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Orlando City vs. CF Montreal: Final Score 4-1 as Lions Run Rampant in Leagues Cup Opener

Four different Lions scored as Orlando City ran over CF Montreal.

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2 months ago

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Four different Lions scored as Orlando City blasted CF Montreal 4-1 at Inter&Co Stadium in Leagues Cup action in front of an announced crowd of 16,033. Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Facundo Torres, Ramiro Enrique, and Martin Ojeda provided plenty of offense on a night that Orlando City (1-0-0, 3 points) could easily have scored six or seven against visiting Montreal (0-1-0, 0 points). Josef Martinez prevented the shutout, but Pedro Gallese got the last laugh by denying the Venezuelan striker on a penalty kick a few minutes later.

“It’s a great night for us in front of our fans to score four goals against a very difficult rival,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “And you see a team in that evolution that we are looking for, keeping that momentum that we had in the last six games, and it’s all good to see.”

Pareja’s lineup included Gallese in goal behind a back line of Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo, and Thorhallsson. Cesar Araujo and Wilder Cartagena started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Torres, Ojeda, and Nico Lodeiro, with Enrique up top.

The game was wide open in the early going, with each team getting forward in the attack. A good ball over the top by Cartagena sent Thorhallsson in behind the defense in the fifth minute, but Sebastian Breza did well to get a touch to it and knock it away from the Icelandic fullback. Enrique ran onto it and smashed it on target but right at Breza, who made the save. Orlando quickly won a free kick from the right and Ojeda picked out Jansson, who smashed a header toward goal, but Breza made a good save to keep the game scoreless.

Montreal had the next big chance, as former Lion Ruan cut inside of Smith in the sixth minute and centered the ball for a shot from Mathieu Choinière, but it was right at Gallese.

One minute later, the Lions opened the scoring. The play started with a blast from Ojeda on the left that Breza saved. The rebound popped out of the box to Lodeiro, who fired a shot that Montreal’s defense was able to block. The ball rebounded to Thorhallsson, who blasted it just inside the right post to make it 1-0 in the seventh minute.

“I saw the ball come to me and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just shoot it,'” Thorhallson said. “I took a touch and shot, and thankfully it went in, so it was a happy feeling. Pretty great.”

After the goal, the next 15 minutes were a bit sloppy by both teams. Passes were frequently sent off line or out of play completely, as the teams both struggled to find rhythm. Eventually it was Orlando City that settled in better. However, before that, Montreal had a pair of chances in the 25th minute.

Sunusi Ibrahim collected the ball at the top of the area, turned, and fired a shot that was blocked. The rebound fell to Gabriele Corbo, who fired a long-range effort at goal. It was on target, but Gallese parried the swerving shot away.

After the hydration break at the half-hour mark, the Lions looked like the more refreshed team.

Orlando hit on the counter in the 37th minute. Araujo made a good move to break through the defense down the right side, then sent in a fantastic cross with two teammates breaking. Enrique lunged for it but could only get a touch to it. The ball continued through the box to the far post, where Torres put it in. The goal was originally called offside, but Leagues Cup uses Virtual Offside Line technology, which (eventually) ruled it was a good goal, and the Lions led 2-0.

“Obviously very happy to be able to score the goal,” Torres said. “On the play I saw Ramiro going towards the center of the box, and then I saw Cesar play the ball towards him. So, I just thought I’ll run to the second post and be there, and then at first we thought Ramiro might be offside, but thankfully, when he was able to make the play on the ball, he wasn’t, and I was just able to bury it.”

Smith did well to send Torres into space in the 43rd minute, and the winger sent in a good cross for Enrique, but the Argentine’s header was wide. Orlando got its third moments later anyway.

The Lions broke forward in transition and Torres slipped Enrique behind the defense. Enrique took a touch to set himself up and then used the outside of his foot to send a shot past Breza in the second minute of first-half stoppage time to make it 3-0. It was Enrique’s fifth straight game with a goal in all competitions, tying Daryl Dike’s club record.

Torres got one more chance before halftime but his shot was blocked. Orlando couldn’t do anything with the ensuing corner kick and that was it for the first half.

Orlando City held the halftime advantage in shots (11-3), shots on target (6-2), and corners (3-0), while the visitors held a slim edge in passing accuracy (85.4%-85%).

