Lion Links: 6/18/17

Good morning and happy Father’s Day, Mane Landers. If you missed last night’s Orlando City and/or Pride matches, you’re in the same boat as me. I’m actually out in Nevada visiting family and last night there was a graduation function to attend, which kept me from my appointment viewing with both the Lions and Pride. Luckily, The Mane Land had boots on the ground at Orlando City Stadium, and a writer keeping tabs on our NWSL team as it traveled to Houston.

Let’s take a look at how the teams did.

Orlando City Draws Montreal Impact, 3-3

The Lions led twice but actually fell behind before coming back in stoppage time to earn a 3-3 draw with the Impact. Orlando City dominated the opening half but couldn’t put away Montreal and Ignacio Piatti tortured the back line to give the visitors the lead. Jonathan Spector would have none of it and equalized before the final whistle. Both Spector and Matias Perez Garcia scored their first Orlando City goals. Here’s what you need to know:

• Scott Crumbly has your match recap.
• Austin David provides player grades and Man of the Match.

Be sure to check back later today for Sean Rollins’ five takeaways from the match.

Orlando Pride Blast Last-Place Houston Dash

The Pride ran roughshod over the Houston Dash, building a 4-0 lead before coasting to a 4-2 victory on the road. Marta scored a brace to jump into the NWSL Golden Boot race. Camila scored a goal for the ages. Oh, and Alanna Kennedy scored her first goal with the Pride. Here’s our match recap by Dan Garza. The Dash will visit Orlando this coming weekend.

More Kudos for Orlando City Stadium

Much has been written about Orlando City Stadium this season and the home field advantage the Lions have enjoyed in the first few months of the 2017 MLS campaign. But those stories keep on coming as the new building continues to amaze and impress those who have seen matches in the purple palace. This story from Yahoo.com features more first-hand accounts and remarks from the architect as the Lions’ new den keeps on drawing rave reviews.

Free Kicks

• The U.S. has a soccer referee shortage and abuse from parents and coaches shoulders a large share of the blame.
• Portuguese paper says New York Red Bulls and the Lions are in the running for Juan Quintero.
• Those born on this date include mountaineering legend George Mallory (1886), baseball’s Lou Brock (1939), film critic Roger Ebert (1942), Paul McCartney (1942), Italian manager Fabio Capello (1946), actresses Carol Kane and Isabella Rossellini (both 1952), Dream On actor Brian Benben (1956), baseball’s Andres Galarraga (1961), Yaz vocalist Alison Moyet (1961), football’s Bruce Smith (1963), hockey’s Martin St. Louis (1975), Blake Shelton (1976), tight end Antonio Gates (1980), Richard “Robb Stark” Madden (1986), and Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (1989).

That’s all the time I have for you today, Lion Nation. We’ve got OCB at Ottawa on Tuesday morning (yes, another School Day Game), and a quick turnaround before City heads northwest to visit the Seattle Sounders.