Lion Links: 1/19/21

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Another week in 2021 brings us that much closer to the start of the new MLS season, whenever that day may be. There’s plenty of news to discuss today, so let’s jump right in.

Orlando’s Homegrowns Train With Pachuca

Four of Orlando City SC’s Homegrown Players will be getting some extra work in this off-season, as they have joined up with CF Pachuca for some training. Mason Stajduhar, Michael Halliday, David Loera, and Jordan Bender joined up with the Liga MX team last Friday and will stay in Mexico until Jan. 24. Pachuca is one of the oldest soccer clubs in North America, having been founded all the way back in 1901, and is one of the best places the four youngsters could have gone to get some extra work. The Pachuca academy has a proven track record, having produced names like Hirving Lozano, Rodolfo Pizarro, and Hector Herrera. Good luck to the boys!

Mewis Sisters Lead USWNT to 4-0 Win at Exploria

Sam Mewis scored three times before leaving the field and her sister, Kristie, added a fourth goal late as the United States Women’s National Team bounced Colombia 4-0 at Exploria Stadium Monday night. The USWNT is a perfect 3-0-0 at the purple palace and has out-scored opponents 7-0. Carli Lloyd set up two goals and Lindsey Horan was involved in the team’s first three scores with a couple of good passes and a drawn penalty. The Yanks will meet Colombia at Exploria again on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Miami Officially Hires Neville

Inter Miami CF has officially named Phil Neville as the team’s new head coach following several weeks of rumor and speculation. The club has also appointed Chris Henderson as its chief soccer officer and sporting director. Neville takes the position previously held by Diego Alonso in the team’s first year of play, while Henderson replaces Paul McDonough. While the team made the playoffs in its first season of play, it was comprehensively eliminated by Nashville SC 3-0 in a play-in match, and management clearly felt that change was needed. Neville arrives on the back of being the coach of the England Women’s National Team — his first head coaching gig. Here’s my favorite reaction so far that I’ve seen to the news.

D.C. United Hires Hernan Losada as Head Coach

D.C. United announced the hiring of Hernan Losada as the team’s new head coach, ending a hiring process that took over three months. Losada comes to the club from first division Belgian side Beerschot, where he started as an assistant and the U-21 head coach before becoming head coach of the first team in 2019. Losada also made 178 appearances for the club as an attacking midfielder, and seems to be an attack-minded coach. He becomes the eighth head coach in D.C.’s history after Ben Olsen’s time in the job came to an end back in October. The 38-year old will have quite a bit of work ahead of him after the club finished 13th out of 14 teams in the Eastern Conference during the 2020 season.

Messi Suspension Probable

Lionel Messi is facing an extended suspension after being given his first red card with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Messi might miss up to 12 games after hitting Athletic Bilbao forward Asier Villalibre in the head during the closing minutes of Barcelona’s 3-2 loss. The Spanish soccer federation now has to decide how severe the suspension will be, and while it might only be from one to three games, it could be as bad as 12. If found to have committed wrongdoing (which is likely) Messi will miss games in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Free Kicks

• The New York Red Bulls are reportedly open to moving Tim Parker.

• These might be polarizing but I personally love these kits.

• Elizabeth Addo, captain of the Ghana women’s national team, has signed a contract with the North Carolina Courage.
• With the MLS SuperDraft coming up soon here’s a refresher on how all of the 2020 picks fared last season.

That’ll do it for me today. Y’all stay safe out there.