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Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire: Player Grades and Man of the Match

How did your favorite Lions perform in Orlando City’s 2-1 home loss against the Chicago Fire?

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2 months ago

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Image of Antoine Griezmann attacking against the Chicago Fire
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

An early goal resulting from Orlando City’s sloppy defense and a nearly two-hour lightning delay zapped the hopes of the home faithful, but an equalizing header 10 minutes after play resumed brought the crowd back into it. Unfortunately, a conceded penalty handed the Chicago Fire the winning goal, and Orlando was unable to find another after Chicago packed the box as the Lions fell 2-1 Wednesday night.

Let’s take a look at how Orlando City’s players rated in their matchup against the Chicago Fire.

Starters

GK, Maxime Crepeau, 6 — Sometimes, the defense is going to allow shots that you have to be lucky to save. Chicago’s first goal was such a shot. You’re also at a significant disadvantage on penalty shots, which accounted for Chicago’s second goal. Otherwise, Crepeau commanded his box, saved a scorcher from 30 yards, and kept the score tight. Statistically, Crepeau’s distribution was 88% accurate, he had seven recoveries, and he won his only aerial duel.

D, Adrian Marin, 5.5 — Resuming his starting role after Bernardo Rhein’s injury, Marin still has work to do to earn starts in the future. He failed to track Robert Lewandowski early in the buildup to the goal and was caught ball watching, leaving Chicago’s most dangerous player free to try to connect a pass. He tallied one block and passed with 83% accuracy. He was subbed off after the rain delay for Tiago (officially, but it was Zakariah Taifi who took his left back position initially).

D, Robin Jansson, 4.5 — The captain has one of his worst nights that I can remember. He gave away the penalty for Chicago’s second goal on a bad slide tackle while trying to block Lewandowski, even though he had already forced him wide to the baseline. He was partially responsible for the first goal because he was busy arguing offside with the assistant referee while David Brekalo badly mis-cleared the ball. This left him not defending anyone when the shot was taken. He picked up an unnecessary yellow card arguing the penalty when he clearly didn’t get the ball until well after the foul. He passed at a 90% clip, had one clearance, one block, one conceded penalty, and one failed argument with the assistant referee. Although he wasn’t consistently as poor as Marin, conceding the winning penalty cost him extra points.

D, David Brekalo, 5.5 — Brekalo’s poor clearance led to the first goal as it fell right to David Poreba, who slotted it to a wide open Puso Dithejane. Brekalo then made up for it by slamming home a header off an Antoine Griezmann corner to square the match. That duality resulted in a middling grade for the Slovenian center back; he was fairly clean for the rest of the game but also added nothing of value. He had two clearances (and I think they are counting the poor one), two shots on target, hit all but six of his passes for an 89% mark, and won both his aerial duels. It’s not a good sign for the team that the central defender led Orlando City in shots on target, with two.

D, Griffin Dorsey, 6 — The right back was more noticeable when he was out of position than for anything positive he did. He was way out of position on one Chicago break in the first half when his attacking play had taken him to the center of the Chicago box — upon recovering the ball, Chicago drove right down the gap left by him and he looked winded getting back. That isn’t necessarily a criticism of Dorsey as he’s playing the role given, but it’s noticeable when it happens. While Dorsey was certainly active, he had five touches in the Chicago box, and only generated one blocked shot, one shot off target, and one failed cross. He finished with a tidy 94% passing rate and came off in the 79th minute for Eduard Atuesta as Orlando tried to push for an equalizer.

MF, Tyrese Spicer, 5.5 — Spicer had a fairly typical game, using his speed and strength to open up opportunities but failing to capitalize on them. He only had two touches in the opposition box, so he really didn’t cause enough trouble, and his crosses were either too early or too off line. He finished with 15 total touches, was 0-for-2 on crosses, and passed with only 67% accuracy before being replaced after the delay by Marco Pasalic.

MF, Wilder Cartagena, 6 — In his first MLS start since the season opener, when he was injured, Cartagena showed flashes of the old eraser we were used to seeing. He stopped three different Chicago possessions and looked a bit like his old self. He was subbed off after the rain delay and replaced by Taifi, though his position was occupied by Ivan Angulo with Taifi occupying the left back spot. The Peruvian completed 93% of his passes, showing he can still connect, and won both of his ground duels, showing that eraser mentality.

