Lion Links: 9/12/17

Good morning, fellow Mane Landers. To those of you living in the southeast who have been affected by the storm, know that all of us here at TML are thinking about you. And since the completely real and absolutely not made up Mane Land Towers are still standing strong and tall, that means it’s time to get into yet another edition of Lion Links.

Yotun on the Bench in TOTW

Yoshi Yotun was named to the bench for the latest edition of the MLS Team of the Week. While Yotun did not record any goals or assists in the Lions’ 2-1 win over D.C. United this weekend, he turned in yet another strong performance and made his presence felt throughout the match. With good set piece delivery, equally good decision making, and an ability to control the midfield, Yotun has easily been one of the few bright spots of a trying summer for OCSC. Here’s hoping the new boy continues his new form and the good results keep coming.

Lalas’ Harsh Words for the USMNT

During Fox’s coverage of Sunday night’s broadcast of the Seattle Sounders-LA Galaxy game, former U.S. Men’s National Team player Alexi Lalas had the following words for the team:

Well then. Harsh words perhaps, but the guy does make some decent points. At the very least he seems just as frustrated about the last two games as much of the U.S. soccer fan base. And remember kids, that final WC qualifier on home soil is right here in Orlando City Stadium.

Morris Suffers Hamstring Injury

USMNT players have continued their streak of bad luck with hamstring injuries. Both DeAndre Yedlin and John Brooks were kept out of the team’s last two qualifiers with hamstring injuries, and Jordan Morris suffered the same fate during the Sounders’ game against the Galaxy on Sunday. Morris could reportedly miss both the rest of the MLS season and the national team’s last two qualifying games. While there are plenty of players that could fill Morris’ spot on the team — like Dom Dwyer — the timing couldn’t be worse for the young forward, with only two more competitive matches to be played before next summer’s 2018 World Cup.

USWNT Preps for New Zealand

The U.S. Women’s National Team will return to action with two friendlies against New Zealand, the first of which is this Friday at 8 p.m. The U.S. ladies have had a lot success against the Football Ferns (yes that’s their actual nickname), only losing to them once all the way back in 1987. Orlando’s Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris are among the players representing the United States in these friendlies.

Pride Stars Speak Out for Suicide Prevention

Speaking of Morgan and Harris, they are among professional athletes to appear in a video for Suicide Prevention Week for the organization To Write Love On Her Arms. The powerful spot also includes fellow USWNT/NWSL star Christen Press and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver.

Free Kicks

• The folks over at Forbes want MLS clubs to stop copying their European counterparts with respect to naming their teams.
• Quite the fitting tribute for Frank de Boer’s Crystal Palace managerial career by the Men in Blazers.

• Today’s birthdays include the late actor Paul Walker, rapper 2 Chainz, singer Jennifer Hudson, and retired Houston Rockets center Yao Ming.

That’ll do it for today’s Links. I know it’s only Tuesday but start getting gassed up for Saturday’s game against Atlanta United! Not only is it the first of the team’s last six games of the season but it will also be the second in a seven-game win streak on our way to winning the MLS Cup. Hehe. Made you look.