Lion Links: 7/15/23

Happy match day, Mane Landers! Do I even need to tell you who we play today? Unless you live under a rock, you know that tonight’s match begins at 7:30 p.m. against Atlanta United. No matter if you’re a new fan or with us since the start, you know this match matters just a little bit more than most. There is nothing that I would love better this weekend than walking out with all three points from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Beating your rival in front of their home crowd makes victory taste just a little bit extra sweet. Before we get started, join us here at The Mane Land in wishing Orlando Pride defender Carrie Lawrence a happy 26th birthday.

Let’s get down into it all in today’s links!

Atlanta United Availability Against Orlando City

When Orlando City takes on Atlanta United tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Five Stripes could be without the services of a pair of big name players. Atlanta’s star striker Giorgos Giakoumakis is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, while center back Miles Robinson is returning from USMNT duty in the Gold Cup. It would surely bolster the Lions’ chance of victory if the attack was a little less potent and the back line had a major hole to fill. Atlanta United fell 2-1 midweek to the New England Revolution and hope to bounce back, while Orlando enjoyed time off since their July 8 match at Real Salt Lake. In the all-time series, Atlanta has nine wins to Orlando’s three. The teams have split the spoils seven times, including a 1-1 draw back in May in the reverse fixture, when Tyler Wolff equalized in the dying moments at Exploria Stadium.

MLS Matchday 26 Preview

There are plenty of other games to watch besides Orlando City and Atlanta United in the last MLS matchday before the MLS All-Star Game on July 19 and then Leagues Cup beginning on July 21. Eight points clear of their closest pursuers atop the MLS standings, FC Cincinnati can inch closer to a Supporters’ Shield crown with a home win over Nashville SC, which has arguably been Cincy’s biggest Shield challenger thus far. In a repeat of the last two Eastern Conference finals, the Philadelphia Union host New York City FC, which is unbeaten in eight matches. Both the Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas should get an offensive boost as they welcome back their respective top scorers in Jordan Morris Jesús Ferreira from USMNT duty at the Concacaf Gold Cup. And after an abysmal start, the L.A. Galaxy are unbeaten in seven matches as they travel to BC Place to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have scored 25 of their 34 league goals this season at home.

Top 10 UWSNT World Cup Moments

The Orlando Pride are without a match until July 23, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t women’s soccer to prepare for. The USWNT is preparing to kick off the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament in New Zealand and Australia against Vietnam on July 21. As a powerhouse in the women’s game, the USWNT has had its fair share of notable memories in World Cup matches over the past 32 years. There are plenty of good moments to consider, so be sure to let us know in the comments below which was your favorite!

USWNT Announces Friendlies Following World Cup

Following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the USWNT will be right back in action against South Africa. The team announced that it will play a pair of matches beginning at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. It will then play again in Chicago three days later at Soldier Field on Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m. The United States will have just made its ninth appearance all-time at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, while South Africa played in only its second.

“The focus right now is of course on the World Cup, but to get two great matches in our first games back in the USA in two stadiums that are really fun to play in will be awesome for our players and the fans,” said U.S. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski. “South Africa has talented players so I’m sure these will be two entertaining games.”

Free Kicks

• You can show your support for the Central Florida Crusaders by helping out Mona Rodriguez of the women’s team, who was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident.

• FC Dallas has transferred homegrown defender Justin Che to Danish top-flight side Brøndby IF.
• Diego Valeri signed a one-day contract with the Portland Timbers so the legendary Argentine midfielder can officially retire as a member of the club.

• San Jose Earthquakes’ Miguel Trauco won Goal of the Matchday following a world-class volley with 47.5% percent of the fan vote.
• Real Salt Lake forward Cristian Arango has had a yellow card rescinded. He will be absolved from his yellow card accumulation total and any disciplinary points from Real Salt Lake’s total will be dismissed.
• Eredivisie side FC Twente is set to acquire Caden Clark on loan for the season.
• Preparations for the Women’s World Cup are heating up and after only 20 minutes, the match between the Republic of Ireland and Colombia was called off due to it becoming “overly physical.”
• Manchester United and Barcelona have both been fined for breaches of UEFA’s financial fair play regulations.
• Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty at a retrial Friday of one count of raping a woman and the attempted rape of another woman.
• Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook confirmed that he is investing in Leeds United.

That’s a wrap for links today. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be counting down the hours until the match kicks off. This is just one of those that can’t be missed. Good luck out there today, boys. Vamos Orlando!