Lion Links: 1/6/15

It's January 6, and I've only just realized that 2015 is the year that Marty McFly travels forward in time to visit in Back to the Future Part II. Are you as mad as I am that we don't have hover-boards yet? And what about that Hydrator, Black and Decker? I want some pizza. I suppose we'll have to settle for these links instead.

Move Over William Perry

There’s a new “Refrigerator” around, and he’ll be manning the defensive line for Orlando City SC next season. (See what I did there? Football puns are fun.) His real name is Gustavo Silva Conceição and he hails from Brazil. You can check out our brief introduction to him here, and you can expect a more in-depth profile from our own Austin David later on today here at The Mane Land. I hope he wears number 72 and scores a few times, is that too much to ask?

Turner and Rochez Make International Squads

Young Lions Tyler Turner and Bryan Rochez received call-ups to their respective U-20 national teams. We've got the details for you, here. Leave it to Turner to make us all feel cold up here in the states.

LCFC is Selling Some Merch

Orlando City's little brother up in Louisville is finally selling some team branded gear this week, per a tweet from the club's twitter account. No jerseys yet, but you can get some other stuff at their website, here.

Is the media too easy on MLS?

Worldsoccertalk.com ran an interesting story on MLS and its relationship with the media that covers it. You can check it out here. It starts a noteworthy discussion on the way American soccer is covered. What do you think? Is the American soccer media protective of MLS, or is it the other way around?

Messi to… Chelsea?

If you count the world's most famous footballer's social media activity as proof that he wants out from Barcelona then you'll love this rumor. Lionel Messi apparently began following Chelsea FC on instagram, fueling speculation that the diminutive Argentine would like to trade Catalonia for London. They don't call it the silly season for nothing.

MLS News

Montreal Impact re-signed Andres Romero on Monday, Seattle Sounders have a new GM and, in a move designed specifically to try to one-up their purple-clad rivals from down south, New York City FC signed a defender of their own. Be sure to check out our friends Mount Royal Soccer, Sounder at Heart, and Hudson River Blue for all the details.

Did we miss anything? Drop us a line in the comment section. Oh, and like us on Facebook too. We promise not to invite you to play FarmVille with us.