Lion Links: 1/19/16

Welcome to Tuesday, Mane Landers. Today sees the final rounds of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, but first we have to find out what happened yesterday. So, with that in mind, let's dive right on in to today's Lion Links.

Callan-McFadden is Ready to Go for Orlando City

It would appear that we aren't the only ones hoping for the start of the season. It would also appear that Irish international defender Kyle Callan-McFadden can't wait to get started on his career with Orlando City B. The defender says he is relishing his choice to move to Orlando City and is excited to be able to take the next steps in his career alongside Kaká and other big names currently plying their trade for the Lions.

MLS Needs to Stop Beating Itself Up

In an opinion piece by the UK newspaper The Guardian, their writer Graham Ruthven posits the ideas that MLS needs to stop dwelling on every player departure, team relocation/downsizing, etc., and needs to realize that all leagues go through the same thing, but only MLS goes through the identity crisis. It's a very interesting read and highlights that if MLS wants to grow to be one of the world's best leagues by 2022 (its stated goal), then it needs to grow up and act like an adult rather than a petulant teenager and celebrate its successes rather than highlighting its failures.

Morris Saga Still Not Over

Okay, so apparently the Jordan Morris saga isn't over just yet. Even though Morris has now decided to turn pro, it still remains to be seen as to where he will ply his trade. MLS and the Seattle Sounders (whose Youth Academy Morris was a part of) have certainly made their interest known over recent weeks, however, it now appears that the team that he has been training with has also offered him a contract. Bundesliga side Werder Bremen has offered him a professional contract to ply his trade in the German top flight and the side appears confident of getting the deal done. His move may even determine the future of MLS or the USMNT (depending on how you feel).

MLS Movers & Shakers

As the season edges closer, numerous MLS teams made some moves yesterday:

• Clint Irwin is changing conferences from the Colorado Rapids to big-spending Toronto FC. Irwin seems the logical replacement for new Orlando City GK Joe Bendik and opens up roster space for Colorado to continue its reported pursuit of USMNT keeper Tim Howard.
• Eastern Conference rivals the Chicago Fire has added some defensive reinforcements after finishing bottom of the league in 2015. The signing of defender Michael Harrington (formerly of Portland and Colorado) and goalkeeper Patrick McLain, who will make the step back up to MLS after two years in USL, should hopefully help Chicago do better in 2016.
• The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed loanee Deybi Flores on a permanent move from Motagua in Honduras.
• Montreal Impact has signed attacking midfielder Lucas Ontivero from Galatasaray on a year-long loan. Ontivero is a soccer journeyman so far, but he will be able to offer an attacking option for the Quebecois.

That's it for today, but stay tuned to The Mane Land as we will have coverage of rounds 3 & 4 of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. The draft starts at 2 p.m. ET and Orlando City has the 48th and 68th overall picks, and we will be here to let you know who the Lions pick up and everything else Orlando City.