Lion Links: 7/1/24

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I had a busy weekend covering a Little League baseball game and working at Under Armour. It was a mixed weekend for Orlando’s teams, as the Lions lost and the Pride won. Let’s also wish a happy birthday to Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links. 

Lions Fall on the Road to New York City FC

Orlando City lost 4-2 to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Friday. NYCFC scored three goals in the first half to take a large lead into halftime. Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Duncan McGuire scored for the Lions late in the second half to pull Orlando within one before NYCFC countered with a late goal to seal the win. Orlando drops to 11th in the Eastern Conference with 21 points. NYCFC snapped its three-match winless streak and is in fifth in the Eastern Conference with 32 points. The Lions’ next match will be on the road on Wednesday to face Toronto FC.

Mason Stajduhar Out For the Season

Orlando City announced that goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar has undergone successful surgery to repair a broken tibia and broken fibula in his right leg. The club confirmed that Stajduhar will be placed on the season-ending injury list as a result. Stajduhar left the pitch early in Orlando’s match against NYCFC due to the injury, with Javier Otero filling in off the bench in his MLS debut.

Orlando Pride Win on the Road against Angel City FC

The Orlando Pride defeated Angel City FC 3-0 on the road at BMO Stadium. Adriana scored twice in the first half, while Barbra Banda added one late in stoppage time for the Pride’s second consecutive win. Orlando extended its 2024 unbeaten streak to 15 matches. After this weekend’s results, Orlando and the Kansas City Current are tied with 35 points. They are tied on goal differential as well, and the two sides will face off when the Pride play the Current on the road Saturday.

USMNT Takes on Uruguay in Copa America

The United States Men’s National Team will take on Group C leader Uruguay tonight in its final match of group play in Copa America. The USMNT lost to Panama on Thursday, meaning there is plenty riding on today’s match. CONMEBOL announced over the weekend that USMNT forward Tim Weah is suspended for two matches and fined for a jab to the back of the head of Panama defender Roderick Miller. Uruguay manager Marcello Bielsa is suspended for tonight’s match due to Uruguay being late to enter the field for the start of the second half in its previous match against Bolivia. As for what to watch for tonight, the U.S. must focus on making smart decisions, going for goals, and stopping Uruguay’s top strikers, Darwin Nunez and Luis Suarez.

Euro 2024 Round of 16 Roundup

The round of 16 kicked off over the weekend in the European Championship. There was an upset as defending champion Italy lost 2-0 to Switzerland with goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas. Despite elimination, the Italian FA confirmed manager Luciano Spalletti will keep his job. Germany needed second-half goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala to beat Denmark 2-0 and move on to the quarterfinals. England was trailing 1-0 to Slovakia before Jude Bellingham scored the equalizer to send the match into extra time. Harry Kane then scored the winner to defeat Slovakia 2-1, and England will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Spain cruised past Georgia 4-1 to advance as well and will play Germany in the next round. Today’s matches feature France taking on Belgium and Portugal facing Slovenia.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s Peru side was eliminated from Copa America after a 2-0 loss to Argentina in its Group A finale on Saturday. Peru finished at the bottom of its group with one point.
• The Utah Royals parted ways with head coach Amy Rodriguez and goalkeeper coach Maryse Bard-Martel, while club president Michelle Hyncik will move on to a new opportunity. Jimmy Coenraets will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
• Due to a loophole in the CBA, the U.S. men’s Olympic soccer team will not be paid for participating in the Olympics in Paris, as the U.S. Soccer Federation considers it an amateur team.
• Chelsea is reportedly in negotiations to sign Atlanta United defender Caleb Wiley.
• The Philadelphia Union have reached an agreement to transfer forward Julian Carranza to Feyenoord.

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