Lion Links: 7/30/20

Happy Thursday, Lionesses and Lions. I sincerely hope you overcame your hump day with ease. Orlando City will be taking on the favorites of the tournament, LAFC, tomorrow at 7:30, so enjoy the calm before that storm. And speaking of storms, a tropical storm looks to be in the cards for Floridians. Hopefully it does not lead to any pausing of MLS is Back proceedings, but only time will tell.

Before we get started, let’s wish a happy 30th birthday to Orlando City striker Dom Dwyer. An MRI isn’t the best birthday gift, but hopefully the scan results will be in his favor. Regardless, one should never have to apologize for being injured.

Anyway, let’s get into the links.

Sebas Mendez Makes MLS Team of the Week Bench

After the unfortunate injury to Junior Urso early on against the Union, Sebas Mendez was given a crack at the whip in midfield and has since excelled. The 23-year-old has boasted his ever-typical tenacity as well as skill on the ball since coming into the side. Said bullishness of the player has seen him rewarded by the division for his impressive efforts with a bench honor in the MLS Team of the Week. Hopefully the Ecuadorian can continue his red-hot run of form against LAFC in tomorrow’s quarter final match up.

Orlando City Announces 2021 Season Pass Availability

Orlando City has officially announced its availability of season passes for the 2021 season. In spite of the pandemic, the Lions are still looking to bring the raucous supporters into the stadium next calendar year, and if one is interested in becoming a season pass holder, they can do so now. Orlando City has placed a 30% discount onto those who purchase the pass before Oct. 2. So if going to every league home game is something you would be interested in, act now.

Gregg Berhalter States 2021 Will Hold Chances for American Youngsters

When Gregg Berhalter was asked about the congestion of fixtures given the pandemic by Taylor Twellman on ESPN, he stated that if he were a player he would be, “licking his chops [at the chances that will be present].” Berhalter told Twellman that an abundance of team rotation was going to have to be made with the congestion, hinting at possible opportunities for fresh-faced youngsters. Could the thick and fast amount of games see somebody like Chris Mueller be granted an international debut? Let’s hope so!

Orlando City Third in Sports Illustrated Power Rankings

With the Lions set to square up against the favorites of the tournament and number one power ranked LAFC tomorrow, Orlando City is still placed third in the Sports Illustrated power rankings. The only two sides ranked above the Lions are the aforementioned upcoming opponents and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Oscar Pareja’s hands are all over Orlando City’s transformation, with the club starting to show signs of a fluency that it hardly displayed with regularity in the previous five seasons. The de facto host club has been right at home thus far, though it will have to go the rest of the way without the injured Dom Dwyer. Luck of the bracket pits OCSC against the LAFC juggernaut, which will put the Lions’ progress to the test.

Free Kicks

• Uri Rosell is buzzing for the upcoming game to LAFC and says, “Just being on the field and helping the team and winning games, that’s the best feeling in the world.”
• CBS has announced all Champions League Fixtures will be broadcast on the new CBS All Access streaming service. Luckily for soccer fans a free one-month trail is available to all interested in watching the elite European competition.
• Manchester United supposedly passed up the chance to sign USMNT star Christian Pulisic. The 21-year-old has been tremendous since signing for Chelsea, so if that is the case, United will surely be regretful of declining such a chance.

That’ll do, pig. Tomorrow’s game against LAFC is massive for Orlando City and if the Lions can manage to dump out the favorites of the competition by any margin, that would be awesome. The side managed by Bob Bradley managed to smash four past last season’s champions, the Sounders and had an incredible xG of 4.07 on the night, so Orlando City has its work cut out on the night to say the least. Let’s hope for the best as ever, catch you on the flip side.