Lion Links: 2/23/16

Welcome to Tuesday, Mane Landers. We are now down to four days until Orlando City takes the field against Esporte Club Bahia at the Florida Citrus Bowl this Saturday and even though you can’t look at our links through your new VR viewer without getting a headache, our links will help you get your day started. But first, if you need something to listen to on your morning commute, our Michael Citro was on Feuerstein’s Fire MLS Preview this week talking Orlando City. The show also discusses FC Dallas, Sporting KC, Houston Dynamo, Columbus Crew, Montreal Impact, Chicago Fire, and Toronto FC.

Now on to today's links:

FIFA Election Countdown

With only days left until the FIFA Extraordinary Congress, candidates are jockeying for position to see who will lead the most powerful organization in soccer. Current leaders, Gianni Infantino and Sheikh Salman are already trying to shore up the victory, with Infantino claiming he has the majority of African countries on his side and Salman trying to save his campaign with promises to lead through caution. Regardless of who wins, here is why you need to care and with the confidence in FIFA at an all-time low there may be no more important election in soccer's history than this Friday.

MLS and PRO Partner with Tag Heuer

After failing to get clocks to go past 90 minutes on U.S. screens for the longest time, MLS has decided to go a different route. Have fans buy expensive watches so they can keep their own time and abuse the referees when four minutes of extra time turns into five. So make sure you run out to buy your Tag Heuer now as you only have 17,670 minutes until Orlando City kicks off against Real Salt Lake. Here is what our very own Alex Morgan had to say about Tag Heuer back in 2014 and here are some of her thoughts on the season ahead.

Messi, Ronaldo for MLS?

It goes without saying that MLS is always trying to be better, and with more and more players leaving leagues worldwide to go to China, the competition for players will only get harder. However, players that are constantly in demand to come stateside are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. And, with David Beckham trying to set up in Miami (and with him being close friends with CR7), as well as money available with NYCFC, expect this to be something that eventually comes to fruition.

Howard Wants Big Money

After weeks of rumors regarding USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard joining the Colorado Rapids, it all went suspiciously quiet, especially once the EPL transfer window closed. However, with 36-year-old Howard now the No. 2 at current club Everton, the rumors have started again with Howard certain to leave in the summer. MLS and the Rapids are still his expected destination, however, reports that he wants a four-year deal worth $20 million dollars may cool interest rapidly from the parties involved, especially since he isn’t really first choice for the USMNT anymore either.

Cooper the Key for SKC?

After not having anyone other than somebody with the surname Dwyer score in preseason, Sporting Kansas City has eventually decided to hear fan calls and have brought MLS veteran forward Kenny Cooper in on trial. Cooper, 31, was recently on trial with the New York Red Bulls and has been in MLS since 2006, nabbing over 75 goals and 20+ assists. If signed, Cooper could provide some much-needed help for Dwyer, and if not, well maybe he could be a helpful backup for a young Canadian international on a team we all know (cough… cough…).

That's it for today, but remember that regardless of how yesterday went for you, it went worse for someone else.