Lion Links: 10/30/23

Good Monday morning, Mane Landers. I’m here to catch you up with your soccer news before the Lions host Nashville SC tonight at Exploria Stadium. Prior to the match, I’ll be attending my work Halloween party, which includes glow-in-the-dark rock climbing and a DJ. Why? Well, why not? There will also be a costume contest, and that now has me wondering what each of Orlando’s players would likely dress up as. Comment below if you have any ideas for who should wear what costumes.

I think Junior Urso should be Kung Fu Panda and obviously Duncan McGuire has to be a giant donut with Nike Dunks on his feet. Alright, enough of that, let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for Playoffs

The 2023 MLS season saw the Lions earn their highest wins and points totals while tying their goals record in the MLS era. After finishing second overall in the league standings, Orlando City will host Nashville SC tonight at 7 p.m. The fixture will be the first of a possible three, if needed, in the new first-round format. The series will be best-of-three and each heads straight to a shootout to decide the winner should the score be level at the end of regulation. For Head Coach Oscar Pareja, the new format will bring a bit of tweaking to his traditional tournament methods.

“We like the people to understand that format,” Pareja said. “There isn’t extra time, and you go straight to penalties, so there should be a winner every time we play. So, that creates different scenarios and strategies that coaches may have for the game. We have to be ourselves and not overthink too much. It’s easy in sports to predict something, but once the ball is moving, it’s unpredictable.”

Facundo Torres Elevates Team

When Orlando City Designated Player Facundo Torres joined the club in January 2022, he came with a hefty price tag and a club-record $7.5 million fee, plus $1.5 million in bonuses. In the short time that he has been with the Lions, Torres is proving to be worth the splashed cash and this season alone Torres has led the club with a career-high 14 goals. In his own life, the Uruguayan and his wife welcomed their first child in July and have since made a home in Orlando. Torres knows this won’t be his final club though and has big European dreams.

“The ultimate dream for me is to play European football,” Torres said. “That’s. still my ultimate dream. I don’t know when that’s going to happen, but I’m going to keep working toward it day in and day out. I’m going to keep working here at this club to try and grow as a player.”

Orlando City Season in Review

Orlando’s historic regular season has come to a close as we head into the postseason. But there are plenty of memorable moments to look back on across the 18 wins, 63 points, and 55 goals. While not a game-winner, one of my favorite goals of the season came by way of Duncan McGuire, with a stoppage-time finish against the Columbus Crew on May 13. We also witnessed a classy brace from Facundo Torres on Aug. 26 in the 2-1 victory over newcomer St. Louis City, capped off with an 89th-minute penalty. Most recently, McGuire came off the bench to score two goals in the final regular-season match against Toronto FC, where he juggled over the top of Michael Bradley and volleyed from distance to claim the Goal of the Matchday.

Mia Fishel Inspires USWNT to Victory Over Colombia

While she did not start the match, Mia Fishel subbed on for the start of the second half, replacing Alex Morgan. The 22-year-old Chelsea forward scored in her second cap with a headed finish in the 56th minute.

It was not just Fishel who bagged her first goal for the Stars and Stripes, as 19-year-old Jaedyn Shaw finished coolly in the 83rd minute to seal the USWNT’s 3-0 victory over Colombia. Lindsey Horan also scored.

Free Kicks

• We know how we think McGuire is playing this year. But hear all about his own thoughts in his latest interview.
• The Philadelphia Union will be without center back Jakob Glesnes, who suffered a sports hernia in Saturday’s 3-1 win over the New England Revolution and will be out for the rest of the playoffs.
• The United States U-19 Women’s National Team defeated Argentina 4-0 to win Group B of the 2023 Pan American Games.
• The Ligue 1 match between Lyon and Marseille was postponed after Lyon’s team bus was hit with rocks en route to Stade Velodrome.
• The mother of Liverpool’s Luis Díaz had been rescued after being kidnapped in northern Colombia, but officials are still searching for his missing father.

Well, it’s a home playoff match tonight. You know what to do. Arrive early, be loud, and look after your neighbors. Let’s go get that first win. Vamos Orlando!