Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
July 9, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
Last week the National Women's Soccer League and ESPN announced an agreement to televise 14 league matches during the 2019 season, Iowa Barnstormers quarterback Daquan Neal was named the 2019 Indoor Football League Most Valuable Player and the Sugar Land Skeeters secured a berth in the 2019 Atlantic League postseason by winning the First-Half Freedom Division Championship. Highlights from this week are from the Canadian Football League, XFL, Carolina League, Midwest League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, Big3, Women's National Basketball Association, Premier Lacrosse League and National Pro Fastpitch.
FOOTBALL
Alliance of American Football
Courtesy of ESPN: "The TRUE Story of the AAF" - Alliance of American Football
Canadian Football League
Calgary Stampeders CFL reigning Most Outstanding Player quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was placed on the 6-