Lion Links: 1/24/24

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you in Florida. I’m doing well up here in Chicago and have been busy covering high school basketball and swimming this week. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Signs Defender Tahir Reid-Brown

Orlando City announced the signing of defender Tahir Reid-Brown to a Homegrown Player contract. The deal is for four years and runs through the 2027 season, with a club option in 2028. The 17-year-old joined the Orlando City Development Academy in 2020 and worked his way up, signing an academy contract with Orlando City B for the 2022 season. Reid-Brown also spent time with the U-17 academy team and was chosen for the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game after helping his team reach the MLS NEXT Cup semifinals for the third consecutive year. Reid-Brown even got a shout out from former Lion Tommy Redding once it was revealed what number he’ll be wearing on his jersey this season (Redding’s old No. 29).

Orlando Pride Announce 2024 Preseason Roster

The Orlando Pride have announced their 2024 preseason roster. Many core players from last season have returned after the Pride just narrowly missed the playoffs in 2023. The Pride began preseason training camp on Tuesday at the Orlando Health Training Ground at Sylvan Lake Park. The preseason roster includes five goalkeepers, 12 defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards. Former Angel City forward Simone Charley is listed as a non-roster invitee but could potentially be signed to add some depth to Orlando’s offense. All four of the Pride’s 2024 NWSL Draft picks — Ally Lemos, Cori Dyke, Alex Kerr, and Talia Gabarra — are part of the preseason camp roster. There are other new faces as well, such as midfielders Luana and Angelina and goalkeeper Sofia Manner.

NWSL Coaching Moves

San Diego Wave FC announced that the club has reached an agreement with Head Coach Casey Stoney on a new long-term contract through the 2027 NWSL season, with an option for 2028. Stoney has led the Wave to the NWSL playoffs during the club’s first two seasons in the league and was named 2022 NWSL Coach of the Year. The Wave finished last season atop the standings to win the NWSL Shield. Elsewhere, the Washington Spirit announced that former Espanyol women’s manager Adrian Gonzalez will lead the club as interim head coach at the start of the 2024 season. Gonzalez will move to an assistant coaching role when Jonatan Giraldez takes over as the Spirit’s head coach this summer.

Latest NWSL Transfer News

It was a busy day yesterday, as there were some notable moves in the NWSL as clubs enter preseason training. Let’s start in Portland where the Thorns have traded midfielder Rocky Rodriguez to Angel City in exchange for $275,000 in Allocation Money. Rodriguez made 72 appearances for the Thorns across all competitions in four seasons with the club, scoring seven goals and adding three assists. The Thorns also announced that the club has re-signed defender Becky Sauerbrunn to a one-year contract. Finally, NJ/NY Gotham FC acquired goalkeeper Cassie Miller from the Kansas City Current in exchange for $70,000 in Allocation Money and a $30,000 intra-league transfer fee.

Free Kicks

• The Lions were busy ripping all kinds of shots into the back of the net at preseason training on Tuesday.

• In Moments, a documentary about the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Orlando Pride forward Marta gave insight on what it means to her to be a role model in the women’s game.

• Nottingham Forest is reportedly in talks with Borussia Dortmund about a potential loan deal to sign USMNT midfielder Giovanni Reyna.
• Another USMNT player could also be on the move, as EFL Championship side Cardiff City is reportedly interested in acquiring goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on a loan deal from Nottingham Forest.
• Chelsea bounced back in the second leg in the Carabao Cup semifinals with a 6-2 aggregate win against Middlesbrough. Chelsea will play the winner between Fulham and Liverpool in next month’s final.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Wednesday, and I’ll see you next time.