Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/7/16
Good Monday morning, Mane Landers. I need a weekend to recover from the weekend. This is my first year playing fantasy soccer on the MLS website, so I don’t exactly know if I’m doing it right, since my team score is 53. I know I’m glad I started Cyle Larin though. Thanks for the points. I don’t think you guys actually want to hear about my fantasy woes, so let’s hit today’s links
Orlando City Opening Day Recap
Yesterday, our Lions took the pitch at the Citrus Bowl filled with over 60,000 fans. It wasn't the easiest match for Orlando City, but I'm glad I didn't even think of leaving early. Some draws, as our sister blog at RSL Soapbox will tell you, feel like losses, but to us, it felt more like a win. Enjoy that half-off Papa John's today. Here's all you need to know about yesterday's match:
- Gavin Ewbank recaps the wild 2-2 draw.
- Michael Citro provides player ratings and our Man of the Match.
- Nick Leyva captured the day in pictures in this photo gallery.
- The enemy's viewpoint is provided by RSL Soapbox.
Here's our story stream with the week's full coverage of Game 1.
Later this morning we'll have more from Sunday's match. Here's one more cool fact from Sunday:
.@OrlandoCitySC is the first team in @MLS history to score twice at 90’+4 or later of a regular-season game.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) March 6, 2016
Pride’s Alex Morgan Gives USWNT Win over France
Stoppage time was kind of a big deal for all things soccer-related for Orlando yesterday. In addition to the Lions' historic rally, Alex Morgan was able to strike a ball in stoppage time to lift the United States over France in the She Believes Cup. Our Daniel Byrd recapped the match and provided his analysis in a game in which the USWNT did not play well. Hope Solo had to make some great saves to keep the French team off the score sheet. The loss prevents France from consideration for the Cup. Next for the U.S. will be a match against Germany for the tournament championship, since Germany overcame England 2-1. Here's the only highlight of the U.S. Pride fans will care about.
Orlando Pride players Take in OCSC Game
If I can mention something related to the Orlando Pride, I certainly will. The team preseason will be starting next week and the players are making their way to the City Beautiful. Most of the players haven't had the pleasure of taking in the soccer experience at the Citrus Bowl, so yesterday's match was a perfect opportunity for the ladies to see why Orlando is the Soccer Capital of the South. They even managed to snap a few pictures for social media.
A few of the girls showing support at Orlando City’s home opener!
A photo posted by Orlando Pride (@orlpride) on
They even managed to find team captain Kaká in the bowl as he was out due to a thigh strain. I can only assume Maddy Evans was taking the picture since she wasn't in the group shot with Kaká.
When you meet @kaka and forget to take your shades off
A photo posted by Toni Deion Pressley (@tonideion) on
See the Orlando Pride next month when they take on Houston in the home opener. We have a list of top home matches you should not miss as a Pride fan.
Luis Suarez Does What Luis Suarez Does
I can't stand Luis Suarez. Yes, he does have a pretty awesome name, but the fact is he is a biter. He may even bite Kaká. His international ban for biting is now lifted and he's been called up to Uruguay's national team for qualifiers against Brazil and Peru. As much as I dislike him, he's still an amazing striker who can make defenders look silly. I guess I wouldn't be mad if he ever wore the purple for Orlando City.
Well, that’s all for today’s links. Let’s focus on the Chicago Fire as they come to the Citrus Bowl on Friday. Hope they start the season with back-to-back losses.