Lion Links: 4/15/15

Wednesday’s one of my favorite days of the week because it’s all down hill from today. So take your mid-week break easy with some soccer links. And wish Lions midfielder/forward Carlos Rivas a happy 21st birthday if you see him.

Vote or die…again

It seems like Orlando City has someone up for the MLS __ of the week award on a weekly basis. First up is Cyle Larin’s AT&T Goal of the Week nomination for his first career MLS goal in the Timbers game. Here’s hoping for more of that this season and beyond.

Also up for a nomination is Donovan Ricketts. He’s up for MLS Save of the Week because of a top-level stop against Dairon Asprilla in the club’s 2-0 win over Portland. Last week, Brek Shea stopped Dynamo keeper Tyler Deric’s three-week win streak with his dynamite save against DC United last week.

Go blow up the polls.

Orlando City to play Brazilian club

The Lions will face Ponte Preta May 2 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. There are several angles to this match-up, such as stronger ties to Brazilian soccer and continuing the drive to make Orlando the "Soccer Capital of the South." Another motivating factor is the club's effort to bring Copa America Centenario USA 2016 matches to the city next summer.

Jeff Milby goes on the Bent Musket

The Mane Land’s own Jeff Milby spoke with The Bent Musket about the Louisville City FC-Rochester Rhinos match coming up Saturday. It’s nice to see one of our own get some publicity on another SB Nation site as The Mane Land continues on its quest to dominate the internet by appearing on every blog in the network..

All you other bloggers beware.

USMNT-Mexico face off today

The two kings of CONCACAF soccer square off in San Antonio tonight. Brek Shea will be the lone OCSC representative in the Alamodome as he makes his second appearance in the Lone Star State since returning stateside. And apparently he ain't scared. I don't imagine he ever will be.

Plenty of interesting story lines surround this game, which will feature rosters mostly stocked with MLS and Liga MX based players (DeAndre Yedlin is the only European-based player on either team). Of course, if you follow the Mexican press, the game may or may not be played because of field conditions so that’s a development to watch.

The game starts at 8:30 p.m. and airs on Fox Sports 1 and UniMas. Andrew Marcinko's live thread will fly later today for your previewing and commenting needs.

I'll leave you with Simon Veness' nice write-up of Darwin Ceren on mlssoccer.com. Enjoy your hump day.