Lion Links: 8/16/20

Happy Sunday, everyone. It’s a weekend without Orlando City SC playing, although OCB did manage to earn a point on Friday.

If you haven’t been paying attention to OCB this season, well, you should. The Young Lions have four points in just three games under Marcelo Neveleff, after compiling just 16 points in 28 matches a year ago. Most of the team is comprised of genuine prospects, and the team’s play is much more closely aligned with the first team this year. OCB builds from the back, presses high to win back the ball, and already appears to be starting to gel as a team. It’s been interesting to watch. OCB is back in action Tuesday night at 7, so you won’t have to wait long for your next chance to see the Young Lions.

Let’s dive into the news of the day.

Inside Orlando City’s Numbers at MLS is Back

The Lions roared their way to the MLS is Back Tournament final and could have won it if not for a couple of set pieces and some missed opportunities. Alas, 2020 decided to punch us in the gut once more, but it was much more enjoyable watching a competent Orlando City team that gave fans an honest belief that the Lions could win on any given night. The club released some numbers from the Lions’ run and the one that sticks out is Orlando City’s goal differential when compared to expected goals. Those numbers show that Pedro Gallese has already shown his value to the squad and even though the goalkeeping has been pretty good in the past, it’s clear that El Pulpo has taken it to a new level.

Tracking Transfers

Although things have been quiet on the Orlando City front, there’s a lot of stuff going on around MLS and around the world. The LA Galaxy seem close to signing Colombian winger Yony Gonzalez, who is currently on loan from Benfica in Portugal to Corinthians in Brazil. Toronto FC 16-year-old prospect Gabriel Pelligrino has signed with SC Frieburg of 2.Bundesliga and fellow TFC youngster Jordan Perruzza is also attracting interest from Europe. Meanwhile USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie could end up in England but he won’t be going to Hertha Berlin.

Thierry Henry to Barcelona?

Juventus has already fired a coach and moved on to a legendary player in the wake of its Champion’s League exit, and Barcelona could do the same. In one of the more surprising rumors (in my mind), Thierry Henry is reportedly a candidate to lead Barcelona if the club sacks Quique Setien. Barcelona got demolished 8-2 by a seemingly unstoppable Bayern Munich side in the quarterfinals.

Speaking of the Champions League…

The semifinals are now set after Saturday’s action. Lyon is in position to be Bayern’s next victim after knocking Manchester City out of the competition with a 3-1 win. Lyon will face Bayern Munich on Wednesday, just a day after RB Leipzig takes on Paris Saint-Germain. The final four this year created an incredible statistic:

Free Kicks

• I pull 17 muscles every time Fabian Bazan posts a training video.

• Former Lion Yoshimar Yotún scored a goal to help Cruz Azul defeat Juarez, 3-2.

• There are a couple of Americans in action today, in case you’re looking for some soccer to watch.
• Those born on this date include actor Robert Culp (1930), football player/broadcaster Frank Gifford (1930), actor Julie Newmar (1933), actor Lesley Ann Warren (1946), Golden Earring lead vocalist Barry Hay (1948), Kathie Lee Gifford (1953), filmmaker James Cameron (1954), Madonna (1958), Angela Bassett (1958), Timothy Hutton (1960), Steve Carell (1962), filmmaker/actor Taika Waititi (1975), singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton (1980), How I Met Your Mother actress Cristin Milioti (1985), baseball’s Yu Darvish (1986), hockey’s Carey Price (1987), and France/Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko (1989).

That’s all my time for today. OCB is in action on Tuesday night and Orlando City visits Inter Miami next Saturday. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and the week ahead.