Lion Links: 10/30/19

Happy Wednesday, Mane Landers! This has been a refreshing week for me and I do hope you’re finding little wins along the way. Today’s your last day to get all of your Halloween affairs in order, but hopefully it isn’t too stressful for you. Now, let’s jump into the links, shall we?

Pride Players Named to Matildas Squad

Head Coach Ante Milicic named a 21-player roster for Australia’s upcoming international friendlies against Chile in Parramatta and Adelaide this upcoming November. Among the Australian squad are the Orlando Pride’s Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond. While both are Matilda regulars, it will be nice to see the latter back on the pitch after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this year.

Seattle Sounders Stun LAFC to Advance

The Seattle Sounders went on the road to Los Angeles and walked away with one of their biggest wins in club history. The Sounders beat LAFC 3-1 to advance to the MLS Cup for the third time in the past five years. LAFC scored first thanks to Eduard Atuesta, but the Sounders responded with two quick goals from Rual Ruidiaz and Nicolas Lodeiro to take the lead. Ruidiaz scored again in the second half to secure the victory, giving LAFC its second home loss this year and ending its phenomenal season.

The Sounders will face the winner of tonight’s match against Toronto FC and Atlanta United. If Toronto wins, the Sounders will get to host MLS Cup but they will be on the road if Atlanta is victorious.

Orlando SeaWolves Get New Training Facility

The Orlando SeaWolves announced an agreement with the R9 Academy to become the training facility for the SeaWolves’ 2019-2020 season. The location has four soccer fields and the SeaWolves have access to their own locker room with a film study area, showers, and more. It should be helpful for a SeaWolves team that starts its season on Nov. 22 against the Florida Tropics.

U.S. Soccer Wants Income Information

The U.S. Soccer Federation requested the disclosure of any and all soccer-related income over the last five and a half years from the 28 U.S. Women’s National team players that filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the federation earlier in the year.

“[The income] forms part of the overall context in which the parties have bargained and in which they decided to make the various trade-offs they have made, involving compensation and other items,” the motion states. “It also helps demonstrate the overall value of the [current CBA] for plaintiffs.”

NWSL Rookie of the Year

Reign FC forward, Bethany Balcer was named 2019 NWSL Rookie of the Year. Balcer played in every game for Reign FC this season and led the team in goals with six while adding two assists as well. The 22-year-old finished with 57.9% of the vote, with Washington Spirit players, Jordan DiBiasi and Sam Staab coming in second and third place, respectively.

Free Kicks

• Bulgaria was handed a stadium ban and fine for racist actions by fans in the match against England.
• In e-sports news, Nashville SC signs eMLS player, Cormac “Doolsta” Dooley, a former Philadelphia Union gamer. His new side is going to pay his college tuition for making the switch.
• Christian Pulisic has gone from an unused substitute to a man on fire with his record-breaking hat trick for Chelsea against Burnley. Operating more centrally, Pulisic has a chance to play to his strengths.

That’ll do it for me this morning, Mane Landers. I’ll be back tomorrow to bring you even more links. Have a great Wednesday!