Lion Links: 11/13/17

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! There’s quite a bit of soccer going on right now. Between the U.S. national teams, the NASL championship, the USL Cup, and the NCAA tournaments, it’s almost as good as the regular season. Well not quite, but we have to stay positive to start out the week.

USWNT Defeats Canada

In the last match of the calendar year, the USWNT defeated the Canadian Women’s National Team, 3-1 in Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA. Julie Ertz put the Yanks on top with a header off a set piece in the 11th minute. Janine Beckie would equalize for Canada in the 50th minute, though that wouldn’t last very long. In the 56th minute, Alex Morgan scored her seventh goal in seven games, and 80th international goal in only 134 games. Alex also later assisted on Carli Lloyd’s 80th-minute goal.

Deltas Top Cosmos in NASL Final

The San Francisco Deltas defeated the New York Cosmos 2-0 for the NASL Championship last night. Tom Heinemann scored the first goal of the match for the Deltas in the 19th minute. That would be the only goal during regular time, though Devon Sandoval added another for the Deltas late in stoppage time (90’+5). It was a wild game and an impressive first season for the Deltas, making and winning the championship game. And they did it by beating one of the most storied professional soccer teams in the United States.

Former Lions making good in USL Cup

James O’Connor had a playing career that took him from Stoke City to the West Bromwich Albion Baggies and others in England before finishing his playing career with Orlando City during the USL days. It was then that O’Connor signed on as the head coach of USL side Louisville City. For three years, the Irishman has been there and has been successful, including an appearance in tonight’s 2017 USL Cup final. O’Connor isn’t the only former Lion in the match, as Christian Duke will suit up for Swope Park Rangers. Duke and O’Connor were teammates when Orlando City won the 2013 USL Cup. Louisville City takes on Swope Park Rangers tonight in Louisville (9 p.m. ET on ESPNU).

Toni Pressley Scores for Canberra United

Plenty of Pride players have made their way over to the Australian W-league, including Toni Pressley with Canberra United. Canberra United had been looking for their first win of the season when they took on fellow bottom of the table club, Sydney FC. Canberra’s Michelle Heyman scored a brace, including the game winner. However, that would not have been enough if Pressley hadn’t gotten a header in the 78th minute. Save some of those goals for the Pride, Toni.

Interim USMNT Coach Speaks Out

Dave Sarachan will lead the new-look USMNT against Portugal tomorrow night (well, tomorrow afternoon here). Despite the new faces that will be on the field for the U.S., Sarachan feels that the U.S. Soccer Federation doesn’t need to “start from scratch.” That’s not to say he doesn’t have a bad taste in his mouth from the loss to Trinidad and Tobago, however, he doesn’t think the situation is as dire as others seem to think. Regardless, of the 21 players called up, five have no caps, and seven have fewer than five international appearances. Seems like a good start from scratch to me.

Free Kicks

• Turns out Dom Dwyer needs space for jerseys and footwear. Even at Sydney Leroux Dwyer’s expense.

• The UCF Women’s Soccer team made an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, falling 1-0 to Washington State on Saturday.
• Birthdays for today include comedian Whoopi Goldberg (61), TV host Jimmy Kimmel (49), Gerard “Leonidas” Butler (47), actor Steve Zahn (49), basketball player Metta World Peace (37), actor Joe Mantegna (69), director Garry Marshall (1934-2016), actor Neil Flynn (56), football player Michael Bennett (31), and actor Chris Noth (62).

That will do it for your start of the week links. Don’t forget to check back in for all the soccer coverage we can provide during these dark off-season months.