Lion Links: 12/10/17

Good morning, Mane Landers. Hopefully, you all are bundling up and staying warm this morning as the sweater weather finally hits us here in the Sunshine State. So grab some hot coffee, put on your fuzzy socks and enjoy some Lion Links.

Toronto FC Win First MLS Cup

In the 2017 MLS Cup final, Toronto FC defeated the Seattle Sounders, 2-0, to claim its first MLS title. Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez both found the back of the net for Toronto after a scoreless first half in front of a home crowd of over 30,000. It was sweet revenge for those in Toronto after losing to the Sounders in last year’s MLS Cup final.

W-League Round 7 Recap

Over in Australia, we’re at the halfway point in the Westfield W-League as Round 7 has come and gone. In her second game with Sydney FC, Aubrey Bledsoe allowed her first goal (albeit from a penalty), but secured a 3-1 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers in the Sydney derby.

Elsewhere, Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley of Melbourne City had a 2-1 victory over Pride teammate Toni Pressley and Canberra United.

Central Florida to Host 2017 Prospects Cup

Later this month, the U-12 youth squads of some of the top clubs in the world will come to Kissimmee, FL for the 2017 Prospects Cup. A new tournament, the Prospects Cup will showcase some of the game’s future stars with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, AS Roma, and Borussia Dortmund all fielding teams. Orlando City’s U-12 team will also be joining the tournament along with other MLS clubs and teams from Mexico and Brazil. The five-day tournament will start on Dec. 18 and should be a fun time with crazed fans cheering on some 12-year-olds.

U.S. U-20 Women Crush Finland

In the 2017 Women’s Nike International Friendly, the U-20 USWNT had a huge 10-1 win over Finland. Although just a friendly, this was a statement win for the U.S. as it gears up for the U-20 Women’s World Cup next year in France.

Norwegian Heads to LA., Vancouver Eyes Kamara

Although Orlando City’s name hasn’t been in a lot of transfer news yet, others in MLS are making moves. The LA Galaxy strengthened their defense with the addition of Jorgen Skjelvik from Norwegian club Rosenborg BK. Skjelvik helped Norway through its World Cup qualification campaign and will hope to assist the Galaxy in bouncing back after a rough 2016.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have reportedly been looking to trade for New England Revolution striker Kei Kamara. The 33-year-old veteran has been unhappy with New England and would be a good fit in Vancouver with Fredy Montero’s future with the club up in the air. Orlando City fans may remember Kamara for his hat trick against the Lions in September, so I’m all for him heading to the Western Conference.

Free Kicks

• Borussia Dortmund is set to sack Peter Bosz after a disappointing skid punctuated by a loss at home to lowly Werder Bremen yesterday.
• The Florida Tropics are on a road trip up north where the indoor team avoided the snow and beat the Syracuse Silver Knights, 9-4. Later today, the Tropics will take on the Baltimore Blast.
• With the joint World Cup bid all but guaranteed for Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the competition will now come down to which cities will be selected as host cities.

• Kylo Ren and Darth Vader launched a pitch invasion in Australia’s A-League.
• Sheffield United couldn’t manage to spell its own name correctly for its calendars.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

That’s all from me Mane Lander, have a blessed Sunday.