Lion Links: 7/6/23

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope this week has been treating you well. The wins from Orlando’s soccer teams have certainly lifted my mood over the past few days. I’ll be spending the day getting some errands done and going out for ramen and sushi later tonight. Let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world.

Orlando City Finds Its Footing at Home

Exploria Stadium is becoming a fortress once more for Orlando City, which has not lost at home since a 3-1 defeat to D.C. United on April 22. Not only have the Lions won three of their past four home games, but they’re also lighting up scoreboard while doing so. Of Orlando’s 32 goals this season, 12 have come in the club’s past five games at Exploria Stadium. The 4-0 win over the Chicago Fire was the latest display of the change in Orlando’s offense at home.

“We talked when we were in a downswing, we talked all together and pointed out the things that need to be fixed which was to score goals at home and that’s actually clicking now which is good and amazing for the fans as well,” Midfielder Dagur Dan Thorhallson, who scored his first goal at home on Tuesday, said after the match, “I thought that we were playing well and the goals were the only thing that was missing and now they’re coming so that’s why we’re winning.”

While home wins against the Colorado Rapids, Chicago Fire, and Toronto FC that involved the opposition receiving red cards may not be the most impressive feat, they’re the kind of matches that can help a team build momentum for the second half of the season.

Julie Doyle Named NWSL Player of the Week

Orlando Pride forward Julie Doyle earned the title of NWSL Player of the Week for her performance against the Washington Spirit this past weekend. The 24-year-old scored twice in the first 16 minutes of the Pride’s 3-0 win. Not only were they Doyle’s first goals of the season, but it was also her first career brace. Doyle missed a majority of the season due to an ankle injury so it’s great to see her bouncing back with a Player of the Week performance. Hopefully there are more goals in her future, as it would certainly help a Pride offense that’s been shut out in half of its 14 games so far this season.

Trades Abound as MLS Secondary Transfer Window Opens

MLS’s secondary transfer window is now open and teams are already wheeling and dealing. CF Montreal, which has only scored 20 goals this season, gave LAFC $1.65 million in 2023 General Allocation Money and $100,000 in 2024 GAM in exchange for 21-year-old forward Kwadwo Opoku. Last year, Opoku had a strong season that included seven goals, three assists, and ninth place on the 22 Under 22 list.

The Colorado Rapids shipped a 2023 international roster slot and up to $550,000 in GAM to Atlanta United for left back Andrew Gutman, who has started in 16 matches this season. It’s an interesting decision by Atlanta, considering its 35 conceded goals are tied for the most in the league, but it should give minutes to 18-year-old American Caleb Wiley. The Philadelphia Union also loaned American defender Brandan Craig to Austin FC in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and up to $125,000 in 2024 GAM if certain incentives are hit. The 19-year-old should be able to get more playing time on an Austin back line that’s suffered injuries this season.

U.S. Prepares for Clash With Canada on Sunday

The Concacaf Gold Cup’s knockout stage kicks off this weekend and the United States Men’s National Team will face Canada at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday. This will be a rematch of the recent Concacaf Nations League final on June 18, although the teams will look a bit different as many MLS players were called up for this tournament. That being said, Canada has 16 players from that Nations League roster on its Gold Cup roster, while the U.S. has just five. San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill was called up to join the U.S. to replace the injured Alan Soñora as well. The U.S. mostly cruised through the group stage, but Canada scraped by due to draws against Guatemala and Guadeloupe. The winner of this match will face either Panama or Qatar in the semifinal at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride moved up a spot to eighth in CBS Sports‘s NWSL power rankings.
• Orlando City midfielder Wilder Cartagena has quietly been impressing in the heart of the midfield.

• American Soccer Now‘s Brian Sciaretta praised Orlando rookie Duncan McGuire and believes he deserves a spot on the U.S. Olympic roster.
• Here’s a nice guide to some of the best spots in the City Beautiful to watch soccer.
• The schedule for qualifying to take part in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup was unveiled. The U.S. is hosting the inaugural tournament and has already qualified as a result.
• American midfielder Ian Harkes officially joined the New England Revolution.
• The United States Women’s Beach Soccer National Team called up 16 players for training in California.
• An arrest was made in the stabbing that took place in the Gold Cup match between Qatar and Mexico at Levi’s Stadium.
• Hannah Dingley became the first woman to be named head coach of a professional men’s soccer team in England. She will coach Forest Green Rovers in England’s fourth division.
• Brazilian Football Confederation President Ednaldo Rodrigues stated that Carlo Ancelotti will coach Brazil in next summer’s Copa America.
• John Berylson, the American owner of Millwall FC, has passed away after a car accident in Massachusetts.
• Angel Di Maria is returning to Benfica, the first European club he joined in 2007 from Argentina.

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