Lion Links: 7/9/17

Hello and welcome to Sunday’s edition of Lion Links. We bring you news of our very own Orlando Pride and OCB, and the national team was in action as well. Let’s get right into it. Enjoy.

Orlando Pride Drop Points on Late Penalty Again

The Orlando pride played yesterday against the Washington Spirit in a game that ended in a 2-2 draw. Marta scored a brace in the draw but for the second straight week, Orlando’s Toni Pressley was called for a foul in the box in the game’s closing moments. Last week it turned a draw into a loss and this time out it turned a win into a draw.

“PKs have been given out way too frequently and I’m not sure if they’re all deserving or not but it’s just unfortunate that so many games have been decided on PKs,” Morgan said in a TV interview after the match.

OCB Plays to Scoreless Draw vs. Pittsburgh

Even in a dominating affair, Orlando City B drew against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 0-0. While OCB may have dominated much of the possession, the Lions were unable to score and capitalize on opportunities created. The closest opportunity was Hadji Barry’s header off the right post in the second half. The team made a number of changes to the lineup but still came away with just a point earned.

USMNT draw in opening Gold Cup match

It was a full day of draws. The USMNT drew the opening match of the Gold Cup against Panama, 1-1. While many thought the game was somewhat uninspiring, fans could still find some takeaways from the match-up. Former Lion Dom Dwyer was able to capitalize on an opportunity and score in his second straight game for the U.S. Check out the three things learned from the USMNT’s uninspiring draw from nbcsports.com here.

Dom Dwyer: The American

While not a natural born American, Dom Dwyer is starting for the USMNT. Dwyer hails from the United Kingdom, where his soccer passion originally blossomed. Today he is seen as an American as he starts for the Red, White & Blue at the forward position and has now converted two goals in two games for Bruce Arena’s squad. Here are the five defining moment that led him to his American dream.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City’s Giles Barnes will be part of FOX’s Gold Cup coverage.
• Romelu Lukaku is too noisy for the L.A. Police Dept.
• Suddenly the Chicago Fire are in the Juan Quintero conversation.
• Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney reportedly had a medical for Everton.

That’s it for your Sunday Lion Links. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as we get set for more Gold Cup action this week and the I-4 Derby on Thursday when OCB hosts Tampa Bay. I leave you today with this nice piece that Lifetime did on the Pride’s Marta and Camila: