Lion Links: 10/12/23

Happy Thursday, my Mane Land friends. We’re on the downslope of the week with no Orlando City match this weekend, but we do have the Pride and the USMNT to look forward to, so we have that going for us. Which is nice. Let’s get to the links.

Orlando City’s Moreira Targeted by D.C. United

If you’re unfamiliar with Orlando City Technical Director Ricardo Moreira, just know that he is a big part of the reason for the Lions’ success. The other two major front office contributors are, of course, Oscar Pareja and Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi. The trio has brought in nearly all of the players currently fueling Orlando City’s success.

Now, according to Tom Bogert, D.C. United requested permission to approach Moreira, among other candidates (The Athletic paywall), for the team’s general manager position. It isn’t the first time Moreira has been targeted, and probably won’t be the last, but Orlando City’s front office denied the request. There has been no comment from the front office, Pareja, Muzzi, or Moreira on renewing their contracts, and I don’t expect anything until after the end of the playoffs.

The Pride’s Razor Thin Margin

The Orlando Pride still have a chance to make the NWSL playoffs, though the club will need a result and other matches to go their way. With how close the NWSL standings are, Decision Day this Sunday will be full of drama no matter what happens. For the Pride, the first order of business is to get a win or draw against the Houston Dash.

When the GOAT is giving advice it’s usually a good idea to listen. Marta is a leader in training, in the locker room, and on the pitch. She perfectly sums up the challenges that have plagued the Pride this season, with bad results following good results and the need to do better when finishing matches. Hopefully, the Pride can make it happen this Sunday night.

Marta Eyes Olympics

Marta may have retired from World Cup play, but she is determined to make a run at a sixth Olympics appearance for Brazil. She is the only player to score in in five straight Olympics, dating back to the 2004 games. Marta is still a member of the Brazilian National Team, and can certainly make the squad for 2024.

USMNT Ready for Germany

The USMNT will host Germany in a friendly at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT, this Saturday at 3 p.m. This will be a much better test for the U.S. than some previous friendlies, providing a good idea of where this team is at against a Top-15 country. The U.S. is currently ranked 11th, and Germany is 15th. Here is what you need to know heading into the match.

The U.S. is in as good a position as ever with both Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun in top form heading into the match. Notably, Antonee Robinson and Mark McKenzie were left off the roster due to small injuries, but Cameron Carter-Vickers makes his return. This will be mainly a first-choice lineup for Gregg Berhalter.

Free Kicks

• The New England Revolution have signed Henry Kessler to a TAM-level, two-year contract extension through the 2025 season.
• This is a good bit of news for us, as we now know with absolute certainty that Wayne Rooney won’t hurt Orlando City again anytime soon. Good luck and good riddance, Rooney.

• Every season there are boring kits and then there are kits that take themselves too seriously. Occasionally, we get amazingly awesome kits or horrendously bad kits as well. Here is a list from the past year of some of the more interesting kits. I’m including the following Tweet as an appetizer.

• Former Orlando Pride players Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger are now divorced following a nearly four-year marriage. The former couple have two children under the age of two. We wish all the best for Harris, Krieger, and the children in the future.
• Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is under investigation from Italian authorities for alleged illegal betting. If proven true, Fagioli would be banned for at least three years and fined at least 25,000 euros ($26,520) under the FIGC’s code of conduct.
• The creativity of the internet never fails. Here we have a cartoon showing how the top players in the world sleep. Sure, why not?

• I think we’ll be seeing more of this type of World Cup bid in the future. It worked for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and now Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore are giving it a shot for the 2034 World Cup. I know someone always has to deal with getting up really early, or staying up really late, but those are some odd hours to have a beer while watching the USMNT.
• Speaking of staying up late, perhaps you were able to catch Orlando City’s Duncan McGuire in the USMNT U-23 match against Mexico at 10 pm last night.

That will do it for today. Check back with us as the Pride prepare for the Houston Dash. Vamos Orlando!