Lion Links: 5/14/20

Good morning, Mane Landers. I hope this morning finds you well. Let’s go ahead and jump right into the links.

Everyone Looking Forward to Soccer at Disney

While no official decisions have been made, The Lions are looking forward to the prospect of resuming play here in Orlando. With the proposal to host training sessions and matches locally, Orlando Head Coach Óscar Pareja is eager to see it happen.

“This community is ready to do it and Orlando is the perfect city to hold an event like that,” Pareja said during a videoconference Wednesday. “Based on the experience, the infrastructure, everything. Orlando has everything to hold it. So if the league decides so…I think it will be a great decision to bring it here.”

He’s not alone as players are excited to move forward too.

“We worked pretty hard during the quarantine, but being out here is a little bit different than just going out to run by yourself,” Alex De John shared. “So the legs are coming and getting stronger and we’re just ready to get back out there and start playing again.”

Kamal Miller Cooking at Home

During quarantine we’ve all had to dig a little deeper to find a joy for cooking at home, but for Kamal Miller it seems to be easy. He’s been filming Cooking with KMillz videos including breakfast and shrimp pasta tutorials.

“It’s definitely a lot of fun during quarantine, while being locked down in the house,” Mr. Miller said of the cooking videos. “I do have a passion for cooking. Day by day, week by week, I try to expand and try new things.”

Orlando Among Clubs Joining New MLS Development Platform

A total of 65 elite academy clubs will join the existing Major League Soccer academies in the first move of the new elite player development platform.

“There is strong positive momentum and excitement among MLS club academies and elite academy clubs to co-create a platform that will deliver an unparalleled experience for the nation’s top players and clubs,” said Fred Lipka, VP and Technical Director of MLS Player Development. “The development of professional and elite players requires a comprehensive and integrated approach, beyond just the competition format, and we are having daily conversations with academy clubs across the country who are committed to building that environment with us.”

Concacaf Postpones U-20 Tournament

The latest in coronavirus postponements comes from Concacaf. While not a total surprise, the pandemic has forced the postponement of the Men’s U-20 Championships which serves as qualifying for the U-20 World Cup. A new date for the tournament has yet to be announced.

Free Kicks

• Former Lion Scott Sutter celebrated his birthday by announcing his retirement.

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is ready to welcome professional sports teams to Florida.

• Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli suffered a facial injury during an invasion of his home.
• If and when the Premier League returns, clubs are set to be permitted to play their home games at home (rather than neutral sites).
• Serie A agreed to resume June 13 pending government approval.

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