Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/20/19
Happy Sunday, Mane Landers. I hope you’re all enjoying your weekend. I say let’s jump right into this thing, right? Yeah! Screw the chitchat, let’s do this thing.
Without further ado, lions and lionesses, your Sunday serving of Lion Links. Bon appétit.
Dom Dwyer Delivers Short MLS Media Day Appearance
Dom Dwyer seemed disinterested in answering many questions with reporters from around the league for a round table yesterday. Eventually, he got going, and he answered questions about kicking it with the new youngsters and touched on some of the Lions’ offseason moves. All in all, the session lasted only around three minutes, when they typically last 10 to 15 minutes. This is where we insert the eyes emoji, relax, and hope everything is all right with the club’s best scorer.
U.S. Women’s National Team Loses to France
Say “au revoir” to that 28-match unbeaten streak, as the USWNT fell to a superior French side, 3-1 in Le Havre, France. The Yanks were unfortunately forced to deploy a more-than-makeshift lineup, with Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, Kelley O’Hara and Julie Ertz all missing through illness. Again, unfortunately, the forced changes contributed to the fault in the armor for the Yanks, as the French scored early and pressed high, keeping the pressure on the Americans. Mallory Pugh ensured that the match wasn’t a shutout, though, as she got on the end of a Carli Lloyd pass and notched one for her country.
MLS Club Pursuing Captain of Belgian Club FC Kortrijk
Is this the move all of us Lions supporters have been waiting for? Who knows…but reports are that there’s an unnamed MLS club that is seriously interested in recruiting the talents that Hannes Van der Bruggen could potentially bring to their midfield. The club captain, just 25 years old, could be a game-changer in MLS — and one has to wonder if James O’Connor has his eye on the young dynamo. In total, Van der Bruggen has scored seven goals in 179 Belgian league appearances, and has also starred in 16 Europa League playoff matches. He has also laced up for Belgium’s U-19 and U-21 sides.
Bill Hamid Sounds Off
Bill Hamid, a 28-year-old, 6-foot-3 towering goalkeeper has sounded off, claiming that he’s better than all of the goalkeepers in the USMNT camp. It’s a bold statement considering the wealth of talent that has come through the MLS pipeline of late, but what do you think? He does have a strong grasp of the program, having grown up playing through the system at various levels under different regimes. Most recently, Hamid was capped for the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, even earning his first-ever competitive international start, earning a clean sheet and sending his country to the top of the group.
Zlatan Promises Second-Year Title
In a stunningly Zlatan-esque move, Zlatan Ibrahimović has made the bold claim that he will win a trophy in his second year with the LA Galaxy. The charismatic forward was in scintillating form this past season, scoring 22 goals and adding 10 assists for his side.
“I think as a football player, you want to feel alive, as long as you’re active,” Ibrahimovic said. “After one season with the Galaxy, I came back after one-and-a-half years without playing football from my bad injury, I was feeling alive again. You want to give yourself challenges, you want to feel that there is a challenge out there that you want to take and you want to succeed. I felt that I’m not finished here because wherever I went, I won, and I didn’t win here. So I give it another year and I will win here this second year.”
I’m never one to question Zlatan. I’ve learned my lesson. So what exactly will the Galaxy be taking home this year? The MLS Cup? The U.S. Open Cup? Only time will tell. But for some odd reason, I believe.
Free Kicks
- American starlet Timothy Weah, owned by Paris Saint-Germain but loaned out to Celtic, scored on his Celtic debut yesterday. Coming on in the 69th minute, Weah notched the match’s final goal in the 83rd minute to ensure Celtic’s progression in the Scottish Cup.
- The New York Red Bulls have officially secured the year-long loan signing of 21-year-old American midfielder Keaton Parks from Portuguese stalwarts Benfica.
- Alberth Elis won’t be jumping the pond quite yet, as he will be remaining with the Houston Dynamo until at least the opening of the summer transfer window. It’s reported that he’ll eventually join Turkish giants Fenerbahce, assuming the two sides can come to an agreement.
- Remember that awesome, Wayne Rooney-inspired mid-season turnaround that D.C. United showed us last season? Well, the boys in D.C. don’t think that momentum will be stopping anytime soon, claiming that they’ll be riding that confidence into the 2019 season and expecting strong results.
