Lion Links: 12/13/15

Good Sunday morning to you, Mane Landers! I hope everyone is filling their time without MLS games by shopping for the holidays and finishing up school terms. I still have more gifts to get and another week of school. Enough about me, let's go to the Lion Links!

Your 2015 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year nominees are…

Last week, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced the five players nominated for Female Player of the Year. Unfortunately, no players from the Pride were nominated. The nominees are: midfielders Lauren Holiday, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe; defender Becky Sauerbrunn; and goalkeeper Hope Solo.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 16 as part of the Fox Sports 1 pregame show for the USWNT match with China in New Orleans. Keep an eye out for The Mane Land‘s coverage of the USWNT, including game analysis from Daniel Byrd.

Women's World XI set to begin

The International Players Union, FIFAPro, is working on creating a Women's World XI. Back in 2009, the World XI was created for men, and the results are announced as part of the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony. The Players Union is collecting votes to identify the women's award; however, this is happening as a trial run. Hopefully, the Women's World XI becomes something more permanent and FIFA makes it a yearly staple.

Euro 2016 groups set

The summer of 2016 is gearing up to be a great ‘Summer of Soccer,’ as the Copa America and Euro 2016 will allow fans to watch some of the best play well into the summer. Today, teams found out their draw for Euro 2016. The tournament will be hosted by France and will be the first year with a 24 team field. The four best third place teams, overall, along with the top two teams in each group, will move onto the knock-out stage. For more information, check out the Guardian’s complete guide to the group stage.

Trinidad and Tobago women’s team money woes

Thursday's USWNT match against Trinidad and Tobago almost didn't happen, as the T&T players had not yet been paid for the match. Reports suggested that U.S. Soccer made a loan to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association to have the match, but a conflicting report claims a loan never took place. The team faced the U.S. for only $12,500, and T&T only received the money on Dec. 8. Hopefully the TTFA can straighten this out and compensate its players fairly.

Extra Time 2'

ESPN is reporting the head of the MLS Players Union, Bob Foose, was not completely pleased by the increase in Targeted Allocation Money, calling it restrictive and stating that some players will still lose their job. Foose added that he hopes the league can continue to improve how teams add players.

Finally, more details are surfacing over the death of Honduran footballer, Arnold Peralta. The 26-year-old was brutally gunned down while on vacation, and the authorities have no suspects. Our condolences go out to his family.

That's all I have for today. See you guys tomorrow, and keep roaring!