Lion Links: 8/26/23

Welcome to the weekend, Mane Landers. My folks came to town, and we’ll be heading to a food and music festival here. I’m optimistic that I might be able to catch enough cell service to stream some of the match tonight at 7:30 p.m. against St. Louis City in between gorging myself from food vendor to food vendor. If not, well, I’m sure enough early Oktoberfest releases will keep me occupied along the way.

But I’m curious, do you think it is too early to bust out the Oktoberfest or pumpkin-spiced whatever items? Let me know in the comments down below if you’re holding out on principle or already cashing in on some delicious fall season treats. Now let’s get to the soccer stuff down in today’s links!

Orlando Pride Fall 2-1 to San Diego Wave

The Star Wars Night festivities came and went, but it was the San Diego Wave that took all three points with a 2-1 victory. Wave defender Abby Dahlkemper used the force to get things going in the seventh minute as she put away a rebound from a blocked shot and willed it in off the bottom of the cross bar. In the 44th minute, Pride midfielder Marta used some clever footwork — similar to Darth Maul wielding a double-sided light saber — before whipping a cross towards teammate Adriana. The Brazilian forward equalized just before the half. However, the Pride were undone by another failure to deal with a corner kick in the second half and saw their three-game winning streak end in a game that could have pushed them above the playoff line.

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

MLS Decision Day comes on Oct. 21 this year. With the top of the Eastern conference starting to take shape, there are those few bottom-feeding teams who are hoping to break in over their last 10 matches. CF Montréal and the Chicago Fire are tied on points with 32 apiece, but the table tiebreakers go first to most wins, then goal differential, then goals scored. So, despite having a better goal differential that would place the Fire higher in most leagues, they find themselves looking up at Montréal for the time being. D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls are also still both within striking distance, but the odds are not currently in their favor. Who do you think might just sneak above the line? Do you think the top seven teams really are all that secure? Could Orlando find itself on the outside looking in down the stretch? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments section.

Breaking Down MLS Matchday 28

With the season winding down, every match matters for quite a few teams, so there is plenty to watch on Matchday 28. D.C. United aims to slide into playoff contention but will have to find points against the Eastern Conference’s third-place Philadelphia Union, who are always formidable late in the season. The Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake might have just played to a 3-1 scoreline midweek in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal match, but they are right back at it again at 9:30 p.m. tonight. For the Portland Timbers, it will be the first time they take the field without Gio Savarese in charge since 2018, when the Vancouver Whitecaps enter Providence Park. In Texas, FC Dallas and Austin FC play their latest in-state rivalry match — a six-pointer with major playoff implications for one of the Western Conference’s final playoff spots.

Q2 Stadium to Host USMNT

The U.S. Soccer Federation has selected Austin as the host venue for the USMNT’s critical 2023-2024 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal home leg on Nov. 16. The match is set for 8:30 p.m. The quarterfinal round also serves as qualification for the 2024 Copa America, which will be hosted in the United States next summer. The 2024 tournament will include 10 CONMEBOL nations and six Concacaf guest nations.

“With this game being critical to our objectives of advancing in the Concacaf Nations League and qualifying for the 2024 Copa America, we think in all ways that Austin is the perfect host,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “Along with the world-class facilities, the fan support and the atmosphere in the stadium has been incredible every time we play there. We’re looking forward to coming back in November.”

Free Kicks

• Former Orlando City B midfielder Alejandro Granados has scored from distance with a first-time strike for Club NXT.

• Monaco is reportedly leading the race to sign USMNT and Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun as talks advance over a deal worth $48.5 million.
• The USWNT has fallen to third in the latest FIFA rankings, which is the lowest it has ever been listed, following a disappointing Round of 16 exit from the Women’s World Cup.
• Luis Rubiales refused to resign as president of the Spanish football federation and the players have started to boycott.
• Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta claims the Saudi Pro League transfer window should be synced with European leagues, because the division is now competing for Premier League players and transfer targets.

I hope you all enjoy your match. It is always great when the club gets to test its mettle against a new opponent. Let’s hope today the Lions can stand tall against their latest foe. Vamos Orlando!