It’s double match day, Mane Landers! Just like last week, we’ll be back to watching the Lions from our couch instead of jumping on The Wall. The city of Orlando assumes Toronto FC at 3 p.m. at BMO Field; however, Orlando Pride is home tonight at 6:30 pm You should have plenty of time between games to head to Exploria Stadium to support Pride. Make sure to come out and be loud for the ladies! But first, enjoy your links from around the world of football.
City of Orlando and Toronto FC
Orlando City will play at BMO Field this afternoon where Toronto FC will try to end a four game losing streak. The Reds have racked up just three wins from 11 games this season. TFC head coach Bob Bradley has been without some key pieces this season due to injury. Jonathon Osorio, Noble Okello, Kadin Chung, Jakheele Marshall-Rutty and Chris Mavinga will not be available today. On the other hand, Toronto will have Ralph Priso, Carlos Salcedo and Ifunanyachi Achara back after a suspension and approval of the Health and Safety Protocols. Salcedo’s return should give Bradley a familiar defensive line with former Lion Shane O’Neill and Salcedo teaming up once again.
The Lions have added at least one point in each of the last four meetings against Toronto, including seven of nine points in their three games last season. Toronto’s last victory against the Lions dates back to 2019, when the club recorded a 2-0 victory in Orlando.
Kansas City Current to Visit Orlando
The Kansas City Current kicks off a three-game road trip today as they travel to Exploria Stadium. Kansas City might be dealing with some heavy legs as they’ve played a full schedule lately. The club had a NWSL followed by the Challenge Cup semi-final and another league match, all in nine days. The Current heads into the third week of the regular season following those three straight losses. The team’s last win was in the Challenge Cup group stage on April 24 against chicago red stars.
The Orlando Pride played Kansas City twice in the 2021 regular season. Orlando won the first game 1-0 at home and won 3-1 on the road three weeks later.
austin fc Josh Wolff’s contract extended
Austin F.C. Head Coach Josh Wolff to a three-year contract extension until the end of the 2025 MLS season. The 45-year-old joined Austin as the inaugural head coach in November 2019 after serving as USMNT assistant to Gregg Berhalter. Prior to that, Wolff gained experience in MLS as Berhalter’s assistant for five seasons with the Columbus Crew after his first year as an assistant with DC attached.
The new deal comes as an early reward. Austin currently ranks second overall in the Western Conference and Supporters Shield standings. This is a big change after finishing second to last during the team’s 2021 expansion campaign.
“Josh is a very talented young coach who we trust to lead this club on the pitch,” Austin FC sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a statement. “The style of play and work ethic that he has put in place, and his mentorship of our players has created a really strong culture around our club and has led to incredible growth in a short period of time. We are delighted to see what he is capable of in the years to come. Our future is bright.”
NWSL enacts new COVID contingency
NWSL has added a new policy allowing teams to sign emergency replacement players in the event a team is unable to field a sufficient roster due to COVID protocols. The policy will be in place for the next 60 days, followed by a reevaluation by both the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association. The main change allows teams to sign COVID replacement players to reach the minimum of 18 non-COVID players. Currently, the protocol allows teams to compete with as few as 14 eligible and capable players in a match.
When signing COVID replacement players, teams will follow the same policies they follow with national team replacement players.
Free shots
It’s starting to get hot out there. So whether you’re watching the games from home, the brewery, or at Exploria Stadium, make sure to stay hydrated! I look forward to a day filled with Orlando soccer. Come on Orlando!
Reference-www.themaneland.com