Lion Links: 9/18/19

Happy Wednesday, Mane Land! This week is flying by for me, but I’m in the middle of book fair craziness. Here’s hoping the week isn’t dragging for any of you. Let’s jump into the links.

Orlando City Ranks Among Most Improved

If their math is right, and it’s not, the MLS table has Orlando City ranked sixth for point increases from the same point in the 2018 season to the team’s current points for the 2019 season. They’ve listed last season at 23 points and the current season at 36 points, and according to them, an 11-point increase. That math doesn’t add up, even this librarian sees that! It should read as a 13-point improvement, placing the Lions ahead of Toronto FC, Minnesota United, and the Colorado Rapids in third place on the table instead of sixth.

Ashlyn Harris Wins NWSL Save of the Week

There were many saves from which to choose in the Orlando Pride’s 1-0 loss against the Chicago Red Stars for Save of the Week. In the end, the nomination and win was for Harris’ 75th-minute save when Ali Krieger couldn’t bring down the NWSL’s leading goal scorer, Sam Kerr. Harris came up huge to help keep her team in it, until that fateful counter attack in the dying minutes to give the visitors the win.

USMNT U-20 Ledezma Eligible to Play for Mexico

Rising youth player Richie Ledezma, part of the USMNT Under-20 World Cup team that made it to the quarterfinals, has confirmed that he is also eligible to play for Mexico. Ledezma has been seeing consecutive starts with Jong PSV. His recent bout of success leaves one wondering which national team he’ll choose to represent.

“Anything can happen. Obviously my door is always open to any team, but when I have to make the decision I’ll make my own decision,” Ledezma said. “It’s whatever I’m happy with. We’ll see what happens.

Wayne Rooney Won’t be Going Silently

We all know by now that Rooney is parting ways with the MLS come December to take a player-coach role at Derby County. Festivus may be Dec. 23, but Rooney is ready for the airing of grievances. He’s already shared his feelings on travel issues and chartered flights (to which OCSC is all too familiar), but now he’s speaking out against how American soccer players are underpaid.

“I feel that American players get underpaid,” Rooney said. “I feel they deserve to get more money to stay in line with football in the rest of the world and in terms of the American sports. I’m not saying it to benefit me, I obviously won’t be in the league next season. I think it’s only fair to those players who are putting in the same work as all have to earn the right to earn more money for doing it.”

Free Kicks

• Have you been saying your favorite player’s name wrong all this time?
• Cagliari fans go unpunished for treatment of Romelu Lukaku.
• Atlanta’s loss to Columbus shows the dangers of an attacking mentality.

That’ll do it for me today, Mane Landers. Hope everyone has a fabulous day as we’re halfway to Friday!