Lion Links: 11/2/17

Hello out there to all the lovely people of The Mane Land. Hope your Thursday is off to a bright start and that you accomplish all you set out to do, on what is sure to be a very lovely day outside.

Before I jump into the Lion Links for the day, I just want to take the time to address something very important. Orlando City and The Ruckus have lost a very important member of their family. Joseph Campo, who is more commonly known as Purple Deadpool, passed away in a fatal car accident Tuesday. Joey often led the wall with passion, and was a great role model in his community. He leaves behind his family, his partner, and his son. The Ruckus has organized a GoFundMe to help Joey’s family with the memorial costs, so if there is anything that you would like to — or are able to — donate, you can do so here. Rest easy, Joey.

Kaká’s Strike Up For Goal of the Year

Remember that ridiculous thunderbolt of a goal that Kaká scored against Atlanta United at the end of July? You know, the one that the TV crew was too busy showing a highlight that they completely missed the goal happen? Yeah, now you remember! Well that ludicrous strike is up for MLS Goal of the Year, and it’s all handled by fan voting. So make sure you get on and vote for your captain one last time, so he can go out of MLS on top in this regard. Voting will remain open until Nov. 14.

Good Guy Antonio Nocerino

Ahead of this Saturday’s Fuerza Puerto Rico Friendly match, the Orlando Sentinel’s Alicia DelGallo reports that Antonio Nocerino and his family have donated 100 tickets to the game this Saturday. He did this knowing that Orlando has a very big heart, and he wanted to help bring in as many people as possible to help Puerto Rico. A reminder that all proceeds from this game will be donated to the United for Puerto Rico initiative, which will help the island recover from the utter devastation that was caused by Hurricane Maria. Tickets are still available for this game through Ticketmaster. This is also your last chance to catch Kaká play in Orlando City purple, so this is an event you don’t want to miss, and it is for a fantastic cause.

Steph Catley is Really Busy

Orlando Pride defender Steph Catley has been around the world and back over the last year. Representing three different teams, the Orlando Pride, Melbourne City, and the Australian Women’s National Team, Catley has managed to have maybe four days off all year. She’s been on so many flights around the world that she has completely lost track of how many she’s been on. Between those three teams she has made 48 appearances this season and logged 4,280 minutes of game time. She missed only one game with the Pride, and only one minute with Melbourne City. She also played every minute of her nine appearances with the Matildas. At 23 years of age, that is quite a resume for the young Australian, and boy, does she deserve a vacation. Steph, we all salute you. I even just took a break from typing to slow clap in front of my computer, and I recommend you do the same.

Houston Dynamo Goalkeeper Tyler Deric Arrested

Reports have come out that the Houston Dynamo starting goalkeeper Tyler Deric has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault of a family member early Tuesday morning. Not much is known as of right now. All we know is that he was released on $1,000 bond, and has a court hearing on Tuesday. And as for his playing status in the Major League Soccer, he is suspended until otherwise noted, and will miss out on the Dynamo’s playoff game this Sunday against the Portland Timbers. After the first leg of the playoff match against the Timbers, the Dynamo are tied on aggregate, 0-0, so missing their shot stopper could be a problem.

More of the Same for U.S. Soccer?

We all know that Sunil Gulati is on the hot seat after the U.S. Men’s National Team crashed and burned out of 2018 World Cup qualifying. But now more and more people keep tossing their hat in the ring, at a shot to potentially become the next president of U.S. Soccer. The most recent and most interesting name is Sunil Gulati’s second in command, Carlos Cordeiro. Many believed Cordeiro would stay in support of his good friend Gulati and were shocked to find out that he announced his intention to run, and in doing so proposed a plan that will include significant structural changes to the U.S. Soccer system.

Free Kicks

• FourFourTwo reporter Paul Tenorio made mention that not only are Crew fans at a loss if the team decides to leave Columbus, but the kids in the academy will find themselves in awful situations.
• The Philadelphia Union have announced that they will not renew the contracts of several key players. Some of the players on their way out may look relatively good in purple. Just saying.
• Yet another delay in the case of the NASL vs. U.S. Soccer. This is part of the NASL’s fight to remain at Division 2 status. We should get some more clarity on this case next week.
• In light of the start of ‘Movember’ or ‘No Shave November,’ whatever you wish to call it, FOX Soccer imagined what it would be like if top clean shaven players were to participate in the event.
• Champions League action was plentiful yesterday, and, in case you missed any results, we have them all here:

That’s all the links we have for you today. Thanks for stopping by. Today I leave you yet again with another ultra corny and lame dad joke, but this time, this one just resonates with me deeply.

See you all at the stadium on Saturday for the last time in 2017.