Lion Links: 7/1/20

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

Time to Raise the Stock

As we prepare for the MLS is Back Tournament the men from ExtraTime share who they believe will have the perfect opportunity to raise their stock. Orlando City’s Dom Dwyer was mentioned by a member of the show.

“I’m gonna go with Dom Dwyer. He’s gonna have a breakout tournament. This is why I’m gonna go with Dom Dwyer, he’s going to turn 30 at the end of July. He’s had not the best of seasons since he’s been in Orlando…If there’s ever a time for someone to produce, to get their value up and show that they’re not done, it’s this tournament. He’s playing at home, he’s used to the climate.”

Uri Rosell Says it’s Time to Push

Orlando City’s Uri Rosell answered questions in an interview yesterday. The Spaniard said that the team is trying to emphasize fitness, like it did on its trip to Mexico in the preseason.

“It’s been hard. We are training according to the level we’re going to find and it’s good. At the end we want to be fitter than anybody and it’s the time to push a little more.”

Orlando Pride Show Their Sportsmanship

Despite missing the opportunity to compete in the Challenge Cup, the Orlando Pride’s communications team is pivoting their efforts to lift up the league, going as far as to change their social media handle to “Challenge Cup Stan Account.”

“Immediately I was like, ‘That’s what we’re doing,’” Ed Cahill, senior director of content at the Pride recalled. “We’re going ‘Full Stan’ to support all the teams in the league, fully support the games, fully cover the matches. I just saw it rejuvenate our entire staff, and we were just so excited to be able to have a role still to play in this tournament that we think is such a special opportunity for the women’s game and for the NWSL.”

Josh Sargent Discusses Goal vs. Köln, Finishing Strong

Werder Bremen and USMNT 20-year-old forward Josh Sargent scored an important goal in the 68th minute against Köln on the final day of the Bundesliga season. It was his first goal since the league returned. However, it was the moment the final whistle blew that outweighed the feeling of scoring the goal.

“I had goosebumps. I think everyone felt the same: I can’t believe what just happened. We always said that we will fight until the end. That was a very proud moment for the team. We now have two more games left and we will continue fighting.”

OL Reign Players Send Powerful Message

OL Reign players came together to show how much privilege and systemic racism have played a role in their lives. Statements were read aloud and if the statement applied to an individual player, she took a step forward. In the end, their positions on field were not a reflection of the choices they’ve made, but rather the systems that exist to disproportionately help some succeed.

Free Kicks

• Competition is brewing on and off the field.

• Erin McLeod shared her intentions about kneeling during the national anthem.

• The Confederation of African Football has postponed the African Cup of Nations to January 2022 but has cancelled the African Women’s Cup of Nations.
• Leroy Sane is leaving Manchester City, and he is said to be heading to Bayern Munich.
• The epic story of Thierry Henry.

That will do it for me today, everyone. Have a great week and stay safe.