Lion Links: 2/14/19

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mane Landers. It’s been a long week for me and unfortunately it’ll only keep going as I’ve been conscripted in to working a full fledged day on Saturday. Lately, rest and sleep have been more myth than actual occurrences but that’s just the way it goes sometimes. As always there’s plenty of news to get into so let’s be about it, but first let’s wish Orlando City midfielder Dillon Powers a happy birthday.

Sacha Says Lions are On Track

Sacha Kljestan says that Orlando City SC is moving in the right direction with about two weeks left before the start of the new MLS season. Kljestan spoke a little about how he thinks James O’Connor has done a good job of bringing in players with the right mentality and attitude, which is a good sign when juxtaposed with the latter parts of the 2018 season, when Kljestan questioned the character and mentality of some of the players on the team. This week though, he talked about how players were willing to learn and that even though preseason has been a tough grind he believes things are trending in the right direction — hopefully he’s correct.

MLS Transfer Happenings

There are a few things to cover as far as MLS transfers are concerned but perhaps the biggest piece of news is still only a rumor, as the Portland Timbers are reportedly trying to land Chilean international Eduardo Vargas. The team from the Pacific Northwest has apparently lodged a $10 million bid for the forward, currently playing with Tigres in Liga MX. In a confirmed move elsewhere, D.C. United has signed Chris McCann a few days after he was waived by Atlanta United. The Irishman brings versatility to the nation’s capital as he can be deployed at a variety of positions throughout the midfield and defense, and gives D.C. some extra depth.

Questions Aplenty For Sky Blue FC

As discussed in yesterday’s Lion Links, Sky Blue FC, perennial NWSL punching bags, have decided to try and get its act together and be the punchers instead of the punched. However there are still a great many questions to be answered following a statement from SBFC management that was very vague. There is no specific mention of what Tammy Murphy’s role will be with the club going forward, and no exact details given on how or when the new and improved facilities that were promised will arrive. In general there just isn’t much of a long-term plan, so while the statement from earlier in the week was all well and good, it’s also brought about a whole host of new questions and Sky Blue fans want them answered.

More Kit Reveals

New MLS kits seem to be raining from the sky with the short couple of weeks left until the new season starts up. So far this week its been FC Cincinnati revealing its home and away kits on Monday and the home kit is an absolute doozy. It’s clean and vibrant, with the crosshatching pattern on the orange stripes giving it a nice pop. The away kit isn’t the fanciest but it looks nice enough. Yesterday it was the San Jose Earthquakes’ turn, as the team dropped its home kit which I quite like. Royal blue on the upper quarter of the chest with black the rest of the way down and on the sleeves its a very cool, clean look.

Orlando City drops its new home kit Friday but the club gave us a tease on Wednesday.

Free Kicks

• To go with the aforementioned Sky Blue news, here’s a great piece on Kailen Sheridan — SBFC’s Canadian international goalkeeper.

Orlando SeaWolves’ Thiago Freitas has something to say about Satuday’s match after having last weekend off.

• While it’s in Spanish, this article essentially says that Valencia would make a 40% profit on a sale of Nani to Orlando City, should that in fact transpire.
• Tottenham’s new stadium (should it ever actually open) will not in fact have a VIP cheese room. Jesus wept.
• Former USL Lion Corey Hertzog has found a new home.

That’s all I’ve got for y’all today. Don’t forget that the Lions have a preseason friendly against New York City FC this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Orlando City Stadium, the first of two home games available for the public to attend. Stay safe out there everyone.