Lion Links: 10/3/17

Good morning, Mane Landers. I hope all of you had a good and restful weekend. Personally, I’ve been bemoaning the fact that Jesse Gonzalez’s stupidly fortunate face save denied us the chance to start making an unlikely playoff push. But, that’s the way she goes in soccer sometimes, so I suppose we just have to suck it up and live with it. Lets get into today’s Links.

Austin Martz the Poet

Orlando City B midfielder Austin Martz has written a poem about Hurricane Irma. It deals with some of his thoughts and observations after Irma tore through Florida. Now, I’m no literary critic, but I personally thought it was a very good read. I never thought Martz had such a hidden talent, but I’m certainly glad he decided to share it with us. Thanks, Austin.

Orlando to Catch a Break from an FC Dallas gaffe?

The Lions may have gotten a lucky break this past weekend despite their 0-0 draw with FC Dallas. FCD, as broken and explained in a Twitter thread by FourFourTwo’s Paul Tenorio, might have used an ineligible player when it subbed on Michael Barrios in the second half. Tenorio went into detail on his Twitter page and our own Michael Citro walked us through it in the hours following the news. If Dallas were forced to forfeit the game by the league, it would give City new hope in the playoff race thought to be out of reach. According to Tenorio, there’s a good chance that hope could be revived, so stay tuned for the MLS office’s decision.

Harris and Kennedy Nominated for Weekly Awards

Ashlyn Harris and Alanna Kennedy have been nominated for the NWSL Save of the Week and NWSL Goal of the Week, respectively. Harris was nominated for her wonderful 29th-minute save in Orlando Pride’s game against N.C. Courage over the weekend. It seems like Ashlyn is up for this award damn near every week, and I’m sure not complaining. Kennedy, meanwhile, was nominated for her game-winning free kick in stoppage time of the same game, which just so happened to lock up the No. 3 seed for the Pride in the upcoming NWSL playoffs. Great work, ladies!

Kaká and Yotun Also Nominees for Weekly Awards

It isn’t awards season yet, but you definitely could have fooled this guy, as Kaká has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week and is named to the bench for the MLS Team of the Week, while Yoshimar Yotun is named as a starter. Kaká is up for GOTW for his lovely curled effort against the New England Revolution in the 6-1 thrashing that took place last Wednesday. Keep it up, guys!

USMNT Lineup Talk

Since the roster was announced for the USMNT’s final pair of World Cup qualifiers there’s been a lot of talk surrounding Bruce Arena’s selection choices. Particular points of discussion have been the inclusion of Gyasi Zardes and Benny Feilhaber, the omission of Fabian Johnson, and the return of Jozy Altidore, Geoff Cameron, and DeAndre Yedlin from injury. It’s important to note that while Zardes was named on the roster, U.S. Soccer has since ruled him out from participating after he sustained an injury in the Galaxy’s Saturday night draw with Real Salt Lake. Still, the boys over at MLSsoccer.com make some interesting points, from Bobby Wood’s night-and-day form for club vs. country, to the surprising call-up for Juan Agudelo.

USMNT Begins Camp in Orlando

With a vital World Cup Qualifying match this Friday against Panama, the U.S. Men’s National Team has started its camp in Orlando ahead of the game. Bruce Arena told the press that a decision about the goalkeeper rotation would be made on Thursday, giving no indication if Tim Howard and Brad Guzan would each get a game, as has been the case for the team’s recent qualifiers. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that The Wall will use the optional bleacher-style seating for the match in order to comply with FIFA regulations stating that games must be played in “all-seater” stadiums.

Free Kicks

• Get it together, UCF Football. That is all.

• Here’s a bunch of scenarios for the USA’s last two WCQs.
• Today’s birthdays include Gwen Stefani, A$AP Rocky (yes, that’s how it’s spelled), Clive Owen, and soccer’s own Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In light of the news both about Tom Petty’s cardiac arrest and the shooting in Las Vegas, here’s a little something to start your day off on the right foot. Hopefully the week can only get better from here. Cheers, everyone.