Lion Links: 7/25/23

Happy Tuesday, everyone. The games continue to come thick and fast, with the United States Women’s National Team taking on the Netherlands tomorrow and Orlando City and the Orlando Pride back in action this weekend. That means there’s plenty to discuss, so let’s get right into today’s links.

Women’s World Cup Results

The Women’s World Cup rolled on yesterday, and there were some eye-popping results. In a match Orlando Pride fans may have had an eye on, Brazil smashed Panama 4-0, with Marta, Adriana and Rafaelle all featuring. You can also learn more about Arys Borges, who scored a hat trick in the match. Not to be outdone by the Brazilians, Germany mauled Morocco, 6-0, although two of the tallies were own goals. The Pride’s Mariana Larroquette and Argentina were beaten by Italy 1-0 in a game that saw 16-year-old Guilia Dragoni start for the Italians.

MLS Transfer Happenings

There are several pieces of MLS transfer news to catch up on. First, Milos Degenek has departed the Columbus Crew for Red Star Belgrade. The move will mark his third time playing for the Serbian side after spending over a year with the Crew. The San Jose Earthquakes have given Cristian Espinoza a contract extension that will keep him at the club through the 2025 MLS season, with an option year for 2026. The Designated Player has 11 goals and seven assists in 23 appearances this season, and was selected to the MLS All-Star team.

Finally, CF Montreal has signed Kwadwo Opoku to a new contract running through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. Opoku arrived from LAFC less than a month ago, and Montreal clearly like what it’s seen from him so far.

Scouting the Netherlands Ahead of USWNT Clash

The USWNT continues group play tomorrow with a match against the Netherlands. The Yanks beat the Dutch in the final of the 2019 competition, so there’s certainly a level of familiarity in this one. The team has an 8-2-0 record since appointing Andries Jonker as manager in August of last year, and the whole squad plays club ball in Europe. The Dutch typically line up in a 4-3-3, but have deployed a 3-5-2 at times as a tactical wrinkle. Set pieces could be an area for the USWNT to exploit, as the Dutch have struggled at times with headed clearances. It isn’t going to be an easy game for the U.S., but the Yanks do have some extra rest to draw on. It should make for an extremely interesting watch.

European Transfer Roundup

Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal has made a gargantuan $332 million bid to Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian Mbappe. PSG reportedly gave Al-Hilal the green light to speak with the French forward, but he is said to not be interested in joining them and is believed to be keen on a free transfer to Real Madrid when his contract ends next June.

Manchester United has been given hope that it might be able to sign Harry Kane this summer, due to a belief that Tottenham will sell him during this transfer window to avoid losing him for free next June.

Orlando City fans will be disappointed to hear that American right back Bryan Reynolds will reportedly be joining Belgian side Westerlo on a permanent deal.

Finally, West Ham has submitted a bid for Conor Gallagher.

Free Kicks

• Congratulations to Orlando City forward Facundo Torres and his partner on the birth of their child.
• The Orlando City Foundation’s annual golf and footgolf tournament is back! I just wish it would be on a weekend so I could play for once.

• The USWNT has several different ways to fill downtime at the World Cup.
• Shaka Hislop has given an update on his condition after his on-camera collapse on Sunday.

• Despite beating NYCFC 1-0 in the Leagues Cup on Sunday, Atlas FC’s social media team made the bizarre choice of citing Joseph Goebbels when discussing a call that was made in that game.

• The UCF men’s soccer team has released its schedule for this season.

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