Lion Links: 8/19/23

Welcome to the weekend! I’m technically on vacation, although it will be spent dogsitting, trying not to sweat too much, and watching some soccer. My luck has been horrendous this past week, so hopefully the universe corrects itself a bit. I hope your weekend plans go off without a hitch as well. Now, let’s dive into today’s links!

Orlando City Hits the Road to Face the Fire

Orlando City is back in action tomorrow night for a road game against the Chicago Fire. Tomorrow’s match will be Orlando’s first league game since a road win over Atlanta United on July 15. In the time since Head Coach Oscar Pareja took over, the Lions have won four of their six matches against the Fire. The most recent match between the two was on July 1, with Orlando winning 3-1 at Exploria Stadium. However, the Lions have not beaten the Fire in Illinois since 2015.

Orlando Pride Host the Red Stars Tomorrow Night

The NWSL regular season is back and the Pride will be in action at Exploria Stadium against the Chicago Red Stars tomorrow at 7 p.m. Although the Pride have struggled at times this year, they are eighth in the league standings with seven games to go. Rookies Messiah Bright and Emily Madril are finding their footing, helping the team in different ways. The Pride should also get a boost with Marta, Adriana, Rafaelle, and Mariana Larroquette in the fold after they featured in the World Cup. Rafaelle spoke on how she’s settling in with the team and her excitement to play alongside Brazilian teammate Marta at the club level as well.

Orlando City Will Open a New Soccer School

A new Orlando City Soccer School is opening in the Millenia area, becoming the club’s ninth such school to help grow its youth soccer network. Located less than 15 minutes from Exploria Stadium, it will have three turf fields, a team store, and recreation soccer classes available. Three more turf fields are expected in the future and the location will host a watch party for this Sunday morning’s Women’s World Cup final.

Kate Markgraf Leaving U.S. Soccer

United States Women’s National Team General Manager Kate Markgraf will be leaving her post at the end of the month. Markgraf was the first person to fill the created position in August of 2019, working with former USWNT Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski to create technical plans for the USWNT and youth teams. This news comes after the USWNT crashed out of the World Cup in the round of 16, with Andonovski resigning earlier this week as well. I’m interested to see if U.S. Soccer brings someone else in to fill the role or if the general manager position will be dissolved or reworked in some way.

Free Kicks

• The Pride may have been eliminated from the NWSL Challenge Cup for the last time. According to The Equalizer ($), the tournament will reportedly be replaced with a match before the season between the NWSL Championship and Shield winners.

• Chelsea is reportedly interested in signing New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who leads MLS with 99 saves this season.

• U.S. Soccer referees Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo, Kathryn Nesbitt, and Armando Villarreal will officiate Sunday morning’s Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England.
• Orlando City landed in 10th in the latest MLS power rankings, moving up a spot following the Leagues Cup.
• American defender Chris Richards was linked with a loan to VfB Stuttgart from Crystal Palace.
• Thierry Henry will reportedly become the head coach of France’s U-21 team.
• Theo Walcott is retiring at 34 after a career that included 397 appearance in the English Premier League.
• In his Bundesliga debut, Harry Kane had a goal and an assist in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Werder Bremen.
• After leading Napoli to its first Serie A title in 33 years last season, Luciano Spalletti was named Italy’s next head coach.

That’s all I have for you today. Have a great Saturday and rest of your weekend!