Lion Links
Lion Links: 5/29/16
Happy match day, Mane Landers. If you didn't overdose on soccer yesterday with Orlando City B, Orlando Pride, and the USMNT all in action last night — plus the UEFA Champions League final in the afternoon — well, we've got great news for you. Your Lions (or what's left of them, anyway) are back in action today with a business trip to Yankee Stadium to take on New York City FC.
Our Gavin Ewbank will be on hand to cover the match and we'll have full live coverage on Twitter later today. Check back after the game for Gavin's recap and our player grades and Man of the Match.
Before we get to today's Lion Links, we'd like to wish center back Seb Hines a happy 28th birthday, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery from that pesky knee knock that's been bothering him.
FCKC Swallows Our Pride
The Orlando Pride couldn't make it four straight wins, falling 2-0 on the road at FC Kansas City Saturday night. Orlando did a nice job in possession for much of the first half but couldn't produce much out of it and eventually the hosts came into the game and snatched a couple of goals. The Pride were without several key players, including Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris, Kristen Edmonds, and Laura Alleway — and Sarah Hagen was forced to leave the match early. If this match was a preview of the games with the international stars away for Olympic duty, it's not going to be pretty. But Tom Sermanni has time to work on that.
Young Lions Rally Past Charlotte
So, you've heard the bad news. The good news is that Orlando City B overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit against Charlotte at the Titan Soccer Complex in Melbourne and won 2-1. Teenager Pierre Da Silva, who has a bright future with the club, scored one goal and set up another in the comeback. Our Sean Rollins was in Melbourne and has your full match recap, as the reserve squad is now unbeaten in three (2-0-1).
Yanks Roll in Final Copa Tune-up
The USMNT went into Copa America with a bang, defeating the Bolivians 4-0. Galaxy star Gyassi Zardes notched a brace and 17-year-old Christian Pulisic scored his first senior international goal. John Brooks also scored for the U.S. and Brad Guzan kept a clean sheet. It's still just a friendly but it sure feels better to go into the Copa America Centenario on a high note.
Drama in Milan
Whether you had a dog in the fight or not, yesterday's UEFA Champions League final provided plenty of drama as a match of that magnitude should. There was an early goal that looked pretty offside, a missed penalty in the second half, an equalizing goal with about 10 minutes remaining in normal time, 30 minutes of extra time and then on to spot kicks with the teams tied, 1-1. In the end, Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid on penalties (5-3) because real life isn't like Star Wars. The Empire generally crushes the rebellion in this galaxy. Still, congrats to our friends at Managing Madrid and our sympathies to Into the Calderon.
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That's all I've got for you today, folks. Enjoy your Sunday. Check The Mane Land later for full coverage of Orlando City at New York City FC.