Lion Links: 5/6/18

Happy Sunday, Mane Landers. I hope that your weekend has been going well so far; I know mine has, I just wish I had a few additional days tacked on after today. But alas, tomorrow is Monday and we should all be preparing ourselves for the week at hand (yuck). Luckily, we’ve got an Orlando City match sandwiched in between then and now, so I can’t complain too much.

With that said, I’m here for you as always to provide some semblance of a distraction while you wait for the Lions to take on Real Salt Lake in Orlando City Stadium at 5 p.m. ET. So, here’s your Sunday serving of Links.

Lions Enjoying Great Team Chemistry

The Lions may be enjoying each other on the pitch, but they’re also loving life as teammates off away from play. Comprised of several new faces, this current squad didn’t take much time in jelling and becoming what Amro Tarek would call a #family. The camaraderie is as apparent on the field as it is off, as the boys in purple are constantly going out to dinner and team events together. This sort of chemistry is vital to a strong team morale and overall confidence, and it’s an important thread in weaving a championship-winning side. It all started early, according to keeper Joe Bendik.

“This team…I think it started in preseason,” he said. “We all were really happy to get to know each other and start to get things going. The season started and we had a little bit of adversity and just the character in the group, I think, came out. And that’s why everybody enjoys being with each other.”

Local Artist Matt Stone Unveils New Game Day Poster

Matt Stone is a local artist who loved his city far before he was brought on with Orlando City’s Creative & Brand department. Now, he’s unveiling the most recent addition to the famous game day posters. He’s an artist of many talents and mediums, but Adobe Illustrator has been his recent weapon of choice. His works include the inaugural MLS match’s famous “Lion-naut” poster, and he’s currently working on a mixed medium series using spray paint, acrylics and inks. Stone’s poster will be available at The Den and at the several kiosks around Orlando City Stadium today when the Lions host Real Salt Lake.

Sir Alex Ferguson has Emergency Surgery for Brain Hemorrhage

In a bit of a somber note, Sir Alex Ferguson, the most decorated and celebrated manager in the history of Manchester United, the Premier League, and quite possibly the world, was rushed to the hospital for an emergency surgery due to a brain hemorrhage yesterday. The surgery went well for the Scot, according to several sources, but he will need intensive care over time to aid his recovery. His family asks for privacy during these trying times. From all of us here at The Mane Land: We love you, Fergie.

2018 NWSL Championship Set for Portland’s Providence Park

Providence Park has been chosen as the venue to host the 2018 NWSL Championship game. The game will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 4:30 p.m. ET on Lifetime. Providence Park, home of the Portland Thorns, typically sees around 17,000 fans at its home matches. This will be the second time that the venue has hosted the championship match – previously setting a league record in 2015 with 13,264 spectators turning up for that year’s final.

Free Kicks

As a kid who grew up playing soccer in Tallahassee, FL, I can’t wait to see what Tallahassee SC can bring to the table. I expect them to be competitive right away, knowing the strength of the talent pool in north Florida. Here’s some background information on why they chose their new logo and color scheme.

• Yet again, the Orlando City youth teams are continuing to impress as the U-15s won, 1-0, and the U-17s won with the same score line against Chargers SC. The development of the young players in central Florida is paramount to future successes in MLS. Nothing makes me happier to see that the Orlando City youth sides are living up to the lofty expectations that comes with donning the purple kit. Keep it up, youngins!
• One of Orlando City’s partner clubs, Stoke City, has officially been relegated from the Premier League to the Championship after a decade-long run. I have a feeling they’ll make the leap back sooner rather than later.
• Congratulations, or just extra oats, are in order to Justify, the horse who won yesterday’s Kentucky Derby!
• Here’s Stuart Holden’s take on the Christian Pulisic transfer saga. So, Mane Landers, “what say you?”

• New York Red Bulls’ Connor Lade and his family came up with a clever way to reveal their baby’s gender. Congratulations, Connor!

• Props are in order to Los Angeles FC for the team’s inclusive move in stamping out anti-gay chanting from fans. Love is love, folks.

• Congratulations are also in order to Sporting Kansas City’s Roger Espinoza, who made his 200th appearance for the club last night.

Well, that’s about all I have for you today, Mane Landers. Have an excellent week, as always. Be positive and spread joy this week. Hold the door for your coworkers. Introduce yourself to someone you always see but never interact with. Smile at a stranger. Well, not in a weird way. Don’t creep the stranger out.

Actually, creep the stranger out.

‘Til next time, ML’ers.