Lion Links: 11/4/16

It’s the weekend, baby! Happy weekend to all the Manelanders out there. The Pride are in the news, as well as the new stadium for next season that’ll hopefully be the home of a prosperous season for both Orlando City and the Pride.

Now, onto today’s links.

Ali Krieger Speaks

The new player for the Orlando Pride has finally spoken out about the move. In an instagram post, Krieger thanked everybody at the Washington Spirit. She also spoke about the new opportunities in store for her in Orlando.

According to our D.C. United blog that covers the Spirit, there were widespread reports of her discontent with the Spirit organization that may have led to the trade. The news is welcomed by Pride fans who now obtain a fantastic player with USWNT experience and who can help out tremendously on the defensive side of the ball.

Don Garber Visits New Orlando Stadium

The MLS commish visited Orlando’s new stadium for the seat installation. I found this quote to be interesting from his visit:

“You know, we dream about building a new foundation for the sport of soccer and for MLS, and when I come to cities and see these buildings going up it delivers on everything that we hope for. And they over-delivered on it here. Just took an hour long tour and it was absolutely fantastic, really special.”

I agree with him, an awesome soccer-specific stadium for any team is remarkable but Orlando’s truly is fantastic. Garber also talked about how a solid foundation is important and now Orlando has one in a new stadium. Now the fun starts, the building anticipation leading up to the Lion’s 2017 debut will be off the charts, so Orlando will want to build something special.

USMNT vs. Mexico Sells Out

The beginning of the hex starts with perhaps the biggest match, as the stars and stripes battle Mexico in Columbus, Ohio on Nov. 11. Now that it has been sold out, the game should have an amazing atmosphere. According to the article, U.S. soccer will not issue actual paper tickets for the game. That’s an interesting idea and one I support as the counterfeit market is alive and well.

Being Mexican-American, I always feel torn watching the game with family and, with my brother and me being the only USMNT supporters among us, it heightens the interest for us. I’ll always support both teams but when they play each other I have to support the USA.

MLS Playoff Scenarios

The playoffs are heating up, and the MLS website took a look at all the scenarios. The favored teams are Montreal, Toronto, Seattle and Los Angeles. But everyone knows the playoffs can bring out the weird, so each second-leg will be fun to watch.

The one I will be looking forward to the most is the New York Red Bulls taking on the Montreal Impact. The Impact have played above expectations and now have the Eastern Conference champions on the brink of elimination.

That’s all folks, enjoy the weekend and let me know which playoff game you’re looking forward to down below.