- German coach Imke Wuebbenhorst, the manager of BV Cloppenburg, is the first woman to ever be appointed to coach a club at such a high level. She also is continuously forced to deal with sexist questions from the press. Well…she got a bit cheeky with a recent response to a question regarding whether she has to warn her players to put pants on before she enters the locker room. Her response? Just see for yourself.
- Major props, love, and cheers go out to Crystal Palace, as the Premier League side has made the admirable decision to use their stadium and grounds as an emergency shelter for the homeless during freezing temperatures.
- Interested in seeing the stats behind the greatness that has been Mohamed Salah over the last few years? Sweet! SkySports took a deep dive into just that topic for you!
- For Los Madridistas, good news: Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Sevilla yesterday means they’ve begun their ascent from recent mediocrity — maybe. They’ve moved into fourth place in La Liga.
That’s all I’ve got for you today, folks. Enjoy the remainder of your Sunday and have an excellent week! Before I make my leave though, I gift you with the #10YearChallenge submission from former Orlando Pride head coach Tom Sermanni. Well played, sir. Well played.
This job really takes its toll. #10YearChallenge pic.twitter.com/vvSEMYr3QH
— Tom Sermanni (@TomSermanni) January 18, 2019
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/7/24
Barbra Banda up for NWSL Goal of the Week, Americans in midweek action, Champions League preview, and more.
Happy Tuesday, everyone. It was a mixed bag for Orlando’s teams over the weekend, as Orlando City B drew 1-1 with Chattanooga FC and lost the subsequent shootout, Orlando City lost 1-0 to FC Cincinnati, and the Orlando Pride won 1-0 over Racing Louisville. As usual, we have a lot to talk through this morning, so let’s dig into the links.
Barbra Banda Up for Goal of the Week
Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been nominated for the NWSL Goal of the Week for her strike in the 77th minute against the North Carolina Courage last Wednesday. Banda controlled the ball off a throw-in, turned, and drove across the box before slotting a low shot past Casey Murphy for the Pride’s fourth and final goal of the game. She scored twice in that game and scored again in Sunday’s win over Racing Louisville. Banda now has four goals in four games — including at least one in each of her three starts since appearing off the bench in her debut — and shows no sign of slowing down. Make sure you go vote for her to win this week’s award!
Americans in Midweek Action
As usual, there are a number of Americans playing games this week, so make sure you mark down any that you want to tune in for. Wednesday has Brandon Vazquez and Monterrey traveling to El Volcan to take on Tigres in the quarterfinals of the Clausura. Moving to Friday, Tanner Tessmann, Gianluca Busio, and Venezia have a chance to gain promotion to Serie A if they beat Spezia and Como loses. On the other side of things, former Lion Nicholas Gioacchini and Como play Cosenza, and will secure automatic promotion as long as they don’t have a worse result than Venezia.
UEFA Champions League Preview
The UEFA Champions League continues this week with the second legs of the two semifinal matchups. In this afternoon’s game, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has said that even Kylian Mbappe will have to work hard defensively if his team is going to progress to the final. Borussia Dortmund leads that tie 1-0, and will need to rely on a defense that has kept five clean sheets in this year’s tournament. However, the German club has a concerning record away from home, where it has lost nine of its last 11 games. In tomorrow’s game between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, this season’s La Liga winner will hope its finishing prowess continues from the first leg, when it turned two chances into two goals.
European Transfer Rumor Roundup
With European seasons drawing to a close, the transfer rumor mill is starting to heat up, which means there are several items worth discussing today. First, Manchester United will reportedly face competition to sign Crystal Palace star Michael Olise. Chelsea and PSG are said to also be interested in signing the Frenchman, who was instrumental in his side’s 4-0 drubbing of the Red Devils yesterday. Staying in the Premier League, Virgil van Dijk has said he intends to be part of the transition following Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool, confirming that he does not intend to leave in the summer. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich is said to have agreed to personal terms with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez. David Moyes has confirmed he will leave West Ham at the end of the season, with reports suggesting that the Hammers have reached an agreement with Julen Lopetegui to be the team’s new manager.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City held steady at 20th in ESPN’s MLS power rankings.
