Lion Links
Lion Links: 2/1/19
Welcome to February, Mane Landers. This year is just flying by, but at least that means we’re only a month and some change away from the 2019 MLS season. There’s plenty of change happening here in Orlando, but it looks like MLS itself will look much different this season with plenty of players on the move. Let’s start a soccer-filled weekend off on the right foot with some links!
O’Connor Leaning Towards Multiple Formations
With its first preseason game set for tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. against the New York Red Bulls, Orlando City is shifting its focus from conditioning to working on tactics. Head Coach James O’Connor wants to harp on the principles of the play he wants to see and seems to wants his players to be able to fit many different shapes or formations so that they can adapt to in-game situations.
“Multiple formations. I think that’s probably the best way. I think it’s important that you have an understanding of what you want but that you can make in-game changes and [it’s] seamless, which is very easy to say, but when you’re trying to get the level that we’re trying to get to, the understanding becomes really, really important.”
Thankfully, O’Connor also noted that there have not been any major injuries but that the team is still waiting for Josué Colmán and Ruan to join the team down in Bradenton, FL.
Chi Thankful, Nairn Scores in W-League Final Round
Like many other players on the Orlando Pride, Chioma Ubogagu headed to Australia for the W-League season, joining Carson Pickett with the Brisbane Roar. Including her game a few hours ago, which saw the Roar lose 1-0 to Adelaide United, she’s played in 10 games this season, scoring twice, and helping the Roar reach the finals. Ubogagu recently praised the league for its high levels of competition and personally thanked her head coach, Mel Andreatta, for driving her forward.
“Right off the bat, I’ve felt truly welcome, I felt I could give my opinion even if it’d been one or two weeks. Everyone was extremely receptive and that just speaks volumes of what Mel’s done and what the staff’s done and the girls, too. I think it’s awesome. It’s really cool when you do all those things off the field right and then on the field you’re rewarded”
In a game that should be reaching its conclusion any minute now in the W-League (as I’m writing this), Christine Nairn and Dani Weatherholt are currently ahead of Rachel Hill and the Perth Glory. It was Nairn who struck first in the match with a close-ranged header in the 17th minute and she followed up the goal with an assist in the 35th.
The opener via @NairnChristine, who heads in a wonderful cross from @liaprivitelli! #PERvMVC 0-1 #WLeague @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/7b4mabR9Ul
— Victory W-League (@victorywleague) February 1, 2019
Giovinco Leaving Toronto FC
Toronto FC icon Sebastian Giovinco is the latest MLS star to be transferring out of the league as the 32-year-old forward was moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal FC. Undoubtedly the best player in Toronto FC history, Giovinco has been the gold standard for Designated Players and helped the club win the 2017 MLS championship. While Giovinco is excited to join Al-Hilal, an Instagram post by Giovinco has more than hinted at tension between the club and him over his transfer. Regardless of the drama behind the scenes, Al-Hilal FC is ready to bring Giovinco on board and he will be with the club in the coming days.
✍🏻 Sebastian Giovinco signs for #AlHilal #Alhilal_Infographic 📃 pic.twitter.com/3f5f4QRc5G
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) January 31, 2019
2019 U.S. Open Cup Format Revealed
The 106th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s format has been unveiled for the 2019 year. More than 80 teams will participate this year and the first round will start on May 7, although some local qualifiers will begin in April. Because Orlando City B is affiliated with Orlando, it will not be eligible to participate once the USL League One teams take the field in the first round.
Orlando City and the other MLS teams will join the tournament when the fourth round starts on June 12, with the draw for that round slated for May 30. Make sure to check out the full schedule to know when some of your favorite local teams will be drawn into the fray.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City’s first-round draft pick Santiago Patino will take over the club’s Instagram account today so keep an eye out for that.
Catch @SPatino_7 taking over our Instagram Story all day tomorrow! #FaceOfCity pic.twitter.com/YFDAMVkIUy
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 1, 2019
- Seeing Scott Sutter in Vancouver Whitecaps gear just feels wrong, but good luck to him in the Western Conference.
