Lion Links: 2/12/18

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! I don’t know if this day is special for any of you, but it’s my youngest son’s birthday. The little bugger turns 18 years old today, though actually he’s been taller than me for quite a few years now. Happy birthday, Chris! Thanks for allowing me a personal moment, but now we’ll get to what it is that brought you here. To the links!

Pierre Da Silva Looks to Impress

As we reported in yesterday’s Lion Links, Orlando City defeated Minnesota United FC in a preseason match, 4-1. Last year, Pierre Da Silva was the first player to advance from the development academy to the first team. Now that there is no OCB for the 2018 season, Da Silva has to prove he belongs with the MLS squad.

One player that doesn’t need to prove he belongs in MLS is Dom Dwyer. He’s making his way back from injury, as is Josúe Colmán, though his quad contusion is worse than expected. Cam Lindley also tweaked a hamstring during the match. Oh, and Adrian Heath was back in town with the Loons, of course. When asked, he repeated some nice things he had said previously to Christian Bruey about Orlando City.

U-18 USMNT Wins Again

The Under-18 U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Costa Rica, 3-0 yesterday. This was the second win for the team in three days against Costa Rica. The U.S. goals came from Roberto Hategan, Stefan Stojanovic, and Ulysses Llanez with two before the half and the last coming in the second half.

Black History Month: John Brooks

The USMNT took on Ghana in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup, and John Brooks was the hero the United States needed. The Yanks were up 1-0 when Ghana equalized in the 82nd minute. The U.S. had a chance in the 86th minute with a corner kick. Graham Zusi took the kick perfectly, and Brooks put a header in the back of the net to give the U.S. the victory.

Orlando City Youth Champs

Both the U-15 and U-12 teams won their respective championships this past weekend at the Orlando City Jr. Pro Invitational Tournament. The U-15 match even went to penalty kicks.

Free Kicks:

• New USL addition Birmingham Legion FC has found a home at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Welcome to professional soccer BLFC!
• Fellow SB Nation site E Pluribus Loonum has created a U.S. Soccer Expansion/Departure tracker. I guess they were waiting for Beckham’s Miami thing to become a real thing.
• Famous birthdays for today include: President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), basketball player Bill Russell (83), Charles Darwin (1809-1882), actress Christina Ricci (37), running back Demarco Murray (29), quarterback Robert Griffin, III (27), author Judy Blume (79), Thanos/Cable actor Josh Brolin (49), and Arsenio Hall (61).
• In honor of my son, I present the video he wanted to share with you all. The Blues Brothers’ Rubber Biscuit.

That’ll do it for today. Have a great week everyone!