Lion Links: 12/23/18

Hey there, Mane Landers. Just two more days to go to get that last minute shopping in. I myself am just anxiously waiting on my sorely late Amazon packages to be delivered. Regardless, I hope you’re all having a good time with your family and friends. With that said, here’s your Sunday helping of Lion Links. Enjoy.

Yoshimar Yotún Seeks Orlando Exit

The source of rumors the last several days, Orlando City midfielder Yoshimar Yotún reportedly wants to leave the Lions. An offer has certainly been received from Liga MX side Cruz Azul for Yoshi’s services — brought to Orlando by the player and his agent — and the Lions’ front office is doing everything it can to ensure that their start midfielder stays put. If the player wants out, there’s not too much a club can do other than line up the best deal it can for his services, but perhaps the front office and new VP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi can convince him to stay and make it worth his while. Jordan Culver of ProSoccerUSA.com quotes a club source on the latest news:

Orlando SeaWolves Earn First MASL Win

It took three games, but Tom Traxler and the Orlando SeaWolves got their first MASL win in franchise history. With the help of several former Orlando City players, the SeaWolves dropped the Mississauga MetroStars, 12-7. Ex-USL Lion Jonathan Mendoza notched a hat trick, Luke Boden added two goals, Tyler Turner added two assists, and Lewis Neal also tallied an assist. Gordy Gurson scored twice and set up two other goals in the wild shootout win.

MLS Free Agents: A Complete List

MLSSoccer.com has released a list that includes all of the notable free agents still salivating out there at the prospect of landing a contract with an MLS Cup contender. One has to think that the Orlando City brass is scouring this list. as well as looking abroad, for answers to the many roster questions that need to be answered. Think the Lions will target any of these free agents?

U.S. Soccer: President’s Letter Update

With the appointment of Gregg Berhalter finally official, things finally seem to be falling into place for the U.S. Men’s National Team. In an address to supporters. the president of the federation released a letter detailing the updates in staffing changes and aims for the future. There’s a lot to dissect in the letter, and I’ll leave the bulk of that work to you, but I think the main takeaway from the letter is that Asher Mendelsohn is the new USSF Chief Soccer Officer, following Berhalter from the Columbus Crew to the USSF. Do with that what you may.

Promising Americans Abroad: Josh Sargent

You’re probably no stranger to the name Josh Sargent, but in case you are, he’s a young, talented striker plying his trade in the German top flight Bundesliga for Werder Bremen. Sargent just recently scored his second goal of the season in his club’s 3-2 loss to Red Bull Leipzig. Berhalter’s going to have a bevy of young attacking options to choose from for his maiden voyage as manager of the USMNT, and Sargent is sure to give him something to look at.

Carles Puyol Coaching Atlanta United?

While Atlanta United reportedly has its sights set on former Ajax and Crystal Palace gaffer Frank de Boer, the club is also interested in having former Barcelona captain and legend Carles Puyol at the helm. The World Cup final and Champions League winner doesn’t have any coaching experience, but it’s been known that he’s been stateside and learning English for the last three years…oh, and he’s also obtained his coaching license. This move would be a bit crazy, but hey, who knows?

Free Kicks

• Check out some of 2018’s best MLS curlers!

• The Five Stripes have re-signed their captain, center back Michael Parkhurst, who is looking forward to returning and defending Atlanta’s MLS crown. They also had midfielder Ezequiel Barco called up to the Argentina U-20 team for the upcoming South American U-20 tournament.
• The Houston Dynamo signed Argentina defender Matias Vera from Argentina Premier League team San Lorenzo, furthering MLS’s focus on recruiting South American talent.
• Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City dropped three points to Crystal Palace yesterday…at 18-1 odds.
• Manchester United got the Ole Gunnar Solskjær era started in emphatic fashion, smashing Cardiff City on the road, 5-1. It’s only Cardiff City, but if the caretaker manager can keep the Reds performing at that level, he may get the permanent gig.
• Real Madrid one-upped their Catalan rivals by bagging the Club World Cup for a third consecutive season, and by breaking the deadlock that had existed between Real and Barca.

Well, that’s about all I’ve got for you today folks. Have a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!