Lion Links: 8/10/23

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope you all are staying hydrated and cool as the August heat bears down on us. Investing in one of those sun shields for your car might be a wise choice. I’m headed to Baltimore this weekend and am desperately hoping this hot weather doesn’t follow me. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja!

Orlando Pride Draw to Close Out Challenge Cup

The Orlando Pride’s 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup campaign ended the same way it started, with a 1-1 draw after conceding in stoppage time. This time it was on the road against NJ/NY Gotham FC, as the Pride were denied a goal after video review and couldn’t hold onto their lead. It was a result that neither team will likely be happy with, as the Pride finish the tournament without a win, while Gotham needed a win to advance to the knockout round. The Pride’s next game will be on Aug. 20 against the Chicago Red Stars, giving them some time to figure out how to stop allowing late goals.

Orlando City B Falls in Another Wild Match

There were five goals in the first half of OCB’s 5-4 loss to New England Revolution II at Osceola Heritage Park. A red card reduced OCB to 10 men right before halftime, but the Young Lions were resilient. Trailing by three goals while down a man, the Young Lions found two goals from substitutes to claw their way back into the match. Their push for an equalizer came up short though, despite some late chances from set pieces. Tenacity aside, conceding five goals is never great and the Young Lions have some defensive issues to correct with six games left in the regular season. OCB will have to bounce back quickly before its match with New York City FC II on Sunday.

List of Eligible MLS Free Agents Released

The Major League Soccer Players Association unveiled the list of players who will be eligible for free agency after this season. Robin Jansson, Kyle Smith, Adam Grinwis, and Felipe are the four Orlando players listed, with Grinwis as the only one who doesn’t have an option year left on his contract. Jansson and Smith have been important parts of Orlando’s defense since joining ahead of the 2019 season. As far as other players on the list, LAFC’s Carlos Vela, Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson, and the Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner are a few of the notable players who will be free agents. Journeyman Kei Kamara, who sits third in the MLS all-time scoring list, will also be a free agent. I’m still holding out hope he joins Orlando before he retires.

Diving Into Potential USWNT Coaching Candidates

United States Women’s National Team Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s four-year contract ends after this year and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he doesn’t return in 2024 after the team’s exit in the Women’s World Cup. Andonovski became the USWNT’s head coach after years of coaching in the NWSL and the next person to fill the position could come from the NWSL as well, with Laura Harvey and Casey Stoney as options. Internationally, England’s Sarina Wiegman, Jamaica’s Lorne Donaldson, and Australia’s Tony Gustavsson could be swayed to lead the USWNT. The position is both alluring and challenging, and it will be interesting to see who is at the helm for next year’s Olympics.

Free Kicks

• American goalkeeper Matt Turner has officially joined Nottingham Forest from Arsenal, signing a four-year deal with his new club. Although this means he’s missing out on possibly playing in the Champions League, Turner should have a clearer path to a starting role with Forest.
• Turner was far from the only American on the move this summer. Enjoy this refresher on where some Americans are plying their trade this season, along with grades on each move.
• As his contract dispute with Paris Saint-Germain continues, Kylian Mbappe will reportedly miss the club’s first game of the Ligue 1 season this Saturday. Only time will tell just how long he stays off the pitch this season.
• Here’s a nice breakdown on what to expect this season from Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United after they earned promotion into the English Premier League.

That’s all I have for you today. Make sure to drink plenty of water, especially if you plan on being outside in any capacity. Have a great Thursday!