Lion Links
Lion Links: 8/15/24
Duncan McGuire will reportedly sign new contract, Lions near deal for Heine Gikling Bruseth, Grace Chanda out for the season, and more.
How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve spent most of my week so far reading after going a bit overboard at a book sale near me. It’s been a nice way to spend the wait before Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are back in action. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City defender Thomas Williams!
Duncan McGuire Will Reportedly Sign New OCSC Contract
An agreement has reportedly been reached between Orlando City and forward Duncan McGuire for him to sign a new contract that will last through 2027, with an option for 2028. The Lions have been trying to secure McGuire’s signature throughout the year, and McGuire endured a whirlwind of a transfer saga in February involving a failed loan to Blackburn Rovers. McGuire scored 13 goals as a rookie last season and has seven to his name so far this season. He didn’t exactly turn heads at the Olympics this summer, but he can finish the year strongly with the Lions.
Lions Near Deal for Heine Gikling Bruseth
Orlando City is reportedly close to signing Norwegian midfielder Heine Gikling Bruseth from Kristiansund BK in Norway’s top flight for a $1 million transfer fee. The 20-year-old would join the Lions as an MLS U22 Initiative player if the move comes to fruition. The talks between the two clubs were reported on earlier this month but reportedly broke down for a bit due to the fee. I’m interested to see what role the young midfielder would have with the team this year should he become a Lion.
Pride’s Grace Chanda Out for the Season
Zambian midfielder Grace Chanda won’t be making her Orlando Pride debut this year after being placed on the season-ending list due to a ruptured quadriceps tendon sustained while at the Olympics. It’s tough news for Chanda, who missed out on last year’s World Cup and most of Real Madrid’s season due to an illness. Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter did not mince words in detailing how Zambia’s mismanagement contributed to Chanda’s injury.
Chanda’s contract with the Pride lasts through 2025 and hopefully she has a smooth healing process. The Pride will now have to hold onto the top spot in the league without their big summer signing while other teams have spent this break in the season upgrading their rosters.
Chicago Fire and Xherdan Shaqiri Part Ways
Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri’s time with the Chicago Fire has come to an end, with the two sides agreeing to terminate his contract. In 75 appearances across all competitions since joining in 2022, Shaqiri recorded 16 goals and 20 assists. Chicago is currently 14th in the Eastern Conference and Shaqiri has not played for the club since May. The 32-year-old is now a free agent after an underwhelming spell in MLS, while the Fire will have an open Designated Player spot to help turn things around in 2025.
Free Kicks
- Orlando will host one of five Talent ID Events announced by MLS NEXT to give players outside of MLS NEXT a platform to show their skills. The first event is on Wednesday in Denver, and the last event will be in Orlando on Nov. 15.
- Real Salt Lake added Polish winger Dominik Marczuk as an MLS U22 Initiative player. The 20-year-old heads to MLS with 128 professional appearances already under his belt.
- The Fire traded away $75,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money to CF Montreal in exchange for Costa Rican forward Ariel Lassiter.
- Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes signed a contract extension with Manchester United that will keep him at the club through 2027, with an option for 2028 as well.
- Kylian Mbappe scored in his Real Madrid debut to help the Spanish club beat Atalanta to win the European Super Cup, which pits the most recent winners of the Champions League and Europa League against each other.
- The English Premier League has a plan in place to make video review more effective by making the threshold for VAR intervention higher and improving clarity on decisions.
- Mounir Nasraoui, the father of 17-year-old Barcelona player Lamine Yamal, has reportedly been hospitalized after being stabbed multiple times. He’s in stable condition and Barcelona police are investigating the incident.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 9/16/24
Orlando City beats the New England Revolution, Orlando Pride draw at home, Orlando City B wins third straight, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. This week, I’ll be busy working Chicago Cubs games at Wrigley Field while picking up some extra hours at Under Armour. There’s plenty to cover today after a busy weekend of Orlando soccer, so let’s get to the links.
Lions Shut Out the New England Revolution at Home
On Saturday, Orlando City defeated the New England Revolution 3-0 at Inter&Co Stadium. This is the first time the Lions have swept a season series against the Revolution in the club’s history. Rafael Santos, Facundo Torres, and Duncan McGuire all scored for the Lions, and this is the second consecutive match that the Lions have won 3-0 after beating Nashville SC by the same score on Aug. 31. Orlando City is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 40 points. It will be a quick turnaround for the Lions, with another home match against Charlotte FC set for Wednesday before traveling to face the Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Pride Draw Against the Kansas City Current
The Orlando Pride played to a scoreless draw against the Kansas City Current on Friday at Inter&Co Stadium and saw their six-match winning streak end. However, the result extended their unbeaten streak to 20 matches this season. Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse put on a stellar performance in goal to earn her 11th clean sheet of the season and tie the NWSL record.
