Lion Links: 12/25/14 – Merry Christmas from The Mane Land

We hope Santa Heath has been good to you this year. First of all, kudos to our own Austin David for his nifty Photoshop work, turning our head coach into Santa. Second, we'd like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday season and a safe and prosperous new year.

Just because it's a holiday doesn't mean the links will stop. Here's your Christmas morning helping:

Kaka: Get Better, Brazilian League

Orlando City SC’s Brazilian Designated Player believes there’s room for his domestic first division league to improve.

"The thinking is: 'I have won for so long by doing it this way and I am going to continue.' This mentality needs to change. Brazilian football has stopped. It has stopped in time and I think it is due to being content with being five-time World Cup winners and thinking we are really the best,"

Come Together Right Now Over Me

Orlando City has a robust supporters culture and it's always great to see the disparate groups getting along. The O-Town Hooligans supporters group has become an affiliate chapter of The Ruckus. Although this was an expected move, it's nice to see it announced.

Brad Rusin signs with…Tampa Bay (!)

I-4 rivals the Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed former Lions defender Brad Rusin, a second-team All-USL Pro selection last season. While we're thrilled Rusin has landed in a good spot in the NASL and isn't too far away, it will be a bit painful to see him wearing Tampa's colors. Still, he's forever a Lion and we wish him the best.

Frank Lampard and NYCFC: The Saga Continues

The bizarre love triangle between New York City FC, Manchester City and Frank Lampard has been interesting to watch. Time will tell if Lampard returns from loan in time for the MLS opener, later, or even at all. In the meantime, we'll continue to watch this train wreck as MCFC continues to disrespect its MLS side by not simply ending this Wagnerian opera and saying "Frank Lampard will be in New York at the previously agreed-upon date."

Portland Locks Up Fernandez

Gaston Fernandez has reportedly re-signed with the Portland Timbers. Stumptown Footy has the story of La Gata’s return.

CONCACAF POYs Announced

We were remiss in not bringing this to you yesterday, but in case you missed it, CONCACAF announced its players of the year. In a combination of voting by the coaches, captains, media and fans, Costa Rica's Keylor Navas and USWNT striker Abby Wambach are the 2014 CONCACAF male and female players of the year. USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard finished third in voting on the men's side. Interestingly, Howard was named Goalkeeper of the Year and Navas finished third, so a guy deemed third best at his position was somehow awarded the best male player of the year.

Costa Rica's Jose Luis Pinto was named Coach of the Year and American Mark Geiger won Referee of the Year.

This uh…isn't Good

A USL Pro coach was fired after being arrested on murder allegations.

Free Kicks

Did you know "Jingle Bells" was originally a Thanksgiving song?…AMC's list of the 20 best Christmas movies of all time is missing both Die Hard and Gremlins…Did you get any of these cool gifts for Christmas?…FX's Justified returns for its final season in January. Do you agree that these are the five best Raylan Givens-vs.-Villain moments in series history?