Lion Links: 1/28/15

After a crazy signing day on Monday for Orlando City SC, the rest of MLS spent yesterday trying to play catch-up. However don’t worry The Mane Land has you covered so you know exactly who the Lions will be facing in the 2015 MLS season.

New York Red Bulls take flight

After a bad start to the off-season for the New York Red Bulls (the retirement of TH14, the firing of Mike Petke, the supporters town hall, the imminent departure of Tim Cahill, and the appointment of Ali Curtis and Jesse Marsch), NYRB fans probably thought things couldn’t get worse, and they would be right. The Red Bulls eventually reported some good news.

First, they made a major trade with the Montreal Impact to acquire the top spot in the allocation order, and Felipe (a player Jesse Marsch is known to like from his time in Montreal) at the expense of losing allocation money, an international roster spot, Eric Alexander and Ambroise Oyongo. The main story here is the capturing of that top spot in the order, which should help the Red Bulls complete their long-time pursuit of returning USMNT player Sacha Kljestan from Anderlecht.

The Red Bulls were, however, not done. They also announced the signing of three defenders: Damien Perrinelle, Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Ronald Zubar. The shoring up of the New York defense will no doubt bring some hope back to Red Bulls fans for the upcoming season, many who had already written this season off. Only time will tell.

Montreal wasn’t done either. They also managed to pick up Dominic Oduro from Toronto FC for allocation money.

A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Busch

After signing new DP Shaun Maloney, the Chicago Fire went with a safe pair of hands and a known commodity Tuesday, when they re-signed Jon Busch, who last played for the Fire in 2010. Busch has a great resume with Chicago. In three seasons, he played 63 games, won MLS goalkeeper of the year, and in 2008 he had a 78.2 save percentage (the league best) and a league-high 10 shutouts.

Busch returns to Chicago, having spent the last four years with the San Jose Earthquakes where he won the 2012 Supporters Shield and had another great year with a league-best 138 saves in one season in 2014.

Anymore for Anymore?

Another day, another partnership announcement for Orlando City. This time, Orlando City has announced that it will be expanding its partnership with North American Office Solutions. A Florida-based company that has been with Orlando since the start, North American will be making the jump to MLS with Orlando. As well as additional hospitality and marketing opportunities, North American Office Solutions will also sponsor Orlando City Youth Soccer.

One to watch?

A name that many are not yet familiar with, Pierre Da Silva, a forward with Orlando City Youth Soccer, was yesterday named on the 2015 U.S. U-17 spring residency roster. This program brings young soccer talent together in Bradenton, FL, to live and train together. The spring roster is also important as these players will also be playing in the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 championship, which provides entry into the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Da Silva should certainly be one to watch and highlights Orlando’s commitment to developing young talent.

On a sad note, the Orlando City soccer community lost one of its own yesterday with the passing of season ticket member Daniel Britt, a big fan of the Lions and supporter of this site. Everyone here at The Mane Land would like to offer their sympathies to Daniel's family and say that he will be sorely missed by the entire Orlando City Soccer family.