Lion Links: 7/29/17

Good morning, Mane Landers! There’s not much news today in what I’d call a bit of a Dwyer hangover, but there will be lots of action on the field when Orlando City takes on Atlanta United away at 4:30 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., Orlando City B will visit the Charleston Battery. With that, let’s get into the links.

Orlando City Prepared to Face Atlanta United Again

After last week’s meeting, Orlando City and Atlanta United prepare to do it all over again, except this time at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The game will be the first of a three-game road trip, so hopefully the Lions can start it off with a bang. Last time out it was 1-0, but I doubt Atlanta United’s defense will be able to contain this City team which has added Dom Dwyer.

“Any time you play an opponent twice you oftentimes see in the second game there’s a bit more to it,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “I think that we as a team feel a little bit hard-done because we feel the performance warranted more than we got. We go into this with the mentality that we need to gain something back from this game.”

Brad Guzan and Hector Villalba Downplay the Southeastern Rivalry

Atlanta United and Orlando City are separated by just four points in the table so when they meet again today the stakes will be high. In fact, many have already dubbed the meeting as a rivalry after just one game. Guzan and Villalba don’t see it that way though. They both believe that not only are rivalries born on the pitch, but also they are surrounded by a level of intensity that just hasn’t materialized in this one yet. I’d add another qualification for a rivalry — you never know how the match will end up — and if Orlando City goes into Atlanta and beats United at home, then this match-up will check another box.

OCB’s Pierre Da Silva Tops USL’s List of 20 Under 20

Orlando City B has had a few players already announced in the USL’s top 20 under 20 list, but this one is definitely the most sweet, as Pierre Da Silva has come in at the top spot. Da Silva has earned his spot on the list by delivering an astonishing 11 assists in his 37 USL appearances, and will hope that this info somehow gets into the hands of Jason Kreis.

Former Lion Julio Baptista Looking for a New Challenge

Former Lion and Brazil international player Julio Baptista is on the lookout for a new team. His last club was of course Orlando City, and even though he’s 35, he’s not ready to retire just yet. Baptista recently took part in the Star Sixes Tournament in London, showing that he still has something to offer teams, even scoring a hat trick in Brazil’s 7-0 thrashing of China.

Young American Goalkeeper Brady Scott Signs with FC Köln

U.S. U-20 goalkeeper Brady Scott is the latest of many Americans to make the move to the Bundesliga, joining FC Köln. This isn’t intended as a shot at MLS, but it’s moves like these that create optimism around the national team’s future. Hopefully, Scott can get some good minutes in Germany and raise his international stock, as it looks like he will be the backup going into the U-20 World Cup.

That’s all for today’s edition of Lion Links. Enjoy the games today and check back throughout the day for full coverage of Orlando City at Atlanta United and OCB at Charleston. Have a great rest of the weekend!