.@scott_sutter reporting for duty 👊#VWFC pic.twitter.com/KNLzfE6Hv0
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) January 30, 2019
- Like most Orlando City fans, Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin isn’t shedding any tears over not having to plan against Miguel Almiron or Giovinco. But I can’t say the same for Jozy Altidore after he learned of Gio’s move.
— Jozy Altidore (@JozyAltidore) January 31, 2019
- The Seattle Reign are headed to Tacoma, WA where they will play on a grass field in an alcohol-friendly stadium with plans for a new stadium in the future.
- Tyler Booth becomes the latest American to head to the Bundesliga after Bayern Munich signed the 17-year-old.
- Check out the latest video in the Behind The Crest series. This one followed the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 3-0 win over Panama.
- We end our links with Sydney Leroux scarring her kid for life. I’m not sure who designed that toy but it makes a Furby look harmless.
I might have peed a little. #meanmom pic.twitter.com/H6Gxg2Y67x
— Sydney Leroux Dwyer (@sydneyleroux) January 31, 2019
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/29/24
Orlando City and OCB lose to Toronto, Pride beat the Spirit in Washington, EPL title race update, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you down in Florida. It was a mixed weekend for our teams, with the Pride winning, while Orlando City and OCB lost. I’ve been busy covering high school volleyball, badminton, and soccer throughout the past week. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Lions Lose at Home to Toronto FC
Orlando City SC saw its four-match unbeaten streak come to an end, losing 2-1 to Toronto FC at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. Duncan McGuire scored the opening goal to put Orlando ahead in the first half. The Lions held on to the 1-0 lead until late in the second half, when goals from Tyrese Spicer and Prince Owusu put the Reds up 2-1, and they were able to hang on and walk out of Orlando with all three points. Toronto FC has won two in a row in league play and is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 16 points. Meanwhile, the Lions are in 13th with nine points. Orlando City will look to bounce back Saturday at home as it takes on FC Cincinnati.
Pride Grab Road Win Over Washington Spirit
The Orlando Pride held on to defeat the Washington Spirit 3-2 at Audi Field Friday — their third straight victory. Angelina scored to put the Pride ahead in the first half, but the Spirit equalized just before halftime. Barbra Banda scored her first goal for the Pride, and Summer Yates added her third goal of the season, giving the Pride a 3-1 advantage in the second half. Ashley Hatch pulled one back for the Spirit on a howler by goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, but the Pride keep their unbeaten streak alive at six matches (3-0-3). Orlando remains undefeated and is fourth in the NWSL table with 12 points. Next up for the Pride is a pair of home matches this week, starting Wednesday at home against the North Carolina Courage. Orlando will host Racing Louisville FC Sunday.
OCB Falls at Home to Toronto FC II
Like the first team, Orlando City B also lost 2-1 to Toronto FC II in its first home match at Osceola County Stadium. The Young Lions went down early in the match when Charles Sharp scored for Toronto FC II to take a 1-0 lead. Wilfredo Rivera scored the equalizer in the second half to tie the match, however, late in the second half, Jesus Batiz scored the game-winning goal to seal the win for Toronto. The Young Lions have yet to win a match at home, but has played well on the road this season and are on a four-match unbeaten streak away. The Young Lions will face MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference leaders Chattanooga FC Saturday at Finley Stadium.
Manchester City and Arsenal Win to Keep EPL Title Race Close
The Premier League title race is going down to the wire as Manchester City and Arsenal won their matches over the weekend. Arsenal held on to defeat rival Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in the North London Derby. That result moves Arsenal into first with 80 points with three matches remaining. Manchester City shut out Nottingham Forest 2-0 and is second, with 79 points and still four matches left to play. Liverpool dropped points to West Ham in a 2-2 draw, putting another blow to the Reds’ title chances and leaving them in third with 75 points and three matches left.
Free Kicks
- If you missed it, check out the first goal from Pride forward Barbra Banda.
- Rose Lavelle made her debut for NJ/NY Gotham FC Sunday and scored the tying goal late in stoppage time to secure a point for her new team in a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville FC.
