Lion Links: 11/5/15

Heeeeeeeelllooo and happy Thursday morning to you, Lions Nation.

We're back once again for another round of Lion Links. I am your host Gavin Ewbank. We've got plenty to get to this morning, so let's jump right in to the Lion Linkage.

Big Things Coming To Orlando

Orlando City made a huge move on Tuesday, announcing the hire of former Benfica Academy Director Armando Carneiro to be the club’s Chief Soccer Officer. The move is big for many reasons, especially what it means for the team’s youth academy. At Benfica, Carneiro oversaw one of the best youth academies in the world, producing countless national team and high-level players throughout the world. Big things are coming to Orlando City.

Check Out This Terrible Article

Being a sports columnist is like being a writer for the popular website Deadspin — you have the opportunity to write about whatever pops into your mind, and you don't have to care about the loads of negative comments you'll receive. This article from an Orlando Sentinel columnist is the perfect example. Check it out (well, you probably shouldn't), as the writer tries to make his case for why men should be paid more than women in soccer (I think, I didn't actually read it) — yeah, really.

I won't force you to read it, but it's pretty terrible, from what I've heard.

This NASL Club Has No Chill, Man

So, you probably heard last week about how ESPN decided to end publication of its sports website Grantland. You probably also heard how some of the writers of the site found out that they no longer had a job through Twitter, because ESPN didn't tell them before announcing the decision. Well, you probably think that's the worst way to find out you lost your job.

Try again: the San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL recently fired their head coach. No big deal, right? It's where they told him that's the best part of this: at the airport, in baggage claim…in front of his players. Ouch.

Speaking of the NASL

The second division league had quite a headline-making day on Wednesday. Outside of the Scorpions clearing a path to MLS expansion, league commissioner Bill Peterson revealed that the NASL will be welcoming a new team to the league next week, adding that the club will be “very linked” to a European club. So, it’s basically going to be the NASL’s version of New York City FC. The NASL already has Miami FC and Puerto Rico FC, backed by Carmelo Anthony, joining the league soon as its 12th and 13th franchises. However, the league will be losing Minnesota United to MLS in a couple of years, and maybe even San Antonio down the road.

Real Madrid Star In Some Hot Water

Some pretty interesting news came out of Europe on Wednesday, as Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema was taken into custody as part of an investigation into a blackmail case over a sex tape involving fellow France international Mathieu Valbuena. It's certainly strange news, nonetheless, and something to possibly keep an eye on over the next few days/weeks if you're a fan of Madrid, France, or just big soccer in general.

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Well, that’s it for me this week. Thanks for sticking around, you’ve been a great reading audience, and I hope you join me again next week.