Lion Links: 2/18/15

Once again Wednesday has rolled around and it is time to take a look at the state of soccer and everything you need to know.

Men in the Middle

Major League Soccer and the Professional Referees Organization released the list of the referees and assistant referees that will make up the officiating crews for the upcoming 2015 MLS season. After seeing some questionable officiating during our time as a USL team it will be nice to see whether or not we get a better quality of official as we make the step up to MLS. They also announced that the officiating crews will be working harder on two areas in the laws of the game: dissent and persistent infringement.

Who's Next?

After Las Vegas found out late last week that they were out of the running for an MLS expansion club until at least 2018, and with Minneapolis and Sacramento currently leading the pack for the final expansion spot prior to 2020, these two cities are still hoping they can make a late run for the last available franchise.

After successfully hosting the inaugural ATX Pro Challenge (it has the coolest trophy ever) and with the Austin Aztex entering its second season in USL, Austin, TX is hoping that they can enter the discussion and bring a third MLS team to Texas.

However San Antonio is trying to do the same. With the announcement that the U.S. vs. Mexico game to be held in San Antonio has already sold out, MLS has taken notice that this is a marketplace that could support soccer. With an NASL team already in town, the San Antonio Scorpions, and a potential huge team sponsor already in place if the team makes the step up, the decision about which team is next will only get harder.

Soccer for Sunrail?

With an open letter to Phil Rawlins, local blog Sunrail Riders decided to highlight the prospect of Orlando City fans being able to take Sunrail to local games on weekends. Obviously right now Sunrail doesn't work on the weekend, but more and more people would like to see it do so. What are people's thoughts on Sunrail becoming a link to Orlando City soccer games for Central Florida? Do you think it would ease traffic congestion around the stadium? Is the Citrus Bowl too far and this maybe is an idea for our 2016 downtown stadium? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or send us a tweet.

The next soccer anthem?

In the grand tradition of English football songs such as "Football's Coming Home" and "Vindaloo," Kick TV has decided to provide us an ode to the upcoming season. Check it out below.

That is all for now but stay tuned as The Mane Land gets you ready for the Carolina Challenge Cup and our first game (of many) against New York City FC.