Lion Links: 1/5/20

Happy Sunday fun day, Mane Landers! Welcome to day one of two with me providing your Links. We’re doing our best here to keep you informed on what is going on during the Lions’ off-season. Let’s get to the links!

MLS SuperDraft

The MLS SuperDraft is less than a week away, and since it is the off-season, everyone wants to speculate on who will go where. Our own Michael Citro proposed that UCF forward Cal Jennings might be a good pick for the Lions with the fifth pick of the draft. Others have Orlando City taking center back Henry Kessler from the University of Virginia, despite the recent center back acquisitions made by the club. Of course, Orlando City isn’t the only club in the draft, so we’ll have to see what goes down on Thursday.

New Year, New USMNT?

Many people make New Year’s resolutions, and perhaps that would be a good idea for the USMNT given the past year. Our colleagues over at SBNation’s Stars and Stripes FC have several bold predictions for the Yanks this coming year. How many goals will Jozy Altidore score? Could Christian Pulisic score twice that amount? As for wins, how do Nations League, World Cup qualifier, and U-23 Olympic victories sound? Yeah, I like it too. Now, we just need for it to come to pass.

More U.S. National Teams in Florida

Starting today, U-17 U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Tracey Kevins is bringing in 28 players to a training camp in Lakewood Ranch. The youngest player to attend is Olivia Moultrie, who was born in 2005. Moultrie is the youngest American to turn professional on the women’s side, and she has played matches with the Portland Thorns U-18/19 Girls’ Development Academy Team. The January camp will last from Jan. 5-15, and the young Yanks will play England twice during the February camp. Kevins won’t be the only coach, as USWNT legend Heather O’Reilly joins her as an assistant coach.

FA Cup Results

The third round of the FA Cup is in full swing, and the favorites are mostly taking care of business. Manchester City defeated Port Vale 4-1, and Wolves drew with Manchester United. All the better (or worse) since United wasn’t able to put a shot on goal the entire match. If United looked tired, what might become of Liverpool today against their Merseyside rivals Everton? At least there will be something to watch today.

Free Kicks

• As was reported yesterday, former OCB Coach Anthony Pulis is leaving Saint Louis FC to take a position with Inter Miami. Replacing Pulis at Saint Louis FC will be Steve Trittschuh, formerly the manager of Colorado Switchbacks FC.
• O’Reilly isn’t the only new U.S. coach, as Penn State women’s soccer head coach Erica Dambach has been named assistant coach of the United States Women’s National Team.
• Finally, there’s this. As The Mane Land reported last week, the club is in negotiations with Gallese. His old club bid him farewell on Friday and the deal may be close to completion. We’re hearing he’ll be in for a physical and to sign his paperwork within a week or so.

That will do it until tomorrow. See you then!