Lion Links: 5/28/19

Happy Tuesday, Mane Landers. It was another difficult weekend for Orlando soccer with the Orlando Pride and Orlando City both recording losses, and giving me plenty of reason to do some (very safe) drinking over Memorial Day Weekend. Let’s not dwell on the miseries of the past however, as there is plenty to discuss today.

Powers Believes Time in Orlando is Worthwhile

Even though he hasn’t seen the field very much as of late, Dillon Powers still feels that his time with the team has been important, both for him and the players around him. For himself, he’s obviously been working hard and training to try to break into the first team, but he thinks he’s been useful for his teammates as well. He feels like he’s helped hold his teammates to the proper standard, and, while he has started only one game this season, his constant training and preparing has also helped with his mental sharpness. That sharpness was on display for his steal and assist for Chris Mueller’s goal in a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders, and if he keeps working hard more opportunities may come his way.

Kay Rawlins on Soccer in the Community

As the founder of the Orlando City Foundation, Kay Rawlins plays a huge part in the club’s outreach in the community. She spoke recently about the team’s efforts to fight homelessness in Orlando and what needs to happen in order to continue those efforts. One of the foundation’s main strategies has been the establishment of community gardens and community centers. The centers obviously act as a hub for people in the community, while the gardens are a means for people to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables that can either be eaten, or sold at farmers markets. All in all, it’s a very interesting interview and well worth your time.

Nothing But Rumors for Ascues

There seems to be nothing substantial to a rumor yesterday about Carlos Ascues reportedly wanting to return to Peru and Alianza Lima, the club currently loaning him to Orlando City. Rather, the defender has said he plans to recover from the injuries that have plagued him this season and regain his place in Orlando’s lineup. Ascues hasn’t been featured since going down with a hamstring injury during the first half of the Lions’ 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rapids. While the back line has looked good for the most part this year, the men in purple will need all hands on deck to avoid the sort of summer slump that has plagued the team in years past, so hopefully Ascues will be fit and firing again soon.

U.S. U-20s Bounce Back

The United States U-20 Men’s National Team recovered from its loss to open the U-20 World Cup by beating Nigeria, 2-0 yesterday. Both goals came courtesy of Sebastian Soto, with the first assisted by Alex Mendez and the second by Chris Gloster. This was a very important, almost must-win game for the team after its opening game defeat to Ukraine by a score of 2-1. The young Americans stepped up in a big way though, and the win now means that a draw against Qatar will almost certainly see the Yanks advance to the knockout rounds, while a win might even see them go through on top of the group.

Free Kicks

• Aston Villa will be back in the Premier League next season after beating Derby County 2-1 in the Championship Playoff final.

• Speaking of being promoted, FC Union Berlin have been promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time ever, following a scoreless second leg in front of their home fans.

They were quite pleased about it too.

• Orlando City has slipped to 21st in ESPN’s MLS Power Rankings.

That’ll be all for me today. Y’all stay safe out there.