Lion Links: 8/28/19

Good morning, Mane Landers! It’s Wednesday finally, and I don’t know about you but this week is crawling for me. You didn’t come here to listen to me complain about my week though, so let’s jump right into the links.

Orlando City’s Chris Mueller Embracing the Fans

ProSoccerUSA.com shared a story of a young boy writing about what he wants to be when he grows up — he wants to be Chris Mueller. It’s a touching story that could make any player’s day, but at a signing event Mueller took the time to offer the child one-on-one advice. In fact, Mueller often takes the time to talk to, high five, and snap a picture with fans.

“We haven’t gotten necessarily what we’ve wanted this year, we haven’t gotten to the playoffs yet, but we have one of the best fan bases in the league. When you see that kind of support and how much they love the team, it makes it easy to give back. For me personally, the way the fans have embraced me since I’ve gotten to Orlando, it’s nothing just to go and say, ‘Hi’ and give them some of my time. I’m really grateful for them. They deserve every second I can give,” said Mueller.

Mueller isn’t the only player taking time to show the fans some love. Some of our Lions made their way out to Arnold Palmer Hospital yesterday to visit young fans.

Orlando City Call-Ups

We’ve mentioned this before, but the club has confirmed that Carlos Ascues has been called up to play with the Peruvian national team. Sebas Mendez also got the call up and will be representing for Ecuador.

Orlando Pride Happenings

It’s no secret that Orlando Pride has had a rough go of it this season, despite having some of the world’s greatest players on the team. Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner tells his story in a piece over on BBC. Having to leave his newborn for two months to get things set up and move his young family to the United States wasn’t easy. He asked himself how he could tell his daughter to go live her dreams if he didn’t take the opportunity.

“If the management are not happy with the way that you do things then it’s their entitlement to fire you,” he says. “If I get fired, I go again. All I know is, and this is the only time I’ll sound arrogant, whoever has me as a manager is going to be very lucky because of how much I care about the club that I’m at.”

Speaking of the Pride and some of those World Cup stars; When they’re not busy presenting at the MTV Video Music Awards, Ashlyn Harris can be found securing the NWSL Save of the Week.

USL Reaches Agreement with ESPN and ESPN+

ESPN announced yesterday that it has reached a three-year rights agreement that features USL Championship and League One matches through the 2022 season. This will approximately triple the number of games that are televised in addition to the regular ESPN+ coverage.

Free Kicks

• A third team has appealed a loss to Hamburg due to player Bakery Jatta’s identity.
• Nashville SC signed its first Designated Player.
• Conor Casey is leaving the Colorado Rapids following the appointment of the team’s new head coach, Robin Fraser. Casey was offered — but turned down — an assistant coaching job as well as a USL coaching opportunity.
• Alexis Sanchez is headed to Inter Milan on loan.

This is where I leave you for the day, Mane Landers. I’ll be back soon enough, until then enjoy the rest of your week!