Lion Links: 5/27/19

Merry Memorial Day Monday morning, Mane Landers! If you’re lucky, then unlike myself you have the day off, and can enjoy some company and some barbecue. You also get to enjoy an uninterrupted day of reading everything soccer. Let’s get started with a dose of links!

USWNT Defeats Mexico

In its final match before the World Cup, the United States Women’s National Team hosted Mexico for a friendly at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. The Yanks were able to grind out a 3-0 win over their southern rivals. It might seem strange to call a 3-0 win a tough one, but the Yanks didn’t play up to the quality those who follow them have come to expect. Still, a win is a win, and now the USWNT heads into the World Cup. Of course, Carli Lloyd might be a reserve member. Or will she?

Inequality Continues

Speaking of the Women’s World Cup, it seems that despite the advances the women’s game has made recently, the money is not quite at what it should be. The winner of the Cup will receive $4 million dollars, which is double what the U.S. took home in 2015, but is well shy of the $38 million that France earned during the last men’s World Cup. Things might be getting better, but there’s still quite a way to go.

Wambach Induction Shows Hall of Fame Voting System Flawed

Abby Wambach is a World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year, and the all-time top USWNT scorer with 184 goals in 256 matches. That is a resume that any player could feel proud to have. Despite those accomplishments, Wambach only received 81% of eligible votes for entry into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Voters include past and current players, coaches, U.S. Soccer officials, and assorted media. To be fair, there were extenuating circumstances.

Congratulations are in order for one of the greatest to play the game.

The Worst Stadiums in MLS

Not that it was a tough thing to do, but someone finally ranked all the bad stadiums in MLS. Spoiler alert: Orlando City Stadium is not on the list. However, there are plenty of bad stadiums to go through. From those that are not really soccer venues, to the poorly named (I’m looking at you Mapfre Stadium), and finally the postage stamp that is Yankee Stadium. The only real question is where each of these places ranks among the worst of the worst.

Free Kicks

• This player takes flopping to an entirely new level.

• As usual, a goal scored against Orlando is up for MLS Goal of the Week. Hey, at least if the Lions can’t score amazing goals, they can still concede amazing goals.
• Orlando City goalkeeping prospect Mason Stajduhar made three saves to keep a clean sheet in Tulsa’s 0-0 road draw at Las Vegas on Saturday.

That will do it for today’s links. Keep checking in for updates on all things soccer from The Mane Land!