Lion Links: 7/10/25

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a hectic week for me, but I’m looking forward to some rest and relaxation once the weekend gets here. Hopefully the rest of the week goes easy on all of you as well. Let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Prepares for CF Montreal

Orlando City will host CF Montreal Saturday, and the Lions enter this match looking to build on their ability to claw their way back to a 2-2 draw on the road against Charlotte FC. It should be a good opportunity for points, as Montreal has only won three games all season. However, two of those wins were in Montreal’s past four games, while Orlando hasn’t won at home since May 24. Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on the team’s preparations heading into this match, as well as how right back Alex Freeman is settling in after returning from the Gold Cup.

Banda Leads Zambia Past Senegal at Africa Cup of Nations

Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda scored a brace for Zambia in a 3-2 win over Senegal in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations group stage. She scored in both halves, with Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji scoring as well. Pride players Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya also started for Zambia. With the win, Zambia now has four points from its first two games and will face a DR Congo team that was eliminated after a 4-2 loss to Morocco.

Americans Land On Concacaf Gold Cup Best XI

Although the United States Men’s National Team didn’t lift the Concacaf Gold Cup trophy in the end, the Yanks had a solid tournament, and Chris Richards, Diego Luna, and Malik Tillman were selected to the Best XI of the tournament. Richards did well on both sides of the ball, holding things down defensively and scoring two important goals. Midfielders Luna and Tillman each recorded three goals and two assists over the course of the Gold Cup. Mexico had five players make the Best XI, while Panama’s Ismael Diaz earned recognition after scoring six goals.

Paris Saint-Germain Advances to Club World Cup Final

The Club World Cup final is set, after Paris Saint-Germain put Real Madrid to the sword Wednesday in a 4-0 win at MetLife Stadium. Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele both scored in the first 10 minutes of the match, with Ruiz securing a brace later in the first half. The defense did well to shut out a Madrid team loaded with attacking talent, and Goncalo Ramos put a bow on the victory with a late goal. It’s been a phenomenal year for PSG and the French club will take on Chelsea in the final Sunday at 3 p.m.

Free Kicks

• Former Lion Mauricio Pereyra was spotted at Orlando City’s training. He’s supposedly only visiting, but I’m personally not ruling anything out after Junior Urso’s brief return to the City Beautiful in 2023.

• There’s yet another American forward to watch in the EFL Championship, as Southampton has signed Damion Downs. The 20-year-old signed a four-year contract with the club and heads to England after scoring 11 goals for FC Koln last season.
• The U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls was postponed to Aug. 13 due to severe weather.
• England got back on track at the Women’s Euros by beating the Netherlands 4-0, with Lauren James netting a brace. France then breezed past Wales in a 4-1 win, but Welsh Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock made history by scoring her country’s first-ever goal at the Women’s Euros.
• Lyon will remain in Ligue 1 after winning its appeal against relegation for financial issues.
• Reggie Cannon won his appeal against Boavista and is owed $468,000, concluding the defender’s two-year battle with the Portuguese club over late payments.

That’s all I have for you for today’s links. I hope you all have a great Thursday and rest of your week!