Lion Links: 1/19/24

It’s Friday, which means we can let our hair down a bit and think about all the fun and indulgent ways we’ll be spending the weekend. I have a college friend visiting from Chicago to escape the weather and check out houses over the next few days, so that should be nice. It’s been a hectic week, but a productive one as well. My resolutions are coming along smoothly and I have finished five books so far this year. Let’s get to the links!

OCSC Announces New Name for Stadium

Orlando City’s and the Orlando Pride’s home has had its name changed to Inter&Co Stadium as part of a 10-year agreement between the club and financial institution. The name is a bit clunky to say, and it’s unfortunate the stadium now partly shares a name with Orlando City’s Tropic Thunder rival, but there are some notable benefits to the deal for Orlando fans. Technology upgrades are coming to the stadium, including new lighting, television displays, and plans for improvements to Wi-Fi and cell service. Inter&Co became the club’s first international party back in September, and is now the first financial institution with Latin-American roots with the naming rights of a major U.S. stadium.

Cavalry FC Head Coach Discusses Concacaf Champions Cup Prep

Tommy Wheeldon Jr., the head coach of Cavalry FC, spoke on how his team is getting ready for its matches against Orlando City in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Cavalry had a strong year in 2023 and many players return for this year. The club also brought in midfielder Diego Gutierrez and forward Tobias Warschewski, and Wheeldon detailed how they will elevate the team in 2024. He also weighed in on Orlando’s quality, his experience coaching against American sides, and the importance of playing in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Orlando and Cavalry will first clash in Canada on Feb. 21 before the second leg in Orlando on Feb. 27.

Adam Grinwis Joins the Charleston Battery

Former Orlando City goalkeeper Adam Grinwis is taking his talents back to the USL Championship, signing with the Charleston Battery. He was out of contract with Orlando City following the 2023 season and he will likely be the starter in Charleston. Orlando fans will most notably remember Grinwis for his heroics in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup penalty shootout against New York City FC that included the “Running of the Wall.” The 31-year-old is no stranger to winning in the USL either, helping the Rochester Rhinos claim the league title in 2015. I wish nothing but the best for him in Charleston and might swing on over to Al Lang Stadium to see him deny the Tampa Bay Rowdies on July 27.

Christian Pulisic and Kevin Paredes Win U.S. Soccer Awards

For a record-tying fourth time, Christian Pulisic was voted U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year. The 25-year-old received the award after recording six goals and three assists for the United States Men’s National Team in 2023, including a brace in the team’s 3-0 win over Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League. He’s also bounced back at the club level with AC Milan after a rough time with Chelsea. He and U.S. legend Landon Donovan are now the only players to have received the accolade four times.

Wolfsburg forward Kevin Paredes was voted 2023 U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year after a solid year for club and country. He helped the U.S. reach the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup, made his debut for the senior team in September, and started in the USMNT’s quarterfinal match with Trinidad & Tobago in the Concacaf Nations League in November.

Analyzing Slovenia Ahead of USMNT Friendly

The USMNT will play its first game of 2024 tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in a friendly against Slovenia in San Antonio. Both sides are bringing in fairly young and inexperienced rosters for this friendly, which should lead to an interesting match between players with plenty to prove. Slovenia is coached by Matjaz Kek, who has been at the helm since 2018 and helped the team qualify for this summer’s Euros. His team is disciplined, pragmatic, and fairly capable at scoring on set pieces. Center back Marcel Ratnik is a talented young defender with a knack for scoring and it will be interesting to see how he stacks up against Duncan McGuire and the U.S. attack. Speedster Danijel Sturm and striker duo Andres Vombergar and Nejc Gradisar are a few of Slovenia’s attacking players who could cause problems for the USMNT.

Free Kicks

• There’s plenty of reasons for Orlando City fans to feel optimistic this preseason after a strong 2023 season. The team’s taken care of business for the most part this off-season and is just an addition or two from making it a slam dunk.
• Enjoy this story of former Orlando forward Cyle Larin showing some respect and kindness to young fans of the opposing team after he scored a late winner in Mallorca’s 1-0 win over Tenerife in the Copa del Rey.
• Former Lion Albert Dikwa has signed with Rhode Island FC, which will make its USL Championship debut this year. Dikwa claimed the league’s golden boot last season, scoring 20 goals with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. As part of the Lions’ preseason, they will face Dikwa and Rhode Island on Feb. 7.
• The other three teams taking part in this year’s SheBelieves Cup alongside the U.S. will reportedly be Brazil, Canada, and Japan, with an announcement expected to take place today.
• Angel City FC signed South Korean forward Casey Phair to a contract through 2026. The 16-year-old became the youngest player to ever appear in the Women’s World Cup last year.
• The New England Revolution have signed defender DeJuan Jones to a new contract through 2027.
• Atletico Madrid advanced in the Copa del Rey by beating Real Madrid 4-2 thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme in extra time. The draw for the quarterfinals will take place today.
• Forward Mohamed Salah exited right before halftime due to an injury in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations.
• Jordan Henderson only lasted six months in Saudi Arabia, leaving Al Ettifaq to sign with Ajax in the Netherlands.
• The 2026 World Cup schedule, including the venue for the final, will be revealed on Feb. 4. The final will reportedly either be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington or MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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