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Lion Links: 1/11/24

Orlando and Facundo Torres agree to new deal, preparing for the NWSL Draft, Washington Spirit sign Casey Krueger, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

How’s it going, Mane Landers? We’re more than halfway through the week as January rolls on. I’ve been spending my days after work putting a gallery wall together and it has been much tougher than I initially thought. It’s been nice being able to flex some of my interior decorating skills outside of work at least. Let’s dive into today’s links!

Lions and Facundo Torres Agree to New Deal

In a decision that was reported on earlier this week, Orlando City has officially signed winger Facundo Torres to a new contract. Torres will now be under contract through 2026, with options for 2027 and 2028 as well. It’s a good move for all parties, as Torres will likely be paid a bit more as a senior Designated Player and Orlando can keep him in purple until an offer too good to refuse comes around. Torres will have plenty of opportunities to impress for Orlando this year at 23 years old. He will also be changing his jersey number from 17 to 10, which will take some getting used to for me. While this new contract isn’t the most groundbreaking move of the off-season, it’s the latest solid bit of business from the club.

Preparing for the NWSL Draft

The 2024 NWSL Draft is tomorrow night and the Orlando Pride currently have four picks, including the ninth overall pick. The draft will take place at 8 p.m., with the first two rounds televised on ION and the full draft streamed on ION Plus. Over 200 players have registered for the draft and there will be four rounds for the NWSL’s 14 teams to select players. ESPN‘s Travis Clark provided details on some of the top players to keep an eye out for tomorrow. Unless they trade the pick, the Pride should be able to add a dynamic player with that first-round pick. The Pride had a strong draft last year, selecting Emily Madril and Messiah Bright with their first two picks, so hopefully they can replicate that success this year as well.

The Washington Spirit Sign Casey Krueger

Another notable free agent has found a new team, as American defender Casey Krueger has signed a three-year deal with the Washington Spirit. Krueger heads to the nation’s capital after spending the entirety of her NWSL career with the Chicago Red Stars in her hometown. She spoke on the bittersweet feeling of leaving Chicago, Washington’s proactivity to help her balance playing with parenting, and her experience as a free agent for the first time. It will be interesting to see how Krueger does with the Spirit, especially once Jonatan Giraldez takes over as head coach following Barcelona’s season.

Keeping Up With Former Orlando Pride Players

It’s that time of the year when soccer news is flying fast and furious all over the world. While hectic, it’s nice to be able to see what former Orlando Pride players are up to since leaving the City Beautiful. Midfielder Emily van Egmond, who was traded to the San Diego Wave in early 2022, will be staying in San Diego a while longer after signing a new contract through the 2025 season. Dani Weatherholt is on the move though, as she won’t be returning to Angel City FC after two seasons.

Former Pride and USWNT defender Ali Krieger announced that she will be a studio analyst for CBS Sports. Krieger retired after helping NJ/NY Gotham FC win the NWSL Championship this past season, and will help cover the upcoming Concacaf W Gold Cup. Thais Reiss, whose contract option was declined by the Pride following this past season, is taking her talents abroad to play for Villarreal.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

A number of MLS moves that have been reported on this month became official. American forward Brandon Vazquez is heading to Liga MX, with FC Cincinnati transferring him to Monterrey for a reported fee of $7.5 million. FC Dallas bolstered its defense by signing veteran center back Omar Gonzalez to a contract through 2024, with an option for 2025 as well. D.C. United also officially named Troy Lesesne as its next head coach. The former New York Red Bulls coach signed a three-year deal with D.C.

As for some new news, the LA Galaxy have reportedly agreed to pay a club-record $10 million fee to sign midfielder Gabriel Pec from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama. The Colorado Rapids continued their wheeling and dealing by trading away a second-round pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, an international roster spot, and a conditional $100,000 in General Allocation Money for versatile player Jasper Löffelsend. Real Salt Lake is also reportedly set to sign 17-year-old Fidel Barajas from the Charleston Battery.

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  • Gotham FC hired Pierre Soubrier, who is Crystal Dunn’s husband and is currently serving a year-long suspension for administering medication that contained codeine during his time as an athletic trainer with the Portland Thorns.

