Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/26/16
Happy Day After the Match Day! Because you guys didn't get an advanced warning of what your food and drink pairing was, you should have picked a cheesesteak (wiz wit) and a Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA. If you didn't go with that, you've earned an "F." I'm sorry, I don't make up the rules, that's just the way it is. You could have also just looked at the Pride Pub, because we do the work for you!
Now, on to the news!
Orlando City Ties Philadelphia Union 2-2
Kaká was denied on a penalty, Cyle Larin scored, and Orlando City drew. Where have I heard about those two before? You can read all about the match versus the Philadelphia Union and how Orlando City performed here, if you so wish to. But you should definitely check out our game recap and our player grades/Man of the Match. Also be sure to stop by here later today for our photo gallery and five takeaways from last night’s game.
Orlando City Added Another Center Back (next month)
Great Scott! I'm giving you some news from the future here, but, Orlando City Soccer Club will add Stoke City defender Dionatan Teixeira. Well, maybe it's not really DeLorean-worthy, seeing as the move was reported yesterday. Teixeira will be occupying the club's international slot that was vacated by the departure of Aurelien Collin.
Christie Rampone Won't Join USWNT For the Summer
Since 1997, The U.S. women's back line has been anchored by the Florida-born/New Jersey-raised defender. Rampone has withdrawn from USWNT camp, saying:
"I really appreciate Jill inviting me in, but at this time, I don’t feel one hundred percent healthy enough to train and compete at that level … I’ve been able to manage myself and contribute to Sky Blue this season, which I will continue to do, but I also have an understanding of the level of fitness and health needed to push for an Olympic roster spot and I know I’m not there right now. It’s not the right choice for myself or the team to put myself in that environment."
Seeing action in the 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015 Women’s World Cup, along with 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics, Rampone is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup Champion. She’ll also be 41 by the time the Olympics start and recently underwent knee surgery, so the odds of her making the team were kind of slim to begin with. Nonetheless, coach Jill Ellis still had an invitation for the defender, who is currently second on the all-time USWNT cap list.
Mike Francesa Doesn’t Know What Copa America Is
In between his scorching hot takes on the New York Yankees, Mike Francesa went on his show yesterday and displayed what I would consider to be not only an extremely naive and backward view of soccer in regards to its popularity in the United States, but one that is woefully uninformed and reeks of someone who is failing to adapt to a culture change around them.
I mean, look at the 2014 Sports Television ratings and factor in that the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina was watched by 24.5 million Americans to be the most watched non-NFL, non-Olympic event that year. And last year’s Women’s World Cup final was the most watched U.S. match ever. So, when Francesa proceeds to wonder why Sports Illustrated included a preview of Copa America in its most recent issue, now you have an actual answer. Mike and any of your like-minded ilk, if you’d like to learn more about the tournament, you can head over to fourfourtwo for an excellent Copa America preview.
Free Kicks
Today's birthdays include: Marion Mitchell Morrison (better known as John Wayne, d. 1979), Brent Musburger is 77, Stevie Nicks is 68, Astronaut Sally Ride (d. 2012), Lenny Kravitz is 52, and South Park co-creator Matt Stone is 45…Lianne Sanderson of the Pride will be working with Vice Sports on a new documentary…Arsenal FC signed Granit Xhaka and tweeted a video of the Swiss mid showing you how to pronounce his name, which is a move I think all teams should move toward…and finally, Border Patrol agents found meth being smuggled in burritos — no word on if it's the work of Heisenberg. "JESSE, WE'LL COOK IN CHIPOTLE"
That's it for today!
Play us out, Tom Sermanni!
The legend. #Repost @kaylynkyle ・・・ Say hello to our new #10 @orlpride Go on Boss man!
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