Lion Links
Lion Links: 2/22/20
Happy Saturday, Mane Landers. I hope you’re bundled up this weekend as we have some chilly weather ahead of us. I’ll be spending my weekend catching up on some homework, working, and crashing a friend’s birthday party. Thankfully, the Lions have been on fire so that should warm you up a bit with the home opener only a week away. Now, let’s get to the links.
Lions Finish Preseason Against San Antonio FC
Orlando City hosted its final closed-door preseason game against San Antonio FC at Exploria Stadium and won 2-1. Tesho Akindele and Chris Mueller both found the back of the net and Junior Urso wore the captain’s armband with Nani absent from the starting squad. Orlando finished the preseason with six wins from seven matches and the team seems to be firing on all cylinders, although the real test will come on Feb. 29 for the season opener against Real Salt Lake.
A 2-1 win against @SanAntonioFC in our final preseason tune-up.
Goals from Tesho Akindele and Chris Mueller. pic.twitter.com/NGzx9GdsXQ
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 22, 2020
Orlando City Signs Second-Round Draft Pick
Orlando City signed 2020 MLS Superdraft second-round pick Joey DeZart to his first professional contract. The former Wake Forest midfielder impressed during Orlando City’s preseason game against KR Reykjavik and earned a contract with the Lions. His signing is a positive development and provides another young presence to boost the Lions defensively in the midfield.
Orlando SeaWolves Fall on the Road
After flight delays and heavy traffic led to 12 grueling hours of travel, the SeaWolves were blown out by the Baltimore Blast in a lopsided 13-3 loss. It was a very difficult day for the SeaWolves and now they must shift gears for a match with the Harrisburg Heat later tonight. The team will get some rest after today though, with a week off before facing Turlock Cal Express at home.
Americans Abroad
Plenty of Americans are in action over in Europe today. Josh Sargent is fighting for minutes off the bench for Werder Bremen and his side will take on Borussia Dortmund today. For Dortmund, Giovanni Reyna became the youngest American to play in the UEFA Champions League this week and he hopes to score his first league goal for today.
Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Timothy Weah, and Christian Pulisic are all banged up this weekend but Alfredo Morales could see time when Fortuna Dusseldorf plays Freiburg. DeAndre Yedlin’s Newcastle also plays Crystal Palace today. Tomorrow, John Brooks will lead Wolfsburg against Mainz 05 to keep the club’s win streak going and climb the table in the Bundesliga standings.
Free Kicks
- Jermaine Jones had some comments about his American life, U.S. Soccer, and his dream to coach. Check out Grant Wahl’s interview here.
- U.S. Soccer and the United States Women’s National Team filed opposing motions in the equal pay lawsuit, with the May 5 trial date looming.
- Nashville SC released its official club anthem by Judah & the Lion that is set to debut at its home opener next week.
- Former D.C. United player Wayne Rooney converted a penalty for Derby County in his 500th appearance in English league football.
That is all for me today, Mane Landers. See you next time and enjoy your Saturday.