Lion Links: 4/6/16

Happy Hump Day, Mane Landers! The Lions take on the Philadelphia Union on Friday night, so you’ll be happy to know that game day is a mere two days away. The down side? Friday night’s game is on UniMás, which means you’ll be subject to the play-by-play styling of Ramses Sandoval. Nothing personal, Ramses, but on Friday I’ll be thanking my lucky stars and pouring one out for the late Eugene Polley, who — as a part of inventing the television remote — created the mute button.

On to your Wednesday morning linkitude.

Bendik up for Save of the Week

Joe Bendik’s crucial save of Fanendo Adi’s penalty at the end of the first half on Sunday is up for MLS Save of the Week. It’s pitted against Jeff Attinella, who stopped a Dom Dwyer shot in RSL’s 2-1 road victory over SKC. Voting ended last night, so shame on you if you failed in your soccer-related civic duty.

Remember #FillTheBowl? Try #FilledWithPride

The Orlando Pride are attempting to tap into the enormous social media weight that helped to sellout the Citrus Bowl for both the 2015 and 2016 Orlando City home openers in an attempt the set the new NWSL attendance record for the Orlando Pride’s first game. The hashtag this time is #FilledWithPride and you should begin using it right now.

Mark Ridgers named to USL Team of the Week

The United Soccer League has announced its Team of the Week for the second week of the young season in the third division, and OCB keeper Mark Ridgers has made the squad. The 25-year-old Scotsman had six saves to maintain a clean sheet in the Lion Cubs' 0-0 draw with the Charleston Battery.

On this day 20 years ago…

Today marks the anniversary of the first MLS game between the since-renamed (and once relocated) San Jose Clash and D.C. United. The league will be live streaming the game today. If you don’t remember 1996, or perhaps weren’t alive (we all know Lion Links are a big hit with the 19-and-under crowd) here’s a look at what America was talking about — or whatever people did before Twitter existed.

Extra-Time

• The U.S. Open Cup announced its revamped logo yesterday, and will be announcing the first- and second-round pairings for this year's tournament at 11 a.m. ET today.
• We like to say that sports can be a proving ground for social change, and the USWNT's fight for pay equality may drag the NWSL into the fray.

That's it for today's links. I'll leave you with this picture of the Pride's Kristen Edmonds with former Duke basketball and NBA star Grant Hill. Go ahead and let all the Duke hate out and use it as motivation today at work.