Lion Links: 3/25/20

Good morning, Mane Landers. My husband and I started working from home together yesterday. We work together every day, but I often don’t often see him. Reader, I’m not sure if we’re going to survive this! Just kidding, that’s just a little humor to start the morning. Let’s jump right into today’s links.

MLS’ Plan Moving Forward

MLS Commissioner Don Garber is focused on making sure MLS teams play a full season’s worth of matches.

“Once we are comfortable that we can get our players with three to four weeks of training, and that we have the guidance that we can get crowds back into our stadiums, then we will then begin the relaunch of our season,” Garber said. “Our intent is to play as many games as we possibly can.”

This will almost certainly mean pushing the season back, with the MLS Cup possibly in December. Garber also teased that the league is planning something fun and exciting in the off-season, but didn’t go into further detail.

2020 Tokyo Olympics Officially Postponed

Yesterday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach agreed to officially postpone the 2020 Olympic Games.

“[T]he IOC president and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games … must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community,” said a joint statement by the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and the IOC.

Carli Lloyd, for one, is looking forward to the time however.

“For me personally, you know I’m excited, because it’s more opportunity to train, more opportunity to get more fit, more time to prepare,” Lloyd said. “I think for our team, especially with Vlatko and a new coaching staff, there wasn’t much time to prepare and now he’s going to get more time with us and we all have kind of gotten a recharge and a break.”

U.S. Soccer Hopes to Resolve Lawsuit Before Trial

The U.S. Soccer Federation’s new CEO, Will Wilson, joined president Cindy Parlow Cone on a conference call yesterday to introduce him to the media. The current lawsuit from the United States Women’s National Team for equal pay was at the forefront of questioning. The pair stated they are committed to finding a solution.

“The wording of the comments in the filing were quite frankly shocking and very, very disappointing to me when I read them,” said Wilson. “Absolutely my commitment will be to find solutions – to engage at every level.”

Christian Pulisic is Ready to Return

The United States Men’s National Team and Chelsea player has been recovering from an adductor injury that he suffered back in January against Brighton & Hove Albion. Pulisic was expected to return before the league’s extended break and shared that he is ready to play again.

“I’m feeling ready to go. I’m feeling good. I miss playing,” Pulisic said when asked if he is 100%.

Free Kicks

• Nani listed his five-player dream team from his career, with Manchester United and Portuguese legends making the cut.

• The first Mane Land March Madness bracket results are in.

• Don’t miss out on this awesome wallpaper featuring the Orlando Pride’s Alanna Kennedy.

• Orlando Pride’s Toni Pressley and Marta may be going stir crazy as they put together a Taco Tuesday video.

• I may be the only person not playing Animal Crossing, but here’s some OCSC fun.

• Players from some of Germany’s top teams, including Bayern Munich, agree to pay cuts to help clubs survive the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Manchester United is looking to extend the loan deal for Odian Ighalo. What will happen to other players on loan? Clubs will need a lot of help from FIFA, UEFA, the FA, and others to find the best solution.

That’s going to do it for me today, everyone. Have a great day and stay safe!