Lion Links: 6/21/16

Today is the longest day of the year, which means that you have more daylight hours in which to "day drink," so make sure you pace yourself as we count down to the Copa América Centenario semifinal between the United States of America and Argentina. You also have more daylight minutes to use, so take a slow scroll through today's Lion Links.

The Beast is up for MLS Goal of the Week

After scoring what should have been the game winner in Saturday's 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes, Brazilian midfielder Julio Baptista is up for MLS Goal of the Week. The Beast grabbed his goal in the 91st minute and the celebrations were cathartic for a city that has been through it recently, but it was not to be with Shea Salinas tying up the contest in the 94th minute. Vote early and vote often, as they say.

All-Star Voting Update

Orlando City defender Brek Shea and midfielder Kaká are still leading the races at their positions in the MLS All-Star fan voting. We are about halfway through the voting period as we count down towards the game on July 28 in San Jose, CA, so make sure that you keep voting. Another Orlando City player, Joe Bendik, is still in the running, currently sitting in fourth place for the starting goalkeeper spot. However, it looks like you need to start banging in the goals on FIFA 16 with Canadian forward Cyle Larin, who is not currently polling in the top five for starting up top for the MLS All-Stars.

Bélanger is in, Kyle is on the bubble for Canada

Yesterday saw the release of the 18-player Canadian Women's National Team roster for the upcoming 2016 Olympic games in Rio. With no age limit on the women's side of the tournament, everyone was up for selection and two of those were from the Orlando Pride. Right back Josée Bélanger and midfielder Kaylyn Kyle were selected, with the French Canadian right back making the 18 and Kyle being selected as an alternate. And in the spirit of good Canadian relations, we shall say this in the two official languages of Canada: Everyhere at Mane Land HQ wishes all the best to them both / Everyhere au siège de Terre Mane souhaite tout le meilleur pour les deux.

Sanderson Out of the Pride?

This broke early yesterday morning on Twitter:

You can read our recap piece right here, but ,with this rumor, expect that any trade that might occur is because the club and Head Coach Tom Sermanni already have something in the works and are just trading to get the right pieces. We will have more news as it breaks regarding this and all other Orlando Pride news.

USMNT Appeal Denied

U.S. Soccer last week appealed the cards given to midfielder Jermaine Jones and forward Bobby Wood in the Copa América Centenario quarterfinal against Ecuador. These players have been instrumental in the USMNT run so far in this tournament, however, they will not be in the starting lineup against Argentina tonight at NRG Stadium in Houston, after those appeals failed. Midfielder Alejandro Bedoya will also be unavailable due to yellow card suspension. All three players will be eligible for the final should the U.S. topple La Albiceleste this evening.

That's it for today's Lion Links. We will have a match preview and live thread for the U.S. game at 4 p.m. today and we will provide a match recap regardless of the score line.