Lion Links: 8/30/16

It feels like it's been a while since I have been able to celebrate a win for our beloved Lions, so I am not going to let it pass by without acknowledgement because we have to celebrate when we can, and here is to many more. With that out of the way, let's move on to today's daily soccer digest of Lion Links.

Orlando Pride Sign Another Aussie

With just four games left in the NWSL season, the Orlando Pride have signed former Boston Breakers, Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC forward Lisa De Vanna. De Vanna brings a wealth of experience to the Pride from her former days in NWSL as well as the Australian W-League alongside current Pride players Steph Catley and Laura Alleway. De Vanna reached the Olympic quarterfinals in Rio as captain for the Matildas and will hopefully be able to help Alex Morgan with the goal-scoring duties for the Pride. She also joins back up with Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni, who coached De Vanna during his time managing the Australian women’s team between 2005-2012.

Kaká Makes MLS Team of the Week

It was another strong performance for the Brazilian play-maker at the heart of the Orlando City midfield this week with his two-goal performance against NYCFC, and he has been rightly rewarded with a place in Week 25’s MLS Team of the Week. Kaká also garnered accolades from Goal.com after leading Orlando City to victory for the first time since July 31.

OCSC Social Wrap-up

• Brek Shea hits the race track in his quest to win a new Audi R8 as he takes on the Continental Tire What ‘Cha Got Challenge. You can find how he does below:

• Italian Midfielder Antonio Nocerino, who has eventually gotten his MLS legs under him with some fine performances in recent games, is looking to fundraise for victims of the recent earthquake in Norcia, Italy.

Dear friends, I’m shocked by the terribile earthquake which has devasted my country. Further to my private donations, I’m helping the Red Cross by raising money through an auction on www.CharityStars.com for my worn and signed Orlando jersey. Thank you all for your support. Cari amici, sono ancora sotto shock come voi per il terribile terremoto che ha colpito il centro Italia. Oltre ai miei contributi privati sto cercando di aiutare la Croce Rossa a raccogliere ulteriori fondi. Ho messo all’asta su www.CharityStars.com la mia maglia indossata e autografata dell’Orlando. Grazie! http://www.charitystars.com/product/match-worn-nocerino-shirt-orlando-city-new-york-city-29-08-signed. Anche noi come altri sportivi abbiamo deciso di dare il nostro contributo all’emergenza terremoto. Su @charitystars le nostre maglie autografate. We too decided to give our contributions to the earthquake relief. Find our autographed jerseys on @charitystars @crocerossaitaliana

A photo posted by Antonio Nocerino 23 (@antonocerino) on Aug 29, 2016 at 9:53am PDT

San Jose Fire Their GM

Even though they are only three points below the red line with a game in hand, the San Jose Earthquakes have decided to let their GM go. John Doyle, who was a player for San Jose between 1996 and 2000 and has been with the club in some capacity after that since 2004, was sent packing Monday. The front office has decided that a new approach is needed for the future.

Extra Time

• Florida Elite Soccer Academy and Florida Kraze Krush will join the ECNL as new clubs beginning in 2017.
• Former Yahoo VP joins CONCACAF as its new Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, hopefully helping the organization move on from the Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner era.
• The LA Galaxy are looking to ship Dutch enforcer Nigel de Jong.
• David Beckham has struggled to get his Miami franchise off the ground, but soccer is still being played in SoFlo and that is good thing.

Well that is it for today, Mane Landers. With the Lions getting this weekend off due to the international break, don’t fear — we will have coverage of the USMNT team qualifiers against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago to make sure that you can get your soccer fix.