Lion Links: 7/29/15

What's up Mane Landers?

It's another hump day and we've got plenty of links for you. But first, if you are like me and looking to invest in some Orlando City gear, help has arrived in the form of the new United World Soccer store in Downtown Disney. So check that out. Now on to your links.

Larin Earning Recognition

Orlando City rookie forward Cyle Larin has been a household name for Lions fans, but his recent hat trick against New York City FC has thrust him into the spotlight, and has him on the verge of being a household name among all MLS fans.

Larin was voted MLS Player of the Week this week, and MLSSoccer.com's Simon Veness wrote Tuesday about Larin being the frontrunner for MLS Rookie of the year.

Larin himself has visibly grown in confidence in the past two months, bagging six of his goals in that eight-game stretch. And the manner with which he converted his 35-minute second-half treble in New York – a left-foot drive, a side-foot and a right-foot rocket – put a big smile on his face.

Veness’ comments about Larin’s confidence are particularly important, because of Larin’s open net miss in the Gold Cup a few weeks ago. It would be easy for a rookie to let that miss hinder his form for the rest of the season, but Larin seems to have bounced back.

Young Lions Get National Team Calls

Orlando City U-23 player Andrew Brody was invited to a training camp by U.S. U-23 coach Andi Herzog in an effort to scout a new group of players before the 2016 Olympics.

Along with Brody, Orlando City U-18 player Raul Aguilera Jr. was named to the U.S. U-18 team for the Open Nordic Cup in Sweden.

It's two great opportunities for young Orlando City players to possibly get some time on the pitch on the national team and show the world what they are capable of.

MLS All-Star Selections Based on Merit?

Jason Davis of ESPN wrote about the flaws of the MLS All-Star Game selection process. And when a player who hasn't played a single game in MLS gets voted to the All-Star Game, you know there are issues. So, Davis decided to put together a team based on merit. What a concept.

Too bad that is about as likely as seeing this team suit up for the USMNT.

Oh, Bee-Tee-Dub, OCSC's Darwin Ceren got some love and was added to the squad. Ceren was selected as Orlando City's Player of the Month by The Mane Land, so it would seem as if quite a few people are noticing his play.

Davis wrote:

This team isn’t being lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond only to get Ceren some recognition, but heaping some praise on the Orlando City midfielder is part of the equation. The 25-year-old Salvadoran has anchored the OCSC midfield expertly this year, doing a good enough job that he made the very talented Amobi Okugo expendable. Ceren is in the top 10 in pass completion percentage and tackles for an expansion team making a run at a playoff spot.

We'll see about that making a run at a playoff spot thing, but yeah, he has been important.

It's a good team, but for the love of God, no Kaká? That's an issue.

Mexico Manager Herrera Out

After apparently punching a journalist, Mexico manager Miguel Herrera has been fired. It's been a long strange road for Herrera, who recently had been getting criticism from multiple members of the media for the team's performance.

So Mexico is looking for a new coach. I personally would like to nominate The Mane Land's Brent Petkus. Brent has been with site for less time than I have and my knowledge of the game has grown exponentially from reading his stuff. Seriously, if you haven't read his tactical breakdows, do yourself a favor.

So there's my shameless plug. There is also all your links for the day. Enjoy your Wednesday.