“In the first half, we solved the game early in terms of just being sharp on scoring,” Pareja said. “We knew that Montreal would come to look for us in the second half and they will just give us some spaces, and that is what happened. And then again, we are fine in front of the goal and it’s something that just makes us look very good.”

The Lions tried to pick back up where they left off after the break. Enrique laid off a perfect drop pass for Cartagena in the 47th minute, but the Peruvian sent his shot just inches wide of the left post. Five minutes later, Ojeda picked out Lodeiro in front with a precise pass, but the Uruguayan’s shot was right at Breza.

It was Araujo’s turn to fire wide in the 54th minute after another good Orlando buildup.

Orlando extended its lead three minutes later. Lodeiro made a good move in the midfield to free himself from traffic and lifted a beautiful chip pass over the defense for Ojeda to run onto. The Argentine smashed a shot through Breza’s legs and in to make it 4-0 in the 57th minute. With that goal, Ojeda extended his goal contribution streak to seven games across all competitions, breaking Dike’s club record of six.

“Martin got his momentum once he improved his fitness and that physical condition that he knows that is required to perform at that level as a DP (Designated Player), and as a protagonist of the team, and somebody who can carry the team on his shoulders,” Pareja said. “And Martin raised all those numbers, and I think he’s now rewarded by the game.”

Montreal finally got a half-chance in the 60th minute when second-half substitute Tom Pearce cut in from the left and sent a bad-angle shot wide of the right post. The visitors grew in the game a bit as Orlando appeared to take its foot off the gas. The first warning sign was a decent attacking movement that resulted in Jansson having to make a lunge to concede a corner rather than a scoring chance, but Orlando cleared the set piece.

Montreal pulled a goal back through an old Orlando City nemesis. The visitors worked the ball into the box, with Ariel Lassiter sending a pass to fellow second-half sub Martinez, who broke free of Jansson and powered a shot toward the left post that Gallese couldn’t keep out, making it 4-1 in the 69th minute.

Just minutes after the goal, Martinez had a golden opportunity to cut Orlando’s lead to two. Araujo was whistled for a foul in the box, handing Montreal a penalty kick. Martinez tried a cheeky stutter-step approach, but Gallese dove to his right and got a strong hand on it to keep it out with a huge save in the 74th minute.

“You have to wait until the last minute, especially with how Josef takes his penalties,” said Gallese, who made his third save on six penalties faced in 2024. “So you have to wait in those moments right before (he shoots). You have to maintain your calm and just focus on what’s about to happen.”

“It was an amazing save and important, because I felt like we were a little bit slowing down, which is not good,” Thorhallson said.

The Lions should have had a fifth goal in the 75th minute. Torres got in behind on the right, pulling Breza out of goal. The Uruguayan stopped and unselfishly played a pass to Enrique, who fired a shot right at the only defender in the penalty area, who made an easy block.

Orlando kept looking for goals, with substitute Luis Muriel firing off target in the 81st minute and fellow second-half sub Rafael Santos heading just inches wide of the left post on a corner kick a minute later. Araujo then found space just outside the area but was leaning back when he shot, sending his effort high into The Wall behind the north goal. Muriel sent a left-footed effort over the bar a few minutes later on the last look of the evening.

The game came to an end after only two minutes of stoppage time and the Lions had a win in their opening game of the competition.

Orlando City finished with the advantage in shots (24-8), shots on target (10-4), corners (5-2), and passing accuracy (87.8%-86.8%), while Montreal finished with more possession (54.2%-45.8%).

“We’re happy with the result, but as this competition tells us, we need to get ready for the next one,” Pareja said.

The Lions will finish up Leagues Cup group play on Sunday, Aug. 4 vs. Liga MX side San Luis. Montreal will host San Luis Tuesday night in the other group match.

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Lion Links: 9/11/24

Orlando Pride playoff ticket information, USMNT draws New Zealand on awful late goal on the day it formally announces Mauricio Pochettino, and more.

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22 hours ago

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September 11, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. We have a full weekend of fun ahead with all three teams in action. The Orlando Pride start things off on Friday, with Orlando City playing Saturday, and Orlando City B finishing things up on Sunday. Hopefully, we can have a nine-point weekend.

Of course, today is a day of remembrance of those who lost their lives both on that tragic day in 2001 and from the effects that followed. Take a moment today to let those you love know that you love them. Let’s get to the links.

