Lion Links: 3/6/19

Hey there, Mane Landers! It’s Wednesday, which means it’s my birthday, we’re on the downhill slope to Friday, and we’re only three days from Orlando City playing the Chicago Fire on the road. Can OCSC shut them down at their very own home opener? One can hope! Your Lion Links:

Lamine Sané is “Week to Week”

Pro Soccer USA reports that Lamine Sané is week to week with an injured calf. We didn’t see Sané in the home opener against New York City FC and injuries plagued the center back much of last season, where we saw him in only 16 matches.

Orlando City and Orlando Pride March

Yesterday, a group of Orlando City and Orlando Pride players and staff members made their way to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. They weren’t there to show off their golfing skills, but to walk in the annual Arnie’s March Against Childhoold Cancer. The march honors those fighting cancer, families, hospital staff, and supporters. It’s a fun day for all who attend, as well as an opportunity to raise funds.

Kamal Miller Gets Us in the Feels

Kamal Miller made his professional debut at the Orlando City home opener last weekend. ProSoccerUSA.com spoke with the rookie center back who shared a little bit about his journey into college, being raised by a single mom, and the emotions he felt starting in his first professional match.

“Happy. Almost tears. Excitement. Just… finally… just seeing this moment is here. Something that I worked so hard for that’s finally here. Being at Syracuse, I’ve seen so many of my former teammates get to this level and do well. I just wanted to follow in their footsteps and represent where I come from well,” shared Miller.

Olrando Pride’s Sydney Leroux Addresses the Negativity

Beautiful photos were shared that show a 5.5-month pregnant Sydney Leroux practicing during the first day of preseason for the Orlando Pride. Twitter users were quick to question the professional athlete's decision to do so. She was quick to respond to the naysayers that she’s not putting herself in any dangerous situations and has been consulting with her OB, you know, the medical professional in charge of her (and her baby’s) well-being. In a since-deleted tweet, one fan accused Leroux of continuing play because she’s “underpaid and needs the money.” [Insert cricket chirps.] See her reply to that one here:

USWNT Closes SheBelieves Cup with Win, Finishes Second

Orlando Pride striker Alex Morgan will have to wait until later to get her 100th international goal but she was part of the buildup that led to Tobin Heath’s striker in the USWNT’s 1-0 win over Brazil in Tampa last night. Morgan and Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris both got the start for Jill Ellis’ side. Our Scott Carnevale made the drive over to cover the match and you can check out his recap and highlights here.

Huffman of Orlando SeaWolves sees a Suspension

An earlier report said that Derek Huffman would see a four-game suspension. That has since been updated, according to maslsoccer.com. Following a formal appeal, Huffman will see a reduction to a two-game suspension. He will miss the next two matches, on March 8 and 9, and a penalty point will be added to his season accumulation.

Free Kicks

• Nashville SC names its MLS manager.
• We saw the coldest match in MLS last weekend. Here’s how it stacks up against the top five coldest of all time.
• The NWSL Players Association names Yael Averbuch executive director for 2019.
• Here are the 22 allocated USWNT players for 2019.

That’ll do it for today. Have a great Wednesday and get ready for Saturday’s match at Chicago.