Lion Links: 5/25/18

What’s up, Mane Landers? I hope things have gone smoothly for you this week as we gear up for a weekend filled to the brim with Orlando soccer. Both Orlando City (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Orlando Pride (3:30 p.m. ET) will be playing against teams from Chicago tomorrow, with the Pride on the road while the Lions will be at home. We have a lot of links to get to this morning so I’ll keep the chit-chat short to catch you up on the latest.

Young Orlando City Midfielders Loaned Out for One Match

Orlando City has loaned midfielders Cam Lindley and Pierre Da Silva to Saint Louis FC in the USL for just one match. That match will be played tomorrow at 8 p.m. when Saint Louis FC travels to take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Da Silva will reunite with Saint Louis FC Head Coach Anthony Pulis, who previously coached Orlando City B. Both players have struggled to find the field this season in a crowded midfield so hopefully this opportunity will get them some quality minutes.

Orlando Pride Hoping to Rebound in Chicago

The Orlando Pride take to the road looking for a win against the Chicago Red Stars after falling 4-3 to the North Carolina Courage earlier this week. Both teams are tied in the standings with 12 points each, but the Pride may have an edge after proving already this season that they can win against the Red Stars. Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni believes the team has what it takes to get things done and return to its winning ways.

“We obviously picked up a big win the last time we were in Chicago but we are returning to face a team that has some key players back in the lineup since the last time we faced them,” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “Any team with Sam Kerr is dangerous and with a quick turnaround from Wednesday, it’ll be important that we get in proper recovery and do our best to create and execute the best game plan. No game in this league is easy but we know what our team is capable of and the skill we possess on our roster.”

Orlando City Draws Miami United FC in U.S Open Cup Fourth Round

With the third round of the U.S. Open Cup done and gone, its time for the MLS teams to get in on the action. After yesterday’s draw, Orlando City is set to face Miami United FC from the National Premier Soccer League. The exact date and time has yet to be revealed, but the game will not take place at Orlando City Stadium. Instead, the match will be played at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah after Orlando City did not apply to be a host. But before you get on the club’s case, maybe that move was a display of good grace on Orlando’s behalf considering the strain the tournament puts on smaller clubs.

United States Will Play Against Mexico on Sept. 11

In what may just be the biggest match of the year for the United States Men’s National Team, the USMNT and Mexico will have a friendly on Sept. 11 in Nashville, TN. The USMNT is still without a long-term head coach or general manager, but both of those positions will hopefully be filled when the two rival nations clash. The match is one of many high-profile friendlies scheduled for the rest of 2018, but this one should stand out as a must-watch for USMNT fans.

MLS All-Star Voting Opens

Voting has officially opened for this year’s MLS All-Star Game in Atlanta against Juventus. Fans have until June 8 to cast their votes for the All-Star Fan XI through the MLS app, so make sure to give our Lions some love. Fans can also “vote” for a third forward by scoring goals on FIFA 18 with each goal scored counting as one vote. Here’s a list of all the eligible Lions and other MLS players you can vote for.

Free Kicks

• MLS Commissioner Don Garber is heading to Cincinnati, OH this Tuesday for a “special announcement” which will likely result in the welcoming of a new expansion team to MLS.
• MLS Goal of the Week honors go to the Portland Timbers’ Samuel Armenteros for his game-winning strike against LAFC.
• The Orlando SeaWolves have signed another former Lion, adding midfielder Jonny Mendoza to the team.

• Earnie Stewart, the sporting director for the Philadelphia Union, has pulled ahead as the favorite for the U.S. Soccer general manager job.
• Bob Bradley may not have impressed many people in his time as the head coach of the Egyptian National Team, but he did help Mohamed Salah reach new levels of stardom.
• Former MLS player Robbie Rogers has been a role model to a generation of LGBT youth and coming out while playing inspired an author to create a novel.
• What has been the leading force behind China’s diplomacy with Latin America? Soccer, of course.
• Former USMNT phenom Julian Green is hoping to resurrect his international career while enjoying the game he loves.
• Steve Nash decided to put his basketball and soccer skills to the test against Christian Pulisic in a game of horse.

• We end our links in Brazil, where 38-year-old soccer legend Ronaldinho is set to marry the loves of his life. I wonder if both of the wives have to say “I do” at the same time or not.

That’s all from me folks. We have a big day tomorrow so try not to party too hard tonight. Have a blessed Friday. Vamos Orlando!