Lion Links: 10/14/23

Welcome to the weekend, Mane Landers. I am back again with your links, so if you didn’t get enough of me yesterday, well, you’re in luck. There is a bit of lull in club news as Orlando City manages the international break, but never fear, as I have done all the hard work and digging to satisfy your club-related needs. If you like sleuthing around news and keeping up with all things soccer related in the City Beautiful, we would love to have you join our team. It’s a fun group to be around, even if virtually. Enough of my shameless plug time, take a look at today’s links. But first, join us in wishing a happy 20th birthday to Orlando City Homegrown Player Wilfredo Rivera.

Pedro Gallese and Peru Defeated by Chile

If you’re missing your favorite Lions in purple, you can catch some of them in shirts of a different color for World Cup qualifier action. Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese gathered his 100th cap for Peru in a 2-0 loss to Chile. El Pulpo and Peru will play again on Tuesday at 10 p.m. and he knows focus will be needed in dead ball situations to correct the team’s previous mistakes.

“The game opened with a stopped ball again. We have to talk to each other, this cannot happen again. We are playing in a tough tie and the lack of concentration cost us (…) The whole team is in debt,” said Gallese following the match against Chile.

Clinch Scenarios for Pride

The final weeks of a soccer league can create what seems like a million different permutations for someone’s favorite club to either clinch or be eliminated from a cup tournament. For the Pride, it can be equally as complicated and simple at the same time. The easiest scenario to get in is go out and win, while Angel City doesn’t finish ahead of them in goal difference. But, sometimes soccer isn’t always that simple, so check out all the possible ways the club can clinch a playoff berth here.

Predicting USMNT’s Starting XI

As the USMNT ready to battle Germany at Rentschler Field today, every fan will have an opinion on who should be in the starting lineup. Obvious shoo-ins for the Yanks include goalkeeper Matt Turner, midfielders Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah, and the attacking trio of Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, and Christian Pulisic up top. For those who kept up with the post-World Cup drama, all eyes will be on Gregg Berhalter and whether or not he starts Gio Reyna in the midfield. For the back line, we can assume Berhalter will go for experience against the four-time World Cup winners, which likely points towards Sergino Dest and Tim Ream with Chris Richards and possibly Kristoffer Lund to supplement.

Gio Reyna and Gregg Berhalter

Berhalter was straight-up asked directly if Reyna would start in the friendly against Germany but declined to tip his hand. There is no doubt that the Americans look better with Reyna on the field, but the 2022 World Cup media circus following the tournament between the two is out in full force, refusing to let bygones be bygones. Everyone wants to know how Berhalter and Reyna have begun the process of repairing their relationship in their first USMNT camp together since the tournament, but smartly Reyna was not made available to reporters in the lead-up to the match and Berhalter showed little interest in discussing the duo’s off-field dynamic.

“I know that’s going to be on people’s mind,” Berhalter said. “What I would say is that we’re moving forward. I’m not really wanting to talk too much about the past. I think it’s about talking about the future… Gio’s done a great job this week in training. He looks really sharp, really strong. You can see his quality. And for us, it’s about, how do we build him up same way we have other players in the squad and get the most out of him for him to help the team the most, and for him to return to Dortmund in really good shape?”

Free Kicks

• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is calling for you to be at the Pride’s match and show your support for their playoff push.

• Here’s a preview and breakdown of the MLS NEXT Pro conference finals.
• Former D.C. United head coach Wayne Rooney rejected an offer to manage in the Saudi Pro League before choosing to take charge of English second-tier side Birmingham City.
• Barcelona is reportedly in talks to play a friendly in the United States in late December against a Liga MX club.
• Japan crushed Canada 4-1 in an international friendly.
• Kylian Mbappé secured France’s qualification for next year’s European Championship by scoring twice in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the first men’s player to score 125 international goals.

• Brazil’s coach condemned fans for hitting Neymar with a bag of popcorn following a 1-1 draw with Venezuela.

Enjoy your weekend, Mane Landers. I hope you find time to not only support your USMNT, but also the Pride in their pivotal match. Vamos Orlando!