seven home games and the Young Lions have struggled mightily on the road this year. OCB’s scoring has been inconsistent, but Wilfredo Rivera is back from international duty with Puerto Rico and the offense created plenty of chances in the loss to the Philadelphia.

USMNT Will Host Oman and Uzbekistan in Friendlies

The United States Men’s National Team will take on Oman and Uzbekistan in September in a pair of friendlies held in the U.S. The Yanks will play Uzbekistan on Sept. 9 in St. Louis before heading to St. Paul, MN for a game against Oman at Allianz Field. These will be the first matches the U.S. has ever played against the two AFC nations, which both qualified for the Asian Cup set to take place in Qatar in January. These friendlies will take place during an international break, so Head Coach Gregg Berhalter will have plenty of players to choose from. The USMNT already has a pair of friendlies lined up for October as well, hosting Germany and Ghana.

USMNT Moves Up in FIFA Rankings

The U.S jumped up two spots to 11th in FIFA’s world rankings, leapfrogging Switzerland and Morocco. The Yanks beat both Mexico and Canada earlier this month to win the Concacaf Nations League. The U.S. is now the highest-ranked Concacaf team, with Mexico in 14th, Costa Rica in 42nd, and Canada in 45th. Argentina remains at the top of the rankings, narrowly ahead of France. Brazil, which lost 4-2 to Senegal on June 20, is still in third, with seven European nations rounding out the top 10. Winning the Gold Cup would likely help the U.S. build a case for breaking into the top 10 nations in the world.

Free Kicks

• Former Orlando Pride defender Ali Riley signed a contract extension with Angel City FC that will keep her in California through the 2025 season.
• Real Salt Lake signed midfielder Nelson Palacio as an MLS U22 Initiative player on a contract through 2026, with options for 2027 and 2028 as well.
• Portland Timbers Designated Player Evander was fined and suspended for Saturday’s match for violent conduct.
• Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly agreed to a deal that will send Mason Mount to Manchester in exchange for an initial $69.4 million.
• Ligue 1’s FC Toulouse is reportedly signing Cristian Casseres Jr. from the New York Red Bulls before his contract is up this winter.

• France’s highest court upheld a ban that prevented players from wearing a hijab in matches.
• Luka Modric and Dejan Lovren were charged with allegedly giving false testimony about financial dealings with Zdravko Mamic, a former director at Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb who was sentenced to prison for for embezzlement and tax fraud.

That’s all I have for you today, Mane Landers. Make sure to stay nice and cool out there!