Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
March 5, 2019 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
It was a busy week around the leagues. The XFL continued to name its head coaches, Major League Soccer opened its regular season and the Major Arena Soccer League's San Diego Sockers continued to dominate. Video highlights from this week are from the Alliance of American Football, NBA G League, ECHL, MLS, MASL and the National Basketball League of Canada.
FOOTBALL
Alliance of American Football
San Diego Fleet defensive back Ron Brooks returned a punt 57 yards for a score, the first punt return touchdown in Alliance history.
XFL
It was reported by several media outlets that Marc Trestman will be the head coach and general manger of the Tampa Bay XFL franchise.
Canadian Football League
The Montreal Alouettes have been directed by the Canadian Football League (CFL) to terminate the player contract of international quarterback Johnny Manziel after it was found that he had contravened the agreement which made him eligible to play in the league. The CFL has informed all of its member clubs that it will not register a contract for Manziel should any club attempt to sign him.
The BC Lions Football Club announced that quarterback Travis Lulay has retired from professional football. Lulay, a 10-year CFL veteran, spent his entire career with the Lions and sits third all-time among franchise quarterbacks with 21,252 passing yards on 1,658 completions with 127 touchdowns.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
The NBA G League announced the NBA G League Elite Camp, a three-day scouting event featuring 2019 NBA Draft hopefuls and the NBA G League's top prospects from the 2018-19 season. The camp will take place at Chicago's Quest Multisport from Sunday, May 12 through Tuesday, May 14.
Salt Lake Stars guard Naz Mitrou-Long found forward Grayson Allen for an alley-oop dunk against the Iowa Wolves. Allen was selected in the first round, 21st overall, by the Utah Jazz in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Canton Charge forward Deng Adel hit a game winning three point shot in a 116-114 victory over Raptors 905. Adel led the Charge in scoring with 20 points.
NBL Canada
Moncton Magic forward Freddie McSwain, Jr. exhibited what might be the block of the year against Island Storm forward Daniel Dingle:
HOCKEY
ECHL
Orlando Solar Bears forward Otto Somppi scored a ridiculous, lacrosse-style goal against the Florida Everblades:
United States Hockey League
Green Bay Gamblers fans tossed 7,202 bears on the ice during the team's annual Teddy Bear Toss in a game against the Central Illinois Flying Aces after forward Noah Prokop scored.
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the membership application for an NAHL team in the state of New Mexico owned by Desert Ice Investment, LLC, an entity owned and operated by Stan E. Hubbard. The team will be known as the New Mexico Ice Wolves.
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the membership application for a NAHL team in the state of Maine submitted by ISS Kings Youth Hockey Club, LLC, owned by Darryl Antonacci, MD. The team will be known as the Maine Nordiques.
The Central Illinois Flying Aces announced that it has applied for and received approval for a 1-year temporary withdrawal from play for the upcoming 2019-2020 season
BASEBALL
Atlantic League
Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that it has reached a three-year agreement with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) that will permit MLB to test experimental playing rules and equipment during the Atlantic League's Championship Season.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
A rocket of a volley: Leonardo Bertone scored the first goal in FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer history:
United Soccer League Championship
The United Soccer League (USL) and ESPN announced the full 2019 schedule for the USL Championship Game of the Week. The schedule features more must-see games airing across ESPN's linear networks than ever before, with eight contests set to air on national television over the course of the regular season, as well as an additional 14 to stream digitally on ESPN3.
Major Arena Soccer League
Landon Donovan scored his first MASL goal just twelve seconds into the action and added another before the first quarter was five minutes old, helping the San Diego Sockers to their thirteenth straight victory, a 13-2 rout of the Turlock Express.
The Mississauga MetroStars have announced they have relieved both General Manager/Head Coach Phil Ionadi and Assistant Coach Milodrag Akmadzic-Backo of their duties. Head Coach Rick Titus, and his assistant John Williams, will guide the Mississauga club for the remainder of the season following a 3-13 start.
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
Atlanta's newest sports team now has a name: Rugby ATL. Rugby ATL is expected to be one of two new additions to Major League Rugby - along with a Boston squad - when the league begins play in the 2020 season, the third season for the league.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us and let us know.
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Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 5, 2019
- Braithwaite Suspended Two Games - Florida Tropics SC
- Mike Ramos Named to MASL Team of the Week - Tacoma Stars
- Celebrate Your Spring Break with the Dallas Sidekicks - Dallas Sidekicks
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