- Despite getting a 3-3 draw against Le Havre over the weekend, Paris Saint-Germain won its 10th Ligue 1 title after AS Monaco lost 3-2 to Lyon.
- Mohamed Salah refused to reveal the reason for his touchline disagreement with Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp during the club’s match against West Ham Saturday.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/26/24
Orlando City gets ready for Toronto FC, Thiago Silva linked with Orlando, Marta announces international retirement, and more.
I don’t know about you, but I sure am glad it’s Friday. It’s been a bit of a brutal week for me, but the weekend is nearly upon us, and I plan on spending it with my family for my dad’s birthday. I’m also hoping to find some time to read the new book that came out this week from my favorite author, Emily Henry. For now though, let’s enjoy these links from around the soccer world!
Orlando City Prepares for Toronto FC
After a shaky start to the season, the Lions are unbeaten in their past four games and can make it five when they host Toronto FC Saturday night. Toronto has lost three of its past four games, but is coming off of a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution. In the time since Oscar Pareja took over as head coach, Orlando City has won six of its seven games against Toronto. It will be the first meeting between the two with John Herdman at the helm of Toronto, so we will see if the trend of recent Orlando dominance continues. It should be a great game and is another opportunity for the Lions to climb up the table.
Thiago Silva Linked With Orlando City
Brazilian defender Thiago Silva’s contract with Chelsea ends this summer and Orlando City was mentioned as one of many reported clubs interested in signing him. Beyond the surface-level facts that Silva is an incredibly talented defender and Orlando City is a popular landing spot for South Americans who want to play in MLS, the move would not make much sense. The club signed David Brekalo this off-season and Rodrigo Schlegel is a solid option off the bench as well. Even if Orlando does want Silva, there will be plenty of competition. Returning to Fluminense is the expected choice, but Silva could stay in Europe or make the move to Saudi Arabia.
Marta Will Retire From National Team After 2024
Orlando Pride star Marta announced that 2024 will be her last year playing for Brazil. You will need a translating tool for more of the details from her interview with CNN, but she spoke on how she’s at peace with her decision to stop playing at the international level once the year is over. She made her international debut in 2002 and has since played in five Olympics for Brazil. Marta may play in her sixth this summer, and there would be global attention to see one of the greatest players ever to lead Brazil one last time. Her contract with the Pride also ends after this season, but only time will tell if this is her final season in Orlando.
Orlando’s Academy Teams Get Results Against New England
With the Generations Adidas Cup behind them, Orlando City’s U-17 and U-15 teams earned some important points against the New England Revolution’s youth squads. The U-15 team dominated New England in a 4-1 result that included a hat trick from Jakob Garcia. The match between the U-17 sides was a closer affair, as they split the points in a 1-1 draw. Orlando’s teams will play again tomorrow, with a pair of home games against Nashville SC.
Free Kicks
- The San Jose Earthquakes officially have a new Designated Player, signing Argentine winger Hernan Lopez to a contract through the 2026 season. The reported $6 million transfer fee would break the club record if accurate.
- D.C. United midfielder Russell Canouse had a successful first surgery last month to help correct an ulcerative colitis diagnosis.
- American midfielder Malik Tillman had a fantastic game for PSV Eindhoven, scoring twice and adding an assist in the team’s 8-0 win over SC Heerenveen.
- Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera announced that he is retiring from international soccer. The 37-year-old has played in the past four World Cups for Uruguay.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jesse Marsch have reportedly been contacted for the coaching vacancy at the Canadian National Team.
- An active bomb from World War II was discovered during renovations of Mainz’s stadium in Germany and it will be deactivated today.
- We will end our links with this pretty entertaining video series featuring Orlando City players and staff competing in Parcheesi. There’s a bracket, trash talk, and an explanation of the rules as well, if you’ve never played before. Here’s a little clip of the most recent game, if you need convincing.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/25/24
Duncan McGuire is an Olympic frontrunner, Orlando Pride get ready for the Washington Spirit, Colin Guske signs with Orlando City B, and more.
