Lion Links: 8/15/20

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope everyone had a good week. I’ve been very busy with school projects and things have been slow at work. I’ll be spending most of the weekend working on my brand audit paper, but will take a break to watch some soccer. Now, let’s get to the links!

Erin McLeod Heads to Iceland

Orlando Pride goalkeeper Erin McLeod will go out on loan to Iceland. She will be joining Ungmennafélag Stjarnan of Iceland’s Úrvalsdeild Kvenna league immediately. McLeod’s loan will be a short one as she is expected to be in Iceland through Oct. 20. McLeod signed a one-year deal with the Orlando Pride with an option for next year. However, due to the club’s withdrawal from the NWSL Challenge Cup, she was not able to make an appearance and will look to get some playing time before next season. McLeod spent time in Europe prior to her arrival in Orlando with clubs like FC Rosengård, Växjö DFF, SC Sand, and FF USV Jena.

Orlando City B Draws With Fort Lauderdale CF

In its debut at Osceola Heritage Park, Orlando City B played to a 1-1 draw with Fort Lauderdale CF. It was the first match between the two teams and a lengthy weather delay interrupted the first half. Wilfredo Rivera got the scoring started though in the 22nd minute with Moises Tablante providing the assist, but Ricky Lopez-Espin leveled things in the 39th minute for Fort Lauderdale when OCB goalkeeper Austin Aviza sent a clearance off the striker and into his own net. The Young Lions now have four points in three matches and will host FC Tucson on Tuesday.

U.S. Soccer Cancels 2020 U.S. Open Cup

After months of trying to figure out when or how to stage the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, it is now off after 106 years of continuously running. The U.S. Soccer Federation announced yesterday that it has canceled this year’s tournament. The 2020 competition was suspended in March before the first round took place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Finding available dates for U.S. Soccer to stage the tournament was difficult with two amateur leagues, USL League Two and the National Premier Soccer League all canceling their seasons. The professional leagues from Major League Soccer, the USL Championship, USL League One, and the National Independent Soccer Association prioritized playing as much of the regular season as possible in home markets. No decision has been made regarding the Open Cup champion’s slot for the 2021 Concacaf Champions League, but the U.S. Soccer federation intends to invite each club that qualified for this year’s event for next year’s Open Cup.

FC Barcelona Embarrassed in UEFA Champions League

Yesterday was a day to forget for FC Barcelona as it lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. This was the club’s worst defeat since 1946. The game was only close for the first 20 minutes when Thomas Muller scored in the fourth minute and FC Barcelona received a gift with an own goal from David Alaba in the seventh minute. It was all Bayern Munich from there, with an avalanche of goals from Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, and another from Muller to make it 4-1 at halftime. In the second half, Luis Saurez got FC Barcelona within two in the 57th minute, but Bayern Munich was too hot to handle in the second half with goals from Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski, and Philippe Coutinho added two more to finish them off. Barcelona’s Gerard Pique said the club needs to make changes at all levels after hitting “rock bottom.” It also appears that manager Quique Setien will reportedly be sacked in the coming days.

Free Kicks

• Nani shared on social media some Orlando City MLS is Back moments before the club gets back to the regular season a week from today.

• Former Lions goalkeeper Adam Grinwis, who now plays for Sacramento Republic FC in the USL Championship, is sidelined indefinitely with a torn ACL.
• Netherlands Women’s National Team manager Sarina Wiegman will take over as manager of England in September of 2021.
• The Columbus Crew added another winger as they acquired Emmanuel Boateng from D.C. United in exchange for defender Axel Sjoberg.
• Down in St. Petersburg, a homeless man was arrested for staying at the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ home, Al Lang Stadium, in a luxury suite for two weeks. He also stole Rowdies merchandise and helped himself to meals in the food area.

That will do it for me, Mane Landers. Enjoy your weekend, stay safe, and I’ll see you next time.