Pride Power into Playoffs

We know the Orlando Pride have already made the 2024 NWSL Playoffs, but now you can let the club know if you are interested in potential playoff tickets before things get crazy. It’s nice knowing that we don’t have to wait until decision day to find out if the Pride are in. They are. Decisively. In the least surprising news ever, the Pride topped both the ESPN NWSL Power Rankings, and the Goal.com NWSL Power Rankings once again.

Pochettino Hiring Official

The hiring that everyone knew was coming was made official Tuesday as Mauricio Pochettino was named as the new head coach of the USMNT. Pochettino is the type of big name hire that U.S. fans have been waiting for following the double stint of Gregg Berhalter. Pochettino will be expected to get the best out of what some consider the greatest generation of American soccer players when he leads them to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

USMNT Draws New Zealand

The same night that Pochettino was announced as the new USMNT head coach, his new team played New Zealand to an uninspiring 1-1 draw. Christian Pulisic put the Yanks ahead in the 69th minute, but the U.S. was unable to see the match out, allowing an 89th-minute equalizer on a completely awful goal that was misplayed by both Caleb Wiley and Mark McKenzie, with the latter providing the finish with a clearance attempt off of New Zealand’s Ben Waine, over Matt Turner, and into his own net. The match was only a friendly, but it illustrates the need for the new coach.

The Growth of the NWSL

The NWSL is in a good place. The league is growing both in the number of member clubs and in the attendance at matches across the league. There are many reasons for it, including the Olympics and big name stars like Marta and the recently retired Alex Morgan, but most importantly, the growing fanbase for the women’s game. ESPN spoke to general managers at every club in the league to get an idea of the challenges in the ever-changing landscape that is the NWSL. All the answers were anonymous, but it’s still very insightful information.

Free Kicks

  • In the ongoing series from the Orlando Pride, it’s now time for you to get to know Carrie Lawrence.
  • Let’s keep the clean sheets coming, Anna Moorhouse.
  • Declan Rice was a bit petty in Arsenal’s match against Brighton last weekend, nudging the ball away from his opponent on a free kick. The action earned him a second yellow and a sending off. Now, the board that reviews referee decisions has stated it was the correct call.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for this weekend’s matches.

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Lion Links: 9/10/24

Marta nominated for NWSL Goal of the Week, Orlando Pride happy to clinch playoff spot, Lions on international duty, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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September 10, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It was another good weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams, as the Orlando Pride and Orlando City B combined to pick up all six points on offer. Hopefully that trend can continue and get even better once Orlando City resumes play this Saturday. We’ve got a lot to talk through this morning, so let’s get after it.

Marta Nominated for Goal of the Week

The Pride took down the Chicago Red Stars 1-0 on Sunday, with Marta singlehandedly winning the game for the Pride courtesy of an absolutely outstanding strike from outside the box. Unsurprisingly, that effort has earned her a nomination for NWSL Goal of the Week. While she’s facing some stiff competition, I think it’s safe to say that her goal is comfortably the best of the bunch. Go make sure everyone else knows it, and vote for her to win this week’s award!

Pride Speak On Clinched Playoff Spot

The Pride discussed the team’s mentality after clinching a playoff spot following this weekend’s results. Head Coach Seb Hines highlighted the heartbreak of narrowly missing the postseason in 2023 and how that was a motivator this season. That sentiment was echoed by both Marta and Haley McCutcheon, with both players speaking on making the postseason and the team’s bigger goals this year.

Lions on International Duty

David Brekalo is on international duty with Slovenia, and was part of his team’s victory in UEFA Nations League play on Monday. Brekalo started at right back and spent 87 minutes on the field, as Slovenia beat Kazakhstan 3-0 courtesy of a hat trick by star man Benjamin Sesko. The result leaves Slovenia atop League B Group 3 with four points after a 1-1 draw with Austria on Friday as well. Meanwhile, Facundo Torres and Uruguay face Venezuela at 6 p.m. tonight in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Torres came on as a sub with 10 minutes to go in Uruguay’s 0-0 draw with Paraguay on Friday, so we’ll see if he’s involved two matches in a row. Best of luck, Facu!

USMNT Takes On New Zealand Tonight

The United States Men’s National Team will try to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Canada when it takes on New Zealand today at 7 p.m. in Cincinnati. The All Whites are ranked 94th in the world and have won four of their last five games. The USMNT midfield will need to have a much better showing than it did against the Canadians, as Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, and Malik Tillman were collectively outgunned by the opposition. It’ll also be worth keeping an eye on the goalkeeper situation, as Patrick Schulte played well in the 2-1 loss, and has probably earned another start. There’s plenty to watch for, so make sure you tune in and see if the team can get back on the right track.

