Lion Links: 9/14/17

Happy Thursday, dear readers, you’ve almost made it through the week. Just two more days and then you can kick back and relax while you watch the Lions clip Atlanta United’s wings. With visions of back-to-back wins dancing in your heads, let’s get into the noteworthy happenings from around the soccer world.

Dwyer Talks Up Premier League Move…Kinda

In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Dom Dwyer discussed the possibility of a transfer to the Premier League. Before you all have heart attacks and worry about our sweet Dom moving on at the end of the season, allow me to soothe your fears. The title of the article is a tad misleading. Dwyer merely says that while it would be difficult to turn down a Premier League club if one came calling, he is currently focusing on playing in south Florida. Take it easy guys. Just breathe.

Seb Hines’ Red Card Upheld

The MLS Disciplinary Committee, consisting of a representative from the USSF, Canadian Soccer Federation, and the Professional Referee Association, has rejected Orlando City’s appeal of Seb Hines’ red card that he was given in last week’s game against D.C. United. Hines, whose crime was merely trying to remove an unnecessary article of clothing called “Lloyd Sam,” is now due to miss this week’s game against Atlanta United, and the unsuccessful appeal leaves the club with only one more for the remainder of the season.

Alex Morgan Back to Her Best

Last winter Alex Morgan departed for Lyon on a mission to become a more complete player. Since her return, it seems that she accomplished what she set out to do; with the Orlando Pride reaping the benefits. Morgan has nine goals and three assists in 11 games with the team, which is in position to make the playoffs for the first time. That’s a far cry from her four goals in 15 games last year, and she’s looked much more well rounded while doing it, a point which shouldn’t be ignored. Keep up the hard work Alex, we’re loving it over here.

Gulati Finally Getting Some Competition

For three elections and 11 years of being the president of the United States Soccer Federation, Sunil Gulati has never had an opponent to run against. Until now. A Boston attorney by the name of Steve Gans has announced that he plans to run against Gulati for the position in the upcoming election in February of 2018. Gans has had plenty of experience in the sport; he played in college, worked in the front office of the Baltimore Blast, and founded a company that helps overseas soccer clubs who are looking for commercial opportunities stateside. While the Red, White & Blue have certainly enjoyed some success during Gulati’s 11-year tenure, a change of leadership would certainly be interesting. What do you guys think, should he stay or should he go?

NWSL Announces Playoff Dates

The NWSL playoff dates were announced yesterday, with the semifinals to be held on Oct. 7 and 8, and the final on Oct. 14 (right here at Orlando City Stadium). Our very own Orlando Pride merely need one point to wrap up the team’s first playoff berth, so you’d better circle those dates on your calendar.

Free Kicks

• Michael Bradley has responded to Alexi Lalas’ recent comments about the USMNT, saying “the lion doesn’t care about the opinion of the sheep.” Does Bradley have enough hair to be classified as a lion?
• Shanghai SIPG manager Andre Villas Boas has proposed an…interesting theory, saying that rival club Guangzhou Evergrande engineered car accidents as the Shanghai bus traveled to the Asian Champions League quarterfinal. What else can you even say about that?
• Real Madrid phenom Marco Asensio was held out of last night’s tie with APOEL Nicosia due to a pimple. Yes, you read that right. Apparently the kid was shaving his legs and a cut got infected, so no Champions League for poor Marco. Get it together dude, we’re not mad, just disappointed.
• Some famous birthdays today include late singer Amy Winehouse, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler, rapper Nas, and Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

That’s all I’ve got today, which means it’s time for me to go put the finishing touches on 11 Atlanta United voodoo dolls. Oh hang on, are we playing them this weekend? Wow how about that for a coincidence, I hadn’t even noticed…