Lion Links: 8/6/18

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! I don’t know about you, but it was quite a busy weekend for me as I attended the Tampa Bay Comic Con. Of course, I took some time out of my Saturday evening to watch the Lions’ comeback, and got home yesterday in time to check out the Orlando Pride draw with Sky Blue FC.

Pride Draw Against Sky Blue

In last night’s match, the Orlando Pride drew with Sky Blue FC. 2-2, in a game that left many Pride fans frustrated. The scoring didn’t start until the second half when Marta found the back of the net to give the Pride the lead. Within 10 minutes of her goal, Sky Blue scored twice to take the lead and the Pride had to rally to score an equalizer thanks to Dani Weatherholt’s goal in the 73rd minute.

Then in stoppage time, Carli Lloyd received a red card for a handball on the line that prevented a winning goal. That led to Marta lining up to take the penalty to give Orlando the win. However, she hit the ball right into the waiting arms of Sky Blue goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. There wasn’t really any excuse for not getting the win with seven minutes of stoppage time in the second half and Sky Blue going for the draw.

O’Connor Searches For a Defense

James O’Connor is trying to figure out how to get his team to stop giving up so many goals. Orlando City has started scoring goals again, with 11 since he took over. Unfortunately, his side has given up 18 goals in those same matches. There have been moments of good defense in that time, but also unexplained lapses. It’s incredibly important that Orlando City gets results from its next set of matches if it wants any chance at making the playoffs.

The Have Nots and the Have Less

It’s no secret that women’s soccer teams typically don’t get paid as much money as men’s teams and that their facilities are not up to the standards that most men’s teams are accustomed to using. In the NWSL, there are also differences between which teams have access to better facilities than other teams. The Pride are fortunate to be able to play on grass in Orlando City Stadium, and share excellent facilities. On the other side, teams like Sky Blue FC barely have facilities worthy of a high school team. It was rumored that Carli Lloyd had to take ice baths in a trash can. If the situation is even close to that, it’s not acceptable. Hopefully, something can be done about such issues.

Tommy Redding is Out For the Season

Former Orlando City Homegrown Player Tommy Redding is out for the remainder of the New York Red Bulls’ season with a shoulder injury. He underwent successful surgery last week. Redding has only played in one game for the Red Bulls this season and he won’t be available until 2019, though he’s looking forward to getting back on the field as soon as possible. Good luck to Redding, as he works his way back from the surgery.

Free Kicks

• Janine Beckie did not make the trip to Orlando and indeed may be heading across the pond. Rumors are that she hasn’t been happy with Sky Blue, and wants to ply her trade in Europe.
• Axel Witsel has signed with Borussia Dortmund for a four-year contract at a decent price tag.

• This is quite possibly the best thing to happen in soccer in forever. Let’s face it, West Bromwich Albion’s mascot is less scary (and cooler) than Kingston.

I’m going to end it there, because I guarantee I won’t find anything more interesting than that today. Go City, and go Pride!