Lion Links: 10/13/15

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of Lion Links! Despite a disappointing result from the Colorado Rapids vs. Montreal Impact match, we’re still in the playoff hunt with a win Friday. Of course, that’s still days away, and we have other soccer business to attend to before then. Let’s get to it.

Friday Match a Must-Win…Again

It’s no surprise here at The Mane Land, but only a win will do in Orlando City’s match with New York City FC. It won’t be easy, with Kaká and Brek Shea out due to yellow card accumulation. Additionally, Rafael Ramos and Tommy Redding are most likely unavailable due to concussion-related issues, though Ramos is closer than Redding.

MLS Video Referees

Major League Soccer is going to trial video referees in friendly matches later this month. Earlier this year, FIFA rejected a request from the Dutch FA (KNVB) to trial this new technology. MLS is getting around the FIFA block by using the technology in non-competitive matches. They will be focusing on three areas: penalty kicks, red cards and awarding goals. First, the FBI slaps the cuffs on FIFA (metaphorically speaking), and now this. USA, USA!

Klinsmann and the USMNT

Following the loss to El Tri, the calls for Jürgen Klinsmann to be ousted have gotten louder. For some, though, it's that they feel he's just plain lying to us. Regardless, the USMNT has a friendly against Costa Rica tonight, and the team will be coached by Klinsmann. We know that Brek Shea got the call-up along with several others. So what will the lineup for the match look like? What can we expect from the Yanks tonight? It will be interesting to see what happens so soon after the CONCACAF Cup loss to Mexico.

Trio of USWNT Players Set to Retire

Lori Chalupny and Lauren Holiday will play their last international match for the USWNT in a friendly against Brazil in Orlando on Oct. 25. Shannon Boxx will play her last match earlier that week in Seattle. Holiday and Boxx are retiring from soccer completely, but Chalupny has yet to make any announcement regarding club soccer.

Freddy's Still Got It

Remember Freddy Adu? He hasn’t been with the USMNT since the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and has played on 13 clubs in 12 years. Currently he is helping the Tampa Bay Rowdies compete in the NASL, but the man still has skills, as evidenced in this outstanding bit of footwork in the form of a scoop assist.

English Premier League Week 9

Taking a look across the pond at this week’s matches in the EPL, top of the table Manchester City takes on Bournemouth, while Manchester United takes on Everton in a clash of top ten clubs. One match that many will be watching is the Liverpool versus Tottenham Hotspur, since it will be the first match for new Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.

That's it for today. As always, Go Lions!