Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
June 25, 2019 - BIG3 (BIG3)
Last week the National Women's Soccer League announced the North Carolina Courage will host the NWSL Championship on October 27th, the United Soccer League Championship awarded a franchise to San Diego and the Big3 tipped off its third season. Highlights from this week are from the Canadian Football League, Major League Soccer, International League, Southern League, Women's National Basketball Association, Big3 and the Premier Lacrosse League.
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
Hamilton Tiger-Cats speedster Brandon Banks returns a missed field goal 113 yards for a touchdown against the Toronto Argonauts:
Hamilton Tiger-Cats kicker Gabriel Amavizca from Mexico became the first-ever Global player to score points in a CFL regular-season game:
XFL
American Arena League
The American Arena League Championship Game will be played on Saturday, June 29th at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. Two undefeated teams will compete for the 2019 Jack Bowman Trophy. The Southern Conference Champion, Carolina Energy (Charlotte, NC) will meet the Northern Conference Champion, the West Virginia Roughriders.
BASEBALL
International League
Even camera operators need to keep their heads on a swivel! During the Charlotte Knight game against the Syracuse Mets
Southern League
Rocket City Trash Pandas uniforms. They will be playing next season.
In the 47th Annual Southern League All-Star Game, the North Division topped the South Division 7-3 at MGM Park. Chicago White Sox #1 prospect Luis Robert was named the 2019 Southern League All-Star MVP, going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, two RBI and a run scored.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
History for Portland Timbers forward Brian Fernandez! That's four straight games with a goal to start his MLS career, equaling the all-time record. He shares it with Charlie Davies (2011), Alex Pineda Chacon (2001) & Carlos Ruiz (2002).
National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the North Carolina Courage announced that Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park will host the 2019 NWSL Championship on Sunday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
United Soccer League Championship
The United Soccer League (USL) announced it has awarded a USL Championship franchise in San Diego to Sacramento Republic FC Co-Founder and former President, Warren Smith. The team has entered into an agreement with the University of San Diego (USD) to play at the University's Torero Stadium and has named legendary former U.S. Men's National Team player Landon Donovan as its Executive Vice President for Soccer Operations.
Canadian Premier League
With the Canadian Premier League's first season half (Spring Season) coming to an end on July 1, 2019, The CPL is pleased to announce the Canadian Premier League Championship format.
The Championship will be a two-legged, home-and-away aggregate score format with away goals rule in effect. The winner of the Spring Season will play the winner of the Fall Season* over two weekends: October 26 - 27, 2019 and November 2 - 3, 2019.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The Anaheim Ducks announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Dallas Eakins head coach. With the announcement, Eakins becomes the 10th head coach in franchise history. Eakins, 52, most recently served as head coach for the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2015-19.
The Stockton Heat and Calgary Flames have renewed the organizational affiliation with the ECHL's Kansas City Mavericks for the 2019-20 season, announced by Flames Assistant General Manager Brad Pascall.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
The Santa Cruz Warriors forward Alen Smailagic of Serbia (6-10, 215) was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 39th overall pick in the NBA Draft 2019. He is the third international player drafted into the NBA from the NBA G League, joining Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Greece) and Chukwudiebere Maduabum (Nigeria), and the seventh overall to play in the NBA's official minor league before being drafted by an NBA team. The Golden State Warriors have acquired his rights for second round picks in 2021 & 2023 along with cash considerations.
The Northern Arizona Suns announced that head coach Bret Burchard will return for a second season.
Women's National Basketball Association
Minnesota Lynx get it done on both sides of the court against the Seattle Storm.
Big3
Chris "Birdman" Anderson makes a dunk for the Power against 3's Company
Former NBA 2007 number one pick Greg Oden lets the world know the Aliens have arrived against the Triplets
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
Goalies were on FIRE this week!
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
The Glendale Raptors have announced that Peter Borlase will serve as the head coach for Colorado's professional rugby team as they begin their third Major League Rugby (MLR) season.
World TeamTennis
World TeamTennis continues to attract premier North American talent from tennis' ATP and WTA tours for its upcoming season as Americans Sloane Stephens and Donald Young and Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard have joined the league as Franchise players.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
BIG3 Stories from June 25, 2019
- 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.
