Lion Links: 8/3/15

Happy Monday morning, Mane Landers. Austin is on special assignment, so he asked me to stand in and provide your first Lion Links of the month. Where's Austin you ask? Let's just say it's nothing to do with soccer, but if I told you, I'd have to kill you. Geez, it feels like I was just here Friday. On to the Links!

Despite conceding an early goal to Columbus Crew FC in the fifth minute, Orlando City was not to be denied three points on a Saturday night in the Citrus Bowl. It was a goal extravaganza, and it seemed like everyone got into the act, including a stadium full of raucous Orlando City supporters. Cyle Larin led the way, scoring a brace. Darwin Ceren, Aurélien Collin, and Cristian Higuita would add one apiece, and everyone seemed to be clicking.

A great Monday morning it is, following a huge win, so settle in and let's joyfully process what happened.

Recapping the win over Columbus Crew FC

You know the drill:

• Scott Crumbly starts things off with his recap of the 5-2 win.
  
• Player grades and Man of the Match brought to you by Michael Citro.
• Fellow SB Nation site, Massive Report was quiet Saturday night and Sunday, so let’s hear from mlssoccer.com instead.
• Gavin Ewbank’s five takeaways from the match.
• Austin Warren provided lots of great photos in this match gallery.
  

"Points" is the word of the day

Yes, Orlando City took all three points Saturday night, but that's just the start of what is needed according to Head Coach Adrian Heath in this piece by Paul Tenorio of the Orlando Sentinel.

Heath may not feel it was a statement win, but it certainly was just what the Lions needed. There’s two Eastern Conference foes in the next six days, and Heath wants the points. Wins against Toronto FC on Wednesday and Philadelphia Union on Saturday would be best, but even a tie is helpful.

Tenorio also hits on how injuries have resulted in lineup changes, and how moving Luke Boden to midfield helped on Saturday.

Record Setting Saturday for Goals

We know how exciting Orlando City’s five goals were for us, but it seems we were also a part of something bigger. MLS teams set a record for total goals scored in one day. Here’s the breakdown of the 39 goals:

• D.C. United 6, Real Salt Lake 4
• Orlando City 5, Columbus Crew SC 2
• Colorado Rapids 1, LA Galaxy 3
• New York City FC 2, Montreal Impact 3
• New England Revolution 3, Toronto F.C. 1
• Philadephia Union 1, New York City Red Bulls 3
• Sporting Kansas City 1, Houston Dynamo 1
• Seattle Sounders 0, Vancouver Whitecaps 3

English Premier League Preview

Sebastian Hassett, of the Sydney Morning Herald (G'day mate! They say that right?) gives the lowdown on the upcoming 2015-16 English Premier League season. Do you have a favorite EPL team in addition to being an Orlando City SC supporter? Many supporters have been following EPL teams longer than there has been an MLS, and there's nothing wrong with doing so, according to this article by Stan Stejskal at mlssoccer.com.

It's perfectly reasonable that many MLS supporters would have teams they support in the EPL. Most importantly for MLS, there's a growing supporter base from outside MLS, as people start to take notice.

Speaking of the EPL…

The 2015 FA Community Shield match took place yesterday in London and Arsenal gave manager Arsene Wenger his first ever victory over Jose Mourinho, as the Gunners handed Chelsea a 1-0 loss in a battle between the bitter rivals. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain provided the only goal in this London Derby and former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech kept a clean sheet against his old club.

What did Mourinho think of his second-place medal? Well…

Special Olympics Unified Soccer Team

We should celebrate greatness when we get a chance. Soccer often offers sources for such celebration, and these fantastic young people definitely fit the bill. The Special Olympics Unified Soccer Team won the Bronze medal at this year's Special Olympics in California. As a bonus for us, the members of this particular squad are all from Land o' Lakes, FL. We here at The Mane Land applaud your efforts, and thank you for representing the United States.

That's it for today's Lion Links. Oh, and Austin is touring with the Partridge Family. Probably.