Lion Links: 1/21/16

Happy Thursday everyone, Today's #ThirstyThursday is taking into account the recent weather here in Central Florida. I am pretty partial to New Belgium's brews, and Accumulation is one I always get into this time of year. Look, it doesn't get super cold here and it's a long shot to see some snow, so dark ales aren't really necessary. So, that's why I like this White IPA and some Mexican Food (or some take out from Tako Cheena on Mills) is a pretty great combination for a nice, chilly night here in The City Beautiful. But enough about me, let's get to some links!

Orlando City to Pay $18 Million for Stadium Land

Last May the club announced that it would be using private funds to construct the new stadium, but no specifics on the land deal were announced. That has since changed, as the club announced the specific figures of the deal and how the club plans to pay for the project. The team will put a $4.1 million down payment, and starting in year three will pay $400,000 semi annually over the next 15 years. The cost of the stadium itself is said to cost upwards of $155 million for the 11.8 acre 25,500 seat facility. The club also launched a feature on its website to have a virtual preview of the stadium for fans to see possible views. This will give fans a look at what the sight lines might be once the stadium is complete for the 2017 season.

USL Announces Alignment and Season Format

Six new teams are joining the third tier men’s league, and among them are Orlando City’s developmental club OCB. Other clubs new to the league include: Bethlehem Steel FC, FC Cincinnati, Rio Grande Valley FC, the Swope Park Rangers, and as of yet unnamed San Antonio team. The league will have a 30 game season lasting between March 25 and Sept. 25. The league will be split into two conferences, and the team with the best regular season record across both tables will win the regular season title. Also, the top eight teams from both conferences will play a single-elimination bracket to determine conference champions. These champions will play for the 2016 USL Championship.

Messi's Tax Fraud Trial Set for Three Days After Champions League Final

Reigning FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is going to court over allegedly defrauding Spain's tax office out of 4.1 million Euros and well, the hits keep on coming for the superstar. Not only does the trial start just days after the Champions League ends, but it's also days before the Copa America begins. Last time I checked, Argentina will rely on him quite a bit with hopes of winning its first trophy since 1993. His Barcelona teammate Neymar has also recently been ordered to appear over his transfer from Santos FC to the Catalan side.

UEFA Official Could Foresee Multiple Host Nations for World Cup

Gianni Infantino, UEFA's current Secretary General, is hoping to replace Sepp Blatter as the head of FIFA. He's also hoping to expand the World Cup from just one host nation to making it a regional event across several countries. This is something of a direct response to the 2022 World Cup being held in Qatar. It has been suggested that it would have made more sense to stage the event across the Persian Gulf, rather than in a country with limited infrastructure and controversy over the living conditions its migrant workers are subjected to. Other candidates to replace Sepp include: Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, the awesomely named frenchman and former FIFA executive Jérôme Champagne and the even more awesomely named former Nelson Mandela peer, Tokyo Sexwale.

Free Kicks

Today’s Birthdays include: Hakem “The Dream” Olujawon (53); Emma “Baby Spice” Bunton (40); and LA Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (30). Coming soon-ish to a DMV near you, Orlando City Florida Tags! You’ll know it’s me if you see “UNKYB” on a Purple 1983 GMC Vandura with a gold spoiler. In case you wondered just one way sexism can impact a women’s soccer game, a Spanish referee tried asking out a player during a game. That’s it for today. Play us out, Luke Boden

Oh, Bodz. Is there anything you can't do?