Lion Links: 7/31/24

Welcome to Wednesday and the end of July, Mane Landers. Between the Olympics, the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup (seriously, that name is too long), and Don Garber’s Money Cup…er…the Leagues Cup, there is so much soccer to watch. I absolutely love all of it. I hope you’ve been enjoying all of it as much as I have. Now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Has a New Scouting Coordinator

Oliver Minatel is Orlando City’s newest scouting coordinator. Minatel joins the Lions after a stint as head of recruitment and player development at Cavalry FC. Orlando City fans will remember Cavalry FC from earlier this year when the Lions defeated the club in two Champions Cup matches. Minatel actually met with Orlando City Vice President of Soccer Operations Ricardo Moreira, as well as Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi, at a conference when he first started his position with Cavalry FC.

Sams May Get Her Chance

USWNT defender Tierna Davidson took a knock in the last match against Germany, and will be out for at least the last group stage match against Australia. The Orlando Pride’s Emily Sams is the only alternate that is a defender for the USWNT. That doesn’t mean she will be used, but that is why alternates are there. Emily Sonnett subbed in for the injured Davidson during the match, and Emma Hayes may decide to stick with her against Australia. I hate that Davidson is injured at all, but I’d love for Sams to get her chance in these Olympics.

U.S. Men Defeat Guinea

For the first time in 24 years, the United States has advanced to the knockout rounds of the Olympics in men’s soccer. To get there, the U.S. defeated Guinea 3-0 Tuesday with a goal from Djordje Mihailovic and a brace from Kevin Paredes. Orlando City’s Duncan McGuire came on in the 66th minute to help see the match out. McGuire hasn’t prospered in the current system as a service for a traditional type of target striker has been rare. Here’s hoping he’ll be able to do more going forward.

USWNT Set to Close Group Play vs. Australia

The USWNT will play Australia at 1 p.m. with a chance to win the group in the balance. As mentioned above, the U.S. will be without Davidson, but Jaedyn Shaw will also miss her third Olympic match due to injury. Thankfully, the front three of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman are causing havoc with the opposition’s defenses. Australia is coming off a crazy, emotional 6-5 win over Zambia. How well the U.S. is able to defend might be the difference in this match.

Free Kicks

• Atlanta United has signed midfielder Alexey Miranchuk from Serie A side Atalanta. I assume that he needed one more “a” in his life.
• In all the emotion surrounding Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Japan the other day, we missed that it was Marta’s 200th cap with the Brazil National Team. I know she’d rather have the win, but congratulations are still in order.
• The U-20 USMNT advanced to the semifinals of the Concacaf U-20 Championship, and qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

• Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien is headed on loan to LAFC for the remainder of the MLS season, with the California-based club holding an option to buy. On the other side of town, the LA Galaxy have loaned midfielder Jonathan Pérez to Nashville SC as a Season-Ending Injury Replacement player.
• What do you do when you have Kylian Mbappe-level money? You buy a soccer club. Mbappe is set to become the new majority owner of French second-division club Stade Malherbe de Caen. I guess he didn’t have enough to do.
• Pep Guardiola and Manchester City made a visit to Orlando City’s training facility on the way to Camping World Stadium for Manchester City’s friendly with Barcelona.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you prepared for the Orlando Pride and Orlando City matches this week. Vamos Orlando!