Lion Links: 2/8/17

Your daily dose of Lion Links is here to save you from the midweek blues. Saturday’s second preseason game still seems a long way away and March cannot get here soon enough. But hey, the club is hosting an open house at the sparkling new stadium this month. Check out the details and the rest of the Links below.  

Barry Looking Forward to His Sophomore Season

Hadji Barry is ready to improve in 2017. Last year’s first-round draft pick talked with the Orlando Sentinel about feeling more relaxed this time around. Hadji made eight appearances for the first team in 2016, along with 10 appearances for Orlando City B. The striker admitted that last year he was a “rookie with a lot of nerves.” Hadji is off to a positive start this preseason, scoring a goal in last weekend’s win over Jacksonville University.  

Take an Early Tour of the Orlando City’s New Stadium

Want to tour Orlando City’s new stadium? Of course you do. The club is hosting an open house for the new stadium on Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out the views from the stands, peek into the VIP areas and locker rooms, and browse the team shop as some of the first fans ever in the stadium. Orlando City players will also be available for photos and autographs during the day. Admission is free, but follow the link to RSVP for the event.  

MLS Subsidizing Canadian Teams

MLS and Commissioner Don Garber confirmed that the league will subsidize Canadian teams for Canadian players in the future. As the league tries to expand its reach in Canada, Garber talked about MLS’s desire to be a “league of choice” for both American and Canadian players. The Fox Sports article mentioned Atiba Hutchinson of Besiktas as the type of player the league is targeting with the announcement. The move may also prove helpful for Canadian MLS academies protecting young players from the allure of Europe.  

Understanding NWSL’s Roster Regulations

If you ever wondered about the significance of Federation Subsidized Players or international roster slots in NWSL, Orlando City’s website broke down the league’s regulations for acquiring and adding players. Like MLS, the NWSL operates by a unique set of rules regarding rosters, which, at times, creates some confusion for fans following the action. Rules for Discovery, the college draft, and the league’s Distribution Ranking Order are all covered in the overview.   

Thanks for sharing your day with us at The Mane Land. Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday.