Lion Links: 1/26/19

Happy Saturday, everyone! I hope your weekend stretches out before you and is filled with only good things. After 13 days in my new house, I finally got my mailbox key yesterday, so that’s one less stressful issue harshing my mellow. With new furniture set to arrive today, a new worry crops up, but hopefully it will be painless.

As for the world of soccer, there is, as usual, plenty to discuss. Let’s get to the news of the day.

Orlando City Home Kit for 2019 Leaked

As usual, footyheadlines.com has leaked a jersey ahead of its official release and as luck would have it, it was Orlando City’s turn. The new home kits for 2019 leave me a bit underwhelmed, to be honest, but I guess they’re OK-ish. I can’t wear one on casual Friday because the collar is gone, and I’ll probably skip this one, but I know some of you collect them all and will no doubt snap one of these babies up as soon as possible. But wait, is it Orlando’s new kit?

Hmmm. We’re hearing there may be some subtle differences in terms of the Adidas striping, as it may not be across the shoulders. I guess we’ll see, but that doesn’t really constitute a huge difference to me where they put the three stripes unless they really do something dumb like make them into a sash.

Anyway, aside from the graphic pattern, which doesn’t tingle my toes, this kit is pretty basic. But if you like it, that’s fine. Tell us in the comments section what you think.

Pride Waive Poliana

For the second year in a row, the Orlando Pride have lost a fullback due to the player’s request. Last year it was Steph Catley requesting a trade out west to better accommodate her frequent flights back to Australia for international duty and to visit home. This year, Brazilian international Poliana was waived to facilitate her return to her home country. The fullback never got her game going in Orlando last season. In fact, in my opinion she was pretty poor. Whether that was due to a poor fit, nursing an injury, or something else, I can’t say, but it was definitely not good enough. Regardless, we wish Poliana well.

SeaWolves Drop a Heartbreaker Late

The Orlando SeaWolves battled back throughout the second half from multiple goals down to tie the score at 6-6 late but the St. Louis Ambush scored with six seconds remaining to steal a 7-6 win at the death at Silver Spurs Arena. The SeaWolves fell to 3-4 after having their two-game win streak snapped and will go on the road next to face Utica on Sunday at 2 p.m.

SeaWolves Acquire Scorer and Other Roster News

Prior to last night’s game, the SeaWolves announced a trade, acquiring Brazilian Elmo Neto from the Harrisburg Heat in exchange for cash considerations. Neto has 128 goals in 130 games in his indoor career in the MISL and MASL. He scored 14 times in 15 games last year, adding three assists.

“Neto is one of the best target forwards in this league,” SeaWolves General Manager Chris Kokalis said, “His ability to hold the ball along with his experience and strength will make him a tremendous asset for the club.”

To make room on the roster for Neto, Orlando waived defender Phibo Arriaga, who has subsequently signed on with the Florida Tropics.

Giovinco On the Move?

Rumors about Sebastian Giovinco transferring to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal FC exploded across social media yesterday. The Toronto FC star leaving would be a huge loss for the Reds, who missed the playoffs after putting together perhaps the best season of any team in league history in 2017. Giovinco may not be headed anywhere, though. This could just be posturing for a new deal.

This situation will bear watching. I’m going to go pop some popcorn.

Free Kicks

• Congrats to Joshio Sandoval of the Orlando SeaWolves for his milestone earlier this week.

• Bayern Munich has signed U-20 USMNT defender Chris Richards.
• After a poor performance with Nantes in Ligue 1, Chelsea reassigned defender Matt Miazga. The center back has been loaned to Reading FC.
• A high-ranking African soccer has been charged with war crimes.
• Those born on this date include U.S. General Douglas MacArthur (1880), science fiction / fantasy writer Philip José Farmer (1918), Paul Newman (1925), baseball’s (and Major League’s) Bob Uecker (1934), film critic Gene Siskel (1946), actor David Strathairn (1949), Eddie Van Halen (1955), Anita Baker (1958), Ellen DeGeneres (1958), hockey legend Wayne Gretzky (1961), oft-fired manager Jose Mourinho (1963), lesser known Wham! member Andrew Ridgeley (1963), Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (1973), basketball’s Vince Carter (1977), Toronto FC (for now, anyway) striker Sebastian Giovinco (1987), and U.S. Soccer’s Gedion Zelalem (1997).