Lion Links: 10/6/23

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I thought I’d be spending the day moving, but a change of plans means I’ll be spending it with a cocktail or two this evening. I’m not complaining in the slightest. Hopefully you have a nice Friday as well before we get ready for a weekend filled to the brim with exciting soccer.

Robin Jansson Makes MLS Team of the Matchday, McGuire Also Honored

Orlando City back Robin Jansson was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for his efforts in a 1-0 road win over Nashville SC on Wednesday. Playing alongside Rodrigo Schlegel, who also had a great game but didn’t make the Team of the Matchday, Jansson did well to keep Nashville’s offense in check to secure a shutout. Orlando forward Duncan McGuire made the Team of the Matchday bench after scoring the game’s only goal and providing plenty of hustle off the ball.

MLS End of Year Award Nominees Announced

MLS announced the nominees for this season’s Year-End Awards and some Lions were included. Facundo Torres, who leads the Lions with 14 goals this season, was nominated for MVP alongside the likes of Luciano Acosta, Cucho Hernandez, and Denis Bouanga. Jansson and fellow center back Antonio Carlos were both nominated for Defender of the Year, while Pedro Gallese is up for Goalkeeper of the Year. As for Newcomer of the Year, McGuire doesn’t qualify due to this being his first professional season (although he’s up for Young Player of the Year), and Martin Ojeda was snubbed despite his 13 goal contributions this season. However, Rafael Santos and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson were both nominated for it. Jansson is also up for MLS Comeback Player of the Year, Oscar Pareja has a shot at Coach of the Year, and Felipe was nominated for the award that recognizes those who make an impact in the community.

Anna Moorhouse Agrees to New Contract

Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse will be in purple through the 2025 season after signing a new two-year contract. She joined the Pride in 2022 after two seasons with Bordeaux and has served as Orlando’s top option between the sticks this season, starting in 21 matches across all competitions. Over the course of this season, she’s earned six clean sheets, the most by a Pride goalkeeper in an NWSL regular season.

“I’m grateful for the Club’s belief in me,” Moorhouse said of her new deal. “The club has great ambition for the future and I’m happy to be a part of that for the next two years. I’m excited to continue building our culture within the team and to keep striving to bring a championship to the community of Orlando.”

USMNT Players Called Up Ahead of October Friendlies

United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter called up 23 players for the training camp before friendlies against Germany and Ghana later this month. Of the players called up, 19 were part of the USMNT team that took on Uzbekistan and Oman last month. Giovanni Reyna and Cameron Carter-Vickers are back in the fold, while Heidenheim midfielder Lennard Maloney received his first call-up. The USMNT will take on Germany in Connecticut on Oct. 14 before facing off with Ghana in Nashville on Oct. 17.

Free Kicks

• In honor of Marta making her 100th appearance for the Orlando Pride this past weekend, enjoy this look into her most memorable moments with the club.
• Atomic Data was named as the IT partner of both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride after serving as the club’s virtual CIO and owner’s technology rep since 2022.
• There are some great goals to choose from in Goal of the Matchday voting. Brecht Dejaegere’s scorpion kick and Daniel Gazdag’s bicycle kick are my favorites from the bunch.

• The clubs from the bigger leagues mostly prevailed in the latest round of Europa League matches, with AS Roma, West Ham United, Real Betis, and Bayer Leverkusen all winning. Brighton and Marseille battled to a 1-1 draw, and Cypriot club Aris Limmasol beat Rangers 2-1.
• An agreement was made for the World Cup to be hosted by six different countries, but there’s some tension over if Morocco or Spain will host the final.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!