Lion Links
Lion Links: 8/31/19
Good morning, Mane Landers! Has Hurricane Dorian ruined your long weekend plans? So far, it has added a day to mine. But let’s not dwell too much on the impending rainfall and let’s jump right to the links.
Orlando City Chases Points
As ProSoccerUSA.com pointed out, it’s going to be an important match tonight against the San Jose Earthquakes on the road as the Lions look to stay in playoff range. San Jose will be without its head coach, Matías Almeyda as he serves a two-game suspension.
“It’s an interesting system that the players have bought into. He has done a phenomenal job because he’s been able to get the buy-in from the guys. There’s a philosophy there that I think he’s been able to get a good understanding with the players about the principles the team wants to form,” James O’Connor had to say about Almeyda’s coaching.
Retroactive Refereeing Strikes Again
Taylor Twellman shared that Atlanta United’s Julian Gressel won’t see a suspension this weekend against the Philadelphia Union after all. Gressel clearly and obviously connected a slap to Nani’s head. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the same.
Hearing that Gressel will NOT be suspended for this weekend vs @PhilaUnion …the consistency of the “retro ref’ing” in @MLS is extremely difficult to follow. Hands to the face, open hand punch/slap……@ATLUTD dodge a big one with a huge game this weekend if it’s true. #MLS https://t.co/HscRCHBJ09
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) August 30, 2019
Orlando Pride’s Claire Emslie Shines for Scotland
The Cyprus Women’s National Football Team played its first competitive senior women’s match Friday against Scotland’s National Team. Unfortunately for Cyprus, Scotland won 8-0. The Pride’s Emslie opened the scoring and had an assist in her 82 minutes of play. The attendance was the second-highest ever for Scotland at just over 6,200.
WATCH | @emslie22 opens the scoring for Scotland after some terrific inter-play between Caroline Weir and Lisa Evans. #OurGirlsOurGame | #SWNT
(via @BBCAlba)pic.twitter.com/FiwQmFOc6Z— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) August 30, 2019
Orlando City Foundation Close to Goal
The Orlando City Foundation is very close to reaching its funding goal for building an Orlando Pride mini pitch. To help reach the goal even faster, the foundation will be auctioning off a World Cup bracket signed by Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris, and Ali Krieger. The bidding will close on Sept. 10.
We are SO CLOSE to getting to our goal to build an @ORLPride Mini Pitch! So, we're auctioning off the World Cup Bracket autographed by @alexmorgan13, @alikrieger, and @Ashlyn_Harris! Bidding is live here https://t.co/FANe1eN1l5 and will close on September 10th, 2019! pic.twitter.com/Q8FtmcYFbJ
— OrlandoCityFnd (@OrlandoCityFnd) August 30, 2019
Free Kicks
- D.C. United loans Chris Durkin to Sint-Truiden in Belgium through May.
- Former Manchester United center back Chris Smalling is Roma’s latest signing.
- FC Metz players were temporarily removed from the field over banners from supporters in a match against Paris Saint-Germain.
🛑 Players temporarily pulled off of the field over banners unfurled by @FCMetz supporters in match against @PSG_English #FCMPSG
📺: beIN SPORTS
💻📱: https://t.co/8Vw2z7cxwS pic.twitter.com/tgOd80oq8m— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 30, 2019
- Former Orlando City head coach Jason Kreis named his 24-man roster for the U.S. U-23 team to report to camp on Sept. 1.
- La Liga will honor Luis Enrique’s late daughter across all matches this weekend.
- Grant Wahl interviewed USMNT Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.
- Check out Eric Cantona’s speech, stay for Cristiano Ronaldo’s face.
Eric Cantona delivers the mother of all speeches.
Just look at @Cristiano's face 😂 pic.twitter.com/bRCZAHwtIT
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 30, 2019
- Florida’s not the only one seeing crazy winds this weekend.
It's a little bit gusty… pic.twitter.com/KHTB0DFZJx
— Rich Laverty (@RichJLaverty) August 30, 2019
That’ll do it for me today, Mane Landers. Hopefully we can all stay up late enough to watch the west coast match. Whether you make it or not, be sure to check back here for all things Orlando City vs. San Jose.