Lion Links: 10/27/15

The playoff dream may be over for Orlando City, but there is no doubt that this season continues to defy expectations. With yesterday's announcement, expect the Orlando City family to continue to make waves in all three leagues that it will compete in next season during the coming off-season.

With that in mind, here is a quick recap of things you may have missed including that signing and a lot more, too!

Morgan Mania

After announcing a new NWSL franchise last week, the Orlando Pride, the Orlando City front office started this week by unveiling the worst-kept secret in Orlando yesterday with the news that USWNT superstar Alex Morgan, Canadian international Kaylyn Kyle, and forward Sarah Hagen will be joining the Pride alongside head coach Tom Sermanni heading into the Pride's inaugural season in 2016.

And we agree, Kaylyn, we think you all look good in purple, too!

Follow @themaneland on Twitter, and like us on Facebook to make sure you get all the news about everything Pride, OCB and OCSC this offseason.

2016 Florida Cup

Even though Orlando City’s season may be over after missing out on the MLS playoffs, you won’t have to wait too long to see some world class talent play the beautiful game locally. The second annual Florida Cup will be returning to the sunshine state in January. The tournament will expand to nine teams, an increase from four last year, and will be a great way to shake off the winter blues before Orlando City preseason.

Scottish Club Coming Stateside?

There is no doubt that the growth of soccer in the United States has taken off in the last 18 months, and that is starting to attract a lot of attention from all over the world, even if Didier Drogba thinks it has a ways to go yet. The next club to be linked with a move over to this side of the Atlantic is Celtic F.C. Reports suggest that the club is interested in joining NASL. With the NASL seeking to expand in the next few years — especially into markets like Boston (which has a heavy Irish Catholic base) — while trying to fight off a surging USL and with changing rules regarding Division I eligibility, expect a lot of movement in this area in coming years.

USL All-Stars

With the announcement of OCB joining USL for 2016, we bid a fond farewell to our USL affiliate for 2015, Louisville City FC. Louisville, coached by former OCSC midfielder James O’Connor, was knocked out of the USL playoffs at the semifinal stage but not before Matt Fondy broke Kevin Molino’s single-season goal-scoring record for the league and got a place in the USL team of the season. Other OCSC alums playing in USL were also recognized this season. Both forward Long Tan and defender Bryan Burke made the 2015 USL All-League first team, while defender Mechack Jerome & midfielder Rodrigo Lopez got recognized in the 2015 USL All-League second team.

Moments of Zen!

The deer you should have picked this week on DraftKings!

Andrea Pirlo showing us how to ‘defend’ that near post

That's a wrap for today, Mane Landers, and remember there is Pride in everything that you do!