How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope this work week hasn’t been too stressful for you as we get ready for another weekend packed with Orlando soccer. All of the European soccer this week has been enjoyable as well, as teams fight for silverware and survival. It should be a fun next few days, although most of my match following will be digital. I’m hoping to get out to the stadium for a game or two over the next couple of months as well. But for now, let’s dive into today’s links!
Duncan McGuire Likely to Play in Olympics
Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire was listed as one of the frontrunners to join the U.S. for this year’s Olympics. It won’t be much of a shock if McGuire is in Paris this summer, as he’s been impressive in the time since being drafted sixth overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by the Lions. The 23-year-old has followed up a strong rookie year with three goals and an assist so far this season. It will be interesting to see who McGuire could compete with for minutes in the Olympics, with Ricardo Pepi noted as another possible option up top for the U.S. Overall, it’s nice to see McGuire is doing what’s needed to stay in the contention for Paris. I think that staying in Orlando rather than going to England has definitely helped his case.
Orlando Pride Prepare for the Washington Spirit
The Orlando Pride are riding a five-game unbeaten streak and will take it to the nation’s capital for a difficult road match against the Washington Spirit Friday night. The Pride have won their past two games and will face a Spirit side that has won four of its five games this season. Both teams have been defensively sound, each conceding just four goals, so it may come down to moments of individual brilliance to make the difference. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke about the difficulty of the matchup, Orlando’s grit this season, and the impact Barbra Banda had in her debut last weekend.
Orlando City B Signs Colin Guske
Midfielder Colin Guske, who joined Orlando City’s academy back in 2020, signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Orlando City B through this 2024 season. The 17-year-old made his OCB debut in the team’s season opener this year and scored the game-winning goal. He’s carved out a spot in OCB’s midfield this season, starting in four of the team’s five games. Guske has two brothers who have also gone through the club’s academy and played with OCB. A solid year with the Young Lions from Guske could result in a Homegrown Player contract for the senior team.
Columbus Crew SC Wins First Leg Against Monterrey
The Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals are here and the Columbus Crew are the only MLS team still in the tournament. They came up with a big 2-1 home win in the first leg of their matchup against Monterrey. Cucho Hernandez gave the Crew the lead in the first half and 21-year-old Jacen Russell-Rowe scored the winner in the second. An away goal by Monterrey could prove crucial though due to the tiebreakers, and the second leg will take place on May 1. The winner of this matchup will take on either Club America or Pachuca in the final on June 2.
Free Kicks
- Former Lion Dom Dwyer is reportedly headed out west to sign with Oakland Roots SC in the USL Championship.
- Toronto FC traded away $200,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) to Atlanta United in exchange for winger Derrick Etienne Jr. The 27-year-old has not received much playing time this season, and Atlanta could earn another $175,000 in GAM if performance-based metrics are met.
- The San Jose Earthquakes have reportedly signed Hernan Lopez from Godoy Cruz. It would give a-needed boost to the team, which has just three points from nine games this season.
- St. Louis City winger Celio Pompeu won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his great strike from outside the box in his team’s 3-3 draw with Sporting Kansas City.
- Carlos Jimenez was fired as the Kansas City Current’s head of medical for reportedly having a relationship with a player that violated the league’s non-fraternization policy.
- Next year’s MLS NEXT season will include eight new teams, and there’s a nice breakdown on what each one brings to the table.
- Despite Sergino Dest’s recent injury, PSV Eindhoven’s Peter Bosz spoke on how he’d like the right back to stay with the team after his loan from Barcelona expires.
- Everton came up with a 2-0 win at home against rival Liverpool. Most attention will be on how this dents Liverpool’s title aspirations, but Everton deserves praise for putting more distance between itself and the relegation zone with this win during a difficult season that included point deductions.
- Atalanta beat Fiorentina 4-1 to book its spot in the Italian Cup final against Juventus. That final will take place on May 15 and should be a pretty good match.
- Xavi will reportedly stay on board as Barcelona’s manager for another season after all.
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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