Lion Links: 3/2/21
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Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Happy Monday everyone. The beginning of March means we’re that much closer to the start of the MLS season, and if you’re getting impatient to see some soccer played by familiar faces, our first piece of news should be very welcome to you. Let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Back at Work
Orlando City players got back to work yesterday. Oscar Pareja spoke to the team about how he wants to continue on from last season, and treat the upcoming year as an extension of what was already built. Papi spoke about the team’s ultimate goal of winning the MLS Cup, and how building that continuity will be key.
When asked about possibly being named to the USMNT roster for an upcoming friendly against Jamaica, Matt Turner told the media that his focus is on getting the New England Revolution off to the best start possible in 2021.
Andy Smith sat comfortably in the passenger seat of his parentsâ blue Toyota SUV, his head leaning back against the headrest with thoughts on how Jan. 12 would be spent simply relaxing at home after an unplanned trip to the Front Range.
Once the car pulled up to the house, however, he quickly noticed a crowd â neighbors, family, some of his old Grand Junction High School basketball teammates and even the GJHS Tigersâ mascot â waiting outside with balloons and signs.
It was a triumphant welcome home party for a young man who had spent 50 nights away because of a brain tumor which, in jest, he dubbed âBenji.â Those 50 nights were marked by challenges, concern and cameos by the all-time winningest coach in menâs college basketball, but more on that later.
Orlando City Signed Silvester van der Water with an Eye on the Future
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Photo by Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images
Orlando Citycompleted the signing of Silvester van der Water earlier this week, announcing that the 24-year-old had been inked to a three-year deal with a one-year option on Tuesday. At first glance, the deal is ordinary enough, although he doesn’t necessarily fill perhaps the biggest remaining need for Orlando City another creative player in the middle of the pitch. However, there’s more to this deal than meets the eye, and the Dutch winger will likely be an important player for the club down the road.