Lion Links: 8/29/16

Good Monday morning, Mane Landers. Soccer action was non-stop this weekend and oddly enough the work day is a good respite, so we can catch our breath. Is it too early to order half-off pizza? These links are just as hot as that pizza, so let’s hit the links.

Orlando City vs NYCFC Part 3, The Good Guys Win!

It’s great to start the week with three points in your pocket. Jason Kreis said this was just another game to him, but, according to FourFourTwo’s Paul Tenorio, it certainly was personal for Kreis. Here is all the coverage you need:

• Gavin Ewbank has our match recap.
• Michael Citro has the player grades and man of the match (be sure to vote in our poll).

In addition to being a useful mechanism for grabbing three points in the Eastern Conference chase, last night’s action was used by the club to raise money to battle homelessness in Central Florida. In addition, Orlando Pride rookie Christina Burkenroad was honored at halftime for her efforts to help the homeless.

Come back later today for Austin David’s five takeaways from the match, as well as Nick Leyva’s photo gallery.

World Cup Qualifying Time For the USMNT

Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named his 26-man roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches during the September FIFA window. Klinsmann had to make a couple of changes due to injury and health concerns from mainstay Clint Dempsey, as well as Gyasi Zardes. For most fans of the national team, there will be debate on who made the squad and who was left off. Chris Wondolowski, anyone? The first match will be on Sept. 2 on the road against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Where is Soccer City, USA?

The growth of soccer in the United States is not up for debate. The sport is spreading across the nation and the popularity of the national teams and MLS has never been higher. Numbers never lie. So The Oregonian is setting out to answer the question of which place is the real Soccer City, USA. It hasn’t openly stated which city will claim the title but it would come to no surprise if it claimed the title for Portland and has a series of articles coming this week talking soccer growth and naming Soccer City, USA.

Global Soccer Round-up

The last few weeks we at The Mane Land have given you a dose of overseas soccer action by covering the Premier League and highlighting the world-class superstars — mostly Manchester United and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but, in all fairness, it’s been deserved. This time, in the name of “fair and balanced” coverage, we bring you roundups from Serie A for those followers of Fiorentina and Roma. What’s that you say? You prefer watching La Liga and want a roundup. No problem, we have you covered here. Enjoy, Barcelona fans. Okay, I’m going to talk Zlatan. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he’s giving his star striker extra time off during the international break. I don’t think anyone questions Zlatan when he needs time off.

That’s all I have for you today, Mane Landers. Remember to come back later for more on the Lions’ victory over the Pigeons. So, it’s not goodbye but until next time. Here’s something to distract you last time before heading into that Monday morning meeting.