Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/27/16
Happy Easter, Orlando City fans! With the Lions on a bye week and the Pride season not yet here, there's not much Orlando soccer to discuss, but OCB was in action, so there's that. Enjoy the links on this holiday Sunday.
Orlando City B Falls to Wilmington in First USL Match
Orlando City B opened its first regular season in the United Soccer League at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne with a 2-1 loss to the Wilmington Hammerheads FC. Sean Rollins recaps the weather-delayed match for you. Three of the Orlando City players sent to OCB made an appearance in the starting lineup, as Earl Edwards Jr., Richie Laryea, and Hadji Barry all put in some work. DP Bryan Rochez came on late in the game as OCB tried to pull even. Lewis Neal captained the team and earned a card right before the end of regulation for kicking a ball into the Hammerheads' bench. Andrew Ribeiro scored the lone goal for the team…and then did this:
: https://t.co/17RktqRUPo pic.twitter.com/z6dSO8yTu0
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) March 27, 2016
Orlando Pride Players Have a Career in Painting?
The Orlando Pride took in some team bonding over the weekend at a local paint store. The team painted landscapes of a tree and even head coach Tom Sermanni got in on the action. If soccer doesn't work out, some of the team may have a career in painting.
A photo posted by Kristen Edmonds (@kris10edmonds) on
Orlando Pride Roster Complete
After months of waiting, the Orlando Pride roster is finally complete with the arrival of Australian National Team players Steph Catley and Laura Alleway. Catley was tied up with obligations to her Nike sponsorship and Alleway was finishing training. Both spent the weekend traveling to Orlando and are expected to be at training this week. First, they will need to pass their fitness testing at Orlando Health. With Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris out on international duty, the team will not be officially complete until the following week. The addition of the Australians will, however, finish off Sermanni's back line.
A photo posted by Stephanie Catley (@stephcatley) on
Bomb Kills 41 at Soccer Game
Yesterday, 41 people were killed and 105 were left wounded when an ISIS suicide bomber entered a soccer stadium in Iskanderiyah, Iraq. The attack was targeted on the mayor of the town, who was presenting awards to the players during the bombing. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 17 boys between ages 10 and 16. Investigations are underway to identify the further implications of this vicious attack.
Tampa Bay Rowdies to Screen Home Games
Bright House Sports Network has announced that it will televise the 2016 Tampa Bay Rowdies home matches. The team also unveiled its new jerseys for the season at the partnership announcement.
Great Goals of the Weekend
South Africa's Hlompho Kekana scored a goal from behind midfield, closely mimicking Carli Lloyd's World Cup goal.
What a goal in the South Africa v Cameroon game. pic.twitter.com/o7LBkwB4Qr
— TopDonn (@TopDonn) March 26, 2016
That's it for the links, folks. Enjoy your Easter Sunday!