Lion Links: 1/27/15

"Got the club goin' up, on a Tuesday."

While Drake may be a fan of Toronto FC, Orlando City SC would be wise to keep the words of the chart-topping rapper in mind as the players continue preseason training ahead of the 2015 MLS season. The Lions will have brought together a roster full of new faces in a hurry, if the “club” hopes to have any chance of “goin’ up” this season.

So with that in mind, let's crack open some Lion Links!

Orlando City Adds Another Preseason Friendly

The Lions added another match to their preseason slate on Monday, as they will take on fellow MLS club FC Dallas on Feb. 4 at ChampionsGate Sports Field in Orlando. It will be Orlando City’s second friendly in the Sunshine State, following a Jan. 30 match against D.C. United in Bradenton.

The Lions preseason schedule is still pretty light following the cancellation of a planned trip to Brazil, so don't be surprised if the club tacks on a few more games between now and the start of the regular season.

Lions Make Rivas and Higuita Signings Official, Acquire Paterson on Loan

The worst-kept secret in Orlando City's brief MLS history is officially out of the bag, as the club announced the signings of striker Carlos Rivas and midfielder Cristian Higuita from Colombian side Deportivo Cali.

Besides the fact that the two Instagrammed a picture of themselves in Orlando City kits and participated in training sessions this week, the move is completely unprecedented. In all seriousness, it's nice to see the club make this move official, as both players have a chance to make a serious impact on the field this season.

The club also made a long-rumored move for Martin Paterson official on Monday, acquiring the Huddersfield Town striker on loan for an undisclosed length. While some in the media expressed surprise that the Lions were willing to use an international slot on Paterson after bringing in striker Bryan Rochez on a DP deal, a loan makes more sense. Paterson is a veteran striker with Premier League experience, who can provide cover for Rochez if the inexperienced striker struggles out of the gate.

Plata Out 3-4 Months with Broken Foot

Real Salt Lake will be down a man for the first few months of the MLS regular season, after the club announced that forward Joao Plata will be out three to four months with a broken foot. The 22-year-old Plata has really come into his own with RSL, scoring 17 goals and adding 14 assists in two season with the club. He should be back by the time the Lions make their first trip to Rio Tinto Stadium on July 4.

Agudelo Nearing a Return to MLS

Yet another American striker could be making a return to MLS, as Juan Agudelo is apparently in negotiations with the New England Revolution about a possible return to the club.

Agudelo made 14 appearances with the Revs in 2013, scoring 7 goals, before departing for an ill-fated spell in Europe, in which he was unable to secure a work permit and join his new club — EPL side Stoke City. Agudelo has a chance to be one of the most electric American strikers in the game today, and it would be great to see him playing regularly again.

That's it for today. Seize the day boys (and girls), go make your lives extraordinary.