Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/22/23
Orlando City wins shootout after Leagues Cup-opening draw, the USWNT defeats Vietnam in World Cup opener, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers. I hope your weekend is going well down in Florida. I’ve been busy working the Chicago Cubs games at Wrigley Field all week but making an effort to watch some of the FIFA Women’s World Cup matches. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Draws Houston Dynamo in Leagues Cup Opener, Wins Shootout
Orlando City began its Leagues Cup group play against the Houston Dynamo. The Lions fell behind after a highly questionable penalty kick call awarded to the visitors but battled back after the break to tie it and then won an extra point in the South 2 group’s standings by winning the post-draw penalty shootout, 5-4 at Exploria Stadium. Duncan McGuire scored the equalizer to tie the match at 1-1.
Ercan Kara, Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, and Facundo Torres all scored from the spot. Hector Herrera was the only player to miss his penalty for the Dynamo thanks to a big save from Pedro Gallese. Orlando City can qualify for the knockout stage if Santos Laguna beats Houston on Tuesday night. Orlando City’s next group-stage match will be on Saturday, July 29 against Santos Laguna.
USWNT Defeats Vietnam 3-0 in World Cup Opener
The U.S. Women’s National Team began its World Cup title defense by winning its Group E opener, 3-0 against Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. Sophia Smith scored twice in the first half. In the second half, Lindsey Horan added another goal to give the USWNT a 3-0 lead, with Smith adding the assist. Megan Rapinoe came off the bench in the second half to earn her 200th career cap for the USWNT and become the 14th American to reach that mark. Next up for the USWNT will be a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final on Wednesday when it takes on the Netherlands.
Leagues Cup Roundup
Orlando City wasn’t the only team in action in the 2023 Leagues Cup last night as we had four other matches. Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets both made their debuts coming off the bench in the second half for Inter Miami. Robert Taylor scored in the first half for Miami but Uriel Antuna scored the equalizer in the second half for Cruz Azul. In stoppage time, Messi scored a game-winning goal on a free kick to give the Herons the win. Elsewhere, Austin FC lost its opener 3-1 to Mazatlan at home. Charlotte FC took an extra point from FC Dallas in penalties after a 2-2 draw. Leon and the Vancouver Whitecaps tied 1-1, but the Liga MX side won an extra point in an incredible 16-15 penalty-kick shootout. We have five Leagues Cup matches tonight as the Philadelphia Union face Tijuana while CF Montreal takes on Pumas. The New York Red Bulls host the New England Revolution, the Portland Timbers take on the San Jose Earthquakes, and Real Salt Lake faces the Seattle Sounders.
Latest MLS Transfer News
In the latest MLS transfer news, New York City FC announced that it has sold forward Valentin Castellanos to Serie A side Lazio for a club-record transfer fee. Castellanos had previously been on loan with Girona FC in La Liga and helped lead NYCFC to its first MLS Cup title in 2021. The Vancouver Whitecaps traded midfielder Julian Gressel to the Columbus Crew in exchange for up to $550,000 in General Allocation Money. The Whitecaps could also receive up to an additional $300,000 in GAM if certain conditions are met. St. Louis City FC signed forward Nokkvi Thorisson from Belgian second division side Beerschot. Thorisson’s deal is through 2025 with an option for the 2026 season.
Free Kicks
- The Orlando Pride hit the training ground preparing for tomorrow’s NWSL Challenge Cup match against NJ/NY Gotham FC.
- FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta was named MLS Player of the Month. Acosta scored three goals and added four assists this month while FC Cincinnati remains atop the table in the Supporters’ Shield race with 51 points.
- The Netherlands Women’s National Team manager Andries Jonker has criticized the Women’s World Cup organization for being amateurish while also dealing with its training conditions in New Zealand.
- Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly made Kylian Mbappe available for sale and has excluded him from the club’s preseason training tour in Japan.
- CF Montreal is reportedly close to acquiring defender Fernando Alvarez from Pachuca.
- Bay FC announced that the club will play its first season in the NWSL at PayPal Park in 2024.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Saturday and I’ll see you next time.