- Bruno Fernandes missed a club match due to injury for the first time in his career, as he did not play in Manchester United’s loss to Crystal Palace.
- Speaking of that match, the Premier League outfitted the referee with a camera for the first time in that game, with the footage to be released at a later date.
- Angel City FC will enter a team in The Soccer Tournament this summer.
- Will Ferrell has bought a stake in Leeds United.
That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/6/24
Lions lose at home, Orlando Pride win, OCB draws Chattanooga FC, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you down in Florida. It was another mixed weekend for our teams as the Lions lost, the Pride won, and OCB drew. As for me, I’ve been busy managing the broadcast operations for the NISA league’s matches this weekend and also got a chance to cover high school soccer, softball, and badminton. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Lions Lose at Home to FC Cincinnati
Orlando City lost at home for the second straight weekend with a 1-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. Luciano Acosta scored the lone goal for Cincinnati just seconds into the match. Orlando City went down to 10 men when defender Rodrigo Schlegel received a red card in the first half. The Lions had some chances to get back in this one, including a free kick opportunity in the second half when Wilder Cartagena scored what would have been the equalizer, but Facundo Torres was ruled offside, and the goal was waved off. Cincinnati also dropped to 10 men late in the second half as defender Bret Halsey received his second yellow for a foul on Ivan Angulo and knocked the ball out to waste time. Still, FC Cincinnati found a way to hang on for the victory, securing its third win in a row. Orlando City will look to rebound on Saturday as it takes on the Philadelphia Union at Suburu Park.
Orlando Pride Win at Home Against Racing Louisville FC
The Orlando Pride defeated Racing Louisville FC on Sunday, 1-0, at Inter&Co Stadium, winning their fifth straight game. Barbra Banda scored the lone goal of the match and now has four goals for the Pride this season. The Pride remain undefeated in league play, keeping their unbeaten streak alive at eight matches (5-0-3). Orlando also moved up to first in the NWSL table with 18 points. The Pride will be back home on Saturday to face Bay FC.
OCB Draws Chattanooga FC
Orlando City B drew 1-1 on the road against Chattanooga FC on Saturday. The Young Lions trailed early in the first half as Mehdi Ouamri put Chattanooga FC in front 1-0. Later in the first half, OCB got an equalizer, with forward Shak Mohammed finding the back of the net to score his second goal of the season. The match went to penalties after 90 minutes of action, where Chattanooga FC won the extra point with a 5-4 win over OCB. Despite not getting the extra point in penalties, the Young Lions still keep their road unbeaten streak alive at five. OCB will have a quick turnaround with its next match at Osceola County Stadium on Wednesday against New York Red Bulls II.
European Soccer Roundup
Real Madrid clinched the La Liga title on Saturday, defeating Cadiz 3-0, while their rivals Barcelona dropped points in a 4-2 loss to Girona over the weekend. Madrid has now won La Liga for the 36th time and still has a shot of adding another trophy if it gets past Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday to reach the final next month. Elsewhere, we had plenty of drama in England. Let’s start in the EFL Championship, where Ipswich Town joined Leicester City, getting promoted to the Premier League after a 2-0 victory against Huddersfield Town. Leeds United, Southhampton, West Brom, and Norwich City will go to the playoffs to determine the third club to secure promotion. Arsenal won 3-0 over Bournemouth, while Manchester City cruised to a 5-1 win over Wolves to keep the EPL title race tight. Arsenal is in first with 83 points, with two matches remaining, while Manchester City is just behind in second with 82 points and three matches left to play.
Free Kicks
- Orlando Pride midfielder Ally Lemos gave insight on her first NWSL start for the Pride after their match against Racing Louisville FC on Sunday.
- PSV Eindhoven clinched the Eredivisie title on Sunday with a 4-2 win over Sparta Rotterdam. American Malik Tillman played for 90 minutes, while Ricardo Pepi came off the bench and added an assist.
- USMNT midfielder Christian Pulisic put on a solid performance and contributed an assist for AC Milan in a 3-3 draw against Genoa on Saturday.
- USWNT forward Catarina Macario came off the bench for Chelsea in the second half and made WSL history by adding two assists in 10 minutes in an 8-0 win over Bristol City.
