Lion Links: 4/1/24

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope you all had a good holiday weekend and spent it with family and friends. I was busy at work this weekend, so I had to miss the matches. However, Orlando City and the Pride managed to get draws in their respective matches. Let’s see how OCB does tomorrow against Inter Miami CF II. Let’s also wish Orlando City defender Abdi Salim a happy birthday! There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Gets Late Own Goal for Point against Red Bulls

Orlando City needed a late own goal in the second half to come away with a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium. Jack Lynn attempted a backheel flick towards the net but didn’t connect. However, the ball deflected off Red Bulls defender Noah Eile and went into the net to secure a late equalizer for the Lions. The performance wasn’t pretty, but getting a draw is a better result than ending up on the losing end as the Lions pick up a point against the Red Bulls. Orlando City will be off this weekend, but its next matchup will be on the road against D.C. United on April 13.

Orlando Pride Draw against Red Stars

The Orlando Pride got their third consecutive tie to start the 2024 NWSL season with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars at home Friday night. The Pride got off to a good start in the first half with a corner kick from Angelina, headed in by Taylor Malham from the Red Stars, resulting in an own goal. That goal gave the Pride their first lead of the season and was the third consecutive goal scored by the Pride from a set piece. The Pride couldn’t hang on to their 1-0 lead as Mallory Swanson scored the equalizer in the second half for the Red Stars. Like the Lions, the Pride will also be off this weekend, and their next match will be on the road as they face the Utah Royals on April 12.

Orlando City Academy Teams in Action

The Orlando City U-12, U-13, U-15, and U-17 academy squads were all in action this weekend in their respective tournaments. The U-12 squad won its Super Group Division title, while the U-13 squad advanced to the final in its division in the Easter International Cup.

In group play, the U-15 squad took on Arsenal Academy in the Generation Adidas Cup, with Tanner Miller getting an equalizer in the second half. However, the U-15 squad couldn’t score in penalties, as the Arsenal Academy won the shootout, 3-0. The U-15s won their first group match 5-0 against the Minnesota United U-15 squad. The Orlando City U-15s will play later this morning against the New England Revolution in their final group match.

The U-17s took on C.F. Monterrey and won a penalty shootout 4-3 after a 0-0 draw Saturday in the Generation Adidas Cup. Orlando City B’s Colin Guske played in that match and converted his penalty.

However, the U-17 squad lost 3-0 on Sunday to the New York Red Bulls in the team’s second group match. The Orlando City U-17 squad will be back in action this afternoon as it takes on the LA Galaxy.

European Action: Bayern Loses, Man City and Arsenal Draw

There was plenty of drama across the big European Leagues in Europe over the weekend. Let’s start with the Bundesliga, where Bayer Leverkusen overturned a 1-0 deficit to Hoffenheim and scored two late goals in the second half to win 2-1 and extend its unbeaten run to 39 matches across all competitions. Bayern Munich lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. This was Bayern’s first loss to rival Dortmund at home in 10 years, leaving the German giants 13 points behind league leader Bayer Leverkusen. In England, the marquee matchup was Manchester City against Arsenal Sunday, but that match ended in a scoreless draw. That result keeps the Premier League title race close, with Liverpool staying in first with 67 points, Arsenal just two points behind in second with 65, and Manchester City in third with 64 points.

Free Kicks

• USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams played a full 90 minutes for the first time in over a year for AFC Bournemouth in its 2-1 win against Everton.
• Another American, Folarin Balogun, came off the bench and scored twice for AS Monaco in a 5-2 win against Metz this weekend.
• The U.S. Beach Women’s National Team defeated the Bahamas 9-0 to win the El Salvador Beach Cup and its third consecutive tournament title.
• The U.S. Beach Men’s National Team’s comeback rally fell short, as the team lost 5-4 to Morocco in the El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup final.
• Arsenal Women midfielder Frida Maanum collapsed during the English League Cup final against Chelsea. The match was paused as Maanum was treated, taken off the field on a stretcher, and later regained consciousness. Arsenal won the match 1-0 after extra time.

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