Lion Links: 4/7/16

Happy Thursday everyone! Tomorrow Orlando City faces the Philadelphia Union and seeing how there isn’t a really good wine pairing with Cheese Whiz (the preferred topping on a Cheese Steak), or cream cheese (Philadelphia brand being almost ubiquitous with the bagel topping), I’m thinking of going outside the box and suggesting a Ricotta and Pino Grigio for the Ricotta Pie I had at In Riva last time I was in Philly. Delicious.

Now the news!

Kaká Remains Good at Soccer, Makes Almost Every TotW List

In his debut Kaká netted a goal and two assists (three if you count giving Kevin Molino the opportunity to take the penalty) and seemingly everyone was in agreement that a performance like that was worthy of recognition. You, our readers, voted him man of the match. Goal.com placed both Kaká and Brek in its best XI. Mlssoccer.com placed him at the top of its player rankings for the week. Our SB Nation sister-sites unanimously selected him as Player of the Week, and EA Sports placed him in its Ultimate Team of the Week.

Brek Shea’s Yellow Card Turns Red, Won’t Feature Versus Union

Well, update your spreadsheets because not only did Brek Shea pick up his first goal for Orlando City against the Portland Timbers Sunday, but he also picked up his first red card of 2016 as well. It’s a decision that was made on the same day that MLS pondered if Shea is the best option at left back for the USMNT.

First Round Draw of the U.S. Open Cup

The first round games of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup have been announced and PDL clubs and NPSL clubs will be playing local qualifiers to see who can play Cinderella and try and upset reigning champions Sporting Kansas City. Rules of the tournament prohibit USL teams that are owned and operated by MLS clubs from participating, but do not exclude MLS club-owned U-23 PDL sides from being in the tournament as they still maintain amateur status. Orlando City dissolved its U-23 team back in February.

UWSNT to face Japan in Friendly

The defending World Cup champions will have a replay of the 2015 final against Japan on June 2 in Colorado at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. The last game between these two saw the U.S. team wallop Japan 5-2 on the back of Carli Lloyd, getting revenge for the 2011 final that came down to penalties. That final saw Japan win its first ever World Cup 3-1. Before the World Cup Final, the U.S. and Japan faced off in the 2012 Olympics in London, which the U.S. won, 2-1.

Free Kicks

Today’s birthdays: John Oates of Hall & Oates is 68; Martial Arts Legend Jackie Chan is 63; Russell Crowe is 53; Ronde and Tiki Barber both turn 41; and Franck Ribéry turns 33…Former Orlando City player Sidney Rivera has joined Puerto Rico FC…Sunday’s match versus Portland drew in big ratings…And adult coloring books have prompted a global colored pencil shortage.

That's it for today.

Play us out, Fernando!