Orlando remains atop the NWSL table with 48 points, while the Washington Spirit are close behind in second with 44 points. The Pride will be on the road on Friday to face Bay FC at PayPal Park.
OCB Defeats New England Revolution II at Home
Orlando City B won 2-0 over the New England Revolution II at Osceola County Stadium on Sunday to move a step closer to clinching a playoff spot. After a scoreless first half, Alex Freeman and Jack Lynn scored for the Young Lions to seal the win at home. Orlando City B has now won three consecutive matches and Freeman has scored five goals in the last four games. OCB is third in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference table with 43 points, and its next match is Sept. 23 at home against Chicago Fire II.
Americans Abroad in Europe
There were some USMNT players in action in Europe over the weekend after the conclusion of the recent international break. Brenden Aaronson started and played 68 minutes for Leeds United but ended up losing 1-0 to Burnley in the EFL Championship. Christian Pulisic scored a penalty kick and added an assist for AC Milan in a 4-0 win over Venezia in Serie A action. It was Pulisic’s second goal in four matches for AC Milan this season. Teammate Yunus Musah came off the bench in the second half to see out the win. Fellow American Gianluca Busio returned for Venezia, starting and playing 79 minutes. Tanner Tessmann came off the bench to make his Ligue 1 debut for Lyon Sunday against Lens late in the second half, but the match ended in a scoreless draw.
Free Kicks
- Pride midfielder Ally Lemos started for the U.S. Women’s U-20 National Team in the U-20 Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match against Germany. She assisted on the first of two late goals by the U.S. to help send the game to extra time in an incredible comeback. Lemos was subbed off before the penalty shootout, which the U.S. won to advance to the semifinals.
- The Orlando Pride set another club record after their draw against the Current, securing their fourth consecutive clean sheet.
- Carlos Vela and LAFC reportedly agreed to a new contract before the MLS roster freeze deadline on Friday.
- Ashley Hatch scored twice to secure the 50th goal in her NWSL career, as the Washington Spirit cruised to a 3-0 win over the Houston Dash on Sunday.
- Marseille has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sign former Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 9/13/24
Orlando City prepares for the New England Revolution, Morgan Gautrat signs new contract, Orlando Pride play tonight, and more.
It’s Friday the 13th, so make sure to stay away from black cats and broken mirrors. I’ll be a bit festive today and grab some early Halloween decorations and a costume for my cat that he will definitely despise me for. Let’s jump into today’s links!
Orlando City Gets Ready for New England
After getting last weekend off, Orlando City is back in action Saturday with a home game against the New England Revolution at 7:30 p.m. The Lions are coming off of a dominant 3-0 win over Nashville SC and are seventh in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Revolution played during the international break and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against St. Louis City. Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on how the Lions have been trying to maintain momentum during the break to get another win against the Revolution this season.
Morgan Gautrat Signs New Contract
Orlando Pride midfielder Morgan Gautrat has signed a new deal with the club that will last through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026 as well. The Pride traded for Gautrat in January of this year and she’s made 14 appearances across all competitions so far. The 31-year-old has provided important depth for the Pride’s midfield, filling in when needed to cover for injuries and international absences. She’s the latest player to sign a new deal with the club, as Orlando aims to keep most of its roster for next year.
Orlando Pride Game Headlines NWSL Slate
Although tonight’s match between the Orlando Pride and Kansas City Current won’t be a battle of undefeated teams like the last time they squared off in July, it’s still a heavyweight matchup. The Current will likely have revenge on their minds, as they have an opportunity to do what the Pride did earlier this year and snap their opponent’s unbeaten streak. It will also be another duel between two of the league’s top scorers in Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga.
Elsewhere in the league this weekend, the North Carolina Courage will host Bay FC in an intriguing match as both teams jockey for playoff position. Pride fans will also likely be keeping an eye on the Washington Spirit’s match Sunday against the Houston Dash. The Spirit are currently six points behind the Pride with just six games left this season.
Gauging the MLS Playoff Race
The MLS playoff picture is becoming clearer and clearer each week, and Andrew Wiebe assessed where each team stands. Orlando was grouped alongside the New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, and Charlotte FC as Eastern Conference sides who should qualify for the playoffs and have a chance at hosting in the first round. Another strong summer by the Lions has put a gap between them and a playoff bubble that includes teams that have underperformed but have the talent to make some noise this postseason.
As for the Western Conference, the Portland Timbers have established themselves as a potential dark horse amid a strong run of form, while FC Dallas, Minnesota United, and Austin FC are poised to fight for the last playoff spot. It should all make for an exciting final stretch of the season.
