Lion Links: 8/12/19

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! It was quite a weekend between the Lions and the Pride matches, plus the EPL swinging back into action. It’s a great time to be soccer fan, and as you’ll find out, it’s healthy as well! Now, let’s get to the links.

Lessons From Toronto

Orlando City might not have taken all three points on the road at Toronto, but that doesn’t mean it was all bad. Players continue to make an impact off the bench, like Benji Michel did with his goal, and are key to James O’Connor being able to manage the amount of matches coming up. Of course, there was the chaos surrounding the penalty that wasn’t a penalty, and the resulting equalizer. Regardless, getting a result on the road is still a good thing.

NWSL Needs Improvement

Ali Krieger finally spoke out about the quality of the refereeing in the NWSL following the two red cards in the Pride match against the Houston Dash. The refs are just one aspect of women’s professional soccer in the the United States that is in need of improvement. Despite ESPN stepping in to broadcast some of the NWSL matches, most are still only available on Yahoo Sports. There needs to be greater investment in the sport, especially considering that so many of the players from the United States Women’s National Team, and other national teams, play for NWSL clubs. The time is now.

Jonathan Spector Hangs Up His Cleats

Former Orlando City defender Jonathan Spector announced his retirement. The former Lions captain had a very good 16-year career, including time with Manchester United, West Ham United, and Birmingham City. We wish Spector well on whatever he does next. Also, look how young he was!

Watching Soccer is Good for Your Health

It might not always feel like it, but it turns out that supporting your favorite club is actually good for your health. In life, there is good stress and bad stress. All the action, the goals, and the results increase the heart rate. Watching soccer is the equivalent of a 90-minute walk. The results of the match can also either give your mood a boost or put you in a slump for 24 hours. Of course, this isn’t anything that you didn’t suspect but thanks to the researchers at Leeds University, you have scientific confirmation.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride no longer hold the record for the highest single-match attendance. Congratulations go out to the Portland Thorns.

• Real Salt Lake fired Mike Petke as head coach late last night.
• Are you feeling like you’ve seen a particular element in your club’s jersey before? Well, you’re not wrong. That is exactly why we’re seeing the looks from the 1980s and 1990s making their way back into current kits.
• In case you missed the action, here are the results from the first week of the English Premier League.
• USMNT forward Tim Weah made his debut for French Ligue 1 club Lille OSC.

• As you know, Toni Pressley is battling breast cancer. It seems the North Carolina Courage know as well, and showed their support during their last match.

North Carolina wasn’t the only team showing support for Pressley.

Keep checking in for more Orlando City, Orlando Pride, and OCB news throughout the day. Go Orlando!