Lion Links: 11/17/23

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’m currently watching some pets for a friend while they’re on vacation and it’s been pretty nice since I don’t have any pets of my own after moving. I’m definitely feeling like the cool uncle while visiting them. Before we jump into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to former Lions captain Nani! The winger turns 37 today and I hope he’s enjoyed watching the Lions tear it up as of late.

Celia Named to Collegiate Hall of Fame

The National Junior College Athletic Association Women’s Soccer Coaches Association, which is a bit of a mouthful, has inducted Orlando Pride defender Celia into its hall of fame for her time with the Iowa Western Reivers. She helped the program claim its first national championship in 2013 before leading the team back to the final the following year, earning All-Tournament honors in 2014. Celia joined the Pride as part of the trade that sent Phoebe McClernon to OL Reign during the 2022 NWSL Draft. The Spanish player re-signed with the Pride earlier this year and is under contract through the 2024 season.

USMNT Beats Trinidad & Tobago Despite Slow Start

The United States Men’s National Team didn’t find its breakthrough until late in the match, but ultimately won 3-0 against Trinidad & Tobago in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. Noah Powder was shown two yellow cards within the first 37 minutes of the match, reducing Trinidad & Tobago to 10 men for a majority of the match. However, the U.S. struggled to capitalize on its advantage until a flurry of goals after over 80 minutes of action. Three different Americans scored late goals to transform a rough result into a comfortable one. The USMNT now has a sizable lead heading into the second leg on Monday in Trinidad.

Keeping Up With International Tournament Qualifiers

Things are not getting better for Peru in World Cup qualifying, as the South American team was beaten 2-0 by Bolivia and is now in last place with just one point from five games. Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese started and Wilder Cartagena was an unused substitute, while Peru’s offense was unable to get anything going. In Buenos Aires, Facundo Torres didn’t come off the bench as Uruguay came up with a huge 2-0 win over Argentina. Colombia also took down Brazil 2-1 thanks to a second-half brace from Luis Diaz, with his father — who was released following a kidnapping — in attendance

Hungary clinched its spot in the next year’s Euros in dramatic fashion, with an own goal in stoppage time as the deciding factor against Bulgaria. Slovakia also qualified after a convincing 4-2 win over Iceland. But the biggest winner of the day in Europe may be Luxembourg, which qualified for the playoff after a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In World Cup qualifying in Africa, Mohamed Salah had a hat trick in the first half and finished with four goals in Egypt’s comfortable 6-0 win over Djibouti. Algeria, Burundi, and Gabon also started their World Cup qualifying campaigns with wins, while Nigeria was surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw with Lesotho.

Victor Rivas and Ian McKay Receive MLS Referee Awards

Victor Rivas was named 2023 MLS Referee of the Year as voted on by MLS club technical staff members, media, and players. It’s Rivas’ first time winning the award since making his MLS officiating debut in May of 2018. In that time, he’s officiated 82 regular-season games and is currently on the FIFA international panel. Ian McKay was named MLS Assistant Referee of the Year, earning the honor for the first time as well. He also made his MLS debut in May of 2018 and has officiated 103 regular-season games in the time since. McKay was an assistant referee in both Orlando’s U.S. Open Cup final win last year and Orlando’s loss to the New England Revolution in the playoffs in 2020.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire fielded some entertaining and rapid-fire questions. I’m not surprised to learn he is more of a dog person than a cat person.

• The Philadelphia Union signed Danish midfielder Sanders Ngabo, who will join the team for the 2024 season.
• The Colorado Rapids are reportedly set to hire Chris Armas as their next head coach. Armas has previously served as the head coach of the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, while also spending time in England as an assistant coach with Manchester United and Leeds United.
• John Rooney, who played for Orlando during the USL days, scored a great goal from the halfway line for Macclesfield in England.

That’s all I have for you today. Hopefully all of the international soccer is making up for the lack of MLS action this weekend. Have a fantastic Friday!