Lions Links: 4/1/19

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! Unfortunately, last night is no April Fools joke, though it certainly felt that way. It’s not a match with D.C. United in Orlando City Stadium without some weird happenings. While I’m certainly not happy with the result there are some positives we can take from the match, but that’s not my job right now. For now, I’m just going to get you to the people who will. Let’s get to the Links!

Orlando City Frustrated After Another Home Loss

If you watched the match, and still like Wayne Rooney you must be a Manchester United supporter. That’s two years in a row the former England player has hurt the Lions. A huge call against Dom Dwyer on Rooney and a non-call on obstructing Brian Rowe gave D.C. United its second goal. Orlando City was able to pull one back on a brilliant cross from Chris Mueller to Dwyer for the Lions’ only goal in the 2-1 loss. History was made, as Michael and I both correctly predicted the 2-1 loss on The Mane Land PawedCast. That has never happened. Regardless, the Lions take on the Colorado Rapids in Orlando City Stadium next Saturday.

• Michael Citro has your match recap.
• Ben Miller has your player grades and Man of the Match.
• The view from the other side comes from Black and Red United.

Check back later today for the five takeaways from Sean Rollins and a photo gallery from Dan MacDonald.

SeaWolves Smashed by Milwaukee Wave

The Orlando SeaWolves traveled to Wisconsin but unfortunately fell 12-2 to the Milwaukee Wave. Gordy Gurson was able to get the first goal of the game for the SeaWolves, but the Wave then went on a six-goal run and completely took Orlando out of the match. Orlando returns home for its final two matches on April 12 and 13, hosting Utica City FC and the Florida Tropics, respectively.

Larin Reportedly Rejects Vancouver

Former Lion Cyle Larin has been rumored as a player of interest for the Vancouver Whitecaps recently. It certainly would be a place the Canadian international might want to go if he was to return to MLS, but it seems that he has no intention of doing so. While all might not be sunshine and roses at Besiktas, Larin evidently feels that a return now would all but rule out playing in Europe (translation required for page). Larin is still young enough to feel he can make it over there. He may return to MLS at some point, but it doesn’t seem to be now or anytime soon.

FIFA Corruption and Balls

Leslie Sebide, former FIFA soccer administrator in South Africa, has been embroiled in a corruption scandal, and the Pretoria High Court decided against FIFA to reclaim their trademarks in the country. With the ruling going against Sebide, FIFA might be open to scrutiny regarding the bribes long associated with the organization.

On a lighter note, the ball used in the 2018 World Cup will not be used again. Though to be fair they never use the same ball, as Adidas is always pushing the envelope, as it did with the smart chip inside last time. Keepers in particular didn’t like the ball, and a few even popped during matches. That wont stop Adidas from making an even more advanced ball going forward.

Free Kicks

• Congratulations to former USL Lion and Phoenix Rising FC keeper Carl Woszczynski for becoming the all-time saves leader in USL history with 388 stops.

• For those who care, Cormac Dooley won the eMLS Cup. Dooley, evidently known as “doolsta”… you know what? That’s all the space I’m giving this. Orlando’s Abe Valbuena finished seventh in the East, but made the quarterfinals of the bracket.
• Finally, I’m putting this at the bottom since I’m not certain the link will even be active when this article goes live. Technically, a foul is whatever a ref calls, but come on.

That’ll do it for this Monday. Keep on truckin’ everyone, and go Lions!