Lion Links: 12/20/19

How’s it going, Mane Landers? We’re approaching the last weekend until Christmas, so if you still have shopping left to do then I wish you the best of luck because it is going to be hectic out there. I still have a few gifts left to grab myself and am already regretting not just getting everything shipped when I had the chance. While I’m out at the mall, I’ll probably catch the new Star Wars film to help take the edge off. But enough about me, let’s get into today’s links.

Orlando’s 2020 Season Schedule Revealed

Orlando City’s full schedule for the 2020 season was announced and there is plenty to unpack. For the first year, Orlando won’t play every team in the league this season, with LAFC, the San Jose Earthquakes, and the Seattle Sounders all absent from Orlando’s schedule. Rivalry week is also sure to be intense next season, with Orlando on the road against Inter Miami CF on Aug. 20 and then continuing the road trip on Aug. 23 in a match with Atlanta United. Orlando’s other crack at Atlanta will be on April 26 at Exploria Stadium in one of the most anticipated games of the year, although Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja’s return to Texas on July 17 to take on FC Dallas is also worth circling on your calendar.

German Cano Reportedly in Final Stages of Joining Orlando City

Pareja stated on Colombian television that the club is “very close” to signing Independiente Medellín striker German Cano and that the finer details of the deal are being worked on. The 31-year-old scored a whopping 41 goals in 2019 and Pareja praised his scoring ability during the interview. Pareja also talked about what recent acquisition Andres Perea brings to the team and his plans for the future of the club.

W-League Round 6 Action

Down in Australia, Orlando Pride players Emily van Egmond and Claire Emslie both started and played all 90 minutes for Melbourne City in a 1-0 win over the Perth Glory. Although neither scored or had an assist, they contributed to the offense with 14 crosses, four created chances, and four shots between them.

Alanna Kennedy started her second straight game, but Sydney FC suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to the Western Sydney Wanderers. Rounding out the Pride players in the W-League, Carson Pickett and the Brisbane Roar take on the Melbourne Victory tonight while Camila and Canberra United face Adelaide United.

Former USWNT Players Urged to Join U.S. Coaching Ranks

United States Women’s National Team retired players are being encouraged to consider coaching for the same pipeline of talent they went through. While many past players attend training camps to talk with young players and weigh in on tactics, their past experiences representing the U.S. can be most meaningful for young players according to new USWNT General Manager Kate Markgraf.

“Retired USWNT players are serial winners who can model how our young players can thrive on the pathway to the top,” said Markgraf, a former Olympic and World Cup champion herself. “With instant credibility and insight into all the challenges a player needs to overcome to reach their goals, retired players can assist, implement, and support our teams’ head coach’s efforts to develop future players for our Senior team.”

Free Kicks

• With 2019 almost over, this has to be the picture of the year right?

• The National Women’s Soccer League announced that no new teams would be joining the league for the upcoming 2020 season.
• BeIN Sports nabbed the broadcasting rights to the 2020 Florida Cup next month.
• The Houston Dynamo have their eyes set on former United States Men’s National Team goalkeeper William Yarbrough.
• After backlash regarding its new logo, Louisville City FC President Brad Estes stated that the club will work with supporters to make changes to the logo and that production of merchandise with the current logo will stop.

• In case you are going to be down in Tampa next month, there is some free Bundesliga soccer going down.

That’s going to be it from me, folks. I hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!