Lion Links: 5/24/18

What’s up Mane Landers. Hope you all are enjoying an awesome Thursday and have had a good week so far. Here are the Links for today!

Orlando Pride Mistakes Lead to 4-3 Loss

The Pride saw their five-game unbeaten streak come to an end with a 4-3 home loss to the North Carolina Courage last night. A disappointing crowd of 3,104 (a record low for the Pride) was there to see it, so did it really happen at all? Unfortunately, yes. The Pride survived an onslaught from the Courage in the first half and trailed only 1-0 before equalizing in the second half. But then Orlando gifted North Carolina a goal off a giveaway at the top of the penalty area and an own-goal by Ashlyn Harris to fall behind, 3-1. The Pride battled back to tie it through Alanna Kennedy and Rachel Hill before again gifting another bad goal in stoppage time.

SIMA Aguilas Drop FC Miami City, 2-1

The SIMA Àguilas won their second straight game on Wednesday, scoring two very late goals to beat FC Miami City 2-1. The squad entered the game with four points, picking up three more to get off to a great start through the first three games of the season. FC Miami City dominated most of the match but the SIMA Àguilas scored twice in the final three minutes to erase a 1-0 deficit and win on the road. After a 2-0-1 start, the Àguilas return home on May 26 to face IMG Academy at 7 p.m.

Jason Kreis Keeps Lions Confident During Two-Game Skid

Even with the two-game skid that Orlando City is currently on, Head Coach Jason Kreis sees progress and is keeping his players confident.

“As a coaching staff, when we look out and see the product, the performance on the field, we’ve seen that our ideas are getting across,” an up-beat Kreis said after training Tuesday. “A lot of positive things. The game feels more stable, we’re giving up less chances – less chances against very dangerous teams in Atlanta and Toronto.”

Kreis also addressed the “moments” that cost Orlando City in one-goal games, which happened to be the difference in the 2-1 losses to Atlanta United and Toronto FC.

“I don’t think we’re short of confidence. We’re not going to let two games decide our season. We’re going for three points, and we’re going for them at home.”

Lloyd Yaxley and Ashlyn Harris Relationship Built on Mutual Trust

Lloyd Yaxley has always been creative with his goalkeeper drills, and that was evident in training with Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. Harris sat on an exercise ball, Yaxley picked up a tennis racket and ball and told her to swat the tennis ball away. Yaxley and Harris have built an amazing player-coach relationship over the six years they have been together and each has had the same goal, pursue perfection.

“I always try to keep it interesting,” Yaxley said. “Try and keep them on their toes, try and keep them wondering what we’re going to do at training today.”

Three Big Stars Considering MLS Moves

Numerous stars are hinting at moves to MLS. The first, USMNT and current Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron.

The 32-year-old unsurprisingly wants to leave Stoke City, which finished 19th in the Premier League and was relegated. Cameron would go through the MLS allocation process, with LA Galaxy currently holding the first spot and D.C. United and Colorado Rapids behind them.

The second, Atletico Madrid and Spanish international Fernando Torres.

Torres has long been rumored to be heading to the Chicago Fire. but he could be set to sign within this week. Torres would not be able to play with the club until the secondary transfer window opens on July 10.

Finally, former Manchester United star and current Everton striker Wayne Rooney.

Rooney is visiting with D.C. United on Thursday as he has long been rumored to be heading to Washington. Rooney has reportedly already agreed a deal in principle with the club, although he still has a year left on his contract with Everton. It will be interesting to see the developments that come with these players possibly joining MLS.

Free Kicks

• Sydney Leroux Dwyer had an interesting question for fans on Twitter.

• Could David Beckham’s Miami MLS team be called the “Freedom?”
• After social media outcry, hall of fame to redo soccer star Brandi Chastain’s plaque.
• Former USWNT international Heather O’Reilly leaves Arsenal. We wait to see what’s next for the star midfielder.