Lion Links: 7/16/17

Good day, Mane Landers! Welcome to today’s edition of Lion Links. Our coverage today starts with the USMNT finishing Gold Cup group stage play and our beloved Orlando Pride in action, so let’s dive right in.

Orlando Pride Rips FC Kansas City

Alex Morgan scored her first goal of the season and four different Pride players got on the score sheet in a complete 4-1 victory over visiting FC Kansas City. The Pride were on the front foot early and finished their chances to defeat FCKC for the first time in four tries. With Morgan looking more in form each game, Orlando could be poised for a big finish this season.

USMNT Caps Group B Play with Win Over Nicaragua

It wasn’t always pretty — especially with two missed penalties — but the United States Men’s National Team topped Group B by virtue of a 3-0 win over Nicaragua in Cleveland. Dom Dwyer failed to become the third person to score in his first three USMNT appearances despite having one of the two penalty kick opportunities. But the important thing is the U.S. is through to the quarterfinals and Bruce Arena will now make some changes to bring in some seasoned international vets for the knockout stage (see below).

Arena to Call in Reinforcements

In the knockout stages of the Gold Cup you should expect to see a different USMNT. The reason for this is that Bruce Arena plans to call upon some names we are used to seeing on the pitch. Orlando City fans will note that neither Jonathan Spector nor Joe Bendik are reportedly getting the call.

Sources have confirmed to Goal that Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, Darlington Nagbe and Clint Dempsey have already joined up with the team and will formally join the roster for the knockout rounds, giving Arena the strongest possible quintet of replacements he could muster (Chiristian Pulisic is on the preliminary Gold Cup roster, but was never realistically going to be available for the tournament).

Look for up to the maximum of six changes to be made heading into the next round of games.

Earl Edwards Jr. Up for Mid-season Fans’ Choice Award

The USL mid-season awards have been announced but the selections have not actually been picked yet, as fans get to do the choosing. Now is your time to let your voice be heard and most importantly this your chance to vote for one of our own. Earl Edwards Jr. has been nominated for goalkeeper of the year four his standout play through the first half of the USL season. Follow this link and cast your vote and share with your friends!

Hyndman’s Spot at Bournemouth in Jeopardy Again

For the second straight preseason U.S. international Emerson Hyndman is set to miss out on action in preseason for Bournemouth due to injury. The 21-year-old American has been plagued by injuries the last few off-seasons. He was loaned to Rangers last season and played well but sustained a stress fracture late in the season and is still recovering. If the U.S. youth international can’t get on the field, he may find himself on the outside looking in yet again this season.

That is all from me today. Enjoy the rest of your day!