Lion Links: 11/12/19

Happy Tuesday, everyone. International breaks are never easy, but luckily there’s an opportunity to get some live soccer viewing in this Friday when the U.S. hosts Canada in the Concacaf Nations League at Exploria Stadium. Unfortunately, I’ll be working that night (put the game on a weekend for God’s sake), which means the tone of my Friday feature may be slightly grumpy. My apologies in advance; now let’s hit the links.

OCSC Departure Rumor

With the end of the 2019 MLS season officially coming to a close with the MLS Cup final on Sunday, rumors have started flying with regards to transfers. One that hits close to home is a rumor that Cristian Higuita has an agreement in principle with America de Cali of Colombia’s Categoria Primera A. While only a rumor at this point, if true the move would see Higuita — the last remaining original MLS Lion — return to his native Colombia, where he spent several years with Deportivo Cali. We will report on any further developments regarding Higuita.

Confusion Over Quintero Option

Yesterday Darwin Quintero announced that Minnesota United had declined his contract option, but it appears that may not be the case. Quintero posted on his Twitter that the club had made the decision not to exercise the renewal option in his contract, seemingly bringing an end to his time in Minnesota.

The 32-year-old Colombian attacker is Minnesota United’s first ever Designated Player, and would leave with 21 goals and 20 assists during two seasons. However, a team spokesperson told ProSoccerUSA that the team had not in fact declined his option, but failed to comment further. During yesterday’s Lion Links we reported that Quintero was on the trading block and that Minnesota was interested in Dom Dwyer. Our fearless leader Michael Citro took a look at how a potential trade involving the two players looks if you go inside the numbers.

SeaWolves Make Signing

The Orlando SeaWolves have signed Odaine Sinclair, a forward who last played with the Kansas City Comets in the 2017-2018 MASL season. Sinclair is a seasoned veteran of MASL, having joined the league in 2013 and immediately being named rookie of the year. He has spent time with both the Comets and St. Louis Ambush before coming to Orlando, and has 44 goals and 48 assists to his name. While he’s typically been used as a forward during his MASL career, it’s expected that Sinclair will be used both on defense and as an attacker in an effort to aid multiple parts of the SeaWolves’ roster.

USMNT Names Nations League Squad

Gregg Berhalter has named his 23 man roster for the United States Men’s National Team’s upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches, and a couple of key faces will be missing. Christian Pulisic and Michael Bradley were both left off the final roster after sustaining respective hip and ankle injuries this past weekend. The absence of Pulisic in particular is a big blow. Not only is he the Yanks’ best player, but he’s on a hot run of form at the moment for Chelsea with five goals in his last three league matches. It’s another bad break ahead of a big match for a team that already saw Zack Steffen pull out of the squad due to knee tendonitis.

Free Kicks

• A mere two days after their victory in the 2019 MLS Cup, the Seattle Sounders already have their eyes on next year, and will look to their veteran core to sustain 2019’s success even with the added responsibility of the Concacaf Champions League
• Raheem Sterling will not feature in England’s upcoming Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro after a “disturbance in a private team area at St. George’s Park.”
• In the realm of European transfer rumors, PSG may be after Real Madrid’s Vinicius, Juve are said to be planning a host of sales, and there are more rumblings about Luis Suarez pondering his future.

That’ll be all for me today. Y’all stay safe out there.