Lion Links: 1/15/20

Good morning, Mane Landers! I hope these mid-week links find you all doing well. We have some rare Wednesday soccer action tonight with the 2020 Florida Cup kicking off later tonight. Now, let’s jump into today’s links.

Junior Urso and Other Lions Get Numbers

The club announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso on Monday and the “Bear” discussed his nickname and how he didn’t have to think twice about joining Orlando City.

“I was contacted to go to different teams in my country of Brazil, among other clubs,” Urso recalled of his decision to transfer. “I believe that somehow I knew that God had something special reserved for me. And that’s when I got a phone call from my agent about Orlando’s interest. I didn’t think twice. Only heard until he finished what he had to say but the word yes was already in my heart, in my mind and I’m living a very special moment here.”

Urso and some of the other newest Lions officially have their numbers as well, while a few returning players changed theirs for 2020. Urso went with 11 and Mauricio Pereyra made the big change to 10 to cement his role as playmaker. Make sure to check out the other players as well, including first-round draft pick Daryl Dike.

NWSL College Draft Preview

Orlando City Communications Specialist Duda Pavão created a great preview to walk fans through the NWSL College Draft process and the Orlando Pride’s positioning. The Pride will make their selections tomorrow when the draft starts at 11 a.m. as they aim to add depth on the roster ahead of a season that includes the Olympics this summer.

Harris and Krieger’s Wedding Continues to Make Headlines

This time, Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger took some time to speak with Sports Illustrated from the United States Women’s National Team training camp. The focus this time though was on their support team, including Sydney Leroux mediating.

“We spend more time together with this team than we do our family,” Harris said from camp in an interview with SI.com. “Megan and Sydney have been there from the start. We’ve grown up through all of our phases, romantically and professionally and personally. These women have been by our side through all of it.”

Former Lion Lands in Seattle

Orlando City and Shane O’Neill parted ways at the conclusion of the 2019 season but the 26-year-old center back found a new home in MLS, signing with Seattle Sounders FC. After two years in Orlando, O’Neill now joins the MLS reigning champions to help bolster their defense ahead of the 2020 season.

“Shane is a good veteran player that addresses a position of need for us,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “He’s a guy with experience in MLS and abroad, and we’re looking forward to welcoming him to the squad as preseason camp begins.”

Free Kicks

• Orlando Pride players made waves in the W-League this past week and here is a recap to catch up on all the Round 9 action.
• D.C. United finalized a $5 million transfer deal for Peruvian midfielder Edison Flores, a record for the club.
• Utah Royals FC acquired the No. 8 pick in the draft from the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for allocation money.
• Academy kids are finding their way as the New York Red Bulls signed 25th academy product John Tolkin while the Columbus Crew signed academy product Aidan Morris.
• Here is an attempted list at the top 10 American players in MLS. Do you agree or is there a player out there who was snubbed?

• Shrewsbury will host Liverpool in the next round of the FA Cup, setting the stage for a potentially massive upset if the stars align.

That’ll do it for me today, Mane Landers! Be sure to check back later for Florida Cup updates. Have a great day and stay safe!