Happy Friday! I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July as we shift gears and get ready for a weekend filled with Orlando soccer. For those of you that took today off as well to parlay the holiday into a four-day weekend, know that I envy you but do wish you a relaxing next few days. Let’s get this Friday started with today’s links!

Orlando City Picks Up Momentum in Midweek Win

It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Orlando City so far, but the Lions are riding high after a crucial win on the road against Toronto FC. Designated Player Martin Ojeda bagged his third goal of the season and the defense overcame an early disaster to secure victory. Last year, July was the start of a stretch that included 11 wins in the final 15 games of the season. While there seems to be a few more wrinkles to iron out before a similar finish can be expected, Wednesday’s win is a step in the right direction. The next step will be getting a win Saturday against a D.C. United side that is winless in its past 10 games.

Orlando Pride Prepare for Showdown in Kansas City

In arguably the most anticipated match of the NWSL season so far, the Orlando Pride will take on the Kansas City Current Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Both teams are undefeated through 15 games and tied at the top of the table in both points and goal difference. The Current lead the league with 39 goals, while the Pride’s 11 conceded goals are the fewest in the league. While the NWSL Shield implications are obvious in this one, Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on how the team isn’t letting the attention on this match distract from preparations. He also talked about how the Pride will need to do well in transition against Kansas City and about Anna Moorhouse’s performance in goal this season.

African Players Excelling in the NWSL

One of the biggest storylines of the recent NWSL off-season was the addition of many talented African players to the league, and they’ve made an incredible impact so far this season. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda and Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga have been major reasons why their teams are undefeated this season, and they’re tied for the NWSL Golden Boot lead on 11 goals each. Chawinga currently has the tiebreaker with one more assist, but Banda has played in four fewer games.

Elsewhere, Bay FC forwards Racheal Kundananji and Asisat Oshoala have been helping the club turn its season around before they depart for the Olympics. Princess Marfo has also played a part in Bay FC’s rise up the table, and Houston Dash defender Michelle Alozie was also noted as one of the top African women’s soccer players in the world.

Euro 2024 Quarterfinals Kick Off Today

Only eight teams remain in this year’s Euros and today’s action features the kind of matchups that make this tournament so much fun to watch. The quarterfinals start with a heavyweight bout between Spain and Germany, arguably the two best teams of the tournament up to this point. The match also features some of the game’s youngest stars, as the Spanish trio of Pedri, Nico Williams, and 16-year-old phenom Lamine Yasal goes up against Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

The later game will be between France and Portugal, with plenty of attention on Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo. Neither star, nor their respective teams, have been playing at their best this tournament, which makes today’s match an opportunity for either side to find its rhythm before the semifinals.

Free Kicks

• The Current will be without forward Alex Pfeiffer for the rest of the 2024 season after suffering an ACL injury.

• D.C. United made a pair of moves, adding Austrian defender David Schnegg from SK Sturm Graz and signing free agent striker Dominique Badji.
• Tab Ramos dove into what should change with the USMNT before the 2026 World Cup. I definitely suggest checking out his take on the past few years, as it’s a bit fairer than the usual reactionary blame game following a tournament exit.
• Manchester United extended Erik Ten Hag’s contract through June of 2026 after triggering the one-year option.
• Newcastle United named Paul Mitchell as its next sporting director to replace Dan Ashworth. Mitchell has previously been with other English clubs like Tottenham and Southampton, as well as previously serving as Monaco’s sporting director.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

Happy Fourth of July! I hope you all enjoy some hot dogs, fireworks, and a festive cocktail (if that’s your thing). I’ll be working for most of the day, but I should have some time in the evening to celebrate. For now though, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Beats Toronto FC

The Lions are headed back to Orlando with all three points after a 2-1 win against Toronto FC on the road. Orlando had a rough start, but managed to flip the script and hold on for a massive win. Peruvian duo Wilder Cartagena and Pedro Gallese returned to the starting lineup after their time at Copa America and did well. The team now sits in 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, but is tied on points with Toronto and Atlanta United for the last two playoff spots. Orlando will have another chance to climb up the table on Saturday when it hosts D.C. United.

Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda Called Up

The Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda were both called up by Zambia for the Olympics later this month. Although Zambia did not advance out of the group stage in its debut during the 2020 Olympics, the African nation had a solid showing. Banda had two hat tricks during those Olympics, scoring six of the team’s seven goals. She’s been incredible since joining the Pride this year and had a brace in Zambia’s win over Morocco to secure a ticket to Paris. Chanda, who has missed time over the past year due to illness, took part in both of those qualifiers against Morocco as well. She signed with the Pride near the end of May and will join the team after the Olympics.

San Diego Wave Leadership Accused of Abuse

Former San Diego Wave employees have come forward to speak about abuse and discrimination from the club’s leadership. Brittany Alvarado, who moved to San Diego to be the Wave’s video and creative manager, spoke on the difficulties faced by her and others at the club, specifically calling out President Jill Ellis’ role in fostering an abusive environment. She also shared a concerning email she says she received from a senior leadership member of the Wave after she resigned for her mental health. The Wave released a statement calling Alvarado’s claims false and the email fabricated.

Photographer Jenny Chuang then shared how she was pressured to resign while her mental health declined and that she was placed on suicide watch while with the club. She also noted that the individuals she’s referring to no longer work at the club. The NWSL released a statement encouraging people to report misconduct to the safety officer or anonymously through Real Response.

