Lion Links: 9/1/16

Welcome, folks. It’s feels weird to have a week without a game this time of year. But despite no game for Orlando City, we have plenty of content to quench your insatiable soccer appetites.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

Luke Boden Battling to Nail Down Left Back Spot

Ever since the Brek Shea experiment at left back proved to be a failure, Luke Boden seemed to nail down a starting spot at left back. Now, Boden has more competition at left back and the Orlando Sentinel’s Alicia DelGallo writes that Boden is ready and willing to compete to nail down that spot.

"(Mike Ambrose is) a really good player so, you know, it's up to me to try and keep my place now. It's up to me to keep working hard and keep doing well in training, try to do well in games and try to keep Mikey out of the team because it's a battle between me and Mikey," Boden said.

It’s good that Boden realizes he has his hands full. The left back has struggled at times this year, but his experience could help him solidify the spot. Ambrose has a little more raw talent but is still young and developing, making the battle at left back an intriguing one. 

Kevin Molino: MLS’s Best RW

MLSSoccer.com broke down the best right wingers in the league, and to what should be nobody’s surprise, Kevin Molino graded out as the best. Molino has been, in this Mane Lander’s opinion, by far the best player on the team this season.

Molino is the only Orlando City player to be in the top 10 so far in the series. Cyle Larin is almost certain to make the list of best strikers as the series continues. 

OCB’s Da Silva Called Up to U.S. U-19 National Team 

Orlando City B’s Pierre Da Silva was one of four USL players to be called up to the U.S. U-19 National Team for the 2016 Stevan-Vilotic Cele tournament that kicks off on Sept. 1 in Subotica, Serbia.

Ethan Zubak (LA Galaxy II), Felipe Hernandez (Swope Park Rangers), and Jake Morris (Seattle Sounders FC 2) were also called up to the U-19 team. 

It’s a great opportunity for Da Silva, who leads OCB with five assists in 19 appearances and 1,300 minutes this season. In the recent USL 20 Under 20 series, he was listed as the No. 14 player. 

Patrick Mullins Named Player of the Week

D.C. United’s Patrick Mullins was named MLS Player of the Week by the SB Nation blogs after his hat trick against the Chicago Fire this week. 

Mullins has proven to be a solid pickup for D.C. United since the team grabbed him during the transfer window. He has five goals and one assist in seven games with the club. Mullins was a runaway as the pick for player of the week, and rightfully so given his performance. Michael Barrios, of FC Dallas finished 17 votes behind Mullins. 

Jones Leaves USMNT Camp

Jermaine Jones has left USMNT camp to continue rehab for his knee injury with the Colorado Rapids. 

It makes little sense why Jones was brought in to begin with, given he was already hurt at the time. But, alas, here we are. Jones joins John Brooks, Clint Dempsey, Gyasi Zardes and Michael Bradley on the list of players who will be unavailable for the match against  St. Vincent & the Grenadines Friday.

That’s all we’ve got for you today. Thanks for hangin’ out. Until next time.