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

Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/28/25

MLS shares Orlando City’s club profile, Orlando Pride reveal new kit, Orlando City B signs Thalles and Riyon Tori, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to the final day of February, Mane Landers! This month has flown by for me, and I’m looking forward to a March that will include much more Orlando soccer, thanks to the Orlando Pride and Orlando City B seasons kicking off. I have a fairly busy weekend lined up but am hoping to catch the Lions on Saturday when they host Toronto FC. Let’s jump into today’s links!

Orlando City’s Club Profile

The club profiles for each MLS team were provided, giving the public a nice look at how each team’s roster is built for the 2025 season. Orlando City is one of 14 clubs that opted for the Designated Player model, with Martin Ojeda, Luis Muriel, and Marco Pasalic as its Designated Players. Ramiro Enrique and Nicolas Rodriguez occupy two of the three MLS U22 Initiative Player slots, while seven Lions are Targeted Allocation Money players. Center back Robin Jansson, who was listed as a TAM Player in last year’s profile, is not a TAM Player this time around. These snapshots are a pretty handy way of keeping track of where the club’s roster stands, as it also includes contract lengths, options, and unavailable players.

Orlando Pride Unveil New Kit

For their 10th season in the NWSL, the Orlando Pride revealed the “Decennial Kit” as their new primary jersey heading into the 2025 season. I’m a pretty big fan of the purple pattern, and the blue trim is a nice nod to the club’s past. I also like the iridescence on the badge, even if it feels like the kind of showy thing you can only do after winning the double. While I don’t mind the badge being in the center too much, I hate the Nike logo being right above it, as it creates a sandwiched look. The star representing the club’s first NWSL Championship is obviously a welcome addition though, and the jock tag wordmark is quietly one of the best parts of the kit. All in all, I like it, and there’s a decent chance it’ll wind up on my gift list this year.

Orlando City B Adds Thalles and Riyon Tori

With the MLS NEXT Pro season only a week away, Orlando City B made a pair of moves by adding forward Thalles on loan and signing Riyon Tori to a one-year contract. Thalles joins the club on loan through 2025 from Botafogo-SP in Brazil’s second division. Hopefully the 19-year-old can shine with the Young Lions after doing well in Brazil, and his loan includes an option to buy. As for Tori, he was selected by the Lions over a year ago in the third round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. The midfielder returned to college at Charlotte after being drafted and received First-Team All-AAC and Second-Team All-East Region honors last year.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

Americans will clash in the EFL Championship on Saturday when former Lion Daryl Dike and West Brom travel to take on Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United. There’s also FA Cup action to look forward to, as Ethan Horvath could start in goal for Cardiff City when it plays Aston Villa today. Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, and Chris Richards are also expected to be in action in the tournament.

Other interesting things to keep an eye on this weekend include Naomi Girma possibly making her Chelsea debut, Giovanni Reyna’s uncertain role with Borussia Dortmund, and whether or not Damion Downs can score when Cologne plays Karlsruher.

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That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a great Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/27/25

Getting to know Ramiro Enrique, USWNT loses to Japan, Concacaf Champions Cup results, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I haven’t done too much this week beyond working, but I did manage to put together a cat tree that my cat has already sent crashing into a wall twice so far. Pet ownership has been a joy, I must say. Let’s dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Learning More About Ramiro Enrique

Orlando City put a spotlight on forward Ramiro Enrique with a nice video showcasing what he brings to the team for the 2025 season. Along with interviews from Enrique and Head Coach Oscar Pareja, the video includes highlights of his some of his biggest moments as a Lion so far. The 23-year-old spoke on how his father, World Cup winner Hector Enrique, is a major inspiration for him and how he’s both a scorer and Orlando’s first line of defense. Pareja praised both Enrique’s natural talent and his commitment to improving himself moving forward. It’s a pretty well-produced video and I’m looking forward to seeing the profiles for other Lions as well throughout the season.

USWNT Falls to Japan in SheBelieves Cup

The United States Women’s National Team lost its final game of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, falling 2-1 to Japan in San Diego. Japan took an early lead, but Ally Sentnor tied things up soon after with her second goal of the tournament. Toko Koga then scored for Japan in the 50th minute and the U.S. was unable to find the back of the net again against Japan’s solid defense. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams did not play in the match despite a strong showing against Australia on Sunday. It’s the USWNT’s first loss under Head Coach Emma Hayes and its first time losing the tournament since England won it in 2019.

In what was effectively the third-place match, Colombia beat Australia 2-1 to finish the tournament on a high note. Australia’s Hayley Raso equalized things in the second half, but Catalina Usme gave Colombia its winner a few minutes later.

