Lion Links: 2/25/16

Happy Thursday, Mane Landers! We're just two days away from the first game on the 2016 season ticket, a preseason friendly against Brazilian side Esporte Clube Bahia at the Citrus Bowl. The match starts at 7:30 p.m. and we'll be there to bring you all of the action.

Let's get through our Thursday first. To help you get that started, here is a steaming hot stack of Lion Links for you to feast on.

Lions Blank Strikers

In a closed-door friendly at the Sylvan Lake training facility yesterday, a mixed squad of Orlando City and OCB players took on the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Our Gavin Ewbank was there to see Hadji Barry and Pedro Ribeiro find the net to give the Lions a 2-0 victory. It’s always good when the lads in purple get a victory, even if most of us weren’t there to see it. Gavin’s report will have to tide us over until Saturday.

Brek Back

If there was any doubt about where Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath wants to play Brek Shea, we’re seeing that put to rest during the preseason. While his days as a left wing may not be over, Shea has been lining up at left back. It makes sense. Playing Shea at left back allows Heath to get even more attacking talent and athleticism on the field at the same time. Shea insists that this year’s team is well ahead of where it was a year ago. If true, that’s good news, because the team just missed out on a playoff spot. If the team can stay healthy, allowing everyone to play where Heath wants them, Year 2 could be a special season for the Lions.

Tweets and GIFs and Memes, Oh My

Meet the person behind Orlando City’s social media shenanigans. Front Office Sports did this story on Orlando City Social Media Coordinator Stuart Drew. She must be pretty great at social media, because it helped her land her current position with the OCSC front office.

"I reached out to my current boss at Orlando City through an email address that was on LinkedIn. I sent him my resume and a cover letter, which really got the ball rolling. Fast-forward to the end of May, I had received a job offer and was moving to Orlando where I've been working ever since."

That is more use than I've ever gotten out of LinkedIn, but I'll keep trying to land my dream job as Louis van Gaal's replacement.

CCL Quarterfinal First Leg Results

The quarterfinal first legs of the CONCACAF Champions League continued last night…Real Salt Lake visited Tigres UANL, and got a rude welcome, falling 2-0, despite a penalty save by Nick Rimando. RSL has it all to do at home if it is going to come back in this tie.

In the late match-up, the LA Galaxy hosted Santos Laguna at the StubHub Center, with the teams playing to a scoreless draw. The Galaxy generated chances but could not take the advantage in the tie. It wasn’t a banner quarterfinal round for the MLS teams against Liga MX. Seattle allowed two road goals, while both Real Salt Lake and D.C. United failed to get one of those valuable away tallies in their road losses.

The Galaxy and Sounders can advance if they win outright in Mexico. DC and RSL must win big at home to move on in the tournament.

Free Kicks

Footy Headlines has leaked the USMNT’s hideous black threads for Copa America Centenario. I’m not opposed to a black kit, but this isn’t the one I’d hoped for…Just when you thought things might be changing at FIFA, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have had their eight-year bans reduced to six years. I guess they’re corrupt but not as corrupt as previously thought? Whatever. FIFA gonna FIFA.

That's it for your Thursday Lion Links. I'll leave you with the most Brek Shea moment ever.