Lion Links: 3/25/17

Good morning and happy Saturday! With the weekend upon us once again, it’s time to lounge around the house, watching international soccer and enjoying a little break in the Lions’ schedule.

Despite no Orlando City game this weekend, there is still plenty of news circulating that needs to be covered.

Let us not delay any further, let’s jump into the links:

Orlando City SC Announces Loan of Nine Players to OCB

OCSC announced Friday that it would be loaning nine players from the first team to the second team, Orlando City B, for the remainder of the season. The players loaned are goalkeeper Earl Edwards, Jr.; defenders Tommy Redding, Conor Donovan, Kevin Alston and PC; midfielders Richie Laryea, Danny Deakin and Pierre Da Silva; and forward Hadji Barry. All players may be recalled at any point during the season if needed and it gives the nine players a good opportunity to get some playing time.

Orlando City B will open the season against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the  I-4 rivalry game tonight.

Alanna Kennedy Feeling ‘Right at Home’ with Orlando Pride

Alanna Kennedy participated in her first training of the preseason with Orlando City after being acquired from the North Carolina Courage. Despite her recent transfer and lack of time with her new teammates, the Australian international has said she already feels right at home with the Pride.

“I’d only heard good things,” Kennedy said after training.

“Obviously, I’ve been coached by Tom [Sermanni] before and the girls had nothing but good things to say about the team and the club and the organization. So, I was really excited to join the team.”

Head Coach Tom Sermanni is obviously excited to welcome Kennedy to the ranks, as the well traveled defender adds versatility to his lineup and gives the Pride a new look at the back.

“It’s just a lot of really friendly vibes around here, makes you feel right at home,” Kennedy said. “I’ve enjoyed that so far. And I think that everyone’s really behind the team, which is great. It’s just us taking care of our football now.”

USMNT Back on Track in Hex After Destroying Honduras

It was a late start last night, but those who stayed up were treated to a 6-0 USMNT victory over Honduras in San Jose, CA. Clint Dempsey scored a hat trick in his return to international duty and Christian Pulisic put on a show with a couple of assists and a goal of his own. The Borussia Dortmund star became the youngest player from any country to score a Hex goal. But let’s never forget what led to this outstanding performance by the United States:

The only bit of bad news for the U.S. came in the form of even more injuries. Sebastian Lletget, who opened the scoring for the Yanks, left early with an ankle injury and center back John Brooks was stretchered off with what was later called dehydration. Let’s hope at least Brooks is back in time for Tuesday’s match in Panama.

Landon Donovan Confirms He’s Officially Retired

It seems like this has already been a story but yet, it is again today. Former USMNT great and LA Galaxy legend, Landon Donovan, has announced that he is officially retiring from competitive soccer.

“Yeah, I’m done,” Donovan said. “I’m done. No more playing for me. I have not [gone public]. But that is definitely the case.”

Donovan will finish his career with 160 goals and 151 assists, both setting MLS records. He also accounted for 57 goals and 58 assists for the United States and is probably best known for his last-minute goal in the 2010 World Cup against Algeria to send the U.S. through the group stage.

Everyone will forever remember Donovan, the American legend and MLS record setter.

That’s going to do it for my links this week. Go out and watch some interesting international soccer this weekend everyone! And try to relax a little bit while you’re at it.