Lion Links: 12/5/18

Good morning, Mane Landers, and happy hump day! It might be Orlando City’s off-season, but there has been tons of soccer news in the past few days. The even better news is that the Lions could be making player moves as early as Sunday, so if your week has been poor there is something to look forward to! And of course, the Portland Timbers play in a pretty important game on Saturday. 

Now for some links.

Camila Wins Bronze with Iranduba

Esporte Clube Iranduba da Amazônia played in the Copa Libertadores Femenina third-place match. Camila’s team beat Colo-Colo in a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 draw. Camila took her penalty kick and easily found the back of the net to cap off her 2018 with a good Copa Libertadores Feminina result after opening it with a Copa America Femenina title.

Berhalter Plans to Make the U.S. an Attack Force

Gregg Berhalter had his first press conference yesterday as the boss of the Yanks. The ex-Columbus Crew head coach already has a plan in place for what his new USMNT will look like. He said that veteran players will be back with the squad and he wants to see the younger players learn and get better.

“The idea is that we are an attacking-based team,” said Berhalter. “The idea is, it’s a fluid style, the players are intent on breaking lines, playing through the opponent and creating goal-scoring opportunities.”

In more USMNT news, Berhalter’s first game will be on Jan. 27. The U.S. will take on Panama in Glendale, AZ.

Former Lions Searching for Work

A common trend this off-season has been that former Orlando City players have been let go by their current teams. The trend continued after the New York Red Bulls declined the contract option for Aurelien Collin, released Carlos Rivas, and Tommy Redding went out of contract. A key part in declining Collin’s contract option was likely his salary. The 32-year-old made $450,000 this year. Rivas also had a high salary — $444,996 — but unlike Collin, Rivas did not play for New York and was sent out on loan with Atlético Nacional.

Man City Not Allowed in Champions League?

It’s possible. Back in April, there were claims about Manchester City breaking UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules. If City is found guilty of this, it would be banned from the Champions League.

The search is almost completed now. If Pep Guardiola’s side is found guilty, and finish in the top four — which they obviously will — a fifth English Premier League team will take Man City’s place. Perhaps this news will make Jose Mourinho happy that he can have a top-five finish and won't need that “miracle” anymore!

Free Kicks

• The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup draw is just days away now. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

• The U-17 U.S. Women’s National Team got knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage. How did this happen and why is it important?
• Are you interested in watching the Copa Libertadores final? Well, you’re in luck because Telemundo is going to air it.
• The Concacaf Champions League’s Round of 16 is set. Here is a full listing of all the games.
• You can never have too many previews for the MLS Cup final, so here’s another one.
• Opta released its MLS Best XI and there were shockingly no Orlando City players on it:

• What is actually shocking, though, is the Mohamed El-Munir did make WhoScored’s best XI. The two lists differ quite a bit and only four players are on both.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s time in MLS looks to be over already.