Lion Links: 8/31/23

Welcome to the final day of August! Hopefully the hurricane hasn’t caused too many issues for you. The storm didn’t create too many problems for me in Tampa, although I consider myself lucky to have dodged the worst of it compared to other parts of Florida. Let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world.

Orlando City Draws With Charlotte FC

A late goal salvaged a result for Orlando in a 1-1 draw on the road against Charlotte FC. Although the Lions weren’t able to score more against a team that’s struggled defensively this year, coming back to leave Bank of America Stadium with a point isn’t the worst thing in the world. Other results across the league also helped Orlando climb to third in the Eastern Conference with eight games to go. Make sure to keep an eye out today for David Rohe’s five takeaways from the match, along with Ben Miller’s player grades and Man of the Match. The Lions are now on a four-game unbeaten run and will take on league-leading FC Cincinnati on Saturday at TQL Stadium.

Samsunspor Reportedly Makes Another Bid for Ercan Kara

Turkish club Samsunspor has reportedly made a better offer to Orlando City for forward Ercan Kara. Although a move would open up a Designated Player slot for Orlando, the Lions wouldn’t be able to fill that slot until the off-season. It would also leave Orlando worryingly thin up top with the playoffs looming. Samsunspor is 18th in the Super Lig after two games, and Kara could give the club a boost to its attack. The Turkish transfer window will be open until Sept. 8.

USMNT Roster Announced for Training Camp

United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter called up 24 players for a training camp to prepare for friendlies in September against Uzbekistan and Oman. These will be Berhalter’s first games at the helm since he was rehired in June. Of those called up, 12 played for the USMNT in last year’s World Cup, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Matt Turner. The only MLS players called up were Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson and Inter Miami pair Ben Cremaschi and Drake Callender. This is the first call-up for Cremaschi and Palermo defender Kristoffer Lund. Giovanni Reyna, Tyler Adams, and Walker Zimmerman are a few of the notable names who are unavailable due to injury.

American Forwards on the Move

Falorin Balogun is headed back to France’s top flight, with Arsenal transferring the striker to AS Monaco for a reported transfer fee of $43.6 million. The 22-year-old is coming off of a stellar year in Ligue 1 while on loan with Stade Reims, scoring 22 goals. Fellow American forward Jordan Pefok is reportedly on the move as well, as he is set to go on loan from Union Berlin to Borussia Monchengladbach for the rest of the Bundesliga season. Korede Osundina, who has represented the U.S. at the U-19 and U-17 levels, was transferred to Feyenoord from the USL Championship’s Orange County SC as well. Feyenoord will loan the 19-year-old to Dordrecht in the Dutch second division for the rest of the season.

Free Kicks

• FC Cincinnati became the first MLS team this year to clinch a spot in the playoffs after coming back to beat Atlanta United, 2-1.
• Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith is week-to-week after sustaining an MCL sprain.
• Pia Sundhage was fired as the coach of Brazil’s women’s national team after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
• PSV Eindhoven beat Rangers 5-1 to qualify for the Champions League’s group stage alongside Antwerp, Copenhagen, Galatasaray, Braga, and Young Boys. The draw for the group stage will take place today at noon.
• Here’s the draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup, which will include four matches pitting English Premier League teams against each other.
• Inter Milan signed Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, with the midfielder signing a five-year contract.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a great Thursday and rest of your week.