Lion Links: 11/9/18

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s another Friday and the start of what will hopefully be an amazing weekend for you. I still can’t believe November is already here and 2018 will be over before we know it at this rate. So let’s make the next month and a half or so count and spend it doing the things we love with the people we love. But before you start attacking your weekend, let’s start the day off right with some links!

Looking Back Through the Lens at 2018

It was a rough year if you were a fan of Orlando City fan, with disappointment and letdowns at practically every juncture of the season. However, club photographer Eric Thompson captured some of the more nostalgia-filled moments of this past year. Maybe they’ll help you remember some of the preseason excitement or reminiscence on what could have been in a season loaded with potential. Either way, the pictures are beautiful and definitely worth checking out.

USWNT Wins 500th Game in Friendly

Although Alex Morgan did not score in the contest as she nears her 100th goal, the USWNT made history in another way after beating Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon. The win marked the 500th in the team’s history, with Jessica McDonald scoring the lone goal in the friendly affair to have the U.S. reach the milestone. The team will look to make it 501 on Nov. 13 when it plays its final game of the year against Scotland at 2 p.m. ET.

Chioma Ubogagu Scores in English Debut

Some eyebrows were certainly raised when Orlando Pride forward Chioma Ubogagu was unexpectedly called up to the England Women’s National Team last week. However, in her first game with the Lionesses, Ubogagu scored the opening goal in what would be a 3-0 rout over Austria. Chi and the rest of England will play again this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET against Sweden.

NWSL College Draft Day to be Held in Chicago

The date and venue of the 2019 NWSL College Draft has been revealed, with the event set to be held during the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago on Jan. 10. The draft will be made open to the media and public and will also be live streamed so keep an eye out for more details as we approach next year. In usual fashion, the Pride will have little to do on the day of the draft, with only one pick to be made in the third round and another in the fourth. Hopefully the team will have a head coach by then.

Portland Advances to Western Conference Finals

If you didn’t stay up last night to see the playoff game between the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders then you really did yourself a disservice. It was probably one of the best games I’ve ever seen. The Sounders technically won the game, 4-3, but the Timbers advanced in the penalty shootout to reach the Western Conference final.

I could talk for hours about this game filled with dramatic goals, hand balls, and the Timbers thinking they had won it after extra time and not realizing the game was going to penalties. It was wild, insane, and a game I won’t forget for a very long time.

Free Kicks

• In preparation for Orlando City B’s return in 2019, the scouting team was on the move last night to find the next great talent.

• Young Lion Chris Mueller is already working towards a strong 2019 season and is training with the retired Eddie Johnson.

• James O’Connor’s former team, Louisville City FC, defeated Didier Drogba and Phoenix Rising FC, 1-0 to become USL champions for the second straight year.
• The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team overcame a slow start to score six goals in the second half in a 6-0 win against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Concacaf U-20 Championship.
• Orlando won a soccer championship…sort of. The Orlando Pirates Five won the national championship in South Africa. The team is in no way affiliated with OCSC and is not officially a part of the Orlando Pirates first team, instead they are just sponsored by them. Congratulations on the championship, Orlando. It feels nice to be able to type that out.

That’s all from me folks. I hope you all have an amazing Friday and a relaxing weekend!