Lion Links: 10/30/15

The MLS playoffs are underway and we Orlando City fans are left sitting sadly at home, cursing the referees as we wait for next season to begin so we can go undefeated and win every trophy possible. What do we do until then? Enjoy some freaking awesome Lion Links, duh!

Orlando is "All In" for Women's Soccer

While we all know soccer is huge here in the City Beautiful, The Guardian is giving Orlando some love in regards to Orlando City’s newest adventure, the Orlando Pride. The article talks about Phil Rawlins’ passion for bringing soccer to the city as well as the impact Tom Sermanni and Alex Morgan will have in making Orlando Pride a powerhouse in the NWSL. The piece also gives us an interesting look at the NWSL waiver wire in regards to the Pride as well as some players Orlando is rumored to pick up, such as Portland Thorns midfielder Lianne Sanderson.

NYCFC Looking at Fabio Capello

After a disappointing season for our fellow expansion team, NYCFC is reportedly looking for a new coach and former England boss Fabio Capello seems to be the current front runner for the job. Personally, despite my hatred for Man City 3, I hate to see Jason Kreis treated this way. If he were fired after one season, it would be incredibly unfair to the man who has proven he can coach in this league. No matter who is coaching next year, we all know Orlando City will beat NYCFC thanks to the boys in purple and our beloved Inchy.

Drew Carey Is An Awesome Owner

Drew Carey, known for his days hosting Whose Line Is It Anyway? and The Price Is Right, is also an owner of the Seattle Sounders. In this Vice Sports video, they follow Carey around and we find out he is not like most owners. From marching in with the fans to sitting as close to the field as possible, Carey is showing that some MLS owners love soccer just as much as the fans. I enjoyed this video and I highly recommend watching it.

MLS Conference Semifinals are Set

The team that beat Orlando by an aggregate score of 11-1 this season, Toronto FC, got a dose of its own medicine Thursday night when Didier Drogba and Montreal Impact sent TFC home with a 3-0 defeat in the first round of the MLS Playoffs. Montreal advances to face Columbus in the semifinals.

In the late match, an insane penalty shootout decided that Portland will be moving on to face Vancouver. The shootout went 11 rounds, ultimately being decided when Timbers keeper 'Adam Kwarasey converted his penalty before Jon Kempin of SKC failed to put his home. There were some insane moments, including a penalty that hit both posts and stayed out. Ridiculous.

Here are the MLS conference semifinal match-ups (first leg is set for Sunday, Nov. 1):

Eastern Conference: #4 D.C. United vs. #1 New York Red Bulls – 3 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN Deportes)
Western Conference: #3 Portland Timbers vs. #2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 5 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN Deportes; TSN)
Eastern Conference: #3 Montreal Impact vs. #2 Columbus Crew SC– 7 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX Deportes; TSN)
Western Conference: #4 Seattle Sounders FC vs. #1 FC Dallas – 9:30 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX Deportes; TSN)

* * *

That's all for today folks, enjoy your day.