Lion Links: 3/30/20

Happy Monday, everyone. I come to you a day earlier than usual this week due to an impromptu drive up north today to see some family. Not to worry though, I promise I’m travelling safely and responsibly. I’ll be back on my regularly scheduled day before you know it. Let’s have a look at those links.

Edmonds Finds Joy in Coaching

Orlando Pride midfielder Kristen Edmonds didn’t originally have plans to be a high school soccer coach. But, two years ago, Pride goalkeeper coach Lloyd Yaxley asked her to become an assistant coach for the Lake Highland Prep girls’ soccer team. She says that coaching has given her a new way to enjoy the sport that she plays for a living and she’s been able to view the game from a different perspective. She’s even taken the head coaching reigns several times, and has found it a very rewarding experience.

ESPN Celebrates Women’s History Month

ESPN will be celebrating Women’s History Month with a whopping eight-hour block of programming today that will focus on the United States Women’s National Team. The network will re-air four classic matches, including the last game for Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm, and the team’s recent SheBelieves Cup final victory over Japan. ESPN will spend the entire month honoring female athletes and their accomplishments and highlighting the uber-successful USWNT is a great way to get the ball rolling.

Premier League Mulls Ways to Finish Season

The English Premier League is discussing different ways to finish the 2019-2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the potential ideas is to play televised games in “World Cup-style” camps over the course of June and July until the season is finished. A large part of the desire to finish the season comes from the large broadcasting contracts involved, as well as the financial concerns that many clubs are facing. All players and club staff members would be isolated away from their families at hotels just like at major international tournaments, and several games would likely take place each day over the course of the two months. Keep your eyes out for more news on this front.

UEFA President Says Season Could Be Lost

Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has warned that this season could be “lost” if games are not able to resume by late June. Both the Champions League and Europa League have been indefinitely suspended, with both finals postponed. There is currently no official plan in place or dates on when games will resume, although solutions have been discussed. While every major league is committed to finishing the current season, time isn’t working in soccer’s favor, and may simply run out. Hopefully that doesn't end up happening, but for now it’s very much a case of hurry up and wait.

Free Kicks

• Orlando City’s Pro FIFA player fell 3-1 to his counterpart from the New York Red Bulls.

• Check out a job well done by a familiar face.

• MLSsoccer.com named Ruan as Orlando City’s definitive cult hero. Probably not the player I would have chosen, but not a terrible choice either.

That’ll be all from me today. Stay safe out or in there.