Lion Links: 4/10/24

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Time to start your day with some tasty links. Orlando City and the Pride are back in action this weekend, and OCB has a match tomorrow. That means plenty of goodness to end the week. Three straight days of Orlando matches is something for which to be grateful. Let’s get to the links.

Orlando City’s Greener Goals

Orlando City joins the other clubs in MLS in celebrating Earth Day with the Greener Goals week of service. Each club will volunteer time to help the environment. The club has two cleanups scheduled, including one in the area around the stadium in which fans can contribute to the effort. Additionally, all the clubs will have special One Planet pre-match kits. The kits are made from recycled materials and represent either soil, woods, or water. I’m guessing that the Orlando City kit is of the soil variety.

Dagur Dan is Da Man

The Mane Land PawedCast isn’t the only outfit noticing that Dagur Dan Thorhallsson is a force to be reckoned with. To be fair, he had some struggles during Orlando City’s hectic start to the season. Once he was rested, he was back in form and others outside of Orlando are taking notice. It’s not particularly surprising given his very nice right foot on crosses, his ability to take on opponents, and his ability to get back on defense. I’m looking forward to more from him because I don’t want no Fop! I’m a Dagur Dan man!

Barbra Banda Sends Zambia to the Olympics

After a 2-1 loss to Morocco in the first leg, Zambia bounced back with a 2-0 road win in the second leg to qualify for this summer’s Olympics. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda scored twice in the match, including a penalty in extra time to secure the win on aggregate. It’s the second straight trip to the Olympics for Zambia, with Banda scoring six goals in the group stage of the last Olympics. This year, Zambia is in a tough group against the U.S., Germany, and Australia, but has the talent to make a run.

Once Upon a What?

Once Upon a Coconut is now the official coconut water sponsor of Orlando City, the Orlando Pride, and Inter&Co Stadium. If you’re like me, your first response was, “I was unaware that official coconut water sponsors were a thing.” Well, they are, and now the club is a leader in this exciting new frontier. All kidding aside, sponsors mean money for the club, which is a good thing, and the product will be available to sample in the Mane Street Plaza Fan Zone. Drink up, me hearties!

USWNT Wins the SheBelieves Cup

It took the USWNT all the way to penalty kicks to finally win the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, defeating Canada 2-2 (5-4). Canada struck first before the U.S. took the lead on a Sophia Smith brace. Canada equalized late on a soft penalty conceded by Crystal Dunn, and the match went to spot kicks to decide things. Despite missing the first shot, the U.S. eventually won, thanks to three saves by Alyssa Naeher, who also contributed a goal in the shootout.

In the third-place match, Brazil and Japan also went to penalty kicks, with Brazil winning the shootout 3-0 after a 1-1 draw, with Lorena saving all three of Japan’s penalty kicks. Cristiane scored the equalizer for Brazil in the 71st minute to ultimately send the game to penalties. The Orlando Pride’s Angelina and Marta played for Brazil.

Racial Abuse in El Trafico

Following LAFC’s 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy Saturday, the Galaxy’s Ghanaian forward, Joseph Paintsil, was the victim of online racial abuse. Reportedly, an LAFC fan used a derogatory slur and criticized Paintsil’s performance in the match. MLS, the Galaxy, and LAFC all condemned the incident. The parties are continuing to work with local authorities to hold the person accountable.

To be very clear, as far as I’m concerned, there is no room for this in soccer or anywhere. No racism, no homophobia, no transphobia — just stop being horrible.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City B stayed in the top 10 of the MLS Next Pro power rankings thanks to five points out of nine to start the season. The Young Lions are in action tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Philadelphia Union II.
• The Chicago Red Stars will play Bay FC at historic Wrigley Field. While I’m generally opposed to playing soccer on baseball fields — I’m looking at you, New York City FC — the club is doing it to raise awareness of the Red Stars in the Chicago area, so I’ll allow it.
• If you were unaware, the city of Orlando purchased the Pulse nightclub property last year and plans on making it a memorial to those whose lives were taken so tragically. Now, the city has hired Dr. Larry Schooler to lead the project. Schooler has been involved in planning other memorial projects as well.
• Manchester United is cleaning house by letting John Murtough, the club’s football director, go as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s overhaul continues.
• In an effort to curb violence at matches, Greek authorities have banned paper tickets. Stadiums have been closed for the last two months in the country.
• Real Madrid and Manchester City drew 3-3 in the first leg of the quarterfinals in the Champions League. Kevin De Bruyne did not feature for Manchester City, as he was ill before the match. Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti also made his 200th appearance as a coach in the Champions League.
• In the other Champions League match, Harry Kane scored for Bayern Munich but Arsenal didn’t let him get the win in a 2-2 draw. Leandro Trossard scored a second-half equalizer in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie.

That will do it for today. Remember to check back daily as we get you ready for all the upcoming matches. Vamos Orlando!