Lion Links: 3/5/17

Happy Sunday, Mane Landers! Today is the day we have all been waiting for. After a long preseason filled with previews, predictions, and prejudices, we are finally here.

Today is the day our team kicks off the 2017 MLS campaign against New York City FC in our brand new stadium. But before you get to see Kaká and crew take to our beautiful grass field and hopefully make us all proud, you can catch up on all the important news from the weekend right now.

Kaká Shares his View on the Importance of the New Stadium

Today the Lions will take the field for their first MLS match of the year. First matches are always very important as they can either kick start a successful season or show a team’s flaws. According to Orlando City star Kaká, the new stadium will be very influential in the outcome of this season. Hopefully Kaká can lead the Lions to their first playoff appearance ever in what may be his last season with the club.

Orlando City Provides an Excellent Game Day Experience

Pretty much every Orlando City fan right now who is attending our season opener tomorrow is talking about one thing. That thing is the new stadium. The players love the new stadium because of its grass surface; which I can tell you from experience is much easier to play on than turf. The fans, however, according to this article, are in for a treat as well.

Orlando City B draws 0-0 in Preseason Friendly

Orlando City B took on San Antonio FC yesterday in a game that ended 0-0. The game was truly a tale of two halves, with San Antonio dominating the first half and OCB dominating the second. Despite the so-called domination, neither team was able to break through and score a goal in the entire match. Next up for OCB is another preseason friendly today where the young Lions take on UCF for the second time this preseason.

USWNT Loses to England in SheBelieves Cup

Any time the U.S. Women's National Team steps onto field it is fully expected to come out victorious. This game against England was no different. Yet the U.S. ended up losing, 1-0, due to a 89th-minute goal scored by Ellen White. The defeat was especially shocking as England had never beaten the U.S. in the United States.

Portland Timbers Army Impresses with Full Stadium Tifo

Anyone who considers themselves a fan of MLS is very aware of the Portland Timbers fan base. Their claim to fame is, of course, the passion they show for their team. So, when their stadium was chosen to be the site of the very first game of the 2017 MLS season, you already knew that the Timbers fans were prepared. Yet everyone was still shocked by their magnificent full-stadium tifo that was on display before the season opener against expansion team Minnesota United.

That’s it for today’s lion links. I hope you all have a fantastic Sunday and enjoy the Orlando City game today. Check back throughout the day for full coverage of the match.