Lion Links: 11/28/18

Good morning, Mane Landers! I hope you are all staying warm out there. There’s a low of 38 degrees today in Orlando, which is about 25 degrees colder than I want it to be. Still, there are snowstorms up north, so I guess I can’t complain too much…even though I will. 

Here are some links, which include some much-needed Orlando City news. 

Orlando City Announces Roster Moves

The Lions announced who the first players out are after the miserable 2018 season yesterday. There were some surprises in the list, most notably Scott Sutter, and in the players that Orlando City picked up the option for — looking at PC here. Joe Bendik, Richie Laryea, Tony Rocha, Chris Schuler, Jonathan Spector, Scott Sutter, Donny Toia, Jose Villarreal, and Earl Edwards Jr. all are no longer part of the team. However, contracts are frequently renegotiated after this point, so some players might be returning. 

This news is a day late and should have been released yesterday, per the MLS timeline. Apparently, there was some confusion and miscommunication. The news is out now and the next date to look forward to is Dec. 9 — the half-day trade window.

OCB Tryouts and USL Labor Union

Think you're good enough to play professional soccer? OCB is having tryouts on Dec. 15-16. All the information you need to know about it is here.

Speaking of OCB, there is some good news in the USL. The league now has a recognized independent labor union in the USL Players Association.

“This is the next, natural step in the evolution of our growing league and we will all be stronger as a result. We look forward to working with the USLPA on the first collective bargaining agreement in league history,” said USL President Jake Edwards in a Tweet. “The future of the USL, and the exceptional players who lead us forward, is bright.”

More Ex-Lions’ Contract Options Declined

Brek Shea, Jose Aja, Harrison Heath, and Servando Carrasco had their contracts options declined on Monday. Yesterday, Giles Barnes and Conor Donovan joined the list, while Luis Gil’s loan expired. Barnes is out of Colorado, which brought back Kellyn Acosta. Donovan and Gil join DaMarcus Beasley, among others, to leave Houston.

Elsewhere, Benny Feilhaber is out of contract from LAFC and Tony Beltran had his contract declined from Real Salt Lake.

Pulisic Truly on His Way Out

There have been constant rumors for the past few months of Christian Pulisic leaving Dortmund. The Telegraph reported that he could go to Premier League sides Liverpool or Chelsea for about $90 million. The USMNT youngster is out of contract in the summer of 2020, and so Dortmund seems to be trying to move him soon to get value from Pulisic. As for The Kid, he is focused on winning the Bundesliga.

“I’m still focused on Dortmund,” said Pulisic. “We are doing great this season. Once the break comes [in January], that is always when I will have to discuss with Dortmund and see about my future,” Pulisic said.

Free Kicks

• Ex-Gaffer Adrian Heath got inducted into Everton’s Hall of Fame.
• There’s been an update on Orlando City Stadium from the head groundskeeper.

• Copa Libertadores is back on. It will be played on either Dec. 8 or 9 at a neutral site. The attacks showed the ugliest of the sport.
• This is one of the worst stories of the day. A “gross error of judgement” was made in faking a player’s death.

I leave here with some news that isn’t soccer related. The severity of the injury to University of Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton was revealed yesterday and it does not look good. UCF will be giving out 40,000 leis to honor the Hawaiian football player in the conference championship game on Saturday.