International Break Roundup

With the international break still in full swing, there were a number of big games yesterday that we need to catch up on. In the marquee match of the day, France rebounded from a 3-1 loss to Italy in UEFA Nations League play by comfortably dispatching Belgium 2-0, courtesy of goals from Randal Kolo-Muania and Ousmane Dembele. Italy made it two wins in two attempts by knocking off Israel 2-1, with a 90th minute goal from Mohammad Abu Fani not enough to get Israel its first point in the competition. In the Concacaf Nations League, Curacao posted an eye-popping score by beating St. Martin 4-0, only for Haiti to better that result by hammering Sint Maarten 6-0.

Free Kicks

  • In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Pride have been outstanding this year.

That does it for me this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 9/9/24

Orlando Pride win in Chicago, McKinley Crone signs new contract, Orlando City B defeats Crown Legacy FC, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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September 9, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. Under Armour has been keeping me busy, and I got to cover some high school tennis and swimming this past week. The Orlando Pride and Orlando City B were in action this weekend and both teams got a win. We have plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando Pride Shut Out Chicago Red Stars

On Sunday, the Orlando Pride got a 1-0 win on the road against the Chicago Red Stars to extend their unbeaten streak to 20 matches across all competitions. The run also ties the NWSL league record including playoff games, matching the Washington Spirit’s 20-match unbeaten run in 2021 and 2022. Marta scored the lone goal in the match to seal the win for Orlando. The Pride remain in first in the NWSL standings with 47 points, with the Washington Spirit in second with 41, and the Kansas City Current in third with 38. With a playoff spot already clinched, the Pride are aiming for the NWSL Shield as the top team in the league. The Pride will return home at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday to face the Kansas City Current.

Orlando Pride Sign McKinley Crone to New Contract

The Orlando Pride announced on Friday that the club reached an agreement with backup goalkeeper McKinley Crone on a new contract that runs through the 2026 NWSL season. Undrafted before joining Orlando as a non-roster invitee during the preseason in 2023, Crone progressed to being Orlando’s backup goalkeeper in 2024. Crone made her professional debut on July 20 in a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. The 25-year-old made five saves on six shots to help the Pride stay unbeaten across all competitions. With this latest move, the club has secured Anna Moorhouse, Crone, and Sofia Manner as their goalkeepers for next season.

Orlando City B Defeats Crown Legacy FC

Orlando City B got a 4-1 victory on the road against Crown Legacy FC on Sunday. Alex Freeman scored twice in the first half to give the Young Lions a 2-0 lead going into halftime. Crown Legacy scored in the second half, but OCB continued to do well on both sides of the ball to take all three points. OCB is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 40 points, and its next match will be back home on Sunday to take on New England Revolution II.

USMNT Falls to Canada in Friendly

On Saturday, the United States Men’s National Team lost 2-1 to Canada at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City in a friendly. It’s the USMNT’s first loss to Canada on home soil in 67 years, ending a 23-match unbeaten streak against Canada in the U.S. Jacob Shaffelburg and Jonathan David scored for Canada, while Luca de la Torre scored his first goal for the USMNT. The Yanks are on a three-match losing streak and will face New Zealand in Cincinnati on Tuesday at TQL Stadium.

Alex Morgan Plays Final Match

San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan played in her final match as a professional soccer player on Sunday after a nearly 14-year career. Morgan had a penalty kick saved by Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy and was subbed off early in the first half, as the Wave lost 4-1 at Snapdragon Stadium. Morgan announced last week that she will retire from professional soccer after this match, while also announcing that she is pregnant with her second child. She played six seasons with the Pride and spent the last three seasons in San Diego, winning the NWSL Golden Boot in 2022 and helping the Wave win the NWSL Shield in 2023.

Free Kicks

  • Pride defenders Kerry Abello and Kylie Strom made the NWSL Best XI for August.
  • Orlando Pride midfielder Viviana Villacorta was removed from the season-ending injury list.
  • The U.S. Soccer Federation is reportedly close to officially naming Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach for the USMNT.
  • Tampa Bay Sun FC secured its first win in the USL Super League with a 3-2 win on the road against Lexington SC on Sunday.

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

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