Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/16/20
Good morning, Mane Landers. I hope everyone is doing well. Before we jump into links let’s take a second to wish Orlando Pride midfielder Bridget Callahan a happy birthday!
Marta and Toni Pressley Home Highlights
I told you a few weeks ago not to sleep on following some of the City and Pride players on social media! Marta and Toni Pressley have jumped on the TikTok boom of 2020 since being home to help kill time. Ali Riley is funny too, her competitive nature is in full bloom as she walks through the neighborhood.
FC Dallas Mount Rushmore Includes Pareja, Kreis
SB Nation's Big D Soccer published their Mount Rushmore of FC Dallas players. Current Orlando City head coach Óscar Pareja and former coach Jason Kreis take half the spots in their monument.
“Papi [Pareja] was our only unanimous pick here as he was a legend off and on the field for the club over the years. As a player, he tallied 13 goals and 47 assists in a Dallas uniform before hanging up his boots in 2005. He then went on to help establish one of the United State’s best academy systems before becoming a head coach in Colorado in 2011. He led the Rapids to a massive turnaround, going went 25-31-13 over two seasons before returning home to Frisco.”
U.S. Could Host 2022 World Cup
Amid corruption claims against Qatar, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the United States would be capable of hosting the 2022 World Cup.
“Germany could do it. But this would mean the World Cup being staged in Europe again after 2018,” Blatter said. “Europe therefore would not be first choice. The United States could do it instead of 2026,” he said. “They are capable, it’s not rocket science! Japan could also do it. They also bid to host the 2022 World Cup.”
The Return of Soccer
We all want soccer to return, but at what cost? Dr. Anthony Fauci says the only way to return to sports soon would be sans fans and to have full control of players and stadium.
“There’s a way of doing that,” Fauci said. “Nobody comes to the stadium. Put [the players] in big hotels, wherever you want to play, keep them very well surveilled…Have them tested every single week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family, and just let them play the season out.”
Washington Post writer Steven Goff tweeted that the National Women’s Soccer League has a targeted start date of June 27.
NWSL targeting June 27 to start the season. Everything, however, is very tentative at this point. League's original start date was this weekend, featuring the first natl network TV broadcast (CBS).
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) April 15, 2020
Everything about everything is tentative at this point as we stay home and try to fight this. I say this as someone who literally couldn’t wait for the season to start, but why rush back? Health and safety should be number one.
Free Kicks
- Leeds United are reportedly ready to bid for former Orlando City striker Cyle Larin.
- Major League Soccer broadcast partner TUDN will replay some of the greatest matches in MLS history.
- U.S. Soccer announces a decision to end the operation of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, effective immediately, and MLS launches elite competition for youth academies.
- FIFA Abe teaches the basics of passing.
.@FIFA_Abe takes you through the basics of passing in #FIFA20 if you're just getting into the game. 🎮 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/gHqzp9SPQ6
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 15, 2020
That’ll do it for me today, everyone. Have a great day and stay safe!