Lion Links: 6/21/17

Welcome to game day, Mane Landers. Tonight sees our boys fly across country to the Pacific Northwest to take on the reigning MLS Cup champions, the Seattle Sounders. Orlando is coming off a disappointing draw against the Montreal Impact and the Sounders are looking to rebound at home after a defeat to NYCFC, so this contest promises to be a good one.

To help us get in the mood, let’s go over to today’s Lion Links so you are up to date with everything you need to know.

OCB Loses Again in Canada

Orlando City B’s run of bad luck continued yesterday with a 1-0 loss to the Ottawa Fury. Despite dominating possession, the young Lions were unable to get on the scoresheet and just couldn’t recover from a poor first half in which they conceded the eventual game winner by Steevan Dos Santos just before the half. OCB will look to end its road trip with a victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Friday before returning home to Orlando City Stadium to take on FC Cincinnati.

Pride’s Camila Wins NWSL Goal of the Week

If you had a chance to see yesterday’s Lion Links, you might have spied that Brazilian midfielder Camila was up for NWSL Goal of the Week for her physics-defying golazo against the Houston Dash. Since there wasn’t another goal even half as good, it should come as no surprise that she has won this week’s award. In addition, congratulations to the Brazilian for getting revenge on Houston for letting her go after the 2015 NWSL season.

Aubrey Bledsoe Wins Save of the Week       

Yesterday’s Lion Links also highlighted that Orlando Pride goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe was up for NWSL Save of the Week for her fantastic stop on Carli Lloyd in the Pride’s 4-2 win over the Houston Dash on Saturday. Well, after another (very) quick tabulation of the votes, she has been declared this week’s winner. It’s good to see that even though Ashlyn Harris isn’t currently between the sticks for the Pride, we have a more than worthy back-up in Bledsoe, who has stepped up in Harris’ absence.

Passing of Tony DiCicco

Former USWNT Head Coach Tony DiCicco died yesterday, leaving behind a great legacy in women’s soccer. DiCicco masterminded the USWNT’s FIFA Women’s World Cup win back in 1999 and provided the USWNT’s first Olympic gold soccer medal back in 1996. DiCicco’s career continued after leaving the USWNT’s fold with stints as commissioner of WUSA, and as head coach of the Boston Breakers during the WPS seasons. Despite never having a role in NWSL, the legacy of DiCicco is that women’s soccer is such a big part of this country right now.

That’s it for me today. Stay tuned to The Mane Land for game coverage of Orlando City vs. Seattle Sounders, which kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET, when the Lions will hope to get three points from the reigning MLS Cup champions and continue their streak over MLS Cup winners.