Lion Links: 1/18/24

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope this Thursday finds you well and that the cold weather hasn’t given you too many issues. It’s been a bit difficult leaving the warmth of my bed each morning, but some deer have been frequenting the forest outside my windows, so I’ve enjoyed watching them from my balcony with coffee before heading out for work. Let’s get to today’s links!

Haley Carter Discusses Orlando Pride Draft Class

The Orlando Pride used the recent NWSL Draft to select players who will add not only depth, but the versatility and potential that could make this another successful draft by the Pride. Ally Lemos, who the Pride chose in the first round, is only 19 but will get to improve her game alongside the likes of Marta and Morgan Gautraut. Penn State’s Cori Dyke brings a different skillset to the Pride’s midfield compared to Lemos, but both players provide the similar kind of versatility that Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter values.

“The midfielders that we have on the roster are incredibly versatile,” Carter said. “Some of them can play in the back line. Some of them can play outside as wingers if we need them to play there. Some of them can play as a six or as an eight, even as a 10. So, we’re always looking for players who are versatile and can play multiple positions, and we feel like we’ve accomplished that.”

Carter also stated that landing forward Alex Kerr with the 50th overall pick was a steal. Talia Gabarra was the final pick of the draft, with the Pride selecting a local player to round out their draft.

Cece Kizer Traded to the Houston Dash

The Kansas City Current traded forward Cece Kizer to the Houston Dash in exchange for Nichelle Prince, with the Dash also receiving an international roster spot. Kizer returns to the Dash after being drafted by the club in the second round of the 2019 NWSL Draft. She’s a versatile attacker who should give a needed boost to a Dash offense that only scored 16 goals in 22 games last season. Prince joins Kansas City after playing her whole career in Houston, scoring 12 goals in 88 games.

In other notable NWSL news, Racing Louisville signed South African forward Linda Motlhalo from Glasgow for an undisclosed fee, the North Carolina Courage added German defender Feli Rauch from VfB Wolfsburg, and the Chicago Red Stars signed veteran midfielder Shea Groom.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

The Portland Timbers have signed Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to a contract through 2025, with an option for 2026 as well. He joins the Timbers as a free agent after two solid years with LAFC and should help a Portland side that bled 58 goals last season. Atlanta United continued to improve its midfield by signing Polish defensive midfielder Bartosz Slisz from Legia Warsaw. The 24-year-old has a decent amount of experience under his belt and was signed to a contract through 2028. The Vancouver Whitecaps transferred forward Simon Becher to AC Horsens, which was relegated from Denmark’s top flight last season.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

American midfielder Luca de la Torre had himself a day in Celta Vigo’s 3-1 win over Valencia in the Copa del Rey. He got the scoring started with an impressive backheel that he made look easy, and later provided an assist on his team’s third goal with a nice cross.

In the Netherlands, Malik Tillman started and contributed an assist in PSV Eindhoven’s 3-1 win against FC Twente. Sergino Dest also played all 90 minutes and Ricardo Pepi came on late as a substitute. American goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is reportedly on Hull City’s shortlist of players to sign this window, while defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has garnered interest from the English Premier League’s Brentford, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City’s Ivan Angulo and Alex Freeman were the last Lions standing in this preseason’s beep test.

• Orlando City midfielder Cesar Araujo showcased Uruguay’s new alternative kit and it looks pretty clean.

• LAFC bought a majority stake in Swiss club Grasshopper, which was founded in 1886. The Zurich-based club has seen plenty of success over its lifetime but has not won a league title since 2003.
• NJ/NY Gotham FC and Louisville will take part in The Women’s Cup in Colombia, becoming the first NWSL teams to play in South America. They will take on America de Cali and Deportivo Cali in doubleheaders on Feb. 27 and March 2.
• Kylian Mbappe spoke about the increase in games each season for soccer players and how it may result in the kind of load management seen in the NBA.
• Here’s a great article about U.S. Deaf Men’s National Team player Tristan Torbett, who suffered a stroke on the way to the 2023 DIFA World Deaf Football Championships in Malaysia.
• Naples was awarded a USL League One franchise that will begin play in 2025.

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