Kansas City Will Host 2024 NWSL Championship

This year’s NWSL Championship game will officially be held at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. I personally think the 11,500-seat capacity is a bit small for the event, but it makes sense that the league would want to put the spotlight on the first stadium built specifically for an NWSL team. The stadium opened earlier this year and has sold out for every Kansas City Current home game so far.

Nashville Hires B.J. Callaghan

B.J. Callaghan was appointed as the next head coach of Nashville SC and will join the club on July 22. The 43-year-old has been an assistant coach for the United States Men’s National Team since 2019, and served as the team’s interim head coach last summer. He now becomes Nashville’s second head coach since joining MLS in 2020, as Nashville and Gary Smith parted ways in May. Callaghan’s first matches at the helm will be in the Leagues Cup when Nashville takes on Mazatlan and the New England Revolution in the group stage.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City B goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was signed to the first team on a short-term agreement for Wednesday’s game to serve as Gallese’s backup in Toronto. This was necessary as Javier Otero’s current immigration status would not allow him to travel to Canada for Wednesday’s first-team match. The Venezuelan-born Otero is legally allowed to work in the United States with his current paperwork.
• Enjoy this highlight reel from the NWSL showcasing how well Pride defenders Emily Sams and Kerry Abello have done this season.

• Former Lion Kaká had plenty of praise for Orlando Pride attacker and fellow Brazilian legend Marta.

• Canadian winger Tajon Buchanan underwent surgery after breaking his leg in practice ahead of the team’s Copa America quarterfinal against Venezuela on Friday.
• CBS Sports ranked the remaining teams in Euro 2024, with Spain and Germany in the top two spots ahead of their clash on Friday.
• The Copa America quarterfinals kick off tonight with a match between Argentina and Ecuador, and here’s a nice breakdown on Ecuador’s chances to pull off the upset.

That’s all I have for you today. Make sure to celebrate the holiday responsibly and to be mindful of one another while out and about. Have a great Fourth of July!

Welcome to Wednesday and match day, Mane Landers. Orlando City is back in action on the road at Toronto FC. I know you might be feeling some anxiety about Orlando City right now, but you’re probably off on Thursday for Independence Day, so you may as well watch the match. While you wait, let’s get to today’s links.

Toronto Prepares for Orlando

Toronto is riding a three-match home losing streak, and will be hoping to turn that around against the Lions tonight. Take a look at the numbers behind the match, including which Toronto players are not expected to play. This is a winnable match for the Lions at a time that the club could really use three points. Check back later for our match preview.

Orlando Pride’s Brazilians Called Up

The Orlando Pride’s Marta, Rafaelle, Adriana, and Angelina have all been called up by Brazil for the 2024 Olympics. Marta, Rafaelle, and Adriana will all be in the 18-player roster, while Angelina will be one of the traveling alternates. This news is not unexpected, though missing Angelina as an alternate does sting a little. Marta will have the opportunity to make history if she scores in her sixth Olympics, which is a feat no male or female player has accomplished. Brazil opens the Olympics on July 25 against Nigeria.  

All-Star Young Lions

The MLS NEXT All-Star Game will take place at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH on July 23. Of the 44 players attending, two of them — Colin Guske and Juan Rojas — will represent Orlando City SC. It’s been a big year for Guske, who has become a regular starter for OCB in 2024. It is an honor for Guske and Rojas to be recognized by MLS NEXT as two of the top young prospects throughout the country. Good luck to the lads at the game.

USMNT Falls Short of Expectations

In case you hadn’t noticed, the United States is hosting this year’s Copa America. As such, it was important for the USMNT to do well in this tournament on home soil. Instead, Gregg Berhalter’s squad crashed out of the group stages following losses to Panama and Uruguay. It is a big enough disappointment that normally calm U.S. supporters are now calling for Berhalter to be fired. I joke, of course, since they have been calling for his dismissal since well before the Copa America.

U.S. Soccer released a statement including the following:

“We will be conducting a comprehensive review of our performance in Copa America and how best to improve the team and results as we look towards the 2026 World Cup.”

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. You may remember that U.S. Soccer said something similar after the last World Cup, yet here we are. Taylor Twellman sums it up nicely.

U.S. Soccer supporters are rarely happy, if we’re to be honest, but that doesn’t mean they are not correct about the current situation.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride’s Ally Lemos received another call-up to the U-20 USWNT’s training camp.

• St. Louis City FC has signed midfielder Marcel Hartel to a Designated Player contract. Hartel was most recently with FC St. Pauli, where he helped the club get promoted to the Bundesliga.

• To be fair, Christian Pulisic supposedly had some harsh words for referee Kevin Ortega following the USMNT’s loss to Uruguay, but Ortega almost certainly deserved a tongue-lashing. Pulisic at least made the effort to shake hands, though Ortega didn’t reciprocate.

• You were probably missing Pedro Gallese during Orlando City’s last match, but no worries, he is back with the team after Peru failed to advance in the Copa America. Here is an example of why he is one of the best in MLS.

• Speaking of great saves, check out this one from Turkey’s keeper, Mert Günok.

That will do it for today. Check back later today as we get you ready for the match tonight. Vamos Orlando!