Lion Links
Lion Links: 12/23/19
Happy Festivus, Mane Landers! Have you put up your Festivus Pole? It should be aluminum, as it has a high strength-to-weight ratio. First there will be the Airing of Grievances, and to quote the founder of the holiday:
Just wait until the Feats of Strength, Festivus doesn’t end until one of you pins me. Before then, let’s get to today’s links.
SeaWolves Get a Win
It’s a Festivus Miracle! The Orlando SeaWolves won their first match of the season, defeating the Baltimore Blast, 5-4. Orlando started the scoring with the first of two goals from Luiz Mota, and finished the scoring on Omar Tapia’s winner in the final seconds of regulation. The win means the SeaWolves are no longer in the cellar of the East, as they sit in eighth ahead of the Rochester Lancers. Orlando next plays on Jan. 10, when it takes on the Kansas City Comets at 8:05 p.m. in Missouri.
USMNT’s Team of the Decade
Ever since the loss to Trinidad and Tobago, it has seemed that the United States Men’s National Team hasn’t been best at anything. However, a decade is a much longer time period, and there have been some great players to don the Red, White & Blue. To be clear, this is not some official list put out by U.S. Soccer, but it’s still fun to think about. There are some on the list who are still on the current squad, like Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and Christian Pulisic. There are also some who are among the very best in U.S. history, such as Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey.
USWNT Top Moments of the Decade
There is no doubt that the United States Women’s National Team has been a complete success story over the last decade. Check out the “The 12 Best Moments From The USWNT’s Incredible Decade”. There’s plenty to reminisce about, including plenty from the Pride. Alex Morgan made the list, as did Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris coming out as a couple. The Olympics, World Cup, and equal pay are all represented as well.
English Premier League News
Jurgen Klopp isn’t the only one who has had to deal with too many matches in too short a time period. It seems that Pep Guardiola isn’t very keen that Manchester City has two games within 48 hours. Of course, Leicester City, Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Wolverhampton are all dealing with the same turnaround. Still, it has been a busy December for many Premier League clubs. Despite winning the Club World Cup, Liverpool had to essentially abandon the Football League Cup by sending its youth squad to play Aston Villa, while the senior team prepared for Monterrey. After defeating Monterrey and winning the right to wear the gold FIFA champions badge, English Premier League regulations mean they can’t wear it during Premier League Matches.
Free Kicks
- Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart is linked with a possible move to Inter Miami. Hart was a teammate of Miami owner David Beckham.
- USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen got a hockey assist with his goal kick in Fortuna Dusseldorf’s 2-1 win over Union Berlin. The win was Dusseldorf’s first in quite a while.
- Leave it up to FIFA to keep a club from celebrating with its fans as shown after Liverpool’s Club World Cup match.
WHAT. A. STRIKE! 🚀
Düsseldorf go Route 1 via Zack Steffen’s goal kick and take the halftime lead thanks to this stunner from Rouwen Hennings. #F95FCU pic.twitter.com/5S3Wg8RHJt
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 22, 2019
If you’re confused by all the Festivus stuff, I present to you the greatest holiday ever. It quite literally came from the great television show, Seinfeld. Enjoy, and have a great Monday!
