Lion Links: 1/9/19

Happy Wednesday, everyone. I’m having just a dandy week, what with my family about to move into a brand new house this weekend — so new that the U.S. Postal Service, Google Maps, and literally every utility company are unable to locate it. So pray for me because I have no idea when our new address will show up in databases so we can get our DirecTV and Spectrum internet connected.

I’ve probably yelled at 32 people over the phone or in person this week trying to get someone to acknowledge that the new house, which I’ve been inside multiple times, actually exists. I hope your week is going better than that.

Before I lose my mind again, let’s get to the news of the day.

New Orlando Pride Head Coach Revealed

The very reliable Kieran Theivam and Jeff Kassouf have outed the next Orlando Pride head coach. The duo over at The Equalizer have identified Marc Skinner of Birmingham City as Orlando’s second ever head coach, following the exit of Tom Sermanni back in September. Jordan Culver of ProSoccerUSA.com confirmed it via his sources. Skinner has managed Birmingham City since taking over for David Parker in December of 2016 after a stint in the club’s Ladies Centre of Excellence. The 35-year-old Skinner led Birmingham to second in the SSE Women’s FA Cup in May 2017. Under Skinner, Birmingham has shown improvement. After going just 1-3-4 in the 2017 spring series, City improved to 9-6-3 in 2017-2018 and the Blues are 8-3-1 after 12 rounds in 2018-2019, just five points out of first place. If Skinner is indeed the new gaffer for the Pride, it seems Orlando is getting a good one.

Most Intriguing MLS Games of 2019

Joe Tansey over at ProSoccerUSA picked his most intriguing match-ups of the 2019 Major League Soccer season and Orlando City made the list. Tansey is intrigued by the Lions’ May 12 trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to play Atlanta United. I’m more looking forward to the return leg but only because I don’t have to drive as far to see it. The Lions did not make Tom Bogert’s list of 2019 MLS matches to circle over at mlssoccer.com. By the way, did you know Orlando City has the toughest schedule of 2019?

Is Miguel Almiron Out of his Mind?

As Atlanta United fans wait to see where Miguel Almiron ends up, so far he has gone nowhere. Reportedly Almiron wants  £100,000 per week — a figure that would instantly make the Paraguayan the highest paid Magpie. Almiron made just under $2.3 million last year with Atlanta. He may be a good, young player, but it’s unrealistic to walk into the EPL from MLS and demand to be the team’s highest paid player. If Lee Ryder’s report is correct, that’s just a non-starter.

Austin Launch Event Planned

MLS Commissioner Don Garber will be joining the Grinch Who Tried to Steal the Columbus Crew on Jan. 15 for a “legendary announcement” in Austin, TX. The event is expected to launch Austin FC as the 27th MLS franchise. No word yet on whether there will be a giant neon green tree like the one on the team’s crest.

Free Kicks

• Here’s how you can watch the MLS Combine games today.
• The annual SB Nation Mock MLS Draft took place yesterday. You likely saw that our Scott Carnevale selected Callum Montgomery for Orlando City, but here are the rest of the picks.
• The Columbus Crew reportedly have their eyes on 23-year-old Brazilian winger Robinho Barbosa.
• Don’t let this ever happen to you!

• Those born on this date include Richard Nixon (1913), Bart Starr (1934), Bob “Gilligan” Denver (1935), Joan Baez (1941), Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page (1944), New York Dolls singer David Johansen (1950), country singer Crystal Gayle (1951), actor J.K. Simmons (1955), Dave Matthews (1967), actress Joey Lauren Adams (1968), Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso (1978), and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson (1978).

That’s all my time for this morning. Enjoy your Wednesday and hopefully the post office never loses sight of the existence of your house.