Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/24/19
Good morning, Mane Land! It’s Wednesday, which means this week is half over. It also means summer vacation is quickly shrinking. Let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Takes a Breath
After a wild and crazy schedule running from June to July, OCSC can finally slow its pace. The team will be back to a more manageable schedule at one match a week. I’ve joked all month that poor Tesho Akindele needs a break!
“Honestly, we haven’t been able to have real training sessions for almost a month,” Tesho Akindele shared. “We’ve just been playing game, game, game. It’ll be good to get back in training, play some possession games, just have a little fun.”
Brian Rowe shared that despite the painful loss at home last weekend, the team is proving that they can hang right in there with most teams.
Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris Prepare for Tokyo
Since bringing home their fourth star for the USWNT and coming home to make an appearance with the Orlando Pride, Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris have their eyes on Tokyo for the next Olympic Games.
“It’s the same level of soccer that we see in the World Cup. It’s the highest stage for us,” said Krieger. Harris added, “We still have to qualify, and that’s our focus right now.”
“It’s the same level of soccer that we see in the World Cup. It’s the highest stage for us.” @alikrieger talks about soccer in the #TokyoOlympics
“We still have to qualify, and that’s our focus right now.” –@Ashlyn_Harris pic.twitter.com/5BpdcYzbNr
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 23, 2019
Special Olympics
Jack Gourlay and Samantha Salonen will represent Orlando City and the Eastern Conference during the Unified Sports All-Star match at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex on July 31 at 10 a.m. They would love for fans to fill the stands! Entry and parking are free for this event.
Austin FC Names Head Coach
On Tuesday, Austin FC announced that Josh Wolff has been named the cub’s inaugural manager. The 42-year-old currently serves as an assistant coach with the USMNT, and served under Gregg Berhalter for the Columbus Crew from 2014-2018. Austin looks to join the league in 2021.
Free Kicks
- Hope Solo attempted to join in mediation for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
- Minnesota United signed French fullback Wilfried Moimbé.
- The Orlando SeaWolves signed goalkeeper Ian Chacon.
- Lionel Messi was officially issued one-game suspension from World Cup qualifying after his controversial red card.
That’s going to do it for me this morning. It has been a hectic week for me, Mane Landers. Here’s hoping the rest of your week is smooth and easy!