Lion Links: 5/5/15

Happy Cinco de Mayo, Lions. Before you get too deep into the Dos Equis, be sure to load up on water to pre-hydrate and take a read through Tuesday morning’s Lion Links. Too many cervezas and tacos and you may not be coherent enough to get through them later on.

A Shift for Shea?

Kevin Molino’s ACL tear in Saturday’s friendly puts him out for the rest of the season, and that means Brek Shea will most likely make the move from left back up to left wing in order to replace what Molino brings in attack. The anticipated shift means Luke Boden will take the field at left back.

The Orlando Sentinel’s Paul Tenorio provided a look at how Molino’s injury and the potential shifts will effect the Orlando City depth chart going forward, and also considered how the depth chart will shake out this summer with potential U-20 World Cup and Gold Cup absences.

Sueño MLS 2015

The field for Sueño MLS 2015 has been narrowed down to six after a two-day training session involving 400 players from around the country.

Our own Andrew Marcinko has been all over Sueño MLS coverage, as the event is being held at Orlando City’s training ground at Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, so check out what’s going on and who is trying to live the dream of becoming a Major League Soccer player.

While you’re thinking about it, go ahead and check out why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo (hint: not Mexican Independence Day, that’s 16 de Septiembre). Also, check this helpful list of how not to celebrate this glorious holiday.

USMNT U-23s to Participate in Toulon Tournament This Summer

The United States Men’s Under-23 National Team will get some work in this summer in the 2015 Toulon Tournament, which will take place in France starting in May and going into June. The U-23s will get to face some solid competition as they look toward the 2016 Olympics, and they will be playing in Group A alongside France, Netherlands, Costa Rica and Qatar.

Under this tournament’s setup, the U.S. will get to face each team with two days in between matches. The action begins on May 27 against France, and from there the U.S. will face the Dutch, followed by Qatar and then Costa Rica.

“Toulon is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world at this age level, and we’re fortunate to have the opportunity to compete against some of the top teams in the world,” U.S. head coach Andi Herzog told U.S. Soccer about the tournament. “Having seen matches here many times before, I know the type of talent we will face. This is huge for us as we get ready for qualification this October, and is another step in the development of our players in international competition.”

MLS Goal of the Week Nominees

Without Orlando City in (official) action over the weekend, there are no Lions in this week’s nominees. We have kind of grown used to that after the dry month that was April, but perhaps following the three-goal performance against Ponte Preta, the goals will begin to fall in for OCSC more moving forward.

This week’s nominees include FC Dallas’ Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz, New England’s Charlie Davies, Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco, and Seattle’s Obafemi Martins, who was assisted by a sweet flick from Clint Dempsey.

Well That Didn’t Last Long

The Montreal Impact waived goalkeeper Kristian Nicht after a week on roster. The club signed him from NASL club Indy Eleven two days before the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final, which they lost 4-2, and I don’t think anyone’s under the impression that this was a long-term arrangement.

The Impact said the move was due to goalkeeper depth.

“Kristian did well during his short time with us, but he found himself in a position of third or fourth goalkeeper. It would have been difficult for him to get playing time,” said technical director Adam Braz. “This gives him a chance to find another team where he will have a better chance to play.”

Happy beer cerveza drinking, Lions!