Lion Links: 7/10/17

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! Despite there being no Orlando City game this week, there’s still plenty of soccer to talk about. Let’s hit the links!

Are International Players Hurting MLS and U.S. Soccer?

U.S. soccer is becoming more competitive in international play, and Major League Soccer is becoming more popular within the United States every year. With the exceptions of Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, the highest-paid players in MLS are foreign stars brought in to bring credibility and attention to the league. Does this mean that there’s not enough space for homegrown American players as the league expands? And what does a lack of American stars do to the USMNT’s chances when playing other countries? It’s an interesting problem.

Rooney Returns to Everton

Wayne Rooney has returned to Everton, where he started his career, under a two-year contract. Rooney spent 13 seasons with Manchester United where he finished sixth in appearances and first in goals with 253. It’s likely that he’s wanting more playing time than he’d get at Manchester United for one last shot at the national team and one last World Cup.

Miami FC wins NASL Spring Title

If you were upset when Orlando City was bounced from the U.S. Open Cup, you can take solace in the fact that Miami FC is a very good team. As proof, I offer up the NASL Spring title that Miami just won. They did so in an absolute trouncing of the San Francisco Deltas, winning 7-0.

Nashville hosts MLS Commissioner

Don Garber spent some time in Nashville, where city boosters worked to convince the MLS Commissioner to bring an MLS expansion to the Music City. In the interview, Garber speaks about how Nashville has gone from afterthought to “very high on the list.” Despite Nashville not having a USL team to build from, it has as good a chance as any. Garber also mentioned that Orlando was the best example of how making the jump from the USL to MLS can work.

Free Kicks

• Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has signed with Belgium side, Standard Liege. It was thought he might stay in Ligue 1, but after a not so great season with Granada that ended in relegation, it was not to be.
• Orlando Health is putting out a book for other hospitals on dealing with mass casualties. The effort will include chapters from every department in the hospital. The book has best practices and lessons learned from dealing with the Pulse nightclub incident.
• Abdelhak Nouri collapsed in a match between German side Werder Bremen and Dutch side Ajax. The 20-year old is in intensive care after suffering cardiac arrhythmia and being revived on the pitch.

That’s going to do it for the Links today, but keep coming back for more coverage on all things Orlando City.