Lion Links: 1/16/21

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope you all had a fantastic week as we’re more than halfway through January. School and work has been keeping me busy but I can look forward to some great games to watch this weekend. We have plenty of soccer news to get to today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando Pride Sign Jordyn Listro

The Orlando Pride signed midfielder Jordyn Listro to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year. Listro made three starts in the NWSL Fall Series last year and the Toronto native now has her green card so she won’t take up an international slot on the roster. The signing helps Head Coach Marc Skinner bolster the midfield as he prepares the Pride for the 2021 NWSL season.

Nani Reacts to Wayne Rooney’s Retirement

Orlando City’s Nani gave a shout out to his former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney, who announced his retirement. The pair shared seven seasons together with Manchester United and even faced off against each other in MLS. Rooney confirmed his retirement as he will now become the manager of Derby County on a contract for the next two and a half years.

Swansea City in Talks with Jordan Morris

Seattle Sounders winger Jordan Morris could be headed to Swansea City as the English club is in discussions to acquire him on a six-month loan. Morris has been busy in training camp with the United States Men’s National Team but confirmed earlier this week that the Sounders are having conversations with European clubs.

“I think that for me, it’s a similar stance of kind of where I was before MLS Cup. If the right offer and the right team comes forward, definitely it’s something that I’d be interested in,” Morris said earlier this week. “And if things don’t work out, and then I end up in Seattle, I love it there and I feel like I’m growing a lot in Seattle.”

The American has played his entire career with the Seattle Sounders, scoring 42 goals in 129 appearances, and winning two MLS Cup titles. Swansea City is currently in second place in the EFL Championship.

MLS Starting XI Mascots

Andrew Wiebe of MLSsoccer.com took it upon himself to release a starting XI for mascots on the MLS website. Sadly, OCSC’s Kingston didn’t make the cut, but the new guy Tempo from Nashville SC did. I agree that Tack-Tik would fit as the starting goalkeeper on the list. The squad also features Cascadian rivals, with Sammy the Sounder, Spike the Kingfisher, and Timber Joey teaming up. I think Q from the San Jose Earthquakes and Cozmo from the LA Galaxy are good picks for the midfield. I still have some questions on D. C. United’s Talon leading the front line though. Which position do you think would be a good spot for Kingston? Let me know in the comments below.

Americans Abroad

We have a light weekend for Americans in Europe. In the English Premier League today, Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream of Fulham FC will host Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea side at Craven Cottage on NBC at 12:30 p.m.. Over in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg’s John Brooks faces off against Tyler Adams’ RB Leipzig squad at 9:30 a.m. At that same time, Giovanni Reyna’s Borussia Dortmund side takes on Mainz 05 while Josh Sargent’s Werder Bremen hosts Augsburg. You can watch all the action on ESPN+.

Tomorrow, we have Spanish Super Cup action on ESPN 2 as Sergiño Dest and Barcelona face Athletic Bilbao. After scoring a hat trick last week, Matthew Hoppe looks to put in another strong performance for Schalke 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Free Kicks

• Former USL Lion Oumar Diokhite, who was in Orlando during 2012 and 2013, signed with Eintracht Braunschweig in 2. Bundesliga.
• Jalil Anibaba, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Victor Ulloa were all elected to the MLS Players Association’s Executive Board and will serve for three years.
• Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the club’s next match against Angers.
• Due to required quarantine measures by New Zealand, Auckland City FC withdrew from the Club World Cup this year in Qatar.
• Jeff Luhnow, the general manager of the Houston Astros who was caught cheating ,is reportedly looking into acquiring a Mexican soccer club.

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