Lion Links: 2/16/15

The weekend's over, which means it's time for my weekly links column.

Orlando City Rookies impress so far

The Orlando Sentinel’s Paul Tenorio says Orlando City SC rookies Cyle Larin and Conor Donovan have been impressive through the club’s fourth preseason match.

SuperDraft No. 1 overall pick Clye Larin played 45 minutes in the preseason friendly against Swedish club BK Hacken and looked "comfortable with his back to the goal" in Adrian Heath's 4-2-3-1. The young Canadian will have to fight to become a regular in the lineup but has the talent to do it once he adjusts to professional soccer.

Donovan's play through the four preseason matches might mean more for the Lions in their inaugural MLS season. He's started in the past three preseason matches at center back and is quickly growing into the role. The U.S. U-20 player could eventually play his way into the defensive rotation.

Rumor Mill: Forlan to Colorado?

Here’s a tantalizing rumor about Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan almost heading to the Colorado Rapids. Rapids Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Paul Bravo said the club had the opportunity to sign the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner but declined to pick him up.

"Diego Forlán – did we have a conversation about him? Yes, we did," Bravo said. "But it's probably the same conversation 10 other clubs in this league have had in that same time frame."

The tidbit, broke by the Denver Post's Colorado Rapids beat writer, Daniel Boniface, in a story about the Rapids signing Irish striker Ken Doyle, said the talks never got too serious. But it's still interesting know a former World Cup star who played for Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter MIlan was considering MLS.

Class of 2014 inducted into National Soccer Hall of Fame

Kristine Lilly, Brian McBride and Bob Bradley were inducted into National Soccer Hall of Fame Saturday. All three players made heavy contributions to the evolution of soccer in the United States.

Lilly was a member of the famed '99 World Cup winners and also played on the 1991 Cup winning squad. She owns the world record for most caps (352 appearances) in a 23-year career spanning four decades, and is the youngest and oldest player to score for the USWNT. Lilly currently works as an assistant coach for the University of Texas women's soccer program.

McBride is probably one of the most respected players in American soccer history. McBride made 96 appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team, was a member of three (1998, 2002, 2006) World Cup squads and became the first American to find the net in two World Cups after scoring in the 1998 and 2002 Cups. McBride played a combined 220 matches in MLS during his two stints stateside but is known in Europe for his successful stint for Fulham F.C. The club even named its pub after him.

Bradley is well known for leading the 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa but also carved himself a successful career in MLS. He led the 1998 expansion Chicago Fire to the MLS Cup in his first season at the helm of a professional soccer club and won it 2-0 against two-time defending champs D.C. United, which would go on to win it the next season. He replaced the legendary Bruce Arena as USMNT coach after the debacle in the 2006 World Cup, and led the Americans to a second-place finish in the 2009 Confederations Cup (including a 2-0 win over a Spanish team on a 35-game unbeaten streak) and a Round of 16 berth in the 2010 World Cup. He currently coaches in Norway.

This week in Louisville City FC

Here's a video of Louisville City's two new signings, Magnus Rasmussen and Niall McCabe, for the fine fans of Derby City's new club. The two midfielders are fine additions to the USL Pro club, which had its first players/coaches meeting Sunday.

That's it for today. Enjoy your Monday (or at least try).