Lion Links: 7/21/15

Happy Tuesday, Mane Landers.

Orlando City has been in the news all over the past few days, and we here at The Mane Land have been following it all closely. From Amobi Okugo being traded to Sporting Kansas City for Servando Carrasco, to Tyler Turner making playing in the MLS Homegrown Game, to Kaká being selected as captain for the MLS All-Star Game, there’s a lot going on with those associated with OCSC.

Here are today’s Lion Links:

Orlando City Academy Players Receive of End-of-Year Awards

After making the announcement a few weeks ago, two Orlando City Academy players received their U.S. Soccer develop academy end-of-the-year awards. Defender Jonathan Rosales and midfielder Raul Aguilera were honored by U.S. Soccer, the second-highest amount of academy players from one team in the Eastern Conference. In addition, goalkeeper Mason Stadjuhar made the U17/18 Starting XI, the U15/16s won the team award for style of play in the East, and Orlando City won Most Improved Club in the East. The future is bright within the Orlando City academy program.

Alex Morgan Makes Historic FIFA 16 Cover

It’s been a summer of firsts for the United States Women’s National Team. From being the first team to win the championship three times, to being the first team to have the head coach and each player featured on individual Sports Illustrated covers, the USWNT has had a great 2015. The trailblazing summer continues as EA Sports unveiled the cover of FIFA 16, which features Alex Morgan alongside Lionel Messi. It will be the first time a female athlete has been on the cover of FIFA, and the first time female players will be in a major professional sports video game since EA Sports’ NBA Street Homecourt was released in 2007.

FIFA Presidential Election To Be Held February 26

While it’s been a great year for the USWNT, the same can’t be said about Sepp Blatter. After investigations revealed mass corruption at FIFA, Blatter still won the presidency, but later announced his resignation. FIFA announced an election for a successor would be held Feb. 26. The press conference was delayed after British comedian Lee Nelson threw fake bank notes at Blatter, informing him it was for "North Korea 2026."

Aston Villa’s Guzan Will Start Season

There were questions as to whether goalkeeper Brad Guzan would be the starter for Aston Villa when the 2015-16 Premier League season begins after the club had looked for a replacement for Shay Given, who ended the season as the starter. However, the Birmingham Mail is reporting the club has decided to go with Guzan and will also look at Jed Steer to provide competition at the position. The club decided to let go of Given due to age and a high salary.

That's it for today's links. Have a safe and productive Tuesday.