Lion Links: 9/12/19

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope you all are staying cool as the Florida heat continues to make being outside miserable. But this is nothing new, so you know the drill on staying safe out there. For now, let’s try to get our minds off of how hot it is with some pretty cool links from around the soccer world.

Orlando City’s Road Ahead

With four games remaining, Orlando City still has a chance at the postseason. The Lions currently sit four points behind the seventh-place New England Revolution but have a great chance to close that gap Saturday when they face the Revolution. It’s not the first time these two teams have faced each other, but it may be the most important meeting yet as a loss will end the Lions’ playoff hopes. The good news is that the Lions have one of the easier schedules left in the league and winning all four remaining games is a real possibility.

Orlando Pride Give Up Late Goal in Home Loss

Playing in Exploria Stadium, the Orlando Pride lost 1-0 to the Chicago Red Stars after Casey Short scored deep in stoppage time. After Chicago Red Stars midfielder Katie Johnson earned her second yellow card on the night in the 64th minute, the Pride had a chance to take control of the game but failed to capitalize, with no shots on goal after Johnson’s dismissal. The Pride’s next match will come this Saturday with a road trip to face the North Carolina Courage.

Pride Will Host Breast Cancer Awareness Match

Announced at halftime last night, the Pride’s final home match of 2019 on Oct. 12 will be a Breast Cancer Awareness match in support of Pride defender Toni Pressley after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in August. Alongside the match will be an NWSL-wide auction and new merchandise. Proceeds from the auction and the new merch and part of the ticket sales for the match will go towards Libby’s Legacy, an Orlando-based non-profit organization selected by Pressley. A number of items are up for auction from teams and players across the league as the NWSL comes together to support one of its own.

“I can’t put into words what it means to have the support of the teams and players across the entire league. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude, from this auction to all of the tributes I have seen over the last month,” Pressley said in the club’s release. “I appreciate everyone’s thoughtfulness and contributions to raise awareness for something that impacts, not just myself, but so many others.”

Orlando SeaWolves Re-Sign Veteran Goalkeeper

With the Major Arena Soccer League season starting this November, the Orlando SeaWolves shored up the goalkeeping position by re-signing Piotr Sliwa. The 33-year-old will not only play in goal for the SeaWolves, but will keep his role as assistant coach as well. With over 4,000 minutes and 1,000 saves in his indoor career, Sliwa is a key part of the SeaWolves defense.

“Piotr is a vital piece of the puzzle for the upcoming season,” SeaWolves General Manager Chris Kokalis said. “If we are going to accomplish our goals in being a top defensive team and competing for a postseason birth we are going to need to be strong in the net. Piotr has a strong grasp on the areas we need to improve upon from last year. I have complete faith that he will elevate his game and will be a key factor in helping us improve all around. I am excited to have him back.”

USMNT Looks Forward After Friendlies

After earning a 1-1 draw against fifth-ranked Uruguay, there is plenty we learned about the United States Men’s National Team before the Concacaf Nations League continues next month. While the USMNT was able to create chances in the match, Head Coach Gregg Berhalter felt more could be done on the defensive end. Berhalter’s mission goes beyond finding the best talent the country has to offer as he attempts to restructure the way soccer is played in America itself.

Free Kicks

• Sebas Mendez played 90 minutes before being substituted out in Ecuador’s 3-0 win over Bolivia.

• The Crown and other NWSL supporters groups adopted a new code of conduct.

If you’re wondering about the official Pride supporters group, Black Swans Drinking Club, it didn’t sign the new conduct code but there is an explanation. It should also be known that the BSDC has its own code of conduct that aligns with expectations from Orlando’s front office.

• As former Pride player Kayla Adamek gears up for the Champions League, she says that Ali Krieger is a huge inspiration for her.
• Revolution center back Antonio Delamea had his suspension rescinded and is clear to play this weekend against Orlando.
• Omar Tapia is a key player to watch on attack in the SeaWolves this upcoming season.
• Coinciding with an international break for the Premier League, Women’s Football Weekend will take place on Nov. 16 as England’s Football Association urges fans to support their local women’s team.
• Make sure to check out this feature on head trauma in soccer players and the differences in that trauma between men and women.
• A hamstring injury prevented Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany from playing in his testimonial match. The 33-year-old joked it was fitting that he sit out with an injury and the night was still a success in front of over 50,000 fans with a benefit towards fighting homelessness in Manchester.
• If you’ve been on Twitter in the past 24 hours, you probably know about Kobe Bryant’s coaching regimen for his girl’s basketball team. While his methods can be debated, it’s nice to know his daughter has good role models.

That’s all I’ve got for you today. I hope the rest of your week goes off without a hitch as we gear up for a big match this weekend. Have a wonderful day, Mane Landers!