Lion Links: 3/20/24

I bid you all a happy hump day, Mane Landers. You may be wondering what I’m doing here rather than in my usual Monday morning spot. Well, it’s something we’re trying out and it might even become permanent. We’ll just have to wait and see. For now, I’m just happy to be here with you in the midweek. Before we get to today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda!

Lions Called Up for International Duty

Facundo Torres will not be at Orlando City’s next match because he got called up to the Uruguayan National Team.

He isn’t the only one, with several other players heading out to represent their countries. Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena got the call from Peru, Abdi Salim from Somalia, and David Brekalo from Slovenia. Duncan McGuire and Favian Loyola were also called up to the USMNT’s U-23 and U-19 squads, respectively. Roster rotation will remain a thing for Orlando City against Austin FC.

Fixing Orlando City’s Offense

We’re all very well aware that Orlando City is still looking for the first win of the MLS regular season. I have thoughts on why that is, and what Oscar Pareja might want to change to make it happen, though I’m not going to share those thoughts here. I imagine you, dear reader, also have some ideas. Joseph Lowery of MLSsoccer.com also weighed in on what is ailing the Lions, along with the issues of the other five winless teams in MLS. Take a look and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Amanda Allen Receives Recognition

The Orlando Pride’s Amanda Allen made the NXGN 2024 list of the best teenage talent in women’s soccer. Allen made her international debut for Canada at 17 years old, her professional debut with the Orlando Pride at 18 years old, and is now looking to have a bigger year with the Pride and with Canada at 19 years old. She is exactly the young type of player that the Pride are looking to develop in the long term plans for the club.

Orlando City’s Youth Movement

You know that OCB defeated Atlanta United 2 in a wild 3-2 win. What you probably didn’t know is how Orlando’s academy teams have fared. Despite a 3-1 loss to Nashville, Orlando’s MLS NEXT U-17 team still tops the Pro Pathway standings. The U-15 side is also at the top of the table in its age group. The future of soccer in Orlando is bright.

Soccer Champions Will Tour in Orlando

Camping World Stadium will host Barcelona and Manchester City on July 30 as part of the Soccer Champions Tour. Manchester City will also play three other matches in Chapel Hill, New York, and Columbus against Celtic, AC Milan, and Chelsea, respectively.

This shouldn’t be a big surprise since Orlando was named one of the top cities for event hosting by the Sports Business Journal, as we shared in yesterday’s links. I’m guessing tickets will be a bit pricey, so start saving up if you want to attend.

Free Kicks

• Sam Mewis picked the Orlando Pride’s Citrus Kit as the “cleanest kits of the year” on The Women’s Game podcast. I completely agree.
• LA Times writer Kevin Baxter detailed how the replacement referees brought into MLS because of stalled negotiations with the referee’s union are not doing a very good job. The article also calls out Don Garber for his part in all of it, which makes me adore this writer.
• Here is a nice bit of recent history on how the NWSL is growing as a league and as a product. More investment in women’s soccer is paying dividends.
• There have been several injuries to players across various leagues. Former Orlando City player Richie Laryea will miss three months with Toronto FC due to a hamstring surgery. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be out for four to six weeks due to a knee injury, and Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku will miss the match against Ireland with a groin injury.
• Lyon and Chelsea both earned first-leg away wins in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Champions League competition. Lyon beat Benfica 2-1 and Chelsea defeated Ajax 3-0.
• The USMNT is hosting Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in Arlington tomorrow. Here is what you need to know about the match and what you need to know about Jamaica. Tyler Adams is also making his return and feels he can contribute right away.
• AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud is reportedly in talks to make a move to LAFC in the summer transfer window. LAFC does hold Giroud’s discovery rights, which means something in MLS if you’re not Orlando City.
• Fiorentina GM Joe Barone passed away at the age of 57 following cardiac arrest. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the greater Fiorentina community.
• As a Liverpool supporter, I’m not a big fan of Richarlison. However, I’m impressed with his willingness to go public on how therapy with a psychologist for the Brazil National Team “saved his life.” Mental health is important for everyone including professional athletes.
• The 2024 Women’s Olympic Soccer draw is today, though we already know that the USWNT will face Germany because of which pot the U.S. is in and the various rules surrounding the picks.

That will do it for today. Check back as we prepare you for Orlando City’s match against Austin FC, the Orlando Pride’s match against Angel City, and OCB’s match against Huntsville City FC. Vamos Orlando!