Lion Links: 1/9/15

Things are starting to ramp into high gear at Orlando City SC headquarters.

The preseason training schedule is coming together, the MLS regular season schedule is out, and Phil Rawlins finally worked off those holiday pounds that had been weighing him down since Christmas (Just kidding Phil!).

We stand 57 days away from the home opener against New York City FC in the Citrus Bowl, and for us here at TML it can’t come soon enough. Hopefully these soccer links are enough to tide you over until at least tomorrow!

Charleston Challenge Cup is Coming!

Can’t wait until March 8 for the season opener? Call your travel agent or get on your new-fangled smart phone app and book your tickets to Charleston, SC! Orlando City is participating in the 2015 Carolina Challenge Cup, featuring NYCFC, the Houston Dynamo, and USL Pro side Charleston Battery.

Hilariously, Frank Lampard is still prominently featured on the front page of the tournament’s website. While he won’t be there, Kaka and all your favorite Lions will. If you’re looking for a ride, we hear supporters group The Ruckus is offering a bus up to Charleston + Ticket for $60.

International Signings Still to Come

Orlando City prez Phil Rawlins says club has acquired 10 int’l slots. They are using six right now. Two more announcements in coming days.

— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) January 7, 2015

City fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcement of at least two more international players, which could come as soon as today. One will almost assuredly be Colombia Carlos Rivas, who we’ve reported on as basically a done deal for nearly a month now. However, rumors are circulating that fellow Colombian and Deportivo Cali teammate Cristian Higuita will be joining him.

Neither player is necessarily a starter for Orlando City, but both could easily contribute significant minutes in 2015. Follow @TheManeLand on twitter for the latest breaking news, which there may just be a lot of tomorrow.

Edu Stays in Philly

It looks like USMNT vet Maurice Edu will be remaining with the Philadelphia Union permanently. The Stoke City midfielder spent 2014 with the Union on a season-long loan deal, and was an absolutely integral part of the team. Edu is an impressively versatile player who is equally comfortable at center back and midfield, and still has plenty left in the tank at only 31 years old.

#LampardGate Continues

Things continue to get worse and worse for NYCFC. The Guardian reports that Manchester City has assured the EPL that there is “no agreement in place between the club or City Football Group with New York City FC.”

To be fair, NYCFC could just throw a No. 18 jersey on any old player and the fans sitting in left field the stands wouldn’t be able to see the difference.

That’s it for now. Be sure to keep TML loaded on that extra browser tab behind your work stuff today. We’re expecting a big day for the Lions!