Lion Links: 12/31/19

Good morning, Mane Landers, and Happy New Year’s Eve to all of you! Today marks the last day of 2019, and we’ll be ringing in 2020 with a new Orlando City signing! With that in mind, let’s jump straight in to the links.

Antonio Carlos is the Newest Lion

Yesterday Orlando City officially announced the signing of center back Antonio Carlos from Palmeiras. The signing is yet another move to strengthen the back line following several departures from an improved but still work-in-progress defense. Following the established trend of this year’s off-season signings, the Brazilian has been signed to a one-year loan with an option to buy at the end of the 2020 MLS season. Carlos is a 26-year-old, 6-foot-3 defender with multiple years of experience in the Brazilian top flight. Welcome to Orlando!

USMNT January Camp Roster Announced

The United States Men’s National Team has announced the roster for its annual January Camp. The team includes established players like Gyasi Zardes, Aaron Long, and Paul Arriola, as well as uncapped younger players like Julian Araujo and Brenden Aaronson. The team will train and play closed-door scrimmages from Jan. 5-25 at the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar; after which it will play a friendly against Concacaf foe Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. As is typical with the January camp the roster is made up primarily of MLS players due to other leagues still being in full swing, although there are a handful of young players from other leagues.

NWSL Announces Draft Eligible Players

The National Women’s Soccer League has has announced a preliminary list of just under 100 players who are eligible for the 2020 NWSL College Draft. The deadline for college players to register for the draft is Jan. 15, 2020 at 4 p.m. UCF’s Alexandra Soree, University of Florida’s Julia Lester and Vanessa Kara, and University of Miami’s Kristina Fisher are among some of the college soccer players from Florida on the list. The 2020 NWSL College Draft will take place Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Baltimore, MD.

Miami Announces New Coach

Inter Miami CF has announced Diego Alonso as the first ever head coach in club history. The 44-year-old Uruguayan joins the team after a stint with C.F. Monterrey, in which he guided the team to victory in the Concacaf Champions League. Prior to his gig with Monterrey he spent time with C.F. Pachuca, where he won another Concacaf Champions League title and then finished third in the Club World Cup. Alonso is the only coach in history to have won the Concacaf Champions League twice, and is one of only two current coaches in MLS to have won the competition. He played on the Uruguayan national team during his time as a player and also spent time with Mexico’s Pumas UNAM, and Atletico Madrid in Spain.

Free Kicks

• Four players have been signed to the 2020 Generation Adidas class, and two college seniors have been signed to the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
• There are reports that Atlanta United center back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is close to signing for Mexico’s Club Tijuana.
• Laura Harvey will reportedly coach the January U-18 USWNT camp.
• Forest Green Rovers have been granted permission to start construction on an all-wooden stadium.
• Finally, those of you who like to exercise might want to get involved in the Florida Cup Fun Run.

That’ll be all for me today. Everyone stay safe during your celebrations tonight, and have a happy new year!