Lion Links: 12/14/18

What’s up, Mane Landers? It’s another Friday and the holiday season is well upon us. I just knocked out most of my shopping yesterday so I won’t have to deal with the madness of next weekend. It’s crazy to think that we are only 11 nights away from Christmas and this year continues to fly by. But as we take another step closer to the end of this year, let’s get to today’s links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Denies Passing on Martino

Earlier this week, Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe stated that Atlanta United was fortunate that Orlando City passed on head coach Tata Martino after Adrian Heath’s firing in the summer of 2016. However, Orlando City Vice President of Communications Diogo Kotscho denies that, stating that the former Barcelona coach was never an option for the position during those three weeks between Heath’s exit and Jason Kreis’ hiring.

Eligible Players for Re-Entry Draft Revealed

Stage One of the MLS Re-Entry Draft will be held today at 3 p.m. ET and the Lions will have the second pick to choose from the list of eligible players. It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, Orlando will choose to select and possibly take on their salary. There are also plenty of former Lions eligible, with the likes of Joe Bendik, Giles Barnes, and Carlos Rivas all up for grabs.

Orlando Pride Players Abroad

The W-League in Australia rolls on as the season is almost halfway finished. Many Pride players have been performing well up to this point and continued that trend through Round 6. Emily van Egmond led the Newcastle Jets in touches yet again, Alanna Kennedy helped Sydney FC win big twice in four days, and Rachel Hill had an assist to make sure the Perth Glory remain undefeated.

This weekend will feature some Pride against Pride action with Hill and the Glory taking on van Egmond and the Jets at 6 a.m. ET tomorrow morning. Later that night at midnight, Chioma Ubogagu, Carson Pickett, and the rest of the Brisbane Roar will face Christine Nairn, Dani Weatherholt, and the Melbourne Victory.

SeaWolves Back in Action Tonight

The Orlando SeaWolves are on the hunt for their first win of the young season when they host the Baltimore Blast tonight at 7:35 p.m. ET. The new MASL club has only played once this season due to a quirk in the schedule, narrowly losing in penalties to St. Louis two weeks ago. Tonight won’t be easy if the SeaWolves are going to get their first franchise victory. The Blast are the reigning MASL champions.

“This is a real David and Goliath scenario,” SeaWolves Head Coach Tom Traxler said. “The Blast is a team with 10 indoor championships under their belt. Three-time MASL champions, current reigning champions, and a fantastic organization. This will be the biggest test we’ve had as an organization to date, against, what I would consider, the catalyst franchise in MASL. Their a franchise that everybody wants to emulate and wants to be. For us, we’re going to have to work hard and be very, very good on the night.” 

Head on down to Silver Spurs Arena and support the team.

Free Kicks

• An initial 60 players have been invited to the 2019 MLS Player Combine that will be held here in Orlando, FL from Jan. 3 until Jan. 9.
• With trades flying and players moving across the country, it’s easy to get lost in the moves Orlando has made so far, let alone the other 23 teams in the league. However, here’s a quick recap for you to get caught up.
• It looks like former Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter is headed to Ohio to lead the Columbus Crew. Porter was widely believed to be headed to Los Angeles to manage the LA Galaxy but, according to Tenorio, Porter turned down the Galaxy’s offer in favor of the Crew.

• Former Pride player Jasmyne Spencer has re-signed with the Seattle Reign.
• A blind Liverpool fan took the internet by storm after a clip was taken of him at Anfield celebrating a goal with his cousin filling him in on who scored and the play.

The 26-year-old is a regular at the stadium and doesn’t let his difficulty seeing the pitch get in the way of supporting his team.

“I’m like every other football fan – it doesn’t matter if I can’t see clearly, I still celebrate,” he told BBC Sport. “It was just relief that we scored.”

That’s all the links I have for you today folks! Make sure to check out the Re-Entry Draft and the SeaWolves later tonight. I wish you the best of luck in your holiday shopping and a great weekend!