Lion Links: 4/21/20

Happy Tuesday, everyone. I’ll be honest, my weeks are starting to blend together something awful. I thought Monday was no less than four different (and incorrect) days of the week. Still, I’m safe and healthy, so I really don’t have too much to complain about! There’s plenty to discuss today, so let’s hop to it.

This Week in OCSC History

As always, plenty of historical happenings took place in Orlando City’s past this week. One of the highlights was a hard fought road win against New York City FC in 2017, courtesy of a Cyle Larin brace. Then on April 21, 2018 there was a wildly entertaining home win over Real Salt Lake that saw Chris Mueller score just over a minute into the first half, with further goals by Sacha Kljestan and Dom Dwyer. Last year it was a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps thanks to a deflected 88th-minute winner that sealed the points for the Lions.

U.S. Soccer Gets Loan

The USSF has reportedly been approved for a loan from the Payroll Protection Program which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The loan is forgivable as long as the funds are used to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities for the eight weeks after the loan is given. The USSF announced a series of layoffs and furloughs last week, so the loan would be forgiven as long as rehires took place. The federation also cut the Development Academy program, which had been budgeted to cost $12 million for the year.

Bundesliga Could Return in May

The two German prime ministers of Bavaria and Nordrhein-Westfalen have suggested that the Bundesliga could resume play as early as May 9. The German Football League has a proposal to play games without fans, and the prime ministers of two German states have given their backing to the plan. CEO of the league, Christian Seifert, took care to emphasize that while he’s optimistic that soccer can return to the country sooner rather than later, he also had no wish to undermine the current work being done to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has a lot to do with hygiene measures and exemplary handling of social contacts. It is important to be disciplined, not only for the employer, but also for the fans.”

Keep an eye out for any news on this front as the month draws to a close.

Week 8 Simulations

Week 8 of Major League Soccer has been simulated in FIFA 20, and the results are in. Orlando City unfortunately suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of FC Cincinnati, virtual revenge for the 5-1 pasting the Lions handed FCC last May. The New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution played to a 4-4 draw, while the Seattle Sounders earned a 3-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. It’s worth noting that Orlando City currently sits second in the simulation standings with 13 points. If the team’s form is anything like that once MLS finally resumes then I’ll be quite content.

Free Kicks

Hey, let’s learn a little more about the rookies.

• The club is giving away a couple shirts.

• Former U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams have joined a new Girls Academy League.
• U.S. Soccer has launched “BracKITology” a bracket that allows you to vote for your all-time favorite national team kit, although the denim jersey’s are conspicuously absent.

That’ll do it for me today. Y’all stay safe and healthy out there.