Lion Links: 9/13/17

Welcome to Wednesday’s Lion Links, Mane Landers! Since I have power and internet, I’ll be your guest writer today. I’m assuming that if you’re reading this you have power and internet, or a charged cell phone with service. Hopefully, you don’t have too much Irma-related stuff to deal with, but if you do I hope this is a good distraction for you. On to the links!

Kaká’s Future with Orlando City

He’s not getting younger, and his salary hasn’t gotten smaller, though his playing time has. Orlando City made some moves that perhaps signal a future squad without its current captain. The addition of Dom Dwyer up top means that he won’t be as big a part of the attack. Kaká has also logged time on the left side of the midfield, though that’s the preferred position of the recently signed DP Yoshimar Yotún. Giles Barnes started the last game at the No. 10 spot, and Kaká came off the bench. Will he stay or will he go? It seems that Orlando City is getting ready for the post-Kaká era.

The Beast is Back?

Speaking of 35-year-old Brazilians, Júlio Baptista was tested by the Bolton Wanderers on their U-23 squad against Queens Park Rangers on Monday. Júlio played for Orlando City during the 2016 season and had six goals in 23 games. Since leaving Orlando City, he has not been picked up by another squad. Perhaps he’ll get a chance with the Wanderers. We wish the Beast all the best.

USWNT Fullback Issues

Ali Krieger has been stuck at 98 caps for the USWNT, leaving Orlando Pride and some USWNT fans wondering if she’ll get to 100. Just as importantly, why hasn’t she been called up, even if just for a friendly or two. Jill Ellis has been experimenting with the fullback position, trying out new players, including Stanford sophomore Tierna Davidson. Davidson might be the type of player that Ellis is looking for at fullback — the type that can range up and down the field, rather than be a traditional defender. Hopefully, during the process, Ali can get those other two caps.

FIFA, FIFA, FIFA

We all know that FIFA is a ridiculously corrupt organization that has total control of soccer around the world. Fortunately, they also do some good things. World Cup tickets are going on sale tomorrow, and will be broken out into phases. Phase one (which actually has two parts within it) will run from Sept. 14 to Oct. 12, and all applications will have a chance of being successful. Part two of phase one runs from Nov. 16 to Nov. 28 and will be first-come, first-served. Phase two will run from Dec. 5 to Jan. 31, and will be randomly selected for success, with part two of phase two March 13 to April 3. Finally, last-minute sales will be first-come, first-served from April 18 to July 15. So if you’re feeling good about the USMNT’s chances to get in, you now know when you can try to get a ticket.

Free Kicks

• It turns out that this Christian Pulisic kid might be pretty good, and Bruce Arena knows it.
• Crystal Palace makes Roy Hodgson their new manager. The new skipper signed a two-year deal, and at 70 years old becomes the oldest-ever newly appointed manager.
• USMNT U-20 midfielder Luca de la Torre has signed an extension with Fulham that will keep him at the club until summer of 2020.
• The FIFA ’18 demo is out and you can play it! Get your game play on and have some fun!

That’s going to do it for this edition of Lion Links. Don’t forget to listen to the PawedCast when it drops later today, and start getting hyped for the match against Atlanta this Saturday!