Lion Links: 7/10/16

Happy Sunday everyone, Brad here with today’s news.

Kaká selected to MLS All-Star Fan XI

Consider Ricardo Kaká. You may have heard of him. He’s the captain for Orlando City Soccer Club, a former Ballon d’Or winner, and the highest paid player in MLS. With the salary he commands you’d almost expect his play on the pitch to place him back in his second consecutive MLS All-Star Game, right? Half right isn’t so bad because he has been chosen to the MLS All-Star Fan XI Squad. Kaká, he of nine games played, three goals scored and five assists, should he be healthy enough to make the trip to San Jose to square off against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side, hopes to win another All-Star Game MVP award. The Fan XI aren’t guaranteed a spot on the All-Star Team but…yeah, he’ll be there if healthy.

USWNT Edges Out South Africa, 1-0

Crystal Dunn was the lone goal scorer as the U.S. women defeated South Africa in a friendly ahead of the Rio Olympics. Alex Morgan had an opportunity to double the Americans’ lead but was unable to find the back of the net thanks to some crafty defending. Ashlyn Harris did not make an appearance as this was Hope Solo’s 100^th clean sheet for the USWNT. Up next for Team USA is Costa Rica in their final tune up match on Friday, July 22.

Stop Doing That Awful Chant

It shouldn’t have to be said given that this is Orlando and how this city embraces its LBGTQ+ community, but, there is one particular chant in soccer that should probably go away entirely and I’m not talking about “Glory, Glory, Man United.” I’ll refrain from using the word here, but, its implications are that of a gay male prostitute. Over at our Philadelphia Union sister site, The Brotherly Game, they have an excellent write-up on how we can do better. MLS teams should take the example shown by Orlando and San Jose in their match that took place just days after the tragic Pulse shooting that had a wonderful display of inclusion that said to the world, “soccer is for everyone,” and like Arsenal’s rainbow laces campaign of years past.

Barcelona Doesn’t Want Any of Us to Pay Our Taxes. Or Something.

In what may be a poorly misguided attempt at showing solidarity for an embattled superstar, Barcelona has launched its “#WeAreAllLeoMessi” campaign for fans to show their sympathy for a guy who was just convicted of tax fraud, will have a suspended sentence, and whom likely won’t actually go to jail despite, you know, defrauding said fans of 4.1 million euros. So, take from that what you will.

Euro 2016 Final Preview

It’s France vs. Portugal today for all the baguettes, as they square off in Stade de France. It’s Pogba vs Ronaldo: The Handsome-ing. France and Portugal have previously met 24 times with the record being 18-5-1 in France’s favor. Portugal hasn’t defeated France since 1975.

Free Kicks

Today’s birthdays include Arthur Ashe, who passed away in 1993; Ohio State Head Football Coach Urban Meyer is 52, “Modern Family” star Sophía Vergara is 44, Brand New frontman Jesse Lacey is 38, and Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown is 28…Serena Williams won both women’s singles and doubles (alongside her sister, Venus) championships at Wimbledon yesterday…Graziano Pelle might be leaving Southampton for China…and finally, a Delta flight accidentally landed at an Air Force Base.

That’s it for today!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!