Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/18/19
Happy Monday, Mane Landers! It’s the start of a new week which will hopefully end with an Orlando City win this Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. I know things aren’t looking too good right now, but let’s stay positive and trust our Lions will be working hard for that win. As for your Lion Links today, we have plenty of interesting things to share. Let’s get started!
Zack Steffen to Miss USMNT Friendlies
FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez will replace Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen after it was announced he will miss the United States Men’s National Team friendlies this month due to a minor knee injury. Gonzalez, who is still in search of his first national team cap, is now part of the roster called up to face Ecuador on Thursday and Chile on March 26.
Alphonso Davies Nets His First for Bayern Munich
Former Vancouver Whitecaps winger Alphonso Davies scored his first goal for Bayern Munich in the German club’s dominating 6-0 victory over Mainz. Not only was it his first, it was also historic as the 18-year-old Canadian became the youngest scorer for the Bundesliga side since 1999. Davies joined Munich earlier this year and signed until 2023, so I think it’s safe to say this isn’t the last time we’ll hear of the young lad.
World Record Crowd for a Women’s Club Match
Atletico Madrid’s women’s team set a new world record when it faced Barcelona on Sunday with 60,739 people in attendance. The team usually plays its games at its training ground but, with a high demand for tickets, it moved to the 68,000 capacity Wanda Metropolitano (home of the men’s team). This is an amazing accomplishment and, hopefully, it will get the attention it deserves and improve the way the women’s game is viewed around the world.
Astonishing sight: a crowd of 60,739 pack into Atletico Madrid’s stadium to watch their team battle Barcelona. A world record for a women’s club match. May it be a sign of everything that is possible and all that is to come 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4VhA949TeH
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) March 17, 2019
Napoli Goalkeeper Collapses on Pitch
During the first half of the Serie A match between Napoli and Udinese this weekend, Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina collapsed to the ground unconscious. Earlier in the match, Ospina collided with Udinese winger Ignacio Pussetto when he attempted to stop a ball driven into the penalty area. The Colombian keeper suffered a cut on his head (ouch), received on-field treatment, and decided to play on with protective head gear.
Later in the first half, Ospina collapsed to the ground and was stretchered off the pitch and taken to a hospital. The Italian side later took to Twitter to let fans know about his condition.
David Ospina has had a CAT scan after being involved in a collision during the game. The scan has come back clear but Ospina will stay in a clinic overnight for observation.
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) March 17, 2019
We wish the best of luck to him and a speedy recovery.
Free Kicks
- Make sure to check out the photos from this past weekend’s Orlando City match against Montreal.
- Tottenham Hotspur is set to play its first game in its new stadium against Crystal Palace on April 3. Hopefully this time the club actually means it and doesn’t move the date again.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is so big in Italy that when it was announced he would be rested for Sunday’s game against Genoa, both Juventus and Genoa fans demanded refunds due to his absence. Juventus went on to lose its first game of the season.
Well, that’s all I have for you today. Let’s forget about Saturday, lift our chins up, and have an amazing week!