Lion Links: 7/30/17

Good morning, Mane Landers! Another game is in the books for Orlando City and now it is time to look ahead to the next one. Along with the game vs Atlanta we have a few other soccer stories from around the way to share with you. Kick back and enjoy.

Orlando City Draws in Atlanta

The Lions dropped two crucial points against Atlanta United after a late equalizer saved Atlanta from a loss. Kaká was the man to score for Orlando City but the goal would not prove to be enough as Atlanta’s Hector Villalba would get the better of Joe Bendik and the Orlando defense for the second straight game — this time in stoppage time. The game ended 1-1 and now all Orlando can do is look ahead to the next match.

• Michael Citro has your match recap with video highlights.
• Jonathan Foreman provides player grades and Man of the Match.
• Sam Jones of Dirty South Soccer serves up the view from the other side.

And check back later this morning for Kevin Mercer’s five takeaways from the match.

OCB and Charleston Play to Scoreless Draw

The young Lions also grabbed a road point against a good team, going into Charleston and coming out with a 0-0 draw with the Battery. OCB controlled much of the possession, with the hosts looking occasionally dangerous on the counter, but the young Lions couldn’t find the final piece of the attack time and time again. Lewis Neal came close with a late header and Tony Rocha fired just wide of goal down the stretch with OCB mostly looking like the more dangerous side, except for a chance off a corner that Neal cleared off the line. OCB is back in action Wednesday at home against Harrisburg at 7:30 p.m.

What Dom Dwyer brings to Orlando?

Matt Doyle and MLS posted a video to Twitter explaining why Dom Dwyer was brought to Orlando and exactly what he brings to the table in attack for the Lions.

Takeaways from Gold Cup for the USMNT

The Gold Cup was a great triumph for Head Coach Bruce Arena and the USMNT, but the road to Russia continues in just about five weeks, so the celebrations must be cut short. The team has made “improvements” according to Arena but still has a long way to go if the Yanks are to qualify for Russia.

 “We’re a long way from qualifying for the World Cup and that's the objective, for sure. We've got to evaluate this performance in July and the next couple of weeks, and I have to select a roster for our World Cup qualifying. Then we have to win some games in September and October."

Two key areas that Arena has seen develop is that with youth, the team had added depth to the roster. The second is that the defensive organization has been better to this point. Look for more improvements to be made down the line as the road to Russia continues.

Michael Bradley to Join Up with Dad?

Bob Bradley just took the job as the head man in charge of LAFC. With this move, one has to think that Michael Bradley may want to join up with his dad down the road at some point.

The rumors of Michael joining his father out in LA are already beginning to swirl. But for now at least, Vanney quashed such talk when asked if Michael had handed in a transfer request.

“I don't think so,” chuckled Vanney. “He's got a pretty good situation here and a team that's ready to win. I don't think that's on the cards.”

It may not be in the cards within the next two seasons, but eventually down the road this is something we could see in MLS and it honestly may be pretty cool.

That is all from me today, enjoy the rest of your Sunday.