MF, Luis Otavio, 6.5 — The young Brazilian had a rough start, as his name appeared negatively in my notes twice in the first three minutes due to some bad giveaways, but he settled and grew into the game. The World Cup break has done wonders for him; he came back from that and has nailed down a starting spot. He had the most touches on the team with 91, yet still passed at a 93% rate. He connected on all nine (!) of his long balls, the next closest teammate connecting on four. He also added a tackle and a recovery.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 6 — While Angulo has remade himself after the World Cup break as a roaming playmaker, Wednesday’s game involved a lot of running and effort that resulted in little impact. While he connected the team well, hitting 93% of his passes, he created only two chances and had only one touch in Chicago’s box. His sole shot was just high but right at the goalkeeper if it had been on frame. He added three tackles and a clearance, showing he will work at both ends and give you everything he’s got.

F, Antoine Griezmann, 6.5 (MotM) — The summer signing continued to show he can impact the game and create chances out of thin air. His corner to Brekalo was dangerous and accurate, giving Brekalo something to work with. He created five chances, including an intelligent chipped pass to a streaking Justin Ellis, a deft flick that nearly gave Tiago a tap-in at the back post, and multiple magical passing moments in possession. Griezmann had seven touches in the box, and three shots (one on target). It’s one of the shots off target he’ll be thinking about, though. Daryl Dike hit a long through ball to an open Griezmann, who was run down by Jonathan Dean, which forced Griezmann to shoot wide from the top of the box as the defender closed in.

F, Justin Ellis, 6.5 — While we pile on the superlatives for Ellis, as they are well deserved, his development won’t be complete until he can start finishing more regularly. He had eight touches in the box, many earned with his touch and his movement, but he only managed one shot on target, with other sgetting blocked out front. He passed at an 86% rate and added a tackle defensively. Dike replaced him in the 64th minute to change the complexion of the offense.

Substitutes

D, Zakaria Taifi (44′), 5.5 — Taifi was reported as substituting for Cartagena but lined up at left back for 30 minutes before shifting to right back when Dorsey was subbed off. He was visibile in the wrong ways while at left back, getting beaten badly down his side a few times. He had a chance to get into the box late while at right back as Orlando was chasing the game, but he went down under light contact, likely trying to draw a call, but there was none. Taifi finished with an 83% passing rate, adding a tackle and two interceptions, but didn’t really show much.

MF, Marco Pasalic (44′), 6 — Subbing in for Spicer, it took some time for Pasalic to affect the game but there was a 10-minute span as the game closed out where he was starting to feel his chances. He took his trademark path, starting on the right, dribbling to the top of the box, and firing at the goal. On one, he scorched a swerving shot just over the bar, and he couldn’t get his hips around the second one, sending it right at the keeper. He added two tackles and passed at a 76% rate.

MF, Tiago (44′), 5.5 — We tend to be pretty hard on Tiago here, as he shows a lot of flash but it rarely converts into anything. He was perfect on all 19 of his passes but didn’t create any chances. His more positive stats were on the defensive end with two clearances and an interception, although he conceded an unnecessary set piece. A bit better anticipation on the aforementioned flick from Griezmann and the Brazilian would have scored.

F, Daryl Dike (64′), 5.5— Dike’s score was boosted by the one pass he hit to Griezmann, freeing the Frenchman up on a run that resulted in nothing. Otherwise, Dike’s physical presence was felt but he’s still lacking chemistry with the team. He had one shot off target zero touches in Chicago’s box, and won an aerial duel.

M, Eduard Atuesta (78′), N/A — Brought on for Dorsey to add an offensive touch, Atuesta found himself all over the field, sometimes dropping to right back and also showing up in the middle to drive the attack. He only connected on 76% of his passes and added a recovery, but didn’t really play long enough to garner a grade, which might be best based on the lack of accuracy on his efforts to connect with the forwards over the top.

That’s what I’ve got for the players in a soggy, disjointed game. Let us know how you saw the game in the comments below, and don’t forget to vote for your Man of the Match.

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. New York City FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Lions welcome the Pigeons to Orlando in another big game with playoff implications.

Published

8 hours ago

on

October 24, 2026

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Image of David Brekalo
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to your match thread and preview for a Saturday night matchup between Orlando City (12-13-5, 41 points) and New York City FC (8-12-10, 34 points) at Inter.co Stadium (7:30 p.m., Apple TV). This is the second of the two scheduled meetings between the Lions and Pigeons this season.

