Lion Links: 6/5/19

Good morning, Mane Landers! I’m thankful it’s already Wednesday this week. I’ve always been one of those supporters yelling, “Let’s go to four-day work weeks!” Now that I’m halfway through these 10-plus-hour days I’m leaning toward, “Never mind, no thank you.” Moving on, let’s talk about the latest news.

What’s in a Name?

In his tragic play about teenage love, William Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway. In a press conference yesterday, Orlando City announced that what was once referred to as Orlando City Stadium will henceforth be Exploria Stadium. Naming rights to the stadium come with funding, but neither Exploria nor club CEO Alex Leitão would comment on the terms of the agreement.

It’s a Party in the U.S.A

A party in downtown Orlando actually. On Saturday, June 15 fans can head to Exploria Stadium (had to work really hard to type that just now, I mean I’m still calling Disney Springs “P.I.” — if you know, you know) for what the club is calling a “House Party.” The event will start at 10 a.m. and is set to include an open practice, player activities including autographs, Q&A sessions, photos, kids craft zone, chalk the concourse, and more. Fans must RSVP for this event.

Alex Morgan Shares with Sharpie

Sharpie and The Players’ Tribune have partnered up to create a series called Uncap the Possibilities. The idea is that a Sharpie marker gives people the power to unleash their imaginations. Alex Morgan teamed up with them to tell the story of how she was inspired to support UNICEF Kid Power and spend her time giving back. She tells a beautiful story of how she and her husband spent their off-season in Africa, sharing the love of soccer.

I saw the makeshift soccer ball made up of old T-shirts. For some of those kids, it was the only soccer ball they had ever known.

Orlando City B on USL League One Team of the Week

Another week, another Orlando City B player making the USL League One Team of the Week. Brazilian midfielder Rafael Santos scored what the league is calling a spectacular opening goal, made three recoveries, and completed 26 of his 32 passes, leading the team to its first road point of the season against FC Tucson.

USMNT U-20s Defeat France in U-20 World Cup

France was favored to win the tournament, and it was undefeated and ready, but it just didn’t have what it took to earn the win. The USMNT U-20s came back from a 2-1 deficit, with Justin Rennicks scoring in the 83rd minute off a rebound save from goalkeeper Alban Lafont to take the 3-2 victory. The Americans will move on to the U-20 World Cup quarterfinals, playing Ecuador on Saturday.

Free Kicks

• Sydney Leroux and Dom Dwyer’s Bad as a Mother, episode two dropped.
• Local restaurants fail health inspections, including Lion’s Pride.
• Goalkeeper Zack Steffen is headed out on loan to Fortuna Dusseldorf from Manchester City.
• Pro Soccer Talk predicts the starting lineup for the USWNT’s Women’s World Cup play.

That’ll do it for me today, Mane Landers. Be sure to check back in here for the recap of the USMNT vs. Jamaica tonight.