Lion Links: 1/16/16

It has been a whirlwind week for both Orlando teams. Players have been selected and the season is quickly approaching. Make sure you stay tuned today for an update from the Orlando City B team and the Pride to see how open tryouts went. Until then, check out these Lion Links for an update on City and Pride.

NWSL Draft Round-Up

In case you missed yesterday's events, the Orlando Pride took part in their first National Women's Soccer League College Draft. They were one of ten teams that participated in Baltimore, MD. Here are some of the highlights:

• Orlando selected Samantha Witteman from the University of California in the first round
• Christina Burkenroad is heading to Orlando after being selected in the second round
• Dani Weatherholt was picked up in the fourth round by the Pride
  Mallory Pugh appears to be forgoing college and joining the NWSL with the Portland Thorns
• Three Florida State Seminoles were selected by various teams in the first round
• National Team player Emily Sonnet was selected first by the Portland Thorns

Within two days, the city of Orlando added five new players to its population between Orlando City and the Pride. Can the season start already?

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

(R.I.P. David Bowie.) If there's one word that has exemplified this off-season for Orlando City it's "change." That trend continued yesterday with the arrival of one face and the departure of another. The Lions filled their vacant assistant coaching position and added an academy director in one fell swoop with the hiring of Bobby Murphy. The changes didn't stop there, though, as the club's vice president of development, Tim Holt, is now managing director of the USL's San Antonio franchise. As the season approaches, hopefully the revolving door will come to a halt and we'll see a bit more stability and continuity moving forward.

Inside Orlando City's 2016 SuperDraft

Ever wonder what it would be like to sit at the Orlando table during the draft? Well, now you can. Orlando City has released a video of everything that occurred during the crucial moments before and after its SuperDraft selections. Take an opportunity and get a glimpse into what it feels like to be an Orlando City draft attendee. If you've been out in the wilderness, you may have missed Orlando City drafting Richie Laryea and Hadji Barry on Thursday. That duo is so fast that it prompted Simon Veness of mlssoccer.com to liken them to the Loyola Marymount fastbreaking basketball teams of the 80s.

Kaká Enjoys Some Video Game Time

While in Zurich, Germany for the Ballon d'Or ceremony, Kaká, along with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar, played some FIFA with one lucky fan. Abdelaziz Alshehri is considered to be the best FIFA player in the entire world, winning the Interactive World Cup in May 2015. It's safe to say that Kaká didn't have much of a chance.

Orlando Pride Player Reportedly Retiring

Dan Lauletta from Equalizer Soccer says that Taryn Hemmings will retire and will not participate in the upcoming season with the Orlando Pride. Hemmings was the Pride’s third selection in the expansion draft from Chicago and has been playing professionally since 2010.

Well folks, thats all there is for today. Thanks for spending your Saturday with us here at the Mane Land, have a great weekend!