Here is what you need to know ahead of the match.

History

The Lions are 7-12-8 in 26 meetings with NYCFC in the all-time series in MLS play and 7-12-10 on their home grounds in all competitions, including one playoff match and one U.S. Open Cup meeting (remember, games that go to penalty shootouts in knockout competitions officially count as draws). Orlando is 4-3-6 at home in regular-season games in the all-time series, 5-3-6 in all regular-season matches in the greater Orlando area when factoring in the win in the group stage of the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020, and 5-3-8 in home games in all competitions against NYCFC. Things have trended the Pigeons’ way the last few years, as the Lions are 0-6-2 in the last eight meetings between the teams.

The Lions and Pigeons last met at Yankee Stadium on March 7 and it was a nightmare for OCSC fans. Maxime Crepeau was sent off early and New York City FC bludgeoned 10-man Orlando 5-0 in Oscar Pareja’s last match in charge of the Lions. Agustin Ojeda, Nicolas Fernandez Mercau, Maxi Moralez (penalty), and Keaton Parks (two goals) did the offensive damage.

The teams met twice last year and NYCFC swept the season series. Orlando City blew a late 1-0 lead at home on July 16, 2025, through Robin Jansson’s goal. But Rodrigo Schlegel smashed a clearance attempt off Kyle Smith and into his own net just a few minutes before the end of normal time, tying the game. Alonso Martinez scored the winner on a counterattack in stoppage time to end the game 2-1 in favor of the visitors.

In Orlando City’s first road game of the 2025 season, the Lions fell 2-1 at Yankee Stadium on March 8. Martinez opened the scoring in the second half, with Luis Muriel equalizing. However, just two minutes after Muriel’s goal, Hannes Wolf scored what turned out to be the game winner.

In Orlando on July 20, 2024, the two 2015 expansion rivals played to a 1-1 draw. Ramiro Enrique and Wolf traded goals five minutes apart in the second half to account for all the scoring. The Lions and Pigeons met at Yankee Stadium on June 28 of that season, with New York City FC winning 4-2. An early Santiago Rodriguez goal opened the scoring and then things went horribly wrong when an obviously offside Malachi Jones collided hard with Orlando goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar. Both players left the game and both had season-ending surgery to repair broken tibias and fibulas. Javier Otero made his MLS debut in goal off the bench and the Lions allowed two goals in first-half stoppage time to let a close game get out of hand. Orlando pulled two goals back through Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Duncan McGuire, but Mounsef Bakrar sealed the game late for NYCFC.

The teams met at Citi Field — a different baseball stadium than NYCFC’s usual one — on Sept. 20, 2023. The Pigeons were rude hosts, winning 2-0 on goals by Bakrar and Talles Magno. It snapped Orlando’s five-game unbeaten run but the Lions clinched a playoff spot that day anyway due to other results around the league. These teams also met in Orlando on May 17, and with the Lions poised for a 1-0 win, NYCFC eked out a late 1-1 draw with a Gabriel Segal goal at the end of normal time. Ercan Kara scored for Orlando City.

The teams faced off at Red Bull Arena (one of NYCFC’s many homes away from home) on Oct. 2, 2022, with the Pigeons erasing a 1-0 halftime deficit that Facundo Torres provided. The “hosts” got second-half goals from Alex Callens and Magno to complete the comeback and win 2-1. Earlier in the year at Exploria Stadium, the Lions got a Tesho Akindele goal at the death, stunning NYCFC as Orlando City won 2-1 on Aug. 28, 2022. Junior Urso and Moralez had scored early in the first and second half, respectively.

Orlando City had a five-game unbeaten streak in the series (1-0-4) absolutely demolished on July 25, 2021 in a 5-0 loss at Yankee Stadium. The Lions started a makeshift lineup and it showed, as the Pigeons got goals from Jesus Medina, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Moralez, Malte Amundsen, and Valentin Castellanos. Why the makeshift lineup? That match was sandwiched between home games against Philadelphia and Atlanta, with quick turnarounds for each. The strategy was sound, as Orlando won the other two games in that nine-day span.

The teams met in Orlando on May 8, 2021 and drew 1-1. Nani smashed a golazo in the second half to put the Lions on top, but Joao Moutinho fouled Tajouri-Shradi in the box and Castellanos equalized from the spot.

