Lion Links: 2/14/24

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida these days. I’ve been busy covering the high school basketball playoffs and bowling within the last week, along with catching up on the UEFA Champions League. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Duncan McGuire Returns to Training With the Lions

Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire is back in preseason training with the club after his loan move to Blackburn fell through due to an administrative issue. McGuire gave insight on his transfer saga and is ready to move forward with the Lions.

“I think I’m really good at putting the past behind me,” McGuire, a newfound U.S. international, told reporters on Tuesday. “It sucks that situation happened and it definitely kind of bothered me a little bit. But it’s in the past. I’m here now, I’ve been training again and everything seems back to normal here, so just playing like we always do.”

He is coming off a stellar rookie year last season, scoring 16 goals and finishing second in the 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year voting. McGuire will face some competition for minutes, with Orlando City reportedly close to sealing a move to acquire Luis Muriel from Atalanta.

Luis Muriel Confirms His Move to Orlando City

Speaking of Muriel, he said his goodbyes to Atalanta fans on social media ahead of his transfer to Orlando City. Although Orlando has not yet confirmed his signing, Muriel reportedly left for the United States on Monday to seal the deal. Muriel had been with Atalanta since 2019, scoring 68 goals in 184 appearances. He thanked the club’s fans as he prepares for the next challenge in Orlando.

“I already wanted to thank you so much for the four and a half wonderful years that I lived in Bergamo…

“Bergamo will always remain in my heart, like a second home.

“Thank you for all the messages of affection these days, I hope you will follow me with sympathy also in my new adventure in Orlando.”

Bay FC Signs Racheal Kundananji For Reported Record Fee

Two weeks after the club signed Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona, Bay FC announced another big move to its expansion team, signing Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF for a reported fee of $787,600, which would be a record in women’s soccer. Kundananji’s deal is through the 2027 season with an option for 2028. Kundananji joins the NWSL after scoring 33 goals in 43 Liga F appearances for Madrid CFF. Bay FC’s inaugural NWSL match will take place on March 16 against Angel City FC.

USMNT to Play Colombia in Friendly

The United States Men’s National Team will play Colombia in a friendly on June 8 at FedEx Field in Maryland as both sides prepare for the 2024 Copa America. This will be the 21st meeting between these two sides. The 2024 calendar year will be a busy one for the USMNT with the Nations League next month before the Concacaf Gold Cup, Copa America, and Olympics. As for Colombia, the South American nation is on a 19-match unbeaten streak and is in third place in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The last time these two sides met was in a scoreless friendly in January of last year.

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Begins

The knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League began on Tuesday. Real Madrid won 1-0 in the first leg against RB Leipzig on the road, with Brahim Diaz scoring the lone goal. In Denmark, Manchester City got past FC Copenhagen on the road to win 3-1 in its match. The second legs for both matchups will be played on March 6. There is more Champions League action today, as Lazio hosts Bayern Munich while Paris Saint-Germain takes on Real Sociedad.

Free Kicks

• Let’s also not forget to wish the Orlando Pride a happy Galentine’s Day!

• West Brom players supported former Lion Daryl Dike in their league match yesterday against Cardiff City after he suffered a season-ending injury.

• The Chicago Fire have officially signed midfielder Kellyn Acosta to a contract through the 2026 season with a club option in 2027.
• Portland Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn will replace Alana Cook on the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Concacaf W Gold Cup roster due to injury.
• USL League Two announced its 2024 alignment for the upcoming season with Nona FC and another new Orlando area expansion team, Brooke House FC, in the southeast division.

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