Lion Links: 7/26/17

Welcome to Wednesday, and yes, if you read the intro that brought you to this piece, the prodigal son has returned to Central Florida. So without much further ado, here are today’s Dwyer-themed Lion Links.

Dom Deal Done

A deal was rumored to be in the works and yesterday saw the completion of a blockbuster trade to return Dom Dwyer to Central Florida. The newly minted U.S. citizen and MLS All-Star Dwyer returns to Orlando City after starring for the Lions back on their 2013 championship run in USL and could help propel the Lions to their first MLS playoff appearance. He is expected to appear for the first time as a Lion in MLS in Saturday’s game against Atlanta United.  However, the deal comes at a price with Orlando City giving up $400k in General Allocation Money, $500k in Targeted Allocation Money and potentially $700k more depending on Dwyer’s ROI, for a potential total of $1.6 million. Dom landed to find a sizable reception from Orlando City supporters:

More Dom Details

This story is so big it takes up two links today as we take a look at all the views on the trade:

• Sporting Kansas City put out an official statement, and our SKC sister blog, The Blue Testament, provided some views from the opposing sideline.
• Orlando CEO Alex Leitao breaks down what it took to get this deal done and over the finish line, and what the club hopes this trade does.
• Ives Galarcep, Matt Doyle, and Sam Stejskal all give their POVs on the blockbuster trade and what it means for both sides now and in the future.
• And for those of you who love visual aids:

Away At Atlanta

With the addition of Dwyer ahead of Saturday’s rematch against Atlanta United and the need to avenge last Friday’s loss at home to the Black & Gold, it’s great that the contest will take place in front of a packed out crowd. It’s also great that the rematch takes place so quickly to see if this is a real rivalry or something contrived.

El Clasico Fever

Real Madrid and Barcelona will be facing each other in South Florida this Saturday and organizers say only a few thousand tickets remain. One of the most heated rivalries in soccer is an exciting prospect for a U.S. market that is still getting used to the idea of the beautiful game as well as a test for Miami that owns the keys to the soccer kingdom but is refusing to unlock the door.

Brewery Bus Comes to O-Town

There will now be another way to strap on your beer goggles before Orlando City games with the Hop On! Central Florida Brewery tour. The company will be offering an Orlando City game day package as well as offering trips to local Central Florida breweries on any day of the week.

Free Kicks

• Minnesota United will get its own Allianz Arena with stadium sponsorship deal.
• BeIn Sports reups broadcast deal for NASL fall season.
• Our SB Nation sister blog for the New England Revolution details five soccer books you should read this summer.
• Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy sees this year’s soccer transfer fees as unsustainable.
• Chinese Super League sides told to clear transfer fee debts or risk being banned from competition.
• Suning Commerce leads chase to buy Chinese soccer TV rights with the price currently at $2 billion.
• Five-a-side firm partners with City Football Group to break into the U.S. market.
• And finally, Orlando City may be considering adding another piece very soon:

BTW…River Plate won that friendly, 3-1, although from photos it appears the Lions’ lineup leaned a bit OCB heavy.

That’s it for today, folks, hopefully tomorrow will be a lot less crazy, but either way our daily dose of Lion Links will keep you in the know.