The last meeting of the 2020 season happened in the postseason and things got weird. Orlando City ultimately prevailed in penalties after a 1-1 postseason draw on Nov. 21, 2020. Nani put Orlando ahead from the penalty spot, only to see Maxime Chanot equalize on a set piece. Extra time couldn’t settle it, so to penalties we went, and the Lions advanced thanks to a save by Schlegel — after goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was sent off with a second yellow for coming off his line early. Benji Michel’s blast was the difference in the shootout. (Seriously, just click the above link in this paragraph and relive that madness.)

The Lions and Pigeons wrapped the 2020 season series on Oct. 14 at Exploria Stadium, playing to a 1-1 draw. Chris Mueller opened the scoring but Parks equalized just before halftime. The first meeting of 2020 also took place in Central Florida in the MLS is Back Tournament on July 14, when Mueller’s brace and a late Akindele insurance goal led Orlando to a 3-1 win. Medina scored for NYCFC. That win snapped Orlando City’s 0-4-3 streak in the previous seven competitive meetings with the Pigeons. The last match in that winless streak against NYCFC was a 1-1 draw, with the Lions then dispatching NYCFC from the U.S. Open Cup in a penalty shootout on July 10, 2019. That night has been immortalized for the running of The Wall and Adam Grinwis’ heroics in goal.

The teams drew both regular-season meetings in 2019, 1-1 on April 27 at Yankee Stadium, and 2-2 on opening day at Exploria Stadium. NYCFC took all three meetings in a dismal 2018 season series. The Lions went 2-1-0 against New York City FC in 2017, including a win to christen the stadium now known as Exploria with Cyle Larin scoring the only goal in a 1-0 OCSC win. Orlando was 3-1-2 in 2015 and 2016 in the first six meetings with NYCFC.

Overview

Orlando City is coming off a 4-1 demolition of D.C. United a week ago, with Antoine Griezmann leading the way with two goals and an assist. Martin Ojeda scored that goal and also picked up an assist, with Marco Pasalic giving Orlando a hat trick of Designated Player goal scorers on the night. Despite the Lions’ being just four goals from tying the club’s single-season record for goals conceded (74 in 2018), they find themselves above the playoff line in seventh place with just four matches remaining. That is the final guaranteed first-round spot, with eighth and ninth places going to a single-elimination Wild Card match. Orlando can greatly improve its chances of finishing in the postseason places with a win tonight, as a difficult two-game road trip lies ahead next. Orlando is 9-4-2 at home this season and has won five consecutive matches in the purple palace.

New York City FC is coming off a 1-1 home draw against LAFC last weekend, but the Pigeons are winless in five (0-3-2), owing some of that to key injuries. Orlando’s 2015 expansion rivals will come in desperate to get a result to improve on a decent 4-6-5 road record in 2026. The team has the same exact record at home despite clobbering the Lions back in March, but every point is precious and the Pigeons are getting some bodies back.

The Lions must try to keep Fernandez Mercau under wraps. The Argentine midfielder paces the Pigeons with 15 goals and nine assists on the year, but Wolf and Agustin Ojeda have given Orlando fits in previous meetings as well. Wolf is second on NYCFC in goals (6) and has added three assists, while New York’s Ojeda has scored five times and leads the team in assists (11). Meanwhile, NYCFC has a stout defense that has allowed just 41 goals this season, which is tied with New England for second fewest allowed in the Eastern Conference. USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese is one of the reasons for that, but NYCFC has a good group at the back in front of him.

Orlando City will be without Griffin Dorsey (back), Jansson (foot), Tyrese Spicer (foot), and Luis Otavio (suspension), while Vinicius Nogueira (shoulder) and Bernardo Rhein (lower leg) are listed as questionable. NYCFC will be without Moralez (leg), Parks (leg), Drew Baiera (leg), Arnau Farnos (leg), and Kai Trewin (yep, leg).

Match Content

Projected Lineups

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau.

Defenders: Ivan Angulo, Iago, David Brekalo, Zakaria Taifi.

Midfielders: Martin Ojeda, Wilder Cartagena, Joran Gerbet, Eduard Atuesta.

Forwards: Daryl Dike, Antoine Griezmann.

New York City FC (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Matt Freese.

Defenders: Kevin O’Toole, James Sands, Thiago Martins, Tayvon Gray.

