Lion Links 1/4/24

How’s it going, Mane Landers? Hopefully your resolutions are going smoothly as we settle into the new year. I didn’t set too many myself, apart from wanting to read 50 novels this year. I’m going to try cooking and baking a bit more this year as well, although I’m not sure what I want to start the year with. The only thing I absolutely want to make at least once before 2025 is homemade ravioli, but it’s a bit daunting. But enough about food, let’s get this Thursday started with some links!

Orlando City Signs Ivan Angulo After Loan

Ivan Angulo will be sticking around in the City Beautiful after signing a contract through 2025, with an option for 2026 as well. The Colombian winger joined Orlando in the summer of 2022 on loan from Brazilian club Palmeiras, with Orlando later extending the loan through the end of the 2023 season. His speed and dribbling ability made him an important part of Orlando’s attack this past year, playing in every game across all competitions. There’s still room for improvement for the 24-year-old as well, making him an intriguing player to keep an eye on in 2024. Securing Angulo’s signature was the latest move from Orlando in what has been a solid off-season so far.

Miles Robinson Signed By FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati acquired one of the most notable MLS free agents of this off-season, signing American center back Miles Robinson to a contract through the 2024 season, with an option for 2025 as well. Robinson heads to Cincinnati after seven seasons with Atlanta United, which drafted him with the second overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. The 26-year-old will pair up with 2023 Defender of the Year and fellow American Matt Miazga to anchor Cincinnati’s back line. He’ll more than help fill the void left by Yerson Mosquera, who returned to Wolverhampton after a year-long loan in Cincinnati.

Brandon Vazquez Reportedly Heading to Mexico

Speaking of FC Cincinnati, it reportedly reached a deal to transfer forward Brandon Vazquez to Liga MX’s Monterrey for a fee in the range of $7.5 million, with add-ons involved as well. Vazquez has garnered interest from clubs in Europe after scoring 26 goals over the past two regular seasons with Cincinnati, but it seems he will be staying in this hemisphere and taking his talents to Mexico. The 25-year-old made his United States Men’s National Team debut in 2022 and has scored four goals in eight appearances for the senior team. He could end up playing against his former club as soon as March, as Monterrey and Cincinnati can play each other in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup’s round of 16.

Portland Thorns Sold to RAJ Sports

The Portland Thorns now have new ownership, as the NWSL club was acquired by RAJ Sports for a reported fee of $63 million. RAJ Sports is led by siblings Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal of the Bhathal family, which was part of the group that bought the Sacramento Kings in 2013. The Thorns will continue to play at Providence Park and train there until a new women’s soccer-specific training facility is built for the team. The team was put up for sale by Merritt Paulson in late 2022 following the release of the Yates Report that detailed systemic abuse in the NWSL.

Free Kicks

• Former Orlando Pride general manager Ian Fleming announced that he is Wilson Management Alliance’s new director of soccer.

• Former Pride goalkeeper Brittany Isenhour (née Wilson) is leaving Angel City FC.

• The deal between the Colorado Rapids and Manchester City for goalkeeper Zack Steffen is reportedly sorted out and he won’t be a Designated Player for the Rapids.

• Manchester United and Cameroon have reportedly reached an agreement for goalkeeper Andre Onana to stay with the club through a match with Tottenham Hotspur on Jan. 14. Onana would then head to the Ivory Coast for Cameroon’s first match of the Africa Cup of Nations on Jan. 15.
• AS Roma scored twice in the second half to beat Cremonese 2-1 to advance to the Italian Cup quarterfinals, where a derby match with Lazio awaits.
• Paul Mullin spoke on his love for Wrexham AFC after signing a contract extension that will keep him with the Welsh club until 2027.
• Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric headline the list of notable players who will become free agents this summer.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!