Lion Links: 4/3/24

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. I’m so happy to be here to start off your hump day with some tasty links. Orlando City and the Orlando Pride might be off for a bit, but there’s still plenty of soccer to watch. We also want to wish Orlando City center back Rodrigo Schlegel a very happy birthday! Let’s get to the links.

Pareja Takes Responsibility For Orlando’s Attack

We’re all very well aware that Orlando City is not off to a great start this season. Head Coach Oscar Pareja is also aware of the lack of finishing the Lions have shown in their first six matches, and he takes the responsibility on himself as a good coach does. The Lions had similar troubles to start last season, but came on later to earn a second-place finish in the Supporters’ Shield. Orlando City’s week off will hopefully allow Pareja to make the adjustments needed to get the team back on track.

OCB Falls to Baby Herons

Orlando City B traveled to Bradenton to take on Inter Miami II in a Tropical Depression rivalry match. Unfortunately, depression is the right word as the Young Lions emulated the senior team with too many shots not on target or in the back of the net. Honestly, it might have been worse if not for some players recovering on defense. If you want to know more, make sure to check out our match recap.

OCSC Academy’s Mixed Results

Both the U-17 and U-15 squads finished up group play in the Generation Adidas Cup. Sadly, the U-17 team did not make it to the knockout rounds, losing 2-0 to the LA Galaxy.

Thankfully, the U-15 squad redeemed the club by defeating the New England Revolution 3-0 and claiming a spot in the knockout stage of the tournament. The U-15 squad is playing Valencia CF tomorrow morning in the round of 16.

The SheBelieves Cup is Upon Us

We’re only a few days away from the start of the 2024 edition of the SheBelieves Cup. This year, the competition will feature the U.S., Japan, Canada, and Brazil. The semifinal matches are this Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the final and third-place matches are at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Tuesday. The 12:30 p.m. match on Saturday will feature the USWNT taking on Japan, and the 3:30 p.m. match features Canada against Brazil in a match that could include Marta, Angelina, and Luana from the Orlando Pride.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

Christian Pulisic has been tearing up Serie A with AC Milan. The American has 12 goals and eight assists across 40 matches. This regular playing time at a big club may be just what he needs in the time before the 2026 World Cup for him to be at his best for the USMNT. It’s certainly better than riding the bench at Chelsea. Over at Juventus, Weston McKennie got his 10th assist in Juve’s 2-0 victory over Lazio in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals.

Things weren’t quite as good for USMNT keeper Matt Turner as he received a yellow card despite never getting into the match. Turner was on the bench for Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win over Fulham, but kicked a ball from his spot on the bench away from a Fulham player. He also added some choice words for the referee after the card. On a positive note, Giovanni Reyna got some playing time for Forest in the match.

Free Kicks

• Former Orlando City draft pick Santiago Patino scored his first goal in his first game for Ho Chi Minh City FC of the V. League 1 in Vietnam.

• It wasn’t good for the Orlando Pride the other night, but Mallory Swanson’s return to form bodes well for the USWNT heading into the Olympics this Summer.

• As long as it isn’t against your team, goalkeeper goals are so very cool.

• Manchester United defender Raphaël Varane has commented on the ramifications that playing with concussions over the years has had and will have on his health. Good on him for speaking out.
• Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelöf will both miss time for Manchester United due to injury. The loss of the two may hurt Manchester United’s chances at a Champions League berth.
• Former FIFA vice president Jack Warner recently stated that no one has brought more disgrace to FIFA as an organization than Sepp Blatter. That’s quite a statement given the level of disgrace perpetrated over the years by the organization. Also, it turns out that water is wet.

That will do it for today. Have a great rest of your week.