Lion Links: 8/5/24

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you all had a good weekend. I’ve been busy working at Wrigley Field this weekend for Cubs games and catching the encore presentation of the Summer Olympics on TV in the evenings to keep up on what’s happening in Paris. OCB and the Lions were in action over the weekend, while the USWNT got a win as well. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links. 

Orlando City Wins Leagues Cup Group

In its final group game of this year’s Leagues Cup, Orlando City drew 1-1 against Atletico San Luis and won the penalty shootout that followed. A red card in the first half put the Lions at a disadvantage for most of the match, but they managed to take the lead and hold on for a draw. All five of Orlando’s penalty kicks found the back of the net in the shootout and Pedro Gallese’s save against Leo Bonatini was the difference. With that result, the Lions finish atop their group and will take on Liga MX’s Cruz Azul on Friday.

Orlando City Adds Colin Guske from OCB

Orlando City SC added midfielder Colin Guske on a short-term agreement from Orlando City B for him to be available for last night’s match. He was on the bench for the match, but didn’t play. The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract by the club earlier this year in April. Guske has scored one goal and added two assists in 17 appearances for OCB in MLS NEXT Pro.

OCB Wins On the Road Against Carolina Core FC

OCB defeated Carolina Core FC 2-1 on the road on Saturday to snap its eight-game winless streak. Jackson Platts and Shak Mohammed scored to give the Young Lions a 2-0 lead in the first half. However, Favian Loyola received a straight red card just before halftime. Despite giving up a goal while playing a man down in the second half, the Young Lions held on for the win and took all three points. OCB remains in 10th in the Eastern Conference with 27 points and sits just two spots away from Inter Miami CF II, which holds the eighth and final playoff spot.

Marta Will Reportedly Miss Additional Game

Orlando Pride forward Marta reportedly received a two-game suspension for the play that resulted in a red card in Brazil’s game against Spain in the Olympics. As a result, she will miss Brazil’s upcoming semifinal against Spain on Tuesday.

It’s disappointing news for Marta, but she will still have one more match to play for her country in her last international tournament. Even if Brazil does not reach the gold medal game, she will at least get a chance to play in the bronze medal match, barring something unforeseen.

USWNT Beats Japan to Advance to Semifinals

The United States Women’s National Team needed extra time to put away Japan 1-0 and advance to the semifinals in the Olympics. Trinity Rodman scored the lone goal of the match. Despite slogging through the match at times against Japan’s low block, the USWNT secured the win after 120 minutes of play. The win also guarantees that the USWNT will get a chance to play for a medal. The U.S. will get a rematch against Germany on Tuesday at noon in the semifinals.

USMNT Falls to Morocco in Olympic Quarterfinals

After making it to the quarterfinals in the Olympics for the first time since 2000, the United States Men’s Olympic Soccer Team’s journey for a medal ended in the quarterfinals with a 4-0 loss to Morocco on Friday. Morocco scored twice from the penalty spot and reached the Olympic semifinals for the first time. Orlando forward Duncan McGuire came off the bench in the second half, but the U.S. was ultimately shut out.

Free Kicks

• The U.S. Soccer Federation has reportedly offered the United States Men’s National Team head coaching job to Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo.
• The U.S. scored first but fell 2-1 to Mexico in the Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship. It was a double suckerpunch, as the Baby Nats conceded the equalizer deep in second-half stoppage time, and the winning goal just seconds from going to penalties.

• Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi’s PSV Eindhoven side lost to Feyenoord 4-2 in penalties after a 4-4 draw in the Dutch Super Cup. Tillman started and had an assist in the match.
• The New England Revolution acquired defender Tim Parker and $600,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money from St. Louis City SC in exchange for defender Henry Kessler.
• MLS NEXT Pro expansion team CT United FC has unveiled its crest and branding as it prepares for its debut in 2025.

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