Defensive Midfielders: Andres Perea, Aiden O’Neill.

Attacking Midfielders: Hannes Wolf, Nicolas Fernández Mercau, Agustin Ojeda.

Forward: Alonso Martinez.

Referees:

REF: Elijio Arreguin.
AR1: Cory Richardson.
AR2: Adam Wienckowski.
4TH: Igor Bych.
VAR: Kevin Stott.
AVAR: Robert Schaap.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Inter.co Stadium — Orlando.

TV/Live Stream: Apple TV.

Radio: AM 810 FOX Sports Radio Orlando (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish), Nossa Rádio 1160 AM-WRLZ (Portuguese).

Social: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow us on Bluesky Social at @themaneland.bsky.social or follow Orlando City’s official Twitter (@OrlandoCitySC) or Bluesky (@OrlandoCitySC) feed.

Enjoy the match. Go City!

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Orlando City

Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. New York City FC

Get up to speed on the Pigeons ahead of Saturday’s game, courtesy of someone who knows them best.

Published

1 day ago

on

October 23, 2026

By

Image of Braian Ojeda playing against New York City FC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday, everyone. Orlando City got a week of rest after taking care of business against D.C. United at home, and it returns to the purple palace Saturday night to face a New York City FC team with its back against the wall in the race for a playoff place.

A showdown with the Pigeons means I caught up with Matthew Mangam of New York Soccer Journal. As always, he was helpful in getting us up to speed on NYCFC, and we appreciate his help. I also answered some of his questions about Orlando City, so make sure you check them out over at their place!

Talk me through NYCFC’s summer transfer business. Who’s out, who’s in to replace them, and how have they performed?

Matthew Mangam: NYCFC’s summer business wasn’t anything groundbreaking. The club brought in striker Luighi on loan from SE Palmeiras and got back midfielder/defender James Sands, whose loan with St. Pauli ended. 

Luighi started off well, bagging four goals in his first seven league appearances. But since then, the 20-year-old is on a five-game drought. To his credit, Luighi started only two of his last five games. As for Sands, this is his third stint at NYCFC, so the versatile 26-year-old was welcomed back with open arms. 

The biggest acquisition this summer, though, was Bénie Traoré. The winger joined the club as a Designated Player from FC Basel in Switzerland, but it hasn’t gone well. In 15 league appearances, Traoré has one goal — a penalty kick that hit off the post and went in — and no assists. 

The club’s last move that didn’t happen in the summer surprised everyone: adding free agent Matt Miazga. The veteran defender hasn’t made his debut yet, and I’m honestly not sure when he will. 

New York City has been a wildly different team since the league restarted after the World Cup. What’s happened to cause the change in form?

MM: I honestly don’t know where to start with this one. There’s so much I could say, but if I did then I’d be here all day. I’ll narrow it down to this: NYCFC can’t play a complete 90 minutes. 

NYCFC has conceded six goals in stoppage time this season, is 0-4-12 after falling behind 16 times, and is 4-5-6 at home. So, they can’t hang onto leads — they’ve lost seven points after the 75th minute — they have no come-from-behind wins, and they’re poor at home. 

There are other smaller factors, like injuries, individual mistakes from usually solid players (Matt Freese and Sands), and players struggling, but, as I said, it’s a lot.

The playoffs are still in reach, as NYCFC is just two points out of eighth. What needs to happen in order to get above the line and stay there?

MM: Simply put, NYCFC needs to win all four remaining games, or, at the very least, go 3-1-0. Teams around them, like Toronto, Columbus, and Cincinnati, are picking up wins and building separation, so NYCFC is in a do-or-die situation. 

Getting Alonso Martínez back and starting again is huge, but you can’t expect him to return from a brutal injury and save the team immediately; it’s not fair. Traoré has to step up and show why the club paid DP money for him — one lone goal that, in my opinion, fortunately went in, and no goals from open play is extremely concerning. 

Also, Nico Fernández Mercau hasn’t scored in five matches. He’s getting double- and triple-marked because teams are now well aware of how talented the Argentine is, but he has to find a way back on the scoresheet in this stretch. NYCFC needs him to. So, so badly. 

Will any players be unavailable due to injury, suspension, etc.? What is your projected starting lineup and score prediction?

