Lion Links: 7/18/23

Happy Tuesday, everyone! This weekend was about as good as it gets for Orlando City fans, as the club executed a sweep of Atlanta United at both the MLS and MLS NEXT Pro levels. There’s plenty to discuss today, so let’s jump on in.

Orlando Watch Parties for Women’s World Cup

The Orlando Pride have announced a series of watch parties for both the United States Women’s National Team and Orlando’s Brazilian players participating in the Women’s World Cup. The first will be this Friday at À Brasileira, when the USWNT takes on Vietnam in the team’s first group game. The second will be on July 24 at Brazilian bakery Pão Gostoso for Marta, Adriana, and Rafaelle’s first group game against Panama. There will be another party at À Brasileira for the USWNT’s match with the Netherlands on July 26 and a final event on Aug. 20 for the World Cup final at Orlando City Soccer School-Millenia.

Ali Riley Ready to Lead New Zealand

This will be former Orlando Pride player Ali Riley’s fifth Women’s World Cup. It might also be the most meaningful, as it will take place in New Zealand. This World Cup will almost certainly be her last and it’s special that it’s taking place in the country that she represented in her first World Cup all the way back in 2007. Oh, and she’s also co-captaining the team. New Zealand has a tricky group that includes Norway and Switzerland, but it has a perfectly good chance to get out of the group stage. Riley and the Ferns will kick off the tournament at 3 a.m. on Thursday against Norway.

MLS Transfer Roundup

There is a bit of MLS transfer news to catch up on. First up, Eloy Room and the Columbus Crew have mutually agreed to terminate the goalkeeper’s contract. Room had been with the Crew since 2019, but lost the starting job to Patrick Schulte. The 34-year-old will reportedly move to Dutch side Vitesse, where he began his career. New York City FC also signed defender Birke Risa from Molde FK in Norway. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through the 2025 season and has an option year for 2026.

European Transfer Roundup

There is also some notable European transfer news to discuss. First, Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly ready to go toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich to sign Harry Kane. The English striker is apparently very interested in joining Bayern, but PSG is said to be interested in signing him and has been speaking to Kane’s agent for a few weeks now.

Newcastle United has reportedly submitted a hefty bid of €100 million to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli. The 22-year-old winger fired in 22 goals in 34 games to help Napoli win the Serie A title last season, and Newcastle is said to be ready to submit another bid if the first one doesn’t get the job done.

Marcus Rashford has reportedly agreed to a new five-year contract that would keep him at Manchester United until 2028. Despite rumored interest from PSG, it seems he’s decided to stay, so Michael, our resident United fan, will be happy.

Finally, it looks like Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will be on his way to France.

Free Kicks

• Mia Fishel, who was drafted by the Pride in the 2022 NWSL Draft, is reportedly leaving Tigres to join Chelsea in Europe.

• Former Lion Alexandre Pato scored the fourth goal in Sao Paulo’s beatdown of Santos, and broke out an interesting celebration afterwards.

• This year’s MLS Community Day saw the opening of a mini pitch for use by the D.C. community.
• The logo for the 2024 Copa America is here, and it’s a certified banger.

• The USWNT is getting a documentary series on Netflix.

That’s all I have for you today. Y’all stay safe out there.