Lion Links: 9/10/20

Happy Thursday, Lionesses and Lions. As ever, I sincerely hope you overcame your hump day with ease. Orlando City plays its next game against Inter Miami at home in just two days and until then the Lions are training hard prior to the Floridian bout.

There is a fair amount of news to cover so let’s get into the links right after we wish Orlando City midfielder David Loera a happy 22nd birthday.

Daryl Dike Voted MLS Player of the Month

Orlando City youngster Daryl Dike has been awarded the MLS Player of the Month award for August. The striker was bestowed the accolade for his incredible three-game run of red hot form during the previous month. The 20-year-old scored three goals and managed two assists in the trio of fixtures against Inter Miami, Atlanta United, and Nashville SC. Lions fans will hope that Dike can continue his incredible potency in front of goal entering the match Saturday and the rest of the season.

MLS is Back Hardware Arrives for Orlando City Trio

MLS is Back awards have arrived for the Orlando City trio of Nani, Joao Moutinho, and Ruan for making the tournament’s Best XI team. The winger, left back, and right back all posed with the well-deserved glass awards. After impressive performances from the three during the tournament, which saw the Lions fall short in the final, they must continue the impressiveness going into the rest of the regular season.

Christian Pulisic Earns No. 10 Chelsea Jersey

USMNT winger Christian Pulisic has been awarded the number 10 jersey at Chelsea. Said number was formerly held by Willian, who now plies his trade at Arsenal. Eden Hazard had it before the Brazilian winger and is seen as somewhat of club a legend among supporters of the West London side. Pulisic will have quite big shoes to fill when donning such a prolific number for such a large club. If the American’s past performances for Chelsea are at all indicative of how his future will pan out, it may be a bright, fruitful, and exciting one.

Christen Press and Tobin Heath Sign for Manchester United

USWNT players Tobin Heath and Christen Press have signed for Manchester United. The American, World Cup-winning duo are both signed to one-year deals with the Red Devils. The 32-year-old Heath, who arrives from the Portland Thorns and the 31-year-old Press, who is signed from the Utah Royals, are sure to add some much-needed firepower. Last season, the Manchester United women’s team only scored 24 league goals in the 14 games they played in the shortened season. That was 15 fewer goals than any other team in the top four though, a poor attacking return in all honesty. Heath and Press signing for the club is sure to see that more goals end up in the back of the net.

Free Kicks

• Premier league promoted Fulham announced the signing of PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan. The club nicknamed “FulhAmerica” is doing its best to strengthen in order to make up for its last horrible campaign in the top flight that saw the team get relegated.

• FC Cincinnati looks to have a new trialist at its training ground — a “fox in the box” of sorts. With the expansion side from Ohio only winning two games out of 10 this season, the fox may have a genuine chance at breaking into the starting 11.

• North Carolina Courage forward Jessica McDonald has made a rallying cry to call for the end of inequality in the united States in an exclusive interview with Goal. McDonald is just one of the ever-abundant athletes standing in the face of adversity and injustice. She is bravely using her platform to try to change what is so clearly systematically wrong in this country. Respect.
• Japan Women’s World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato has been loaned to a men’s club. The 33-year-old striker has been loaned out from the Chicago Red Stars to Hayabusa Eleven in Japan and will return to Chicago in 2021.

That’ll do, pig. That’s all for this Thursday’s links and, as always, I’ll catch you on the flip side.