MM: The only players out are the ones with long-term injuries: Keaton Parks, Kai Trewin, Maxi Moralez, Arnau Farnós, and Drew Baiera. 

Given that NYCFC needs to win or the season is practically over, I expect Head Coach Pascal Jansen to leave it all out there with his best possible lineup:

Matt Freese; Kevin O’Toole, James Sands, Thiago Martins, Tayvon Gray; Andres Perea, Aiden O’Neill; Hannes Wolf, Nico Fernández Mercau, Agustin Ojeda; Alonso Martínez.

I think Nico Fernández Mercau and Alonso Martínez score, but it won’t be enough, as Antoine Griezmann gets a brace and both teams settle for a 2-2 draw. 

Thank you to Matt for his excellent refresher on NYCFC. Vamos Orlando!

Image of the famous "The more you know" graphic from TV.
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Lion Links

Lion Links: 10/23/26

Orlando City prepares for New York City FC, Antoine Griezmann’s impact in Orlando, U.S. will host FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, and more.

Published

1 day ago

on

October 23, 2026

By

Image of Antoine Griezmann taking a set piece against Monterrey in Leagues Cup action.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday, Mane Landers! It’s been a pretty nice week for me, as I was able to watch all of Slow Horses and finish reading Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, both of which were brilliant. Attention now turns to this weekend’s soccer, with both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride playing at home over the next couple of days. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for New York City FC

The Lions host New York City FC on Saturday in one of the marquee matchups in MLS as the regular season nears its conclusion. Plenty has changed since Orlando’s 5-0 loss to NYCFC on March 7. The Lions have clawed their way up the table while the Pigeons have only won once in their past 13 league games. NYCFC enters this match after a 1-1 draw with LAFC that included an equalizer by former Lion Andres Perea to give the team a valuable point amid the playoff race. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau, Luighi, and Benie Traore are all NYCFC players the Lions will need to keep in check, or else it could end up being another high-scoring affair in the City Beautiful.

Antoine Griezmann’s Impact on Orlando’s Offense

Orlando’s wait for Antoine Griezmann to join in the summer has proven to be well worth it, as he’s transformed Orlando’s attack into a force to be reckoned with just as the playoffs near. Although Griezmann wasn’t able to enjoy a fairytale ending with Atletico Madrid by lifting the Copa del Rey or Champions League trophies this year, he’s breathed life into an Orlando side that struggled mightily prior to his arrival. The 35-year-old has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in just 14 appearances this season. Not only has he excelled when it comes to getting the ball in the net, but he’s done well in terms of defensive metrics and intangibles as well.

U.S. Will Host Women’s Club World Cup

The inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be held in the U.S. in January of 2028 with the host cities still to be determined. There will be 19 clubs taking part, with Gotham, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Club America having already qualified along with three other teams so far. This tournament is sandwiched between the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, so there’s plenty of exciting women’s soccer to look forward to in the coming years.

U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Wins at World Cup

The United States U-17 Women’s National Team won 6-1 against Kenya in the group stage of the FIA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, clinching a spot in the round of 16. Maggie DiMaria scored four goals to bring her total to 10 across just two games. The U.S. will play its final group game on Sunday against China PR, which also won both of its games against Kenya and Samoa to secure a spot in the knockout stage. The winner of this group will get to avoid a match with Spain in the round of 16, so there’s still plenty to play for before the next round gets underway.

Free Kicks

  • The first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal between the United States Men’s National Team and Haiti has been moved from Kingston to Miami. Haiti has had to play games outside of the country due to unrest and submitted a request to Concacaf to play in the country of its opponent.
  • American center back Naomi Girma is now dealing with a calf injury that may sideline her for a few weeks according to Chelsea Head Coach Sonia Bompastor. She missed out on the team’s recent friendlies against Spain and may be absent for the Concacaf W Championship quarterfinal against El Salvador next month too.
  • The United States Women’s Cerebral Palsy National Team beat Ireland 15-0 to advance to the IFCPF Women’s World Cup final, which takes place today against Australia. Annie Wickett scored five goals with four other players scoring braces.
  • The San Diego Wave signed defender Mimi Van Zanten to a contract extension through the 2029 season. She’s made 27 appearances for San Diego during her rookie season, helping the club keep pace in the NWSL Shield race.
  • After being stretchered off the field due to a head injury in the U.S. Open Cup final, St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki is alert and in good spirits, according to the club.

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

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