Lion Links: 8/17/17

Happy Thursday, Mane Landers. We’re two days away from a triple match day with the MLS, NWSL, and USL teams all in action. That’s been a staple of Saturdays in August in 2017. It makes me wish I could multitask with the ease of a Millennial. It’ll be the second game of the week for OCB. The young Lions were in action at home last night (more on that below).

We’ve got plenty of stuff to occupy your morning to help you avoid that boring task you’ve been putting off just a little longer.

OCB Thumps Ottawa 3-0 Behind Barry Brace

Hadji Barry scored twice and set up a Seb Hines tally, and Earl Edwards, Jr. stopped a Gerardo Bruna penalty as the young Lions beat Ottawa Fury, 3-0. For Anthony Pulis’ side, it was a second straight shutout win and the team is now unbeaten in nine (3-0-6) straight games. The young Lions hadn’t won at home since April 4, but this time the team was able to close it out for all three points.

Edwards made eight saves against the Fury, including the penalty when Fernando Timbo was called for a handball in the box. Replays showed the ball may have hit Timbo’s body below his arm while making a sliding block but there was no video review. The VAR for last night’s game? Christina Unkel. You can’t make this stuff up.

Yotun, Higuita Fined by MLS DisCo

If you thought Kaká had any prayer of having his red card overturned, wait until you see why Yoshimar Yotun was fined. He and Cristian Higuita were both fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for violating the league’s policy against hands to the face, head, or neck area. Cristian’s was a little more forceful even though it looks unintentional, as he was playing peace maker between Richie Laryea and Sacha Kljestan. Maybe at some point there will be a reasonable explanation about why these are worthy of fines but Kaká’s was a sending off and subsequent suspension. I won’t hold my breath.

Orlando City Fifth Most Valuable MLS Club

Forbes has come out with its annual list of MLS club values and once again Orlando City has been listed at No. 5. According to Forbes, the Lions have jumped in value from $240 million in 2016 to $272 million in 2017. The same four teams are ahead of Orlando this year as last, but they’ve moved around some. The LA Galaxy have leapfrogged Seattle Sounders for the top spot, worth an estimated $315 million. Toronto FC has jumped over New York City FC for the third spot.

Yotun Among New MLS Signings to Make Quick Impact

When he wasn’t brutally placing his hand on the back of an opponent’s neck (I’m honestly abusing sarcasm at this point…someone stop me), Yoshi made an impact on the field. Nick Sabetti over at mlssoccer.com noticed the new Orlando City midfielder and his impact on Saturday in his list of new MLS signings who have hit the ground running.

With his quality and comfort on the ball, intelligent positioning, and defensive work rate, the Peruvian was Orlando’s best player in the team's 3-1 loss away to the New York Red Bulls, and Red Bull Arena isn’t an easy place to make a good first impression. He did, like the rest of the Lions, fizzle out a bit in the second half. He should have had a goal late in the game, but hit the crossbar instead.

John Brooks to Miss Three Months

Wolfsburg and USMNT center back John Brooks has been ruled out for three months following a torn tendon in his right thigh. Brooks sustained the injury in the first half of a 1-0 win over Eintracht Norderstedt in the first round of the DFB Cup. This is certainly going to affect Bruce Arena’s USMNT squad as it looks to qualify for the World Cup, including the Oct. 6 Hex match against Panama at Orlando City Stadium.

Free Kicks

• Sky Blue FC coach Christy Holly has stepped down. His club lost 5-0 at Orlando Pride in his last game as manager. Sky Blue is three points out of a playoff spot with six games to play.
• A farmer’s market is coming to Parramore, which will be on Pine St., across the street from Orlando City Stadium. The market should open in late October.
• Among those born on this date are Davy Crockett (1786), Mae West (1893), Robert De Niro (1943), Boston drummer Sib Hashian (1949), former Formula One World Champion Nelson Piquet (1952), Dexys Midnight Runners frontman Kevin Rowland (1953), Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle (1958), novelist Jonathan Franzen (1959), Sean Penn (1960), Jon Gruden (1963), football’s Ed McCaffrey (1968), basketball’s Christian Laettner (1969), Donnie Wahlberg (1969), baseball’s Jorge Posada (1971), Thierry Henry (1977), Everton defender Phil Jagielka (1982), and San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (1986).

That’s all the time I’ve got for you on this fine Thursday morning. Enjoy the rest of your day and check back at The Mane Land throughout the day for more Orlando City news.