Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/30/19
Good morning, Mane Landers, and happy Hump Day! Hopefully this week is treating you well so far. As for me, I’m just here patiently waiting for the Orlando Pride’s preseason to start. I’m excited to see what Marc Skinner brings, and hopefully, it won’t be too much longer now!
Now for some links.
Veteran Goalkeeper Brian Rowe Training with the Lions
Orlando City might be set on its goalkeepers, but that still did not stop the Lions from bringing in another keeper to training camp. Brian Rowe joins the team at IMG Academy on trial, and while he is not a lock to make the final squad, anything can happen.
Adam Grinwis, Mason Stajduhar, and Greg Ranjitsingh are most likely the three keepers that Orlando City will be rolling the dice with to start the season. However, Rowe has something that none of the others have — 72 career MLS games.
Alex De John Ready for O’Connor’s Intensity
Orlando City convinced American center back Alex De John to come to MLS after spending his entire career abroad, and part of the appeal for the 27-year-old apparently came from Orlando City Head Coach James O’Connor’s intense approach.
“I talked to James on the phone and I really liked what James was saying about competing and winning,” De John told Pro Soccer USA. “He’s very determined this year. That aligns with me. I’m very determined and I want to win. It just felt like a good fit.”
De John is happy to be closer to friends and family in the States, and he seems to be prepared to put his head down and grind, which will please the skipper. We’ll see how De John acclimates to life in MLS and what kind of impact he’s able to make in year one with Orlando very soon.
Miguel Almiron to Newcastle
One positive from yesterday was that it became official that Miguel Almiron can no longer hurt the Lions. Atlanta United had four Designated Players on its books and had to sell one of them. Almiron always seemed the player that was leaving, and it is now official.
U.S. National Team Stays on ESPN and Fox
FloSports is set to be the Concacaf streaming partner for the Concacaf Nations League. However, since the U.S. Soccer Federation already has a deal with ESPN and FOX, the Yanks will stay with those networks. So, no need to fret, you do not need to download another app to see the U.S. play.
Drama in England
Yesterday was an exciting day in the English Premier League. First, Arsenal beat Cardiff City, 2-1. However, the game came second to the tribute of missing Argentine forward Emiliano Sala. Sala disappeared over the English Channel after Cardiff City spent over $23 million to bring the forward over from Nantes.
The Manchester United of old came back yesterday. Two goals down with less than 10 minutes to play, United was out of it. At least, that’s how things stood since Sir Alex retired. It seems that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought that mentality back. Paul Pogba converted from the spot in the 87th minute, and Victor Lindelof sealed a draw in stoppage time with his head.
The other team from Manchester needed a late surge, but City could not find it. Newcastle surprised the league with a 2-1 win. Could that loss be enough to make Liverpool the champions?
Free Kicks:
- Tom Sermanni named his squad for New Zealand that will play in the first ever Cup of Nations.
- The USMNT plays Costa Rica on Saturday. Here are five things to know about Los Ticos before the game.
- Speaking of the USMNT, this is an excellent piece on why the Americans have struggled.
- Orlando SeaWolves’ Thiago Freitas was an honorable mention in the MASL Team of the Week.
- Orlando City had a few academy players at training.