Lion Links: 9/2/20

Good morning, Mane Landers! It’s Wednesday and game day so I hope it’s treating you well. Let’s jump right into the links.

Lions Move Up in MLS Power Rankings

If you’d have told me last season that we’d see Orlando City in the top five of the MLS power rankings, I would have laughed, but it’s happened! The Lions take the number five spot in the MLS power rankings heading into Week 9, up from number nine last week. They mention the consecutive 3-1 wins and the emergence of Daryl Dike. Is…is this what it’s like for the others?

Orlando Pride Learn First NWSL Fall Series Fixture

The Orlando Pride will begin their 2020 NWSL Fall Series on Saturday, Sept. 19. They’ll travel to play the North Carolina Courage at 1 p.m. The match will be aired on CBS — the first time the Pride will have been featured on network television. They have previously appeared on national cable networks but this will be the first time on one of the “big three.” The match can also be seen on CBS All Access. The remaining fixtures will be announced next week.

OCB Puts One Young Lion on Team of the Week

The first team Lions aren’t the only ones making the Team of the Week. Orlando City B’s Raul Aguilara Jr. has been named to USL League One’s Week 7 Team of the Week. The midfielder scored in the 1-1 draw against South Georgia Tormenta FC and had two key passes, all while completing 87% of his passes and making six recoveries.

Nike to Make Maternity Clothing

Nike is launching its first dedicated line to maternity wear amid the sudden boom in athletic wear sales. The “Nike (M)” collection will aim to support women through all stages of pregnancy and beyond. Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan will be one of Nike’s featured athlete testimonies.

“The more we listened to expecting mothers and postpartum mothers, the more we learned, reworked and innovated through inclusive design,” Carmen Zolman, a Nike senior design director, said. “It’s the project of a lifetime to work in lockstep with all kinds of mothers to bring to life a capsule that truly supports women’s relationship with sport during such a transformative time in their lives.”

The line launches Sept. 17.

Free Kicks

• Ashlyn Harris is serving up ridiculous saves during training.

• Chelsea has signed Wolfsburg’s Pernille Harder to help the team’s attack.
• Boston College’s men’s soccer team has declined to participate in the fall season.
• Things continue to heat up for Real Salt Lake as CBO Andy Carroll takes a leave of absence and employees describe the toxic club as, “rotten from the top down.”

That’ll do it for me today, everyone. Be sure to check back in later today for all things OCSC vs. Nashville. Have a great day and stay safe.