Lion Links: 2/26/18

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! We’re so close to the start of the season, you can practically taste it. Between new jersey reveals, Jose Aja leaving town, and the Orlando Pride schedule, it’s been a busy week. But now we start the first week of the MLS season, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait. Of course, we will literally have to wait, so here are some links in the meantime.

Orlando City Ready for the Season

Jason Kreis took advantage of Orlando City’s final preseason match to evaluate his players to see who will make the starting XI for Saturday’s season-opener. Dom Dwyer is still out with a quad injury, and Sacha Kljestan will be serving a suspension from last season’s altercation with Jozy Altidore. The main objective for Kreis was to not have any more injuries and to work on the fitness levels of his players.

Parkland Students Contact U.S. Soccer

One of the 17 students that tragically lost their life during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL was Alyssa Alhadeff. Alyssa was a member of the MSD girls soccer team. Jamie Morris and her teammates have taken it upon themselves to get U.S. Soccer to honor their friend during halftime at the SheBelieves Cup match in Orlando City Stadium on March 7. Alex Morgan replied to Jamie’s tweet directly.

Please help us get in touch with @ussoccer_wnt @ussoccer to honor our teammate and friend Alyssa Alhadeff. #NeverAgain #Parkland #MSDStrong #ParklandStrong #AlyssaAlhadeff #MSD #ussoccer pic.twitter.com/4kb4lqC8ho

— jamie morris (@jamiemorris03) February 25, 2018

Alex wasn’t the only one to see the tweet, and U.S. Soccer is going to honor Alyssa during halftime.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped @jamiemorris03‘s tweet spread and make its way to us. We got in touch with Alyssa’s family last week and are honored to say they will be at our match in Orlando on March 7, where we will hold a moment of silence to honor her life. pic.twitter.com/2OwbB40fMI

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) February 25, 2018

USL Division Three Expands

There are two teams in the new USLD3 so far, and the expectation is that more are to come. FC Tuscon and South Georgia Tormenta FC are the two teams currently in the new league. The league has decided to provide a bi-weekly update as it continues to grow.

“We have been transparent in the process of launching USL Division III since we formally announced the league in April of 2017, and this new initiative is a continuation of that open dialogue between us and the public.”#USLD3 | #ProSocc3rhttps://t.co/hpSxoDDuMd

— USLD3 (@USL_D3) February 24, 2018

Manchester City Wins Carabao Cup

Manchester City has been on a tear through the EPL this season, and it won the Carabao Cup this past weekend. The club defeated Arsenal, 3-0, following up its surprise loss to Wigan Athletic during the fifth round of the FA Cup. For Arsenal, it continues a rough downward trend.

5 – Arsenal have lost more League Cup finals than any other side in the competition’s history. Choke. #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/ixMn4v2w7J

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 25, 2018

Free Kicks

• It seems that Usain Bolt has indeed signed for a football club, and he’s going to let us know which team tomorrow.

I’ve signed for a football team! Find out which one this Tuesday at 8am GMT 👀 pic.twitter.com/iFTlWxfy7x

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) February 25, 2018

• Molde captain Ruben Gabrielsen has turned down a lucrative contract offer from an MLS side. Gabrielsen has also earned a spot on Norway’s national team.
• Former USL Lions legend Dennis Chin has already scored for Pittsburgh.

• Famous birthdays for today include USWNT player Morgan Brian (24), R&B singer Erykah Badu (46), soccer player Kepler Pepe (34), actor Tony Randall (1920-2004), singer Michael Bolton (64), pianist Fats Domino (1928-2017), and the great Johnny Cash (1932-2003).

That’s going to do it for today’s links. By next week, we’ll have started the new season! Go City!