Lion Links: 9/12/18

Happy hump day to everyone! Hopefully by now you’ve recovered from the return of the NFL and are ready to get back into the week with the USMNT, NWSL playoffs, and Orlando City matches all on slate.

Let’s dive in.

USMNT Tops Mexico, 1-0

Tyler Adams supplied all the scoring as the U.S. defeated 10-man Mexico, 1-0 in Nashville last night. The game was tight throughout, with Mexico controlling most of the first half. The U.S. got back into it just before the break and continued to get more of the game early in the second half. Then things got chippy with a shoving match, followed by a red card on a horror tackle and the Yanks took full advantage.

International Lions Update

Yoshi Yotún, Mohamed El-Munir, and Amro Tarek were all selected for international duty this past week. It appears we have the status on their current whereabouts:

Reinforcements are on the way as Orlando preps for Chicago this weekend.

Potential MLS All-Star Game Announcement

It looks like MLS is up to something big this Thursday in Orlando.

As ProSoccer USA’s Jordan Culver points out here, MLS has all but made it official for the club to host the 2019 MLS All-Star Game. If not for this announcement, there’s no other news that is rumbling around — yet. Stay tuned for updates as the event is set for 11:30 a.m. ET tomorrow.

Former Lion Luke Boden Signs with Orlando SeaWolves

The new Orlando-based MASL team found themselves another former Orlando City player in defender Luke Boden. Boden, who appeared in 45 matches over City’s first two seasons, has found a home after being with the Tampa Bay Rowdies this past year. He joins Lewis Neal, Tyler Turner, and Jonny Mendoza as former Orlando City players who have committed to suit up for the first-year SeaWolves.

Boys U-16 National Team Features Two Young Lions

Edison Azcona (Orlando City SC; Clermont, FL) and Wilfredo Rivera (Orlando City SC; Fleming Island, FL), both midfielders, have found themselves part of the most recent U.S. U-16 National Team camp from Sept. 12-19 for a training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton. This group of players moved up from the U-14 level for 2018 and will spend two years as the U-16 BNT before moving on to the U-18 level. These players are all age-eligible for the 2019 U-17 World Cup, which has an age cut-off of players born on or after Jan. 1, 2002, but will eventually be the core age group for the team that will attempt to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Meet Ali Krieger Today

The season may be over but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have some fun with the Pride as defender Ali Krieger will be at the Den tonight. Here are the details:

Free Kicks

• Manchester United’s new women’s team scored 12 goals in its first ever Women’s Championship match.
• The Richmond Kickers, formerly of USL D2, will compete as the eighth official team in the USL DIII alongside Orlando City B.
• While unlikely, former Orlando manager and current Loons Head Coach Adrian Heath gives his predictions on what’s needed for the franchise’s first ever MLS playoff appearance.

And that’s it. Literally, for me, unfortunately. This is my last article for the foreseeable future as I am stepping away after a great year here at The Mane Land. As to what’s next, you’ll have to wait to see (and I don’t want to get ahead of myself), but feel free to continue following me on Twitter, at @I_Am_Turton). 

I want to say thank you to all of the staff here for one hell of a year of banter that was both a blast and insightful. Thank you especially to you fans that took the time to read what were pretty much the longest consistent articles we’ve had all year, haha. And of course, thank you to everyone at Orlando City for all their help this season. All the best to everyone here and, as always, go find yourself a great beer. Cheers!