Lion Links: 8/12/20

Good morning, Mane Landers! How are we feeling this morning? Let’s go ahead and jump into the links.

Lions Can’t Quite Finish the Job

The magical run came to a disappointing end last night as the Lions fell 2-1 against the Timbers. In what was a chippy final, the experience and sharpness of Portland was the difference in a tightly contested match. Michael Citro has your full match recap.

Stay tuned later today for Dave Rohe’s five takeaways from the final and Joshua Taylor’s player grades and Man of the Match.

Young Lions Make USL League One Team of the Week

The USL League One announced its Team of the Week for week four of the 2020 regular season. Orlando City B defender Mateo Rodas earned a spot, completing 38 of 55 passes, winning 12 of 20 duels and four of five tackles, and having recorded three interceptions in Orlando’s 2-0 victory against New England Revolution II.

Additionally, Young Lions’ forward Moises Tablante made the TotW with a pair of assists, creating six chances, completing 15 of 19 passes, recording three interceptions, and making nine recoveries.

MLS COVID-19 Updates

Of the 102 players and staff still on site for last night’s match, the league was happy to announce zero newly confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. While the tournament has been anything but ordinary, the league has done a great job staying on top of testing and protecting players and staff.

The USL leagues seem to be having a harder time, as a member of the Sporting Kansas City II organization tested positive.

“The USL Championship announced today that Wednesday’s scheduled match between Sporting Kansas City II and Louisville City FC has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, Aug. 19. Proceeding with an abundance of caution, the postponement comes after a covered person in the Sporting KC II organization tested positive for COVID-19,” the club released in a statement.

German Fans Will Have to Wait

While talk of fans returning to MLS matches is ongoing, German officials have blocked Bundesliga clubs’ plans for fans. The German clubs had a plan to allow a limited number of fans in the stadiums and require them to maintain social distancing during the matches.

“The league’s concept is good in theory,” national health minister Jens Spahn said. “But what’s decisive is what happens every day in practice. We feel that we have to stay alert. Having spectators in the stands would be the wrong signal in the current situation.”

Free Kicks

• Flashback to preseason when the Lions knew how hard they had to work this season.

• The Matildas have reportedly approached Phil Neville to coach the team as he departs from the England Lionesses.
• Samuel Tetteh has joined the New York Red Bulls on loan from Red Bull Salzburg.
• Celtic and Aberdeen have been forced to postpone matches after players broke lockdown rules in Scotland. In the same breath, a separate Celtic player played in Sunday’s match despite having returned from Spain without quarantining.
• Justin Meram still has nothing better to do than attempt to troll Orlando City fans.

That’s all we’ve got for you this morning. Enjoy the rest of your week.