Lion Links: 1/14/15

It's the midway point of the week, which is kind of depressing until you remember that tomorrow is the MLS SuperDraft and the start of the Florida Cup.

I'm still trying to get back to normal after an incredibly late Monday night of celebrating my alma mater's national championship in American football. (Thank you based 5-Hour Energy!)

In case you missed it, we debuted our new youth / academy writer, William Crawford yesterday who told you how the development system can help Orlando City become the big club it has ambitions to be.

And if you're an uber-organized calendar kind of person, Austin told you what's on tap in the coming months for the Lions.

Later today, Kevin will ponder why Adrian Heath doesn't sign a beefy target striker and Andrew will make five bold predictions for Orlando City's inaugural MLS season. Don't miss them.

So…let's get to today's linkage.

New York School of Mixology

Fan favorite USMNT midfielder Mix Diskerud has long been rumored to be on his way to Manchester New York City FC, but it became official yesterday, as the club made the formal announcement. The move makes some headway toward reparations between the club and its fans, who were understandably soured by the way the Frank Lampard affair has been handled.

Dance on the Bones Til the Girls Say When

Yes, that topic header comes to us from those American poets known as Steely Dan, from their song "Josie," in which the title character comes home. While USMNT and Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore isn't coming "home" per se (he's from Livingston, NJ), he may be closing in on returning to North America.

Our friends at Stars and Stripes FC have the full story of how Toronto FC is trading in a gently used Jermain Defoe for fixer-upper Altidore. It would be nice to have Jozy visit the Citrus Bowl in 2015.

A New Hope

With a new Star Wars trilogy looming, this is a timely title for an item and it feeds the inner nerd in me. And that isn’t even counting the fact that the Star Wars movies have a character named Solo. (#NailedIt) Basically it has nothing to do with USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo, however, who will not stand trial for assault after having the charges dismissed. That should allow her to concentrate on getting ready for the Women’s World Cup.

MLS Signs Four More Prospects

Major League Soccer announced the signing of four more college seniors in advance of tomorrow's MLS SuperDraft. Defender Saad Abdul-Salaam (Akron), forwards Akeil Barrett (Tulsa) and Andy Craven (North Carolina) and midfielder Connor Hallisey (California) will be added to the draft-able pool of players. The draft will be streamed live online at 12:30 p.m. and we'll have all the info you need on Orlando City's selections or draft day deals.

Enjoy the Perks, Seattle

The Seattle Sounders have signed Troy Perkins, the former Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers goalkeeper. The 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Perkins will pair with starter Stefan Frei between the sticks for Seattle.

That's it for me. I'm outta here. Enjoy your Wednesday.