Lion Links: 7/12/24

Happy Friday! I’m working for most of the weekend but am still looking forward to a smorgasbord of soccer over the next few days. I’m also hoping to get some reading done, as I’ve fallen a bit behind in my reading goals for the year during this summer. But for now, let’s dive into today’s links from across the soccer world!

Orlando City Prepares for the New England Revolution

The Lions are on the road this weekend for a tough match against the New England Revolution on Saturday. It will be a clash between Eastern Conference teams that have clawed their way back up the table after slow starts to the season. Orlando has won three of its past four games, while the Revolution have won five of their last seven. While Orlando’s offense may be finding its groove this summer, the Lions have never won at Gillette Stadium in the eight games they’ve played there. No team has scored fewer goals this season than New England, which has scored 20 goals in 20 games.

Summer Yates Signs New Contract

The Orlando Pride have signed midfielder Summer Yates to a new contract that will keep her in the City Beautiful through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026. Yates fell farther than expected in the 2023 NWSL Draft and the Pride selected her in the fourth round. It’s proven to be a major steal for the Pride, as Yates has scored four goals in 15 appearances this year. She’s filled the shoes of some of the team’s best attacking midfielders and I’m glad she will be staying in Orlando beyond this year. The Pride also signed Cori Dyke to a new contract earlier this week, so it’s clear the Pride are looking ahead to the future during a historic season.

USWNT Plays Mexico On Saturday

The United States Women’s National Team will play the first of two friendlies before the Olympics when it takes on Mexico on Saturday at Red Bull Arena. The last time these two teams squared off was back in February in the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup, with Mexico winning 2-0. That loss raised plenty of eyebrows, but the USWNT went on to win the tournament and hasn’t lost since. The U.S. staff and team that won the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Team will also be honored prior to the match for the 25th anniversary. The USWNT will take on Costa Rica on Tuesday in its final game before the Olympics.

Jurgen Klopp Reportedly Declines USMNT Job

There wasn’t much time for fans to get hopeful about reports that U.S. Soccer had reached out to former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to replace Gregg Berhalter, as more reports surfaced that Klopp turned down interest in the job. It’s not too surprising considering how Klopp has spoken in the past about wanting a break from soccer after leaving Liverpool this year. While I’m obviously interested in who will fill the role, I’m also hoping this search reveals how appealing the job is to other candidates around the world. I don’t think Klopp turning this down particularly means much in the grand scheme of things though, beyond U.S. Soccer doing its due diligence.

Free Kicks

• Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga was named NWSL Player of the Month after scoring six goals across four games in June. Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune won Rookie of the Month for the third straight month.
• No Lions are in the mix, but the MLS MVP race is still one to keep an eye on this season, as there are many players at the top of their game this season.
• Bill Manning is no longer the president of Toronto FC, with the two sides parting ways. Manning joined the club in 2015 but Toronto is winless in its past nine games. A fresh start makes sense.
• Liverpool will have talks with striker Darwin Nunez and the Uruguayan Football Federation for some clarity on the altercation that happened between players and fans in the team’s Copa America semifinal loss.
• Military police intervened to stop a brawl between players following a match in Brazil and shot goalkeeper Ramón Souza in the leg with a rubber bullet. His team’s doctor treated him on the field for the excessive bleeding before he was taken to a medical center by ambulance.
• Manchester United has reportedly agreed to a deal with Bologna for forward Joshua Zirkzee, who scored 12 goals in Serie A last year. The fee is reportedly more than the $43 million release clause in Zirkzee’s contract.
• In other Manchester United news, the club appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy as an assistant manager. Rene Haka also joins the first team as an assistant managing, bolstering Erik ten Hag’s staff ahead of the season.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and rest of your weekend!