Lion Links: 7/31/17

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. Here we are with the last Lion Links of July. It was quite a weekend with both a heartbreaker of a point on Saturday in Atlanta and the USWNT vs. Brazil Sunday night. Now, let’s hit the links!

USWNT Comes Back and Beats Brazil

In an incredible show of brilliance, the USWNT came back with three late goals to win its game against Brazil. The U.S. scored three goals in nine minutes to steal the victory after trailing 3-1 to the Brazilians. It was Julie Ertz in the 89th minute that sealed the deal in this Tournament of Nations match.

The Orlando Pride’s Brazilian Connection

Orlando Pride fans are very familiar with Marta and Camila. It certainly shouldn’t be a surprise that the five-time World Player of the Year has taken her fellow Brazilian under her wing both in Orlando and with the Brazilian National Team. Camila grew up admiring Marta, and is very excited to be playing with the legend from her own country. For her part, Marta is very impressed with Camila, and happy to be a part of the development of her teammate for both club and country.

Professional Treatment for High School Special Olympics Team

The Eustis High School’s unified Special Olympics soccer team was offered to be a part of the MLS Fantasy Experience for 2017. The unified squads are affiliated with the Special Olympics, and most MLS teams pick a squad to partner with each year. Eustis was the state Special Olympics champs and has already played matches in Camping World Stadium. It’s quite an experience for the players, with uniforms hanging in lockers and faces on the jumbotron; the full professional treatment. Congratulations to all the players. Honestly, we’re all a bit jealous.

MLS All-Star Opponent Falls to Barcelona

Real Madrid lost 3-2 to Barcelona in its last game before taking on the MLS All-Star team. Despite going down 2-0 in just the first seven minutes, Real Madrid was able to get level later in the match. However, Barcelona scored five minutes after halftime on Gerard Pique’s goal from a set piece. That goal would stand, and now Real Madrid will come to Chicago to take on MLS’s best.

Tragedy in Johannesburg

At a match between the Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs, there was a stampede of supporters at the gate resulting in two dead, one critically injured, and 16 others injured. While police and paramedics on hand quickly restored order, it is believed the stampede started from people selling counterfeit tickets and everyone trying to make sure they got into the match. Our thoughts are with our fellow soccer fans and their families in South Africa.

Free Kicks

• Kaká is up for Goal of the Week for his strike against Atlanta United. Vote here, vote often.
• Joevin Jones is leaving MLS’s Seattle Sounders for Darmstadt in the Bundesliga 2. Jones has been a good player for Seattle’s backline, but now looks forward to plying his trade in Germany.
• Matej Delac has had quite a jaunt through Europe, and now his trip is ending at Chelsea. The life of a journeyman is full of twists and turns.
• Just in case you think Orlando City needs to improve its passing, I’ll leave you this, so you can know it could always be worse.

• Finally, it seems that Andrea Pirlo knows what you do with a wall.

That will do it for today. Keep checking back with The Mane Land for coverage of all things Orlando City!