Lion Links: 1/7/16

Happy Thursday everyone, today's #ThirstyThursday is going to be a little more substantial. I'm thinking Malbec and Prime Rib. A bold flavored wine and a strong texture of meat. One might even say it's the most Orlando City pairing one could make. You know, bold and strong…sort of like #DefyExpectations. Orlando City's complete schedule will be released later today, so whet your appetite with this announcement of a potential preseason friendly, and stick around here for more updates as they come out.

TV 27 to Air Orlando City Games in 2016

In a move covered by The Mane Land, WRDQ TV 27 is the new television home for Orlando City, and will air all non-nationally televised games, starting with the season opener against Real Salt Lake on March 6. TV 27 is also aiming to make more Orlando City programming, and launch a network to air games in markets across Florida.

OCB is getting into place for 2016

Florida Today has a write up on how some of the roster moves surrounding Orlando City’s USL team are shaping the team ahead of its inaugural season. Players like Mason Stajduhar, Tommy Redding, Tyler Turner, Harrison Heath, Estrela, Tony Rocha, and Lewis Neal are all likely to be featured heavily with the team. Head Coach Anthony Pulis has this to say in the article:

"We’ve had three of the players that are going to be with the USL team next year in training with the first team and I think the experience for those boys has been invaluable. Just to see the training facilities, how we structure things, to meet the first team players and all the coaching staff is great for them … It’s a great visual for the boys that are going to be with me in the USL team to see the first team players on a day-to-day-basis, to see how they approach training, how they look after themselves in the gym, it gives them an example to look up to and to aspire to."

Orlando City Loses Two Academy Coaches

Jeff Negalha and Darren Powell have both left Orlando City's Academy. Negalha is leaving for an assistant position with University of Pittsburgh's men's soccer team, while Powell is leaving for the new USL team in San Antonio. Both coaches were brought in under former GM Paul McDonough. The club still has three academy coaches on staff ahead of the academy season continuing on Jan. 23, but there are several other positions that are yet to be filled: first team Assistant Coach, and a new Director of Soccer Operations, as President and Founder Phil Rawlins temporarily occupies the role.

USMNT Announces January Camp Invitees

U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann has disclosed his January camp roster. While the roster is younger than in the past, Klinsmann said that this camp is “more of an identification camp and a development camp,” and many players invited will square off with the U-23 squad in March against Colombia for a spot in this year’s Olympic games in Brazil. Noticeably absent is Orlando City’s Brek Shea. The group features Jordan Morris, Wil Trapp, and Matt Miazga as well as the veteran presence of Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and Jermaine Jones.

Louisville City FC Takes Next Steps Towards New Stadium

The Mayor of Louisville has called for an outside company to look into locations that would best suit a soccer-specific stadium for Louisville City FC. The club and city both hope to have a stadium built in time to put Louisville in a more attractive spot for MLS when it expands to 28 teams. Currently, the club plays at Louisville Slugger Field but pays upwards of $20,000 per match to the Louisville Bats for staffing and stadium use. Louisville recorded the second best attendance in USL last season and featured league MVP and leading scorer Matt Fondy.

Free Kicks

Didier Drogba, he of zero career victories over Orlando City, didn’t retire yesterday, contrary to some reports … Today’s Birthdays include Professional Wrestler Chavo Guerrero Sr. (67); Jeremy Renner (45); Lewis Hamilton (31); and Eden Hazard (25) … And finally, this:

A guy didn't tell his wife their daughter's name is @Arsenal spelled backwards for TWO YEARS. pic.twitter.com/HGOM60q7F5

That's it for today everyone! Play us out, Arsène!