Lion Links: 2/12/24

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. Oh boy, was it ever a busy weekend for the club, and there is so much more to come. The preseason is underway, player reinforcements are on the way, and on a personal note, I want to wish my son a happy 24th birthday. Things are speeding up as the season approaches, but for now let’s get to the links.

Lions Defeat New England

Orlando City defeated the New England Revolution 3-1 in a preseason friendly at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday night, improving to 2-0-1 in three scrimmages during this year’s camp. Wilder Cartagena added a goal to Facundo Torres’ brace as the Lions showed good preseason form. The match was open to Society XXI members. If you want an idea of what some of it looked like, check this out.

Orlando City is back in action on Wednesday against the Houston Dynamo and then on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids with both games at home.

Brain Trust Re-Signed

In what might be the biggest off-season signings, the club has signed Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira to new two-year contracts. Muzzi and Moreira are the guys in the background making everything possible for Oscar Pareja and his coaching staff. Moreira also got a new title, trading in the assistant general manager role for vice president of soccer operations.

Lions Transfer News

Duncan McGuire might be back in Orlando but he’s still getting attention from across the pond. Sheffield Wednesday was competing for the striker with Blackburn during the recent transfer window saga. The club is now saying that it still intends to bring McGuire on board if it can stay in the EFL Championship.

Meanwhile, Orlando City waits on the Luis Muriel deal to get finished. Muriel is anticipated to arrive soon.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini shared his thoughts on the qualities of Muriel’s game and his impact. If you aren’t yet familiar, here is an example of his work.

Jersey Reveal Incoming

First there was a leaked image of a kit. Then we found out that the official reveal is coming this Thursday evening at the Cheyenne Saloon. Now we have a photo of the new away kit captured in the wild.

As you can see, it is very close to the previously leaked image and shows all of the throwback elements to the kit. The colors, the badge, and personally I like the collar. I think that most supporters are going to be pretty excited for this new kit, while others will complain that “it’s just plain white.”

Free Kicks

• Orlando City B’s preseason is also in session, with the young Lions drawing 1-1 with New England Revolution II on Saturday.

• Former Lion Daryl Dike cannot catch a break. The West Bromwich Albion striker was substituted off with another injury in his team’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.

• Orlando City didn’t retain Junior Urso’s services after last season and now he is a trialist with Charlotte FC.

• I love a good goal celebration and this one shows that close-up magic knows no boundaries.

That will do it for today. It’s going to be a busy week for the club, so stay tuned for more to come. Vamos Orlando!