Lion Links: 3/12/20

Good morning, Mane Landers! I hope this week is treating everyone well. Let’s go ahead and jump into the links.

USWNT Captures SheBelieves Cup

The United States Women’s National Team finished its sweep of the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, defeating Japan 3-1. Goals from Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press, and Lindsey Horan helped lead the way to a win that ensured a third SheBelieves Cup title for the USWNT. Michael Citro has the full match recap.

MLS Coronavirus Update

MLS has officially postponed the March 21 matches for Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas and San Jose vs. Sporting KC amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the league has mandated that all players, coaches, and essential staff must travel to away matches via chartered flights for the foreseeable future.

NWSL Signs New Broadcast Deal

The National Women’s Soccer League announced a landmark, multi-year media rights agreements. CBS Sports and Twitch have acquired the rights to show all NWSL matches exclusively for the next three years beginning with the 2020 season.

“The NWSL is elated to partner with CBS Sports and Twitch, two incredible media companies with a proven track record of award-winning coverage,” said Lisa Baird, Commissioner of the NWSL. “This new media-rights agreement is a watershed moment for women’s soccer in the U.S. and around the world and is the first time NWSL matches will be available to such a wide audience. We are excited to work with CBS with its rich history, tradition and storied innovation to utilize the power of their multiple platforms to reach more fans. We also are eager to team up with Twitch to showcase the brightest stars in the sport. These partnerships will continue to amplify the NWSL and its teams on a national and international stage.”

USWNT Settlement Seeming less Likely

Over the last several months it has seemed as though U.S. Soccer and the USWNT would come to a settlement out of court. Following the comments by USSF lawyers that the women have less responsibility and are scientifically worse than men, a settlement seems a bit more unlikely. When asked about the chances of a settlements, Becky Sauerbrunn had this to say:

“That would be a nice thought. I think it goes in waves. I think sometimes we thought [an out-of-court settlement was] closer, sometimes further. And things that happened like [Cordeiro’s letter], you were like, ‘Oh, we’re a little bit further.’ And so for us, anything less than equal, we wouldn’t settle for.”

Free Kicks

• The Westfield Matildas are headed to Tokyo in their fourth Olympic appearance.
• OCB single game tickets are on sale and the price has dropped!

• Juventus star Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus.
• Benny Feilhaber announced his retirement yesterday.

• Week 2 MLS Player Rankings see the Loons and Sporting Kansas City dominate.

That’ll do it for me this morning, everyone. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe!