Lion Links: 5/13/19

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! This weekend was chock full of soccer goodness, despite all three Orlando squads losing. I don’t know about you, but I feel a little bad the amount of time I made my girlfriend watch soccer on Mother’s Day. But, only a little. Regardless, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City’s Back to Back Losses

Orlando City lost a second straight match for the first time this season, falling 1-0 to Atlanta United FC. Gonzalo Martínez scored the winning goal in the 14th minute for Atlanta. The Lions had numerous chances to equalize, but couldn’t find that last bit of quality to get a point or three on the road. Things don’t get any easier for Orlando as the Lions almost immediately fly west for the match against the Seattle Sounders Wednesday night.

• Michael Citro has your match recap.
• Jennifer Warren has your Man of the Match and player grades.
• Dirty South Soccer gives us the perspective from the other side.

Keep an eye out today for Jenn Glasheen’s five takeaways from the match as well.

USWNT Defeats South Africa

With less than a month until the start of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the United States Women’s National Team hosted South Africa in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. The U.S. controlled the game handily, winning 3-0, but couldn’t find its first goal until Sam Mewis scored in the 37th minute. The Pride’s Alex Morgan started the match, with Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris on the bench. Mewis added another goal in the 78th minute, and Carli Lloyd gave the U.S. its third in the late stages of the game. South Africa played a good defensive game, forcing the U.S. to search for its usual goals.

U-17s Earn World Cup Spot

The Under-17 USMNT defeated Panama 3-0 to qualify for the U-17 World Cup. The team also advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship by winning the match. Sporting Kansas City’s Gianluca Busio started the scoring for the U.S. in the second half. The U.S. doubled its lead when Ocampo Chavez was fouled in the box, and Giovanni Reyna slotted home the kick from the spot. Finally, substitute Ricardo Pepi topped off the scoring for the third goal. The U.S. moves on to face off against Canada tomorrow.

Manchester City Wins English Premier League Title

Manchester City defeated Brighton 4-1 to win its second-straight English Premier League title. City headed into the match only one point ahead of Liverpool. The teams had the same start time, and Liverpool pressed the issue early by going up 1-0 on Wolverhampton in the 17th minute. Brighton made things even more interesting by taking a 1-0 lead over City in the 27th minute. Brighton’s lead didn’t last very long though, with City equalizing in the just a minute later and eventually scoring three more to win the match and the title.

Though the day was not in its hands to begin with, Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0, finishing only one point behind to end its Premier League Season. Both teams will once again qualify for Champions League play next year, though Liverpool will still play Tottenham Hotspur for the 2019 Champions League title on June 1.

Free Kicks

• All of these teenagers make way more money than you or I. Oh well, good for them.
• Mo Salah won his second-straight Golden Boot, though he shared it this year with teammate Sadio Mané, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Here’s the cute part:

• Ok, I take it back. Here’s the cute part:

That’s going to do if for your Monday morning. Keep checking back for all the Orlando soccer news you could ever want.