Lion Links: 4/19/18

Hey, Mane Landers. Hope your Thursday is treating you well. The Lions come back home on Saturday to face the San Jose Earthquakes, so Orlando City has the chance to increase its win streak to four games and keep its solid play going. Before we begin the Links, Sacha Kljestan discusses the home field advantage the fans bring to Orlando City Stadium:

Jason Kreis Pleased with Players and Their Versatility

After Orlando City won its third game in a row against the Philadelphia Union, Jason Kreis’ word of the day was “versatility.” Traditional strikers Chris Mueller and Stéfano Pinho played winger throughout the match while traditional midfielder Will Johnson deployed himself at right back after RJ Allen’s injury. Kreis switched from his traditional 4-4-2 diamond formation to a 4-2-3-1 when Dom Dwyer returned from injury, and ever since Orlando City has improved and won three straight matches. With players such as Mueller, Pinho and Johnson constantly changing their positions on the pitch, it gives Kreis something he hasn’t had in awhile, adaptability. The willingness to adapt has given Orlando City the ability to change its game plan of the fly, something that can continue its win streak for games to come.

OCYS Welcomes Scott Gloden

Orlando City Youth Soccer has signed former Michigan and Saint Louis University coach Scott Gloden for the 2018-2019 season. Gloden’s served as a coach in the Ohio Youth Soccer Association as Ohio North head coach and as a Region II staff coach. Gloden’s biggest achievements came with Pacesetter Soccer Club in Sylvania, OH, when he led his U-18 girls’ team to the state semifinals for two consecutive years.

Technical Director Paul Shaw had this to say about Gloden’s arrival:

“He recently moved to the Orlando area and brings high level experience from his time in College Women’s Soccer programs working at the University of Michigan and Saint Louis University as assistant coach as well as head coaching experience at Goshen College.”

To note, Gloden also holds a United States Soccer Federation National “A” coaching license.

MLS Still Deciding on Expansion Decision

Three cities — Detroit, Cincinnati and Sacramento — all still hopefully await word on their MLS franchises after the MLS board of governors made no decision on expansion. MLS released this statement regarding the expansion:

“The MLS Board of Governors viewed the recent Cincinnati City Council vote on the West End stadium as a positive step forward for Cincinnati’s expansion bid. While there was no plan for formal a expansion vote at today’s Board of Governors meeting, the League will continue discussions with the three expansion finalists.”

The issue for Detroit’s bid is that MLS is pushing for soccer-only stadiums, and the Detroit group wants to play at Ford Field, while Cincinnati already has its own stadium and Sacramento is working on one. The decision for the 26th MLS team will not completely wipe out the two losing cities, as they will be considered for the next round of expansion.

Manchester United Set to Hire First Female COO in Club History

Manchester United is making history at Old Trafford. Executive Collette Roche is soon to be hired as the first female chief operating officer in club history. She will be the seventh woman to take an executive position among the 92 clubs in the top four divisions of English soccer. Darcie Glazer is currently the only female director at the club, but her role puts her in a non-executive capacity. This news comes about a month after Manchester United applied to have a full-time professional women’s team starting during the 2018-2019 season.

LA Galaxy Make Statement on Passing of Academy Player

The LA Galaxy lost a 16-year-old academy player on Monday by the name of Tommy Mark. The Galaxy released a short statement regarding his death. Mark recently switched from LAFC’s academy to the Galaxy’s academy. It is reported that he passed in his sleep. LA will honor Tommy with a minute of applause along with his family and friends before the game against Atlanta United on Saturday. RIP Tommy and prayers to his family and friends.

Free Kicks

• Orlando Pride’s Alanna Kennedy took over the Matildas’ Instagram story to give a player’s perspective on a day in the life of an Australian Women’s National Team player.

• LAFC officially cut the ribbon on Banc of California Stadium, 13 days before their home opener.
• ProSoccer Talk announced its Premier League Team of the Year.
• Former Manchester City, QPR, and Burnley player Joey Barton will be appointed new head coach of Fleetwood Town.
• The NFL Draft is one week away. Who will go No. 1? Comment below!

I hope everyone enjoys their Thursday and their weekend.