Lion Links
Lion Links: 10/4/18
It’s 10/4, good buddies, and it’s also Thursday, which means we’re now just two days away from the return of Orlando City to the pitch. That might not be a great thing the way this season has gone, but the team is overdue for a win…or at least a goal.
The U.S. women take to the pitch tonight against Mexico as the 2018 Concacaf Championship gets underway. The tournament will send three teams directly through to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. Alex Morgan and company should take a step toward one of those spots tonight and we’ll have full coverage later today.
For now, let’s get on with Lion Links.
OCB Hires Head Coach
Orlando City B has hired the team’s second ever head coach in the person of former Montverde Academy head coach and director of methodology Fernando Jose De Argila Irurita. De Argila spent three years with Montverde but has experience as head coach of FC Barcelona’s youth academy and professional futsal program, as well as various professional roles in Italy, Greece, and Spain. He follows Anthony Pulis, who left after the 2017 season when the club decided to put OCB on hiatus. I look forward to seeing how the new bridge between the academy and the first team comes together in the USL’s Division III, which will be known as USL League One.
Orlando City Injury Updates
The ouchies continue unabated for Orlando City. The latest injuries for the Lions include Uri Rosell, who has played well in recent weeks. The Spaniard has picked up an ankle injury and hasn’t been fully training this week – instead working out off to the side. In addition, goalkeeper Adam Grinwis is battling an infection and Pierre Da Silva has a knee issue. Hopefully all three Lions will be able to make the trip to Dallas, particularly Rosell and Grinwis, who were instrumental in Orlando’s 0-0 draw against Houston.
Pulisic Out for USMNT Friendlies
Speaking of ouchies, USMNT wunderkind Christian Pulisic has picked up a torn calf muscle and will miss the upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Peru. Borussia Dortmund announced on Wednesday that the U.S. international will miss two to three weeks and now I am less excited about the upcoming matches than I once was. Get well soon, Christian.
USMNT Youth Scores First Competitive Goal with Schalke
Weston McKennie picked a great time to score his first competitive goal with Schalke. The 20-year-old emerging USMNT star found the net late in a UEFA Champions League match against Lokomotiv Moscow to lift his side to a 1-0 win. Want to check it out? Here it is.
20-year-old American Weston McKennie scores the late winner in UEFA Champions League for Schalke at Lokomotiv Moscow. His first competitive goal at club level. pic.twitter.com/BH0snF40YX
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) October 3, 2018
Free Kicks
- Go inside the numbers to see what milestones are coming up for Orlando City.
- Players 11-22 in the MLS 22 Under 22 dropped but no Lions were among them. The top 10 are still to come.
- Hooray for local heroes! UCF’s Stefanie Sanders was named AAC Offensive Player of the Week.
- AC Milan is reportedly interested in signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic away from the Galaxy.
- Those born on this date include former U.S. president Rutherford B. Hayes (1822), film legend Charlton Heston (1923), author Anne Rice (1941), baseball’s Tony La Russa (1944), actress Susan Sarandon (1946), Triumph drummer/vocalist Gil Moore (1953), and Alicia Silverstone (1976).
That’s my time for today, folks. Enjoy your Thursday and check back with us later for coverage of the USWNT.