Lion Links: 8/28/16

Oh man, it is Sunday again. I think today we’re going to skip out on going to the Church of the Lion. I don’t know about you guys, but I just needed to sleep in. You can’t sleep in? There’s news and we’ve got to get to it.

Grab your coffee, your doughnut, and let’s get ready to link it up!

OCB Loses the Return Leg at Richmond

Orlando City B traveled to Richmond last night for the second leg of a home-and-away series. Although the young Lions played a solid road game for the first hour, a late goal against sent OCB to a 1-0 road defeat. Even though the reserve side lost its third of four games and is winless in four (0-3-1), the young Lions remain in that final USL Eastern Conference playoff spot for now. Hopefully they’ll get things turned around in the right direction soon. The good news? Rafael Ramos played well.

NYCFC has Respect for Kreis

Our friends over at Hudson River Blue wrote a very good article about Jason Kreis plucking some pretty good talent from the most obscure places. Count R.J Allen and Tommy McNamara as two players who enjoyed playing under the Kreis’ regime and have the utmost respect for the Lions’ new gaffer. That’s nice to hear the morning before the game with our rival.

This doesn’t surprise me. Kreis is a winner, no matter what his record for his one year at NYCFC said. The respect he garnered as a former player and head coach around the league is high and it just goes to show Orlando City made a good hire in a tough time.

Alex Morgan’s Greatest Kicks

You know who likes Alex Morgan? The Los Angeles Galaxy, that’s who! With the launch of The Kicks TV, the first thing being commemorated is the great Alex Morgan and her top five goals.

The one thing I took away from watching these five goals is that Alex Morgan is a world class finisher when given a chance. This begs the question why she hasn’t had as many goals this year as we all expected. If the Pride are going to be successful, Morgan needs to start finishing, and she’ll need better service and more help up top to get that done.

Hope Solo Leaves Seattle Reign

Just when it didn’t seem things could get worse, things got worse. Just a week after being suspended by U.S. Soccer, Hope Solo has taken a leave of absence from her professional team, the Seattle Reign. Andi Tostanoski will take her place.

Wow, I really don’t know what to say here. Solo’s comments from the Olympics continue to hang over her and seem to weigh heavily on every decision she’s made. I talked at depth a few weeks ago about my feelings for the goalkeeper situation for the USWNT, so check out that article if you’d like more information.

Well, that’s it for today, kids. Check back later for all The Mane Land’s coverage for the game against New York City FC in tonight’s nationally televised MLS #RivalryWeek match.