Lion Links: 3/13/18

Good morning, Mane Landers. I know Saturday’s match didn’t go how any of us wanted it to, but hope springs eternal and Sacha Kljestan’s suspension is over, so don’t go all doom and gloom on me just yet. Another Tuesday brings another round of Links, so let’s get cracking.

Pride Players Get Props From NWSL Management

The NWSL has completed and released its 2018 GM Survey and Orlando Pride players were shown quite a bit of love in it. Among the topics surveyed were what team would win the championship, what four teams would make the playoffs, who would win the golden boot, and who the league MVP would be. Marta was picked to be MVP and there were several Pride honorable mentions. However, the team was only tied with Chicago Red Stars to be the fourth and final team in the playoffs, meaning that the Pride will just be making people eat their (typed) words, once that time of the year rolls around.

Kevin Molino Tears ACL

Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino has torn the ACL in his left knee. The injury occurred in Orlando City’s 2-1 defeat to the Loons this past Saturday, with Molino going off injured in the opening stages of the second half. The ex-Lion tore the ACL in his right knee back in 2015, so sadly he’s now gone two for two with that particular injury. With rehab for an ACL injury typically taking anywhere from 10-12 months, it’s extremely doubtful that he will return at any point in the 2018 MLS season. Best of luck to him, and here’s wishing him a speedy recovery.

Anthony Precourt Approaching Anti-Christ Status

Perhaps that header is a bit hyperbolic, but there’s no denying that Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt is kind of the worst. His latest transgression in a long line of questionable choices was releasing a letter detailing the attempts to move the Crew to Austin, TX…during a season ticket holder event for the Crew. The Comeback’s Matt Yoder has written a delightful article comparing Precourt to a monorail salesman, a wonderful Simpsons-related analogy that if you aren’t familiar with, I would suggest looking into. Even if you aren’t though, releasing information about a team’s attempted relocation during a party for said team’s season ticket holders is tone deaf at best, and willfully callous at worst.

Greek League Suspended

Here’s a weird one for you: The Greek League has indefinitely suspended play after PAOK Thessaloniki’s owner Ivan Savvidis walked onto the pitch during play with a holstered gun quite clearly prominent on his belt. While he has a gun license and made no attempt to use the weapon, bringing a gun into a stadium — much less onto a field — is not allowed in Greece. Police are currently investigating Savvidis, and the Greek soccer federation is in the process of deciding its next move.

Free Kicks

• On a much happier note, VVV-Venlo player Lennart Thy will miss his team’s next game in order to donate blood to save a person with leukemia.

Jamie Carragher has been suspended from Sky Sports after spitting at a 14-year-old.

Jose Mourinho roasted Frank de Boer like a Boar’s Head ham.

• Today’s birthdays include Tristan Thompson, Common, and Mikaela Shiffrin.

That’s all for me today. If any of y’all could send some warmer weather up my way in Maryland, I’d greatly appreciate it. Either that, or enough snow to actually cancel my classes instead of a puny one or two inches. Ciao.