Lion Links: 7/14/16

Hey everyone, Brad here, and if you're anything like me, you've been thumbs deep in Pokemon GO. Even if you haven't been, do yourself a favor and stop on by around 3 p.m. this afternoon to test your knowledge on the upcoming Olympic Games and the reemerging pocket monster craze.

Anyway, my food and drink combination this week is based on the Pride's upcoming match-up against Chicago and Orlando City squaring off with the Vancouver Whitecaps. British Columbia is home to some well grown Cabernet Franc. Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza. The combination works because of the intense flavors of the cured meats meeting the blending of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux in Cabernet Franc.

Also, happy 35th birthday to OCB captain and Orlando City legend Lewis Neal!

Now, on to the news!

Orlando City Falls at Red Bull Arena

The first three words that come to mind are probably "forgettable," "uninspired," and "yuck." The Lions went to New Jersey and the performance was about as attractive as Tony Soprano in a Speedo. The Lions took 61 minutes to register a shot on goal and were shut out for the third consecutive match, 2-0. But we covered it, so you're morally, and perhaps contractually, obligated to read about just how craptastic it was.

• Gavin Ewbank's match recap.
• Michael Citro's player grades and Man of the Match.
• The enemy's point of view over at Once a Metro.

Check back later this morning for Scott Crumbly's five takeaways from the match and hey, let's start getting ready for Vancouver, because why not?

OCB Fights for Road Point at Charleston

When is getting shut out for the second straight game not too horrible? When your team also records its second straight clean sheet. That's what happened when Orlando City B visited Charleston last night. The young Lions fought the Battery to a 0-0 draw, which comes just days after doing the same thing at Rochester over the weekend. Not too bad of a business trip, when you consider both of those teams are ahead of OCB in the standings.

Orlando Pride Defender Monica Called Up By Brazil

So, as unsurprising as this sounds, the Pride now have five players departing the team for the Olympic games in Brazil this summer (plus one alternate). Monica joins her Brazilian teammates on the 18-player roster before they open play on Aug. 3 against China. Other Orlando Pride players leaving for Olympic Duty include team captain Alex Morgan (U.S.), Josée Bélanger (Canada), Laura Alleway (Australia), and Steph Catley (Australia). Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris (U.S.) and Kaylyn Kyle (Canada) were named as alternates for their teams, with Kyle staying stateside unless her country needs her to fill in in an emergency.

Pride's Edmonds, Savage up for NWSL Weekly Honors

Another week, another Pride keeper up for Save of the Week honors. This time, however, it's newcomer Kaitlyn Savage who at the time of writing this is currently trailing Portland Thorns keeper, Michelle Betos by 6% of the vote. Conversely, Kristen Edmonds currently has 55% of the vote in the Goal of the Week poll. Edmonds' flick over the keeper was just half of her last-minute brace to steal three points for the Pride. And maybe her free kick should be up for the award, too.

Free Kicks

It's Bastille Day! Today's birthdays include Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore (70), actress Jane Lynch (56), pro wrestler Jeff Jarrett (50), NFL cornerback Darrell Revis (31), and MMA fighter Conor McGregor (28)…Philadelphia Union's Ilshinho was voted SBNation's MLS Player of the Week…Liga MX has changed their nationality rules and some players aren't happy about it…and, finally, China may have lost control over a space station and we're all potentially boned.

That's it for today.

Play us out, Ronaldo!