Lion Links: 3/19/17

What's up, Mane Landers? It's week three for MLS, week two for Orlando City, and we couldn't be happier. Of course, our team took the dub yesterday against Philadelphia Union at home, 2-1. And that's exactly where we start today's Lion Links, so kick back, relax, and enjoy.

Lions Beat Union on Larin Brace, 2-1

Orlando City is a perfect 2-0-0 on the young season after Cyle Larin torched the Philadelphia Union for two goals — and nearly added a third. City is perfect in the new stadium and even without Kaká the team is getting results. Here’s the #content you need from last night’s match:

• Gavin Ewbank has your match recap.
• Austin David turned in his player grades and Man of the Match.
• Our friends at Brotherly Game gave the Philadelphia perspective of the match.

Check back in later today for Carlos Romero’s photo gallery and Michael Citro’s five takeaways from the game.

Joe Bendik Comes Up Big With an Extra Time Save

Is it too early to say Joe Bendik is an Orlando City legend? Probably. But one thing I think we can all agree on is that we love our composed goalkeeper and hope he stays for a long time. Last season, he kept us in countless game with massive saves. This season, he already has one MLS Save of the Week and is looking to possibly add another.

Analysts will likely be skeptical of the skill it took to pull off this save. Yet it still has great value as a save because of the importance of when it came. We’ll just have to wait and see if it is deemed to be the Save of the Week.

Lions Will Be Fine Without Kaká

The captain may be out another five weeks or so but Orlando City has managed two wins basically without him already. Arielle Castillo of mlssoccer.com lists several reasons why the Lions will be OK while waiting for Kaká to return, including Cyle Larin, the fans, and Joe Bendik.

Orlando Pride Defeat Stetson University, 9-0

The Pride opened the 2017 NWSL preseason in style, thumping Stetson University, 9-0, behind eight different goal scorers at Sylvan Lake Park. Tom Sermanni started all different players each half, but the results were the same. Orlando scored three before the break and added six more after halftime, including two by Jasmyne Spencer. Check out the link above for the full recap, including comments for Sermanni.

Michael De Leeuw Ranks Orlando City Low on His Lion List

As you may know, Chicago Fire forward Michael De Leeuw’s last name is Dutch for “the lion.” So, mlssoccer.com thought it would be a good idea for him to rank his favorite lions. With a quite considerable candidate pool of course, there were some serious snubs, including Montecor the lion from Family Guy, the MGM lion, and Cyle Larin. And considering the form Cyle Larin is in he probably would have been pretty high on the list.

One lion that did make the list was the one on Orlando City SC’s badge. When he placed his options in order he seemed to put them somewhere in the middle stating that he has to compete against them. Tell us your favorite lion in the comments.

That’s it for today, Lion Nation. Check back throughout the day for more on last night’s win and some USMNT stuff as well.