Lion Links
Lion Links: 12/18/23
Antonio Carlos departs, MLS out of the U.S. Open Cup, USMNT players abroad, and more.
Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. If you’re the type that celebrates a certain gift-giving holiday, I hope your shopping is going well. I can tell you that finding gifts for grown children and teenagers is a lot different than when the kiddos are little. Of course, it’s not all bad since there is a lot less of putting things together on Christmas Eve. Speaking of gifts, here are today’s links.
Antonio Carlos Transferred
Orlando City center back Antonio Carlos is headed back to Fluminense FC in Brazil’s Serie A. It is a bit of sad news given that Carlos and Robin Jansson formed the best center back pairing in Orlando City history. The injury earlier this season and the good play of Rodrigo Schlegel kept Carlos out of the starting lineup after he returned from injury. Regardless, Carlos is a top-tier MLS center back and will be missed.
MLS vs. the U.S. Open Cup
Major League Soccer announced that the league’s senior teams will not be participating in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition in 2024. The U.S. Open Cup is the country’s oldest ongoing national soccer competition. In 2022, Orlando City won the competition, securing the club’s first trophy in the MLS era. MLS Commissioner Don Garber informed U.S. Soccer that the the clubs will be sending the MLS NEXT Pro teams to compete in the tournament. It is a decision with massive ramifications for the competition and for soccer in the U.S. The fallout from this announcement is certain to continue. There were some funny takes on the decision.
MLS SuperDraft Relevance
The rise of the academy system within MLS has in some ways lessened the importance of the MLS SuperDraft. Of course, there are still numerous players that come out of the draft that make it worthwhile. Orlando City’s penchant for picking strikers is well known. The importance of the draft varies from club to club, though the best strategy will be multi-faceted. Orlando City is the perfect example of a club that uses the draft to great effect.
USMNT Players Abroad
It is certainly nice to have such good American players plying their trade abroad. In fact, Malik TIllman provided an assist to Sergino Dest in PSV’s 4-0 win over AZ Alkmaar. Dest’s goal came in the 16th minute and was the third goal for PSV.
Christian Pulisic continued his good run of form for AC Milan, providing an assist in a 3-0 win over Monza after scoring a goal only days before in a 2-1 win over Newcastle in the UEFA Champions League. It is the 10th goal contribution for the American this season.
Free Kicks
- Dagur Dan Thorhallsson has been called up by Iceland for a pair of friendlies in January in the U.S. Orlando City supporters can watch the Lions’ fullback compete with his national team in Fort Lauderdale at DVR PNK Stadium.
- The Utah Royals traded Elyse Bennett to the San Diego Wave.
- The New York Red Bulls signed Sweden midfielder Emil Forsberg from fellow organization club RB Leipzig.
- Cavalry is moving the round one venue for their Concacaf Champions League match given how cold it is in Canada in February.
- Tom Lockyer is in stable condition following the cardiac arrest he suffered during Luton Town’s match against Bournemouth on Saturday. We wish Lockyer a speedy recovery.
- With Stage 2 of the MLS Re-entry Draft coming up, there are several big-name players available for the taking.
- If you are the type to follow eSports then you’ll be pleased to know that Orlando City signed Youssef “yaboyoussef” Aboyoussef to a contract to represent the club in eMLS in 2024.
That will do it for today. Keep checking in with The Mane Land as we continue with our Season in Review pieces for all Orlando City players. Vamos Orlando!