Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/19/17
Welcome to Wednesday’s Lion Links, Mane Landers. We want to start by wishing Jordan Schweitzer a Happy Birthday! The OCB midfielder turns 23 today, and he played a hand in OCB’s game-tying goal last night at Harrisburg to get the party started (more on that below).
We have news and updates from each team in the Orlando City family this morning, so without further delay, let’s get to the links.
Venue Change for Orlando City at Atlanta This Summer
Orlando will miss the opportunity to open up a new stadium in Atlanta this summer. Orlando City visits Atlanta United on July 29 (originally scheduled for July 30), which was scheduled to be the opening game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta announced that construction delays will push back the opening of the stadium until Aug. 26, for a preseason Atlanta Falcons game.
Orlando and Atlanta will play the game in Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium, where Atlanta currently plays home games until MBS is ready. Two other games for Atlanta, against Minnesota and Los Angeles, will need to be rescheduled to later dates in the new stadium because of the changes. The schedule reshuffle creates a hectic run up to the end of the season for ATL.
Pride Acquires a Third-Round Pick in 2018
The Orlando Pride made a roster move yesterday, trading Cami Levin to the Houston Dash for a third-round pick in the 2018 draft. The trade gives the Pride a pick in the 2018 draft since the team used 2018 picks in previous transactions to acquire players Rachel Hill, Chioma Ubogagu, and the international slot that will be occupied by Marta.
Harris Up for Save of the Week
Ashlyn Harris saw Joe Bendik having all the fun and wanted in, as her save against the Portland Thorns made the shortlist for NSWL’s Save of the Week. The Pride may have lost the game against Portland, but you can vote for Harris’ effort in net for the Pride. Voting takes place on Twitter.
Vote for the #NWSL Save of the Week! Who had Week 1’s best save? https://t.co/1wV5O8QCY3
— NWSL (@NWSL) April 18, 2017
New Pride Members Eager to Contribute
Danica Evans and Chioma Ubogagu made their debuts for the Pride this weekend in Portland. After the loss, both players talked to the Orlando Sentinel about their eagerness to contribute to the Orlando attack while the team is without big stars Marta and Alex Morgan.
“We’re focusing on who is here and the tools and people we have now,” Ubogagu said. “Knowing we have two class players coming back, that’s only going to add fuel.”
OCB Scores a Late Equalizer
Orlando City B earned a 1-1 draw against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday night. The Islanders scored first after converting a penalty in the second half. OCB was seconds away from a road defeat, but Zach Carroll scored in stoppage time off a set piece (that took a touch of the b-day boy Schweitzer’s foot) to give the Lions a road draw. OCB’s next game is away to face Bethlehem Steel on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.
Strange Soccer News
You may be familiar with seeing bottles and coins raining down on opposing players attempting to take a corner kick, but what about rats? Well, during Monday’s match between Danish rivals Brondby IF and FC Copenhagen, Brondby fans lobbed dead rats at Copenhagen players setting up a corner kick. Ludwig Augustinsson admitted the projectile surprised him, but he reminded Brodby fans of the final result with this photo on his instagram:
Thanks for tuning in to Wednesday’s edition of Lion Links. Be sure to check back soon for coverage of all the Orlando soccer teams you love.