Lion Links: 9/4/23

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. I hope you’re enjoying your Labor Day holiday whether you are at the beach or are hosting a barbecue. If you’re like me and have to work, you have my sympathy and solidarity. I’m sure that the burgers and beverages aren’t as good as everyone is saying. We also want to wish Orlando City Soccer School General Manager and Boys Technical Director Paul Shaw a very happy birthday! Let’s get to the links.

Pareja Proud and Enrique Enthusiastic

Oscar Pareja spoke of his pride regarding Orlando City’s big win over FC Cincinnati on Saturday. He said he wanted the club to be consistent on the right side especially in dealing with Luciano Acosta, and the players responded. Ramiro Enrique said he was pleased he was able to provide the assist on Facundo Torres’ winning goal. He added that he’s hopeful that the Lions can continue to step up the remainder of the season. Pareja isn’t the only one impressed with Orlando City’s current “giant-killer” reputation as others recognize what the Lions are doing.

Pride Fall Again in Seattle

The Orlando Pride traveled across the country to take on OL Reign, which is usually difficult enough, given the Pride have never won a match there. Anna Moorhouse decided that wasn’t a big enough challenge and earned a red card for denial of a scoring opportunity in the third minute. Despite that hardship, the Pride were able to limit the Reign to one goal, losing 1-0. Unfortunately, the Pride were unable to maintain possession or capitalize on any chances to equalize. The end of the season woes continue for Orlando.

OCB Stomped by Crown Legacy

Orlando City B hosted Crown Legacy at Osceola Heritage Park and to say it got ugly is an understatement. By halftime the Young Lions were down 4-0. OCB ultimately scored three goals to try to make a match of it, but not before giving up another two goals, falling to Crown Legacy, 6-3. If you’re looking for a bright point, Jack Lynn scored a brace to stay in contention for the Golden Boot.

USMNT News

Gregg Berhalter will make his return as the USMNT head coach in a pair of friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman on Sept. 9 and 12, respectively. Berhalter has selected his 24-man roster, consisting of players from European and MLS clubs. Some of those players were in action this weekend.

Folarin Balogun will be in the squad following his debut for AS Monaco. He was unfortunately booked for diving only four minutes after coming on. Over with PSV, Malik Tillman scored for his new club, with fellow USMNT players Ricardo Pepi and Sergiño Dest all playing as well. At Juventus, Weston McKennie got the start over fellow USMNT player Tim Weah. Both McKennie and Weah did well in the right wingback position in the 2-0 win over Empoli.

Free Kicks

• Arsenal and Liverpool both won to stay close to top of the table Manchester City. Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus scored two stoppage time goals to give Arsenal the 3-1 win over Manchester United. Liverpool scored two goals in the first 22 minutes — one an own goal — before Mo Salah scored a third to complete the 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
• Sergio Ramos is set to return to Sevilla now that his Paris Saint-Germain contract ended.
• U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen granted a motion of innocence which overturned two convictions in a FIFA bribery case.
• Nottingham Forest signed former Liverpool player Divock Origi on loan from AC Milan.
• The Florida State University women’s soccer team utterly dominated in-state rival University of South Florida with the Noles defeating the Bulls 5-1 on Sunday in the Seminoles’ home opener.
• As far as I’m concerned, this type of behavior for any supporter is ridiculous no matter what the result of a match.

That will do it for today. Have a great Labor Day holiday. Go City!