Lion Links: 10/13/23

Good Friday morning, Mane Landers. I am tapping in on my day off for our normal Friday writer before heading to the golf course with a coworker to capitalize on some fair weather. Lately, I have been playing well, so it would be great to shoot a new low-round score at one of my favorite local country clubs today.

In Orlando club news, we find ourselves with an international break for the Lions, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t Lions abroad at the moment. As for the Pride, it is all hands on deck in a must-win match if the team wants to make the NWSL playoffs. We have all that covered for you and more in today’s links.

Cup Runs on Duncan

If you look back at Orlando City’s season, I’m sure you will think of some of the same players and memories I do that got the club to where it is. For example, Facundo Torres has scored 14 goals total with nine non-penalty goals. For MLSsoccer.com, the website credits rookie forward Duncan McGuire, who also happens to be the only Lion with 10-plus non-penalty goals. The article states he will also be the reason they could make a deep MLS Cup run. McGuire has only played around 1,400 minutes this season and averaged 0.93 goal contributions every 90 minutes.

McGuire Features in U.S. U-23 Match

The United States Under-23 Men’s National Team began its preparations for the 2024 Olympics with a 2-1 win over Mexico on Wednesday night. Oddly, the match against the nation’s biggest rival was not streamed due to “red tape” legal issues. Orlando City’s Duncan McGuire wore the No. 9 and earned the start in the position. McGuire is one of the few players in the camp earning his first international call-up at any level and earned positive remarks for his performance.

“Duncan played with high energy today,” Mitrovic said. “I know that maybe he has some demands that are maybe different with the club, but I think he adjusted very well. He had some very good plays on the ball. I am positive about his performance.”

Decision Day for Orlando Pride

The NWSL regular season comes to its conclusion on Sunday with eight teams vying for the four remaining playoff spots. The Orlando Pride currently are one point below the playoff line and only two points separate six teams still in contention for the final four spots. Orlando will host the Houston Dash on Decision Day at Exploria Stadium at 5 p.m. The most direct way to advance is for the Pride to win, although they’ll still need some help from other teams along the way. The match has captain Marta ready for the season finale.

“We feel good. We know it’s not going to be an easy game, but it’s a huge opportunity for us to go to the playoffs. People don’t give credit to Orlando Pride a lot. I like that situation just shows how the NWSL is and everybody still has a chance. It’s still so exciting, and everything can happen.”

USMNT Preparing for 2026 World Cup

It might still be years away, but for the USMNT, it is never too soon to begin preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The USMNT’s players will test themselves against four-time World Cup champion Germany in an international friendly on Saturday at 3 p.m. The Yanks are No. 11 in the latest FIFA rankings and enter the fixture on a 13-match unbeaten run dating back to a 2-1 defeat to Serbia on Jan. 25. Over the course of history, the United States holds a 4-7-0 record against Germany in several memorable results. In recent times, Germany has struggled to a 2-4-1 mark in seven friendlies this year, even with six home matches. The Germans lost 4-1 to Japan in Wolfsburg on Sept. 9.

Free Kicks

• Here’s a reminder that Orlando City once had an award winner in 2016 when Cyle Larin was the top name in the “24 Under 24” rankings. (Of course, he also won MLS Rookie of the Year in 2015.)
• The Houston Dynamo signed veteran midfielder Artur to a contract extension through the 2025 MLS season with club options for 2026 and 2027.
• Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya is reportedly on his way out. Bedoya is 36. Teammate Kai Wagner reportedly is also looking at a Union exit.

• The Colorado Rapids interviewed Arsenal’s youth team coach and former midfielder Jack Wilshere for the club’s vacant head coach position.
• USMNT forward Josh Sargent extended his contract with Norwich City until 2028.
• USMNT forward Folarin Balogun claims the decision over whether he remained at Arsenal last summer was “out of his control.”
• Liverpool’s new upper tier in the Anfield Road stand will remain closed until the end of the year after another delay.
• More troubles came to the forefront in Italy’s camp as Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo were sent back to their clubs after being notified by police of involvement in a betting investigation days after Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli acknowledged that he is being investigated.
• Former Spanish National Team manager Jorge Vilda has been hired to manage Morocco’s Women’s National Team despite numerous complaints against him in his former role.

That’s all for this Friday. I hope you all finish out your week strong and find some time for a little rest and relaxation. Vamos Orlando!