Lion Links: 8/30/17

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. We have once again reached the middle of the week and despite an international break scheduled for this weekend, your mighty Lions will be taking the field this Saturday in Boston Foxborough. We have some on that and lots more in today’s daily dose of everything you need to know. So, let’s get started.

Orlando Heads to New England

It’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next game and even though Orlando’s hopes of making the playoffs now stand at 2% (that means there is still a chance, folks), we should highlight that both teams will be missing some players due to the international break. The New England Revolution will be missing defensive stalwarts Antonio Delamea and Je-Vaughn Watson, while Orlando will be missing forward Cyle Larin and midfielder Yoshimar Yotún for this weekend’s contest. The Lions will also be without Cristian Higuita who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. With both teams in desperate need of points, expect it to be a slug fest, and with big players out, it will be anyone’s game.

Powers Happy with City Debut

Dillon Powers was acquired at the beginning of the month by Orlando City, but it took until the last match of the month for him to get his first glimpse of game action. When the time finally came, however, Powers was elated and even had to take a moment to absorb the atmosphere at Orlando City Stadium.

“I think like right when I stepped on the field we had an chance to score, and just the energy I felt from the fans and everything, I had a moment of just pause to say, ‘Wow, this is really cool.’”

Although the Lions went on to lose the match, hopefully this is the first of many positive appearances we see from Powers.

Orlando Pride’s Winning Streak Continues

Orlando Pride continued their romp to the playoffs this weekend by beating FC Kansas City 2-1 on Saturday thanks to a late Alex Morgan goal. That game-winning goal is this week’s NWSL Goal of the Week, and it was also a history-making goal as Alex became the first player in NWSL history to score the game-winning goal in three consecutive matches.

Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, however, was not to be outdone by her Pride and USWNT teammate as she made it two for two upon her return from injury, winning the NWSL Save of the Week for her stop on FC Kansas City forward Sydney Leroux.

Midfield Additions For The Pride

The Pride also added two new players to the roster yesterday. Midfielders Jocelyn “Jo” Blankenship and Jordan O’Brien were picked up ahead of the 2017 NWSL roster freeze. Both players have been training with the Pride and will add some reinforcements to the side after Maddy Evans’ retirement earlier this month and will help strengthen the squad for the end of season run-in.

OCB Marches On

OCB’s undefeated streak now stands at 11 after a 3-0 win over Louisville City and part of that is because of OCB forward Michael Cox. Last year’s leading goal scorer has once again found his rhythm with OCB and his two-goal performance in last weekend’s game also provides him a place in the USL Team of the Week alongside goalkeeper Jake Fenlason, who recorded an eight-save shutout against the Eastern Conference leaders. These types of performances also leave OCB on track to make it back-to-back playoff appearances for the young Lions.

Lights Shine Bright in Las Vegas

Former Orlando City COO Brett Lashbrook unveiled the name of his new USL franchise in Las Vegas, NV, yesterday on Fremont Street. Las Vegas Lights FC will start play in the 2018 USL season at Cashman Field in downtown Las Vegas. The club is looking for input on the team logo and colors and if you are feeling generous those can be submitted on the club’s website.

Free Kicks

• Former Orlando City 2016 MLS SuperDraft selection forward Tobenna Uzo signs for USL side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
• Former Orlando Pride and Matilda Laura Alleway has returned to her native Australia after being waived by the Pride in July and has signed a deal with A-League side Melbourne Victory.
• Speaking of the Matildas, they’ve called up Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy from the Pride for upcoming friendlies vs. Brazil, as expected.
• EA Sports releases player likenesses for the upcoming FIFA 18 videogame
• Former Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes Head Coach Dominic Kinnear signs on to be Sigi Schmid’s assistant in L.A.
• Why Kylian Mbappé isn’t Madrid bound.
• Compare your salary with Neymar Jr. (don’t do this if you are easily depressed, however feel free to leave your answer in the comments). You can also do it for Marta of the Orlando Pride and Kaká of Orlando City.
• Borussia Dortmund bomb suspect charged with attempted murder

That’s all for me today, folks. Make sure you check out today’s Mane Land Pawedcast where we will be interviewing one of the players mentioned in today’s links.