Lion Links: 8/12/23

Happy Saturday, Mane Landers. It’s always a bit of a sad weekend when there is no first-team Orlando action to be had. The Young Lions will be on the road though Sunday at New York City FC II, so we can all find solace in that. But if that isn’t enough to tickle your fancy, rest assured as the English Premier League is back after yesterday’s Manchester City at Burnley fixture kicked off the latest season.

Aside from tuning into the rest of the EPL matches this weekend, I’ll be spending time hanging out with my in-laws, who are in town for my wife’s birthday. Maybe, I can convert them into soccer fans by refusing to change the television channel all day. Only time will tell. But enough of that, let’s get to the links!

Orlando City B Travels to New York City FC II

The Young Lions will flock to the Pigeons of NYCFC II on Sunday for a 6 p.m. match. In the previous clash between the two teams, OCB took two of the three points by winning the end-of-regulation shootout following a 2-2 draw. Orlando City defender Nabi Kibunguchy scored a brace for the club prior to the 8-7 shootout win. This match comes at a great time for Kibunguchy to boost his confidence yet again after he scored his fourth goal of the season midweek against New England Revolution II. He will surely remember the last time he went toe-to-toe with the Pigeons and look to keep his scoring streak going.

Premier League Is Back

The 2023-2024 English Premier League season kicked off Friday with Manchester City playing Burnley at Turf Moor. Within four minutes, Erling Haaland began his Golden Boot title race defense and completed his brace in the first half to match his opening day total from last season in City’s 3-0 victory.

You can look as far back as you would like into the 1800s, but no team in English soccer history has ever won four championship titles in a row. Manchester City made a statement yesterday in its emphatic win to show where it will be setting the bar this season.

Elsewhere around the league, Arsenal will look to best its record from last season and take the title, Liverpool will attempt to continue the 11-match unbeaten run it finished with last campaign, and Manchester United has added a star-studded cast of players to show it is ready to contend for trophies once again. Two of London’s biggest clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, brought in new managers in Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou, respectively. Finally, the EPL will welcome its 51st club to the division this season with Luton Town ending a 31-year wait to return to the top flight after its relegation in 1992, which was just weeks before the Premier League was formed.

USMNT Transfer Roundup

The summer transfer window has been busy, and the United States Men’s National Team pool is no exception to those moving from club to club. Some World Cup veterans are joining together at new clubs, players are upgrading to Champions League-bound teams, and some are just simply improving their chances to earn regular minutes in some of the top leagues in Europe. Some notable moves include Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah making the move to AC Milan in Italy’s top flight, Tim Weah also flying to Italy to join USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie at Juventus, goalkeepers Matt Turner and Gabriel Slonina taking loan deals to Nottingham Forest and KAS Eupen, respectively, and Brenden Aaronson bailing from Leeds United following its relegation to the EFL Championship. These are just a few of the bigger moves, so check out the full list and let us know in the comments below which player you are most excited to see at his new club.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Guarantees New Winner

There have been four different FIFA Women’s World Cup champions in the eight editions of the tournament. In its ninth iteration, we are now guaranteed to have a fifth victor. Spain is through to the FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time thanks to 19-year-old striker Salma Paralluelo’s late heroics. The Spaniards will take on Sweden, which defeated Japan, 2-1. Swedish Center back Amanda Ilestedt scored her fourth goal of the tournament and is now second in the Golden Boot race.

Free Kicks

• USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams’ proposed $25.4 million move from relegated Leeds United to Chelsea is now unlikely due to disagreements over the structuring of the transfer fee.
• Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is expecting Kevin De Bruyne to be out for weeks after the midfielder aggravated his hamstring injury early in the first half against Burnley.
• There was a bit of last-minute drama Friday morning as Harry Kane’s departure from Tottenham was delayed as Spurs sought to refine aspects of the deal.
• Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that the club has reached an agreement with Brighton to sign midfielder Moisés Caicedo despite the player’s preference to move to Chelsea.

Well, that is a wrap on today’s edition of Lion Links. I hope you have a restful weekend because the Lions are back at it next Sunday. Vamos Orlando!