Lion Links: 1/15/18

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers and Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! We hope you’re staying warm as we are one week closer to the start of the season. Despite it being smack dab in the middle of the off-season, there’s still some stuff to cover. So let’s get to the Links!

Josue Colmán Announcement Imminent

Guess who is in Orlando? It’s Paraguayan midfielder and soon-to-be Lion Josue Colmán and he’s decked from head to toe in Orlando City gear. According to the tweet below, Colmán will finally and officially join the club at some point today after fans have sat on pins and needles waiting for a concrete signing of the young talent.

Yet Another Orlando City Transfer Rumor

The rumors have been flying fast and furious of late, and another has landed. According to this story, the Lions have made an offer for midfielder Guilherme Costa from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama. Costa, 23, is worth about 300,000 Euros according to Transfermarkt.com, if you believe that sort of thing. He’s listed as a left-footed right midfielder from Rio, who can play any attacking midfield position. He’s played for Brazil at the U-17 level. Transfermarkt says he’s played nine Serie A games in Brazil, scoring a goal and assisting on two others. As for the validity of the rumor, well, it’s not a source we’re placing a ton of faith in, but you can never discount a Brazilian rumored to be headed to Orlando, especially given the club’s needs in attack.

Nacional Tops Atletico Mineiro as Florida Cup Rolls On

Andrés Rentería and Lucomi Jetson scored to lead Colombian side Atletico Nacional to a 2-0 win over Atletico Mineiro out of Brazil in 2018 Florida Cup action. The match took place at a chilly (for Florida) Spectrum Stadium on the UCF campus. The tournament has produced many special moments with two matches still to play. Florida Cup continues at UCF at 4 p.m. today with Fluminense taking on Barcelona S.C. If you’ve got the holiday Monday off, why not go check it out? You’ll be home in time for dinner.

Former UCF Knights Player Returns

Matias Pyysalo, former UCF player, was able to finally play soccer in Orlando City Stadium at the 2018 MLS Player Combine. The Finnish forward made both the USC All-East Region Second Team and the All-American Athletic Conference First Team in 2017 at UCF. Pyysalo was also named American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. He earned a trip to the combine thanks to 32 goals and 18 assists during his four seasons at UCF, where he totaled 5,758 minutes and started in all 64 of his appearances. Pyysalo’s team lost the first of its three matches during the combine, but he still feels the opportunity is a step forward.

Josh Sargent Coming of Age

Much like Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent was lucky enough to have parents that fostered his soccer goals. As such, he has been playing with Werder Bremen’s U-23 team, and will likely formally sign this month with the club when he turns 18. Hopefully, he will follow Pulisic’s path of development, and help with the next generation for the USMNT.

Liverpool Ends Manchester City’s Unbeaten Streak

If you missed Liverpool take on Manchester City at Anfield yesterday, shame on you. You probably thought, that well, Man City is just going to keep rolling, especially since Liverpool sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, and recent acquisition Virgil van Dijk was out with a tight hamstring. Surely, the Reds had no chance against top of the table City. You’d have been wrong. It was an epic game where Liverpool went out to a 4-1 lead in the second half only to hang on to a 4-3 win to secure three points, move into third in the EPL table, and hand City its first loss. If you’re able to go watch the replay or the highlights, we highly recommend it.

Free Kicks

• What the ref? I guess it isn’t only the players that get a little chippy when someone nudges them. It’s quite the leg sweep. Needless to say, a red was given.
• Orlando City will host its fourth annual Pub Crawl on March 2.
• Evidently, despite finally losing Sunday, Manchester City was offended when Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez’s lawyer wanted a bit more money. As such, it has opened that door for Manchester United. Stay tuned.
• Famous birthdays: Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), Pitbull (36), Drew Brees (38), DJ Skrillex (29), actress Regina King (46), Tool guitarist Adam Jones (52), footballer Eric Dier (23), and a bunch of people I don’t care about.
• Finally, I’m including this in Free Kicks, because how many darn years and articles have we read about how soon David Beckham’s Miami MLS team would be a reality? Don’t bother to count, it’s simply too many. But, here is another.

Stay tuned for more from The Mane Land.