Lion Links: 8/11/17

It’s Friday, which means just one more day until all three of Orlando City’s teams take the field as they look to climb into playoff spots. We’ll have full coverage of all three games this weekend as the Pride host Sky Blue FC, Orlando City travels to New Jersey to take on the Red Bulls, and OCB faces old club rivals, the Richmond Kickers, in Virginia.

For today, let’s look at some of the stories in the world of soccer.

Jonathan Spector Out for 2-3 Weeks With Knee Injury

Orlando City center back Jonathan Spector will be out for two to three weeks after injuring his knee in training this week. Spector has been the rock in the back for the Lions, only missing two games so far this season. He will miss tomorrow’s game against the Red Bulls, along with the Lions’ two following home matches. In his stead, Tommy Redding will likely take his place alongside Jose Aja in the lineup.

Dillon Powers Traded to Orlando City

In a deal that was finished right before the MLS summer transfer window closed, Orlando City acquired Dillon Powers from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Luis Gil. In his earlier years in Colorado, Powers was a premier playmaker in MLS and was awarded the Rookie of the Year title in 2013. Orlando was in desperate need of a creative presence in the midfield and hopefully Powers can rediscover some of that former magic.

MLS Ranks Two Orlando City Transactions in Top 10

The top 10 moves made during the summer transfer window have been judged by mlssoccer.com. Trading to acquire Dom Dwyer from Sporting Kansas City was judged to be the sixth top move while the signing of Peruvian international Yoshimar Yotun was judged as the ninth-best move of the transfer window.

Ali Krieger Reveals Info on Youth Camp

Orlando Pride and U.S. Women’s National Team defender Ali Krieger has revealed the date and location of her upcoming youth soccer camp. The Publix Ali Krieger Soccer ProCamp will take place on Sept. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at XL Soccer World in Orlando. Krieger will direct the event and will have local coaches on hand to instruct. The camp is open to children grades 1-8.

Kenny Saief Admitted to Hospital

U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Kenny Saief, who has made a name for himself in recent months with Belgian club Gent, has been hospitalized from an infection from hernia surgery. The 23-year-old midfielder suffered a hernia injury during the Gold Cup warm-up against Ghana, which required surgery last month. An Israeli news site has reported that an infection has developed around the area of the surgery.

Orlando City Given Grade for Transfer Window

All 22 MLS teams have been graded on their transfer window by mlssoccer.com. Orlando City was given a C for its window. The three additions of Dom Dwyer, Yoshi Yotun, and Dillon Powers were all praised, but the writer stated that the team is still in need of some serious work.

Free Kick

In the category of “you have to see it to believe it,” Estonian team Paide Linnameeskond scored an own-goal in its Estonia Cup game against Levadia Tallinin. The surprising part is that the goal came just 14 seconds into the game and, as the team kicked off, without the opposing team touching the ball. It’s quite an impressive feat and something you have to see.

That’s all for today’s links. Enjoy the rest of your Friday and get ready for a day of soccer tomorrow.