Lion Links: 7/25/16

Good Monday morning, Mane Landers. This week is MLS All-Star week where the league’s best will take on Arsenal. It’s Jason Kreis’ first day in charge of Orlando City, as well. He’ll lead the Lions against Stoke City on Wednesday and then dive into MLS on Sunday against New England.

Life is good, as our team continues to fight to get results. This short break will really be used to sharpen the edge of the Lions and the Pride. I’m positive these links we have cooking for you this morning will brighten your day.

Orlando City B

I give this weekend a two-goal rating, as all Orlando teams scored two goals. Orlando City B was the third of the club's teams to score twice this weekend, doing so last night in Melbourne with a 2-2 draw against the Wilmington Hammerheads. The Mane Land was on well represented, with Austin David on the play-by-play call on YouTube and Sean Rollins storming the sideline to write you this nice match recap.

USWNT Focused on Gold in Rio

All the friendlies are done and the United States Women’s National Team is in the final stages of preparations for the Olympics. The Games begin with an opening ceremony on Aug. 5 when Maracana Stadium’s cauldron is lit, but the USWNT will have already been in Brazil two days earlier as they take on New Zealand on Aug. 3 in the group stage. Steven Goff of the Washington Post has this piece on the U.S. getting a head start on the Olympic Games. One of the challenges the U.S. women will face is a quick series of matches on short rest and long travel, similar to what the men’s team faced in Brazil for the World Cup. There will be several Orlando Pride players representing their countries in this tournament. After Team USA, I’m not sure who else to root for.

Galaxy Turned Down Millions for Zardes

There’s been a lot of talk recently about FC Dallas star Fabian Castillo leaving MLS for Turkey for somewhere between $3-4 million. Well, this isn’t the first player Trabzonspor has tried to pry out of the U.S. top flight. According to a report from Alexi Lalas, the LA Galaxy turned down the Turkish Super Lig side’s $2.5 million offer for U.S. international forward/midfielder Gyasi Zardes. Obviously the folks in LA expect bigger and better offers for the USMNT star.

Manchester United Bans Players from Pokemon Go

The latest craze for many people has been Pokemon Go. Photos on social media have shown people trying to catch them all in places like Camping World Stadium — even during warm-ups for an Orlando City match. People are not focusing on soccer because of the game. This is an issue Manchester United won’t have since new manager Jose Mourinho has banned players from the game a full two days before a match. I guess it’s soccer balls instead of pokeballs for the Red Devils.

Well, Mane Landers, that’s all the links I have for you today. Keep coming back as we gear up for the midweek friendly against Stoke City at Titan Soccer Complex in Kreis' first game as the gaffer. Go City and keep roaring.