- Despite their manager Xabi Alonso being in the stands serving a suspension due to yellow card accumulation, Bayer Leverkusen dominated Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 and extended its unbeaten streak to 48 matches.
- Wrexham is reportedly targeting Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy. His contract expires with the Premier League-bound club at the end of June.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/3/24
MLS roster profiles revealed, Marta’s best moments, Kelley O’Hara announces her retirement, and more.
Happy Friday! We’ve reached the homestretch of the week and I couldn’t be happier. A busy weekend awaits me, but I’m hoping for some quiet, nice moments to offset some of the hustle and bustle. It’s also another weekend packed with Orlando soccer to enjoy, so make sure to plan your next couple of days accordingly. But for now, let’s get to the links!
MLS Unveils Club Roster Details
There’s a little more transparency in Major League Soccer after the league released helpful snapshots of each club that detail the composition of each roster. From Designated Players and MLS U22 Initiative Players to international roster slots and contract lengths, the graphics are easy to comprehend and give a nice look behind the curtain on each team. Using this, we can see that Orlando City midfielder Cesar Araujo no longer takes up a U22 Initiative slot and that the team also has an open international roster slot. It should be a fairly nice reference guide for fans moving forward, as well as a way to check out how other MLS teams are building their rosters.
Emily Sams Earns Recognition as Potential USWNT Player
Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams was mentioned as one of the top 20 eligible Americans who have yet to make an appearance with the United States Women’s National Team according to Pro Soccer Wire. The shout out is well deserved, as Sams has helped anchor a Pride defense that’s only given up seven goals this season. Only time will tell if Sams will earn a call-up once Emma Hayes is at the helm of the USWNT, but it does feel inevitable given how she’s been playing. Other notable players on the list include Ajax’s Lily Yohannes, Washington Spirit rookie Croix Bethune, and Angel City FC defender Sarah Gorden.
Marta’s Top Moments
All For XI compiled some of the best moments from Marta’s career into a tidy top five. Considering how prolific she has been for Brazil over the years, it was nice to see a pair of goals from her time with the Pride receive some recognition. Both of those moments were from 2018, with her free kick to equalize against the Seattle Reign placing fifth and her solo effort to stun the Spirit taking third. It’s fitting though that the top moment on the list showcases the impact she’s had off the field, as it’s Marta’s emotional speech after Brazil’s exit in the 2019 World Cup.
Kelley O’Hara Will Retire After 2024 Season
USWNT defender Kelley O’Hara announced that she will retire from professional soccer following the 2024 season. Over the course of her international career, she’s played in four World Cups, three Olympic Games, and was named to the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2019. O’Hara has played in every NWSL season since the league’s inception, winning the title with the Spirit in 2021 and again with NJ/NY Gotham FC last year. She joined Gotham as the first free agent signing in NWSL history and she is set to close out her illustrious career there.
Free Kicks
- Curve Fragrances was named the official fragrance partner of Orlando City. As part of the partnership, there will be giveaways and product sampling at select games this season.
- Wrexham’s women’s squad for The Soccer Tournament this summer will include a trio of former Pride players, with Bridget Callahan, Danica Evans, and Nickolette Driesse all taking part. I can’t wait to see if Callahan will make SkoRed a rallying cry at the tournament.
- Orlando City won’t have to contend with FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza tomorrow, as he will miss the next six to eight weeks due to a broken jaw suffered in an off-field incident.
- The Europa League semifinals are underway and Bayer Leverkusen extended its unbeaten run to 47 games after a 2-0 road win against Roma. In the other matchup, Atalanta and Marseille drew 1-1 in France.
- American midfielder Johnny Cardoso hasn’t been with Real Betis for long, but he’s doing well enough that Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs reportedly interested in signing the 22-year-old.
- Lucas Hernandez suffered an ACL injury in Paris Saint-Germain’s loss to Borussia Dortmund and will miss out on this summer’s Euros with France.
- Reims and Will Still have mutually agreed to part ways, with the coach leaving now despite just having three games left in the Ligue 1 season. It will be interesting to see where the 31-year-old coaches next, as he had a notable 19-game unbeaten stretch with Reims last season.
- Here’s a detailed dive into the obstacles Everton has faced in recent years, as well as how the club has avoided relegation amid another difficult season.
That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!
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