Lion Links: 10/17/23

Happy Tuesday, everyone. Orlando City is now the only Orlando soccer team left standing following solid seasons from both the Orlando Pride and Orlando City B. Between Decision Day looming large on Saturday and the international break still in progress, there’s a lot to talk about today. Let’s get into it.

John Herdman Wants Italian Stars to Build Toronto’s Future

The 2023 season didn’t go the way anyone associated with Toronto FC wanted it to, but new coach John Herdman wants a pair of the team’s big guns to help build Toronto’s future. There’s uncertainty around the future of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi despite the pair both being signed to longterm contracts. Herdman has been clear that he has no doubts about their ability, and sees it as his job to convince them to stay and help the team be successful. Toronto has an uphill battle after a woeful 2023 campaign that saw it only record four wins. Orlando City will try to keep it that way when the Lions travel across the border this Saturday for the final game of the regular season.

European Qualifying Roundup

Qualifying for Euro 2024 continued, and there are several notable results to catch up on. Portugal hammered Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 to finish off a qualifying campaign that saw it win eight games from eight matches and score 32 goals in the process.

Austria made it more difficult than necessary against Azerbaijan, but a goal by Marcel Sabitzer from the penalty spot was enough to take all three points and seal qualification for next year’s tournament, while ending Sweden’s hopes.

In the most somber news of the day, the game between Belgium and Sweden was suspended after a shooting in Brussels killed two people. Swedish players told UEFA they did not wish to play the second half as the game was taking place roughly three miles from the site of the violence, and Belgian players agreed, which led to the game being called off at halftime.

Manchester United Approaching Minority Sale

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly close to buying a 25% minority stake in Manchester United. Despite the Glazer family retaining a 69% stake in the team, Ratcliffe and his INEOS team will reportedly have control over some of the decision-making on the sporting side of the club, due to their willingness to pay an inflated price for their 25% piece of the pie. Although United fans who were hoping for a full takeover likely won’t be thrilled by the news, this deal is said to be the first part of a proposal for Ratcliffe to eventually take full control over the team. While there haven’t been any whispers about how soon the deal will be completed, Ratcliffe’s path is now clear after Sheikh Jassim withdrew his interest over the weekend following his inability to negotiate a full takeover of the club.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who will be playing during the week. The most notable game takes place tonight as the USMNT takes on Ghana, while Duncan McGuire and the U-23 side will play Japan’s U-23 side later on in the evening. There’s a chance Gio Reyna could feature for Borussia Dortmund during the team’s match against Werder Bremen on Friday, but it might not be as a starter given the USMNT’s game and Reyna coming back from an injury. Gabriel Slonina and Eupen also play on Friday as the Belgian club travels to Union St. Gilloise, which currently sits first in the Belgian Pro League.

Free Kicks

• The Houston Dynamo have signed defender Ethan Bartlow to a contract extension.
• Inter Miami has signed Gregore to a contract extension despite the midfielder missing most of the 2023 season due to a foot injury.
• Bayern Munich and Barcelona are both reportedly interested in signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

That’s all I have for you today. Stay safe out there!