Lion Links: 6/1/17

Welcome to your Thursday edition of Lion Links. Lots of interesting things happened yesterday, including the end (on a high note) to a very ugly month of May so let’s dive right in and gear you up on all things soccer-worthy.

Orlando City Snaps Skid Against D.C. United

The Lions got exactly what they needed with a shutout and all three points against Eastern Conference foe D.C. United, in a 2-0 victory. It wasn’t the sharpest performance, particularly for the first hour, but the lads played hard and found a way to get it done in the second half, thanks to a shot in the arm named Giles Barnes. Here’s what you need to know from last night:

• Scott Crumbly has your match recap.
• Austin David compiled the player grades and Man of the Match.
• The enemy’s perspective comes to us from our friends at Black and Red United.

And check back later today for Michael Citro’s five takeaways from the game and a photo gallery from Carlos Romero.

No USOC I-4 Derby as Miami FC Downs Rowdies

As much fun as an I-4 Derby in the U.S. Open Cup would be, it’s also fun whenever Tampa Bay loses. That happened last night in South Florida, as the Rowdies fell to Miami FC, 2-0, at Riccardo Silva Stadium. Vincenzo Rennella converted a penalty after a foul in the box by Tampa’s Georgi Hristov, and Jaime Chavez added an insurance tally. Miami FC will visit Orlando City Stadium for the fourth-round USOC match-up on Tuesday, June 13.

U-23 WNT Roster Includes Pride’s Dani Weatherholt

The U-23 USWNT roster will include a total of 22 players with seven of them coming from the NWSL. The Orlando Pride are happy to have a representative added to that roster as midfielder Dani Weatherholt will be included in the side. Look for her as the team departs to Sweden to play Norway, England, and the host country in the Nordic Tournament from June 6-12.

U-20 Men’s Team Goes Site Seeing

In Korea, Tommy Redding and his U.S. U-20 teammates went and did a bit of site seeing as they visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Check out the gallery here.

The DMZ is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula, that splits the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) roughly in half, that was established to serve as a buffer zone. Players had the opportunity to learn about the history of the DMZ and even walked through one of the four discovered incursion tunnels built by North Korea. The trip was one that the players, coaches and staff members will never forget.

Wolfsburg Signs USMNT Defender John Brooks

USMNT regular John Brooks has been signed away from long-time club Hertha Berlin to play for Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg is still a part of the Bundesliga for those that may not know, so Brooks is not leaving his league — just moving teams. The signing is actually a record fee for an American player at €20 million ($22.4 million).

"It wasn't an easy decision to leave my hometown, but after the talks with [sporting director] Olaf Rebbe and [coach] Andries Jonker I wanted to join Wolfsburg because both soon convinced me of their plans for VfL," Brooks told his new club's official website. "I want to contribute my share so that Wolfsburg live up to their earlier success."

Brooks asked to be transferred out of the team and has now signed a five-year contract with Wolfsburg.

Thank you very much for tuning in today and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. Take care.