Lion Links: 7/6/18

What’s up, Mane Landers? It’s another Friday and another day closer to a weekend filled with soccer. World Cup action returns today with the quarterfinals getting underway and both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride play tomorrow. Both Orlando teams are coming off of losses, but there’s plenty to look forward to, particularly as the James O’Connor era begins for the Lions. But before you can watch your favorite teams take the field, we’ve gotta get through one more work day. So let’s start the day off on the right foot with some links!

Orlando City’s Game Time Moved to Late at Night

In order to avoid the California sun, Orlando’s game in Los Angeles against LAFC has been moved from 4:30 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET. The forecast for Saturday afternoon predicted temperatures well over 100 degrees and the change in time should let the Lions hunt coolly. So, if you’re a night owl you’ll have something to watch late Saturday night as the game will still be available to watch on television on FS1.

Ali Krieger Reflects on Return From Injury

Orlando Pride defender Ali Krieger’s injury on May 26 in the Pride’s 5-2 win over the Chicago Red Stars was one of the few times Pride fans have seen the 33-year-old vulnerable. The resulting MCL injury had Krieger miss time for the first since joining the Pride. Krieger returned to the field last weekend against the North Carolina Courage but was quick to admit that it was far from her best performance.

“It wasn’t my best game,” Krieger said, but added it was amazing just to be playing again. “You’ve just got to get back out there and play games and get touches on the ball. It’s always hard coming back from injury because you’re not going to have your best game. Just to get out there with the team and get focused again on the task at hand and be back with the squad, that was just great.”

Mexico’s Manager Rumored For USMNT Job

After Mexico’s exit from the World Cup at the hands of Brazil, Mexico Men’s National Team manager Juan Carlos Osorio is being rumored for the United States Men’s National Team head coaching job. This wouldn’t be Osorio’s first time leading a team in the U.S. after already coaching the New York Red Bulls and the Chicago Fire in the past. Take the rumors with a grain of salt obviously, but keep an eye out for any further developments as the USMNT head coach search wears on.

Ronaldo Reportedly Agrees to Move to Juventus

The rumors that emerged earlier this week linking Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo with Juventus gained a bit of weight yesterday with the news that Ronaldo has reportedly agreed to join the Serie A Champions. But things are far from set in stone. Although this is a good sign for Juventus fans hoping to have the best player in the world join the club, this could all just be posturing from Ronaldo’s camp so that Real Madrid pays more to keep him. It’s hard to say what will happen , but I’ll be surprised if Ronaldo isn’t in a Real Madrid kit next season.

Free Kicks

• Former Lion Hadji Barry converted a penalty for Swope Park Rangers to help his team reach a 2-0 victory.

• Carlos Rivas is reportedly heading back to his home country in Colombia where he will be on loan from the New York Red Bulls to play for Atletico Nacional.

• Rivas isn’t the only ex-Lion on the move. John Rooney, brother of the more popular Wayne Rooney and former midfielder for Orlando City back in the USL days, has joined Barrow AFC in the English league system’s fifth tier.
• Chicago Fire winger Aleksandar Katai has not only scored four goals in three games, but he even edged out Zlatan Ibrahimovich for this week’s MLS Goal of the Week.
• As the Lions gear up for their match with LAFC tomorrow night, they will need to find a way to both stop forward Adama Diomande and get past center back Laurent Ciman. They say that you should know your enemy, so learn more about the June MLS Player of the Month and the 2018 All-Star defender.
• Justice has been served in the NWSL after Portland Thorns defender Meghan Klingenberg’s dirty play.

For what it’s worth, Klingenberg has since apologized for her actions.

• In the Champions League, Europa League, and other European tournaments, a fourth substitute will now be allowed if games go into extra time.
• 200,000 people have signed a petition for FIFA to review the World Cup game between Colombia and England.
• I’ll end your links with this ridiculousness by FIFA as it removed a video of a young fan celebrating after England’s win.

That’s all from me, folks. Have a fantastic Friday and enjoy the weekend!