Lion Links 3/4/17

Hope you’re all having a great start to the weekend. The best news to start the day is that this is the weekend we have all been waiting for. Major League Soccer just started its 2017 season, and tomorrow we officially play our first game in our new home. There is plenty of news to share with you today, so get comfortable and read on while you enjoy your breakfast.

A Message from Orlando City’s CEO

In a quick video, Alex Leitao, shared some great news for the fans in Sunday’s home opener game. The stadium will be ready to go, and there’s a special surprise guest singing the National Anthem.

Lions Complete Off-Season Moves

We had some great news yesterday with Orlando City adding three players to the roster for the upcoming season. Let’s welcome Swiss fullback Scott Sutter, Danny Deakin and Moussa Sane. With these signings we are adding depth to a depleted fullback position and some young attacking options. The club also parted ways with defender David Mateos, who wasn’t in Jason Kreis’ future plans.  

Tommy Redding and U.S. Qualify for U-20 World Cup

The young USMNT achieved its primary goal to qualify for the Korea 2017 World Cup last night with a victory over El Salvador, 2-1, with goals from Emmanuel Sabbi and Eryk Williamson. With this win, the U-20 team will play against Honduras for the U-20 CONCACAF Championship title. This goal from Williamson is worth your time:

Orlando Pride Defender Comes Up Big at Algarve Cup

Alanna Kennedy played for the Australian Team in Algarve Cup action yesterday and scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory against Netherlands. It was Kennedy’s 50th cap with The Matildas and her goal provided a 3-0 lead that the Aussies nearly threw away. Pride left back Steph Catley also played in the game, picking up a yellow card.

Pros Never Stood a Chance

Orlando City’s Kids vs. Pros game was played in a great environment Thursday night at the new stadium. Kids took home the victory by a score of 7-3. It was a fun night for everyone in the stadium. Click the link above to check out tons of pictures of the game. That’s a great way to start playing at home.

Never Tell Me the Odds!

FiveThirtyEight has entered the soccer handicapping game and the site has provided odds for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride to reach the postseason and win the championship. They’re not very high on either Orlando team, but the odds are especially long on the Pride to make the playoffs.  

From England to Orlando to Catch an Orlando City Match

During the Kids vs. Pros game, FOX 35 caught up with the Williams family. They are big-time supporters of the Lions, and judging by the total number of miles they traveled to check out Orlando’s new stadium, I’m sure you will be a fan of them as well as of our team.

Thanks so much for checking out this morning’s Lion Links. We are just over a day away from the opening game at home against NYCFC! Get ready and enjoy the new season!