Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/4/15
As the deadline approaches for a new CBA, and the date of the Orlando City SC home opener gets closer, The Mane Land has your Wednesday covered with everything that you need to know so that you can be ready for the weekend and the start of MLS (we hope!).
Kaká is King
Bleacher Report published their rankings of the best 50 players in MLS for 2015 yesterday and it was no surprise that they ranked Kaká at No. 1. Despite the league making a significant leap forward in the caliber of player that it is able to attract, the signing by Orlando City of the former Ballon d'Or winner was always going to rank as the best addition to the league for the upcoming season.
Orlando City was also able to grab another spot in the rankings. Brek Shea, upon his return to the league, ranks as the 41st best player in the league, says Bleacher Report.
#FilltheBowl: Mission Accomplished…What's Next?
After a successful campaign to #FilltheBowl, and dwindling remaining ticket numbers for the second home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Orlando City front office is starting to think about the future. After the opening game, Orlando City was only expecting to open up the lower bowl for home games. However, with a significant rising demand, the club is starting to explore options about opening up more parts of the stadium to help meet that demand.
This may cause more problems down the road. One, if the team doesn't have a successful start to the season then demand may drop and the club would not want to close areas due to lack of sales. Two, the new stadium they are building will currently have a maximum capacity of 20,000, and an excessive demand will lead to potentially public strife with supporters down the road. Stay tuned to The Mane Land to follow the story as it develops.
Supporters Leading the Way
The Orlando City front office has been at the forefront of the soccer world for the last few years, however, the supporters groups are also leading the way. The Ruckus and the Iron Lion Firm, having been fervent supporters from the beginning, have already starting carving themselves into soccer supporter folklore.
With their club making the step up to the major league level, expect the supporters groups to do the same. Expect even more smoke bombs, streamers and singing than ever before.
Villa the Vocalist
In anticipation of its full release today, New York City FC released a cringe-worthy soccer anthem, which contained none other than soccer superstar, David Villa. The only thing I can say is “David, never give up your day job.”
That's it for today, folks. Pray for peace at the bargaining table.