Lion Links: 8/24/23

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve been spending the week in my hometown to housesit for my parents, which basically means I’ve been watching more cable in the past few days than I have all year. Overall, it’s been a nice respite from my usual grind. Hopefully things have been going smoothly for you as well. Let’s jump into today’s links!

Orlando City Faces St. Louis City This Weekend

Orlando City will take on St. Louis City at Exploria Stadium on Saturday in the first ever meeting between the two sides. The Lions are unbeaten in their past eight home games across all competitions and have not lost at Exploria Stadium since April. However, St. Louis will be a tough opponent. The expansion club’s 49 goals this season are the most in the league, with former Lion Niko Gioacchini’s 10 goals leading the way. Pedro Gallese recorded his 300th save as a Lion in Chicago and his next win will be his 50th since joining Orlando in January of 2020.

Getting to Know Facundo Torres

Orlando City forward Facundo Torres is the latest Lion to field questions as part of the club’s video series for fans to learn more about the players. The 23-year-old talked about his boyhood club, the freedom he has in Orlando’s attack, and his friendship with fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez. When asked which celebrity he’d invite to dinner, Torres chose Brazilian forward Neymar. Torres spoke more on how Neymar’s been his idol since he was little and that playing against him is a dream of his. He also stated he’s a fan of the NBA and has been to many Orlando Magic games.

Orlando Pride Prepare for the San Diego Wave

The Orlando Pride are back in action tomorrow night to take on the San Diego Wave at Exploria Stadium. It’s the second game between the two teams this season, with Orlando winning 3-1 at Snapdragon Stadium on April 29. The Pride have won their past three league games, including a 5-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars this past weekend. Mikayla Cluff, who scored against the Wave earlier this year, talked about the importance of this match, considering the Pride would move above the Wave and into a playoff position with a win.

Lindsey Horan Weighs In On the USWNT’s World Cup

Lindsey Horan, who was a co-captain of the United States Women’s National Team during the recent World Cup, spoke on the team’s preparations prior to a disappointing campaign.

“When a coach comes in, it’s like, hey, how do we get the best out of every single individual player putting the most simplicity into a 10-day camp every few months and getting the best out of your team, and without overcomplicating everything?” Horan said.

“Because yes, I could talk about the last four-year cycle, and we don’t need to get into every single thing, but that’s not what we did. We did not get the best out of every single individual.”

The USWNT exited the World Cup in the group stage and Horan also talked about the “tense feeling” the team had while on the field. The Americans only won once while in Australia and Vlatko Andonovski has since stepped down as head coach.

Free Kicks

• Orlando Weekly named Orlando City SC as the Best Local Sports Team of 2023.

• Inter Miami reached the U.S. Open Cup final after beating FC Cincinnati in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw. Cincy blew a 2-0 lead and needed a late equalizer in extra time to send the game to penalties.
• St. Louis’s Samuel Adeniran won MLS Goal of the Week for his strike taken with the outside of his left foot in his team’s 6-3 win over Austin FC.

• NJ/NY Gotham FC signed Spanish forward Esther González, who serves as Spain’s captain for two games during this past World Cup and has scored 26 goals in 42 appearances for her country.
• Colorado Rapids starting goalkeeper William Yarbrough will miss the next six to eight weeks due to a knee injury. It’s tough news for a Colorado side that’s already last in the Western Conference.
• Portland Timbers forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda is out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL.
• Here’s a great feature that dives into the financial and mental challenges players face when they have to retire.

That’s all I have for you today. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!