Lion Links: 8/18/23

What’s up, Mane Landers? I never thought I would still be attending bachelor party weekends in my 30s, but here we are. I’m coming live to you from Milwaukee, where, if we’re being honest, isn’t the worst place to be drinking beer all weekend. They do have a local team named the Brewers, after all. I find solace in knowing that I drive through Chicago on Sunday evening as I head home, where I’ll be trying hard to make a detour to Soldier Field and catch the Lions at the Chicago Fire. I’m sure my boss won’t notice me missing on Monday morning. What do you think, should I go for it? Anyway, let’s get to what you’re all here for with the links!

Mason Stajduhar From 2015 to Today

In recent PawedCast Episode No. 368, Michael and Dave answered a trivia question of who is the most tenured Lion. The answer to that question was none other than Homegrown goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, whose professional journey began at the age of 17, when he signed his first contract in 2015 following the Lions’ inaugural MLS season. In the six years leading up to his first start, Stajduhar had plenty of time to focus on life both on and off the field among personal battles.

“The cancer and going through treatments was pretty tough,” he said, “but the constant work with what felt like very little reward for so many years was tougher. So it’s just a lot of patience, waiting, and adversity that was pretty frustrating in the moment. You just got to keep going and thankfully, I was rewarded on the other side of it.”

Of course, things got better for Mason and now he’s become a solid No. 2 goalkeeper behind starter Pedro Gallese.

Orlando City Reportedly Receiving Calls for Transfers

If anyone knows about MLS transfers soon to go down, it is The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert. In his latest report on who might be making the jump to Europe ($), Bogert reports that Orlando City has fielded calls for two Designated Players in winger Facundo Torres and striker Ercan Kara, but notes that there have been no formal offers yet. Kara is garnering interest from Germany, while Torres’ services are being called upon again from England and additionally Russia. As Kara has struggled to start against rookie Duncan McGuire’s great form, McGuire himself has been monitored by Belgian side RSC Anderlecht. It’s a bit early to worry about silly season, and it will be interesting to see what happens with the roster after the season concludes.

Orlando City B Schedule Update

The Young Lions of Orlando City B will now play New England Revolution II three days earlier than expected. Originally scheduled for Sept. 10, the match has now been rescheduled to Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. in Gillette Stadium. This match will come following OCB’s final August match against Crew 2 at home and Crown Legacy — also at home — on Sept. 3. Orlando City B currently trails all three clubs in the Eastern Conference standings.

MLS Regular Season Returns

MLS regular-season play is finally making its return after a month-long break for the MLS All-Star Game and the Leagues Cup tournament. But teams are hardly picking up right where they left off. Sunday brings us Matchday 27, and with it storylines any MLS fan will be excited to tune into. The Supporters’ Shield is currently FC Cincinnati’s to lose, but the Hell Is Real Derby match against a reloaded Columbus Crew might just be Cincy’s first stumbling block. Minnesota United and New York City FC are on the outside looking in at their respective conferences’ playoff pictures, but there is nothing like a long time off to refocus and start to make a push towards the playoffs. The Canadians will battle at BMO Field as CF Montréal takes on Toronto FC, with Montréal in no position to drop points in the back stretch of the season. There’s plenty of other action to catch on Sunday, so let us know in the comments below which matches you are excited to catch.

Free Kicks

• Be sure to know where all your favorite Americans abroad are playing this weekend as European soccer is now in full swing.
• Vlatko Andonovski has officially stepped down as head coach of the United States Women’s National Team. The announcement came Thursday, a matter of hours after the story broke online.
• England will reject any approach for Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman as the USWNT head coach position now has a vacancy.
• Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland made the three-man shortlist of UEFA’s Player of the Year award in Europe last season.
• Harry Kane has to learn a new language after he made his jump to Germany. But he has no fear of the barrier with Bayern Munich fans if he becomes their latest prolific goal scorer.

That’s all I have for you this Friday. Let’s all finish the work week strong so we can be stress free heading into match day. Vamos Orlando!