Free Kicks
- The cooking competition between Nico Lodeiro and Morgan Gautrat continued with a pair of chicken dishes. The video also includes handy recipes in case you want to try making them yourself.
- Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Arsenal that will keep him at the club through 2027. He’s done well since taking over in December of 2019, with Arsenal finishing second in the league for the past two seasons.
- The Seattle Reign loaned defender Sofia Huerta to Olympique Lyonnais for the French club’s season. While it’s a great opportunity for Huerta, it’s a tough blow to Seattle’s playoff aspirations.
- Paris Saint-Germain was ordered by the French league’s legal commission to pay Kylian Mbappe $61 million in unpaid wages. However, PSG reportedly stated that it does not owe Mbappe and plans to take further legal action.
- Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was charged by the Football Association for his racially charged comments regarding teammate Son Heung-min in June.
- EA Sports FC 25 ratings are out and Luis Muriel is the Lion with the highest rating, likely due to his time with Atalanta. As for NWSL players, the Pride’s Ally Lemos was tied for eighth among U-21 players.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a smooth Friday the 13th!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 9/12/24
Orlando Pride plan for the Kansas City Current, Americans return to their clubs, MLS coaches on the hot seat, and more.
How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been another hectic week for me, but I’m a few pages into Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne and it’s helped me unwind a bit. I’m looking forward to plenty of soccer and hanging out with friends at a sangria festival this weekend. For now though, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!
Orlando Pride Prepare for Kansas City
The Orlando Pride remain unbeaten this season and face a tough test on Friday at home against the Kansas City Current. It’ll be another duel between the Pride’s formidable defense and the Current’s potent offense. The Pride have only allowed 12 goals all season and have secured a clean sheet in each of their three wins since the Olympic break. The Current may not be lighting up scoreboards as of late, but Temwa Chawinga continues to find the back of the net. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on what the team will need to do to limit Chawinga and the rest of Kansas City’s attack, as well as how the Pride are focused on building momentum to create more separation in the standings.
Americans Abroad This Weekend
With the international break over, Americans will return to their clubs after an underwhelming pair of friendlies against Canada and New Zealand. Haji Wright, Aidan Morris, and Brenden Aaronson are just a few of the Yanks expected to play in the EFL Championship on Saturday. Left back Antonee Robinson wasn’t called up for the recent friendlies so that he could rest, and he may play when Fulham hosts West Ham United on Saturday. In Serie A, AC Milan duo Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah will take on Gianluca Busio and Venezia. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing Giovanni Reyna for a while, as he will be out for a few weeks according to Borussia Dortmund Head Coach Nuri Sahin.
Getting to Know Mauricio Pochettino
A new era has officially begun for the United States Men’s National Team, with Mauricio Pochettino becoming the 40th head coach in the program’s history. In his 15 years of managing at the club level, he’s had a penchant for turning teams around, doing so with Espanyol, Southampton, and Tottenham. The 52-year-old also has a track record for giving opportunities to young players and that bodes well for a USMNT that is fairly young compared to other teams on the global stage. Although it’s his first time coaching an international team, he does have experience playing for Argentina. Only time will tell how well his skillset translates to coaching the USMNT, but I have high hopes.
MLS Coaches On the Hot Seat
While the MLS playoff race heats up, coaches across the league may be starting to feel the pressure to finish strongly. Braden Chalker of Sports Illustrated named four coaches who are on the hot seat, including the Philadelphia Union’s Jim Curtin. The 45-year-old has been with the Union since the summer of 2014, but a fresh start could be coming for the club if it misses out on the postseason. A similar clean slate could be coming for Sporting Kansas City, which has been coached by Peter Vermes since 2009. His team would need a miraculous rally to close out the season just to make the playoffs this year. Austin FC’s Josh Wolff and the Chicago Fire’s Frank Klopas may also be looking for work once the season is over.
Free Kicks
- There are going to be open tryouts at Sylvan Lake Park for Orlando youth players, so be sure to let the eligible youngsters in your life know. Best of luck!
- St. Louis City forward Simon Becher won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his equalizer against the New England Revolution.
- LAFC signed Brazilian center back Marlon as a free agent, giving the team some defensive depth for the rest of the season.
- MLS has terminated Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez’s contract following an investigation into him violating the league’s gambling policies for a second time.
- San Diego Wave FC and Sofia Jakobsson have agreed to mutually terminate her contract, allowing her to play abroad.
- A record 114 amateur teams will take part in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup’s qualifying rounds, which kick off next month.
- Manchester United reported a hefty net loss of over £113 million for the past year, but is not expected to have breached the English Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
- Here’s a nice breakdown on where things stand in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Brazil has been struggling more than it probably should, while Bolivia may have a path forward through its home-field advantage.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
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