Lion Links: 6/23/17

Good morning, Mane Landers! We have a lot of very interesting topics today which is always a good thing for Lion Links. For all you social media fans, we have a bunch of tweets today. It should be a great way to start off the weekend, so let’s get right into it.

Orlando City is Great in Stoppage Time

As shown by the last two games, Orlando City doesn’t panic as the game nears the end. In fact, the club seems to get stronger. In both of its last two games, the team has scored in stoppage time to tie up the game. These goals also mean that Orlando City has the most stoppage time goals (14) since 2015, its first season in MLS. This can be taken many ways, but I’ll say we should take it as a positive because it means the team never stops fighting.

Speaking of Late Goals…

Orlando City has not only scored in stoppage time in two consecutive games, but both goals were equalizers. Understandably, the players and fans have gotten their nerves severely racked, yet the ends certainly justify the means. Scott Sutter even said, “It’s not easy for the heart. But that’s just the way it is in football. You need to be ready the whole game because there’s 90 minutes so it’s a really good trait to have in a team that you go right until the end.”

Alejandro Pereira Scores a Wonder Goal for the U-18 Squad

This week for Orlando City has been filled with amazing stoppage time goals, and while this one didn’t decide the game, it was unequivocally the best. The goal was a bicycle kick from Orlando City U-18 player Alejandro Pereira and it led to a 2-0 victory in a playoff match. David Loera also scored for Orlando.

Kenny Saief Changes Associations

Much of the talk from the Gold Cup has been about Jesse Gonzalez and whether he will choose Mexico or the U.S. Well, while he’s been sending conflicting messages, Gent midfielder Kenny Saief has been approved for his one-time switch of associations. Saief has two caps for Israel, but is now available for the USMNT and could feature at this year’s Gold Cup. It will be difficult for Saief to break into the starting lineup, but he’s only 23 and brings a lot of technical ability which U.S. teams generally don’t have an abundance of.

A Couple Gets Married at Orlando City Game

For many Orlando City fans, Orlando City Stadium feels like a second home. In fact, it is well-documented that the club has one of the most passionate fan bases in MLS. At the game Saturday against the Montreal Impact, one couple showed their love for the club and each other by getting married at the game. The two met at a Ruckus tailgate at Camping World Stadium and have been together ever since.

Jermaine Jones is a Traitor?

It’s not often we have a question in our links, but Jermaine Jones is someone who always leaves everybody questioning. In whatever Jones does, you get the feeling he doesn’t care about anybody’s opinions. That is certainly the case here as he took a photo wearing his teammate Giovani Dos Santos’ Mexico jersey while holding up a Chicharito Mexico jersey. The whole thing was bizarre and definitely ticked off all the people who think that foreign-born U.S. players aren’t as passionate about the national team. It’s not all bad though. He was really just supporting them for the Confederations Cup where they are representing CONCACAF.

That’s all for today’s lion links. I hoped you enjoyed them. Have a great Friday and check back later for coverage of Orlando City B at Rochester Rhinos!