Lion Links: 8/11/23

Welcome to Friday, Mane Landers! I’m headed to Baltimore this weekend for some Old Bay, friends, and hopefully plenty of good drinks. Of course, there’s a heat spike going on there, so it looks like I won’t be escaping the heat. If you plan on being outside this week, make sure to drink water like your life depends on it. Now, let’s get to the links!

Duncan McGuire Impressing in Rookie Year

Stars and Stripes FC put a spotlight on Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire’s impressive rookie season. After a breakout senior year with Creighton that included 23 goals and winning the MAC Hermann Trophy, McGuire was selected by Orlando with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. The transition into the league has gone smoothly to say the least, as he leads the Lions with eight goals this season. His positioning has been superb and he’s still developing into an even more dynamic player. If he keeps up this pace, he could earn a call up to the United States Men’s National Team training camp or play in the Olympics next summer.

D.C. United and Taxiarchis Fountas Terminate Contract

Effective immediately, D.C. United and Designated Player Taxiarchis Fountas have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the club. Fountas had been put on administrative leave by MLS July 21 when the league investigated allegations that he used discriminatory language and found they were credible. It wasn’t the first time the league had looked into Fountas’ actions. In 2022, he was investigated for racially abusive language towards Damion Lowe. The league released a statement Thursday regarding his termination.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

Chelsea has reportedly activated a release clause in Tyler Adams’s contract with Leeds United to sign him and keep him in the English Premier League. Adams could find a role in Chelsea’s midfield, although he’s still recovering from a hamstring injury that’s kept him out since March.

Other Americans are on the move in Europe as well. Chelsea is sending goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina on loan to KAS Eupen in Belgium. After doing well with Rangers, Malik Tillman is headed out for another loan from Bayern Munich. This time it’s to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, with an option for PSV to buy the midfielder. Forward Emmanuel Sabbi is headed to Ligue 1, joining Le Havre on a four-year contract. The San Jose Earthquakes have also reportedly received an offer from Bologna for Cade Cowell.

Tottenham and Bayern Agree on Fee for Harry Kane

After a lengthy saga, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich have reportedly finally agreed on an eyewatering fee over $110 million for Harry Kane. The ball is now in Kane’s court, as he has to decide if he wants to leave the club he’s been with since 2011 or play out the final year of his contract. The 30-year-old has scored 213 Premier League goals, just 28 shy of breaking the record, but Bayern could help him lift a trophy or two. There are reports that Kane will go through with the move and head to Germany for a medical, but I won’t truly believe it until he’s playing at Allianz Arena, given the back and forth of negotiations thus far.

Free Kicks

• Former Lion Cyle Larin was noted as an MLS export to keep an eye on in Europe this year. The Canadian will be playing his first season with Mallorca in La Liga.
• English forward Lauren James was suspended for an additional game for stomping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie. She will miss out on tomorrow’s quarterfinal against Colombia and a potential semifinal matchup with France or Australia.
• Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will likely miss the entirety of the upcoming season after tearing his ACL in training.
• West Ham signed Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez from Ajax for a transfer fee over $40 million.
• The trailer for Welcome to Wrexham‘s second season dropped, and it should be a doozy given the team’s success last season.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend.