Lion Links: 6/26/19

Happy Wednesday, Mane Landers! What an eventful evening it’s sure to be with Orlando City taking on D.C. United on the road and the U.S. Men’s National Team taking on Panama. We’re officially only one week away from being back in those purple, plastic seats for a regular season match. I won’t have to miss anymore matches this season. Am I hexing myself by saying that? I hope not. Let’s get to the links.

The Spectacle We All Want

Monday, the United States Women’s National Team beat Spain 2-1 on the strength of what some are calling controversial penalty kicks. Watching the team play on Tuesday was baffling. Sure, Spain played a great match, but the typically dominating USWNT seemed to barely squeak out the win. Nonetheless, they’re still in it as they take on the host nation, France, on Friday. Many have been anticipating the match-up between the two soccer giants that will send one of the fan favorites home early.

Of the match, Megan Rapinoe had this to say, “I hope it’s huge and crazy. This is the best game – this is what everybody wanted, we want it, seems like they’re up for it. You guys [the media] are up for it, and all the fans. Maybe it’ll be a pretty even split with the fans in the stadium – we’ve been traveling pretty deep in this World Cup. I hope it’s just a total shitshow circus. It’s gonna be totally awesome and these are the biggest games you dream about as a kid.”

If how they played against Spain is any indication of the play we can expect this Friday, let’s all hope for a miracle.

Toxic Leaders Breed Toxic Environments

More than a dozen current and former employees of U.S. Soccer have publicly shared about the toxic culture as the federation enters its final stages in the search for the new chief executive. One employee posted on a forum, “We all know that if the next CEO comes from within, the toxic culture will never change.”

Orlando City is at it Again

We’ve seen the front office claiming to hear us, and you already know my thoughts on pricing at the stadium, but they’re offering a hot dog and soda combo for only $5. Should they keep running specials or lower pricing on concessions? What will they do when they run out of gimmicks for temporarily lowering menu items?

Stay after the match for a pre-Independence Day firework show. Can you tell I’m just so excited to be back home next week?

Alex Morgan Receives Most Beautiful Vegan Award

In a random turn of events, PETA announced Alex Morgan and Kyrie Irving as their “Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities.” So, that’s a thing in case you weren’t aware.

Free Kicks

• VAR: The good, the bad, the ugly, as explained by SBNation’s Real Salt Lake blog.
• A pitch invader got tripped and Luis Suarez wasn’t having it.
• Neymar looks at a deal that will mean a huge pay cut in hopes of returning to greatness.
• Downtown Raleigh could get a $2 billion makeover.
• Meet Charlie Lyon, the pool keeper for MLS, who is ready to play for any team in the league on a moment’s notice.
• Former Lion RJ Allen was spotted in his natural habitat:

That’ll do it for me this morning, Mane Landers. Be sure to check in all night as we cover the Orlando City match in D.C. and the USMNT match against Panama!