Bay FC Scouting Director Resigns Amid Backlash

Graeme Abel, who was hired as Bay FC’s director of domestic scouting last week, has resigned from his position. This decision comes after backlash from his hiring due to reported allegations of abuse by former players from his time as the University of Oregon’s women’s soccer coach. A report last April detailed allegations of verbal abuse that included threatening to revoke scholarships, having players kicked off the team, and throwing objects, with players stating that they dealt with suicidal ideation while playing there.

Concacaf Champions Cup Results

Real Salt Lake was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup after losing 2-1 at home to Costa Rican club Herediano. The MLS side took the lead in the first half, but Herediano leveled things in the second half and sealed victory with a late penalty kick. FC Cincinnati took care of business at home in a 1-1 draw against Honduran club Motagua, with Kevin Denkey scoring in his third straight game for his new team. The Seattle Sounders also reached the next round, beating Guatemala’s Antigua GFC 3-1. Cincinnati will face Tigres in the round of 16, while the Sounders will take on Cruz Azul. The first round wraps up tonight when the Vancouver Whitecaps host Saprissa for the final spot in the round of 16, which kicks off on Tuesday.

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  • The Orlando Pride will unveil their new home jersey for the 2025 season today and I’m pretty excited to see what they’ve come up with. I’m also looking forward to seeing the team sport a shiny new star after winning last year, as teased by Marta.

A very ✨ golden ✨ addition

Orlando Pride (@orlpride.com) 2025-02-26T00:03:16.959Z
  • The Pride gave a shoutout to coaches Seb Hines, Giles Barnes, and Yolanda Thomas this Black History Month.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a fantastic Thursday and rest of your week!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/26/25

Tsukada out for the season, OCB adds a striker, the SheBelieves Cup finishes tonight, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. I hope you’re recovering from the season opener. I find it best to look for the positives or just pretend none of it ever happened. I’m certain one of those two is a healthy way to process your feelings. The good news is that the season is underway, the Orlando Pride are close to starting their new campaign, and we get to watch the USWNT play tonight. See? It isn’t all bad. Let’s get to the links, but first, let’s wish Pride midfielder Morgan Gautrat a happy birthday.

Tsukada Out for the Season

Yutaro Tsukada has been placed on the Season-Ending Injury list for Orlando City following successful surgery on his left ACL. The young midfielder sustained the injury in the preseason match against CF Montreal. While we expected this news, it doesn’t make it any easier for Tsukada, the club, or any of us. It’s another blow to the depth of Orlando City in a season that has only just begun. We wish Tsukada a full and speedy recovery.

OCB Striker Signing

When I said I wanted Orlando City to sign a new striker, I should have been more specific. The club acquired the SuperDraft Priority to forward Dyson Clapier from Sporting Kansas City. In return, Sporting Kansas City gets Orlando City’s natural second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. Following the acquisition, Clapier was signed to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2025, with a club option in 2026.

SheBelieves Cup Finishes Tonight

The USWNT will need a victory against Japan tonight to win the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. Japan holds the advantage thanks to a plus-seven goal differential as compared to the plus-three goal differential of the U.S. The match is set for 7:30 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. There are on air and streaming options available to watch the match. If the USWNT can pull out the victory, it will be the sixth SheBelieves title in a row. Emily Sams got the start and went the full 90 minutes against Australia on Sunday. Hopefully, the Orlando Pride defender will see more action this evening.

Ream is a Believer

With the 2026 World Cup coming up next year, the USMNT wants to make a big splash. Longtime U.S. defender Tim Ream says that Mauricio Pochettino is the right man to do the job. Ream will certainly be an integral part of the next World Cup squad, and he asserts that Pochettino will evolve the USMNT to the next level.

Free Kicks

  • Casey Krueger’s time with the USWNT appears to be done. Emma Hayes is going younger.
  • The MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended and fined Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez for one match.

MLS Disciplinary Committee suspends Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez for one match and issued an undisclosed fine for violent conduct at Columbus on Saturday. He will miss this weekend’s match vs D.C. United.

Steven Goff (@stevengoff.bsky.social) 2025-02-25T21:11:38.395Z
  • Gutierrez wasn’t the only player fined by DisCo. The only thing I’m certain of is that the fine wasn’t big enough.
  • Congratulations to Chris and Alyssa Mueller on the birth of their new baby.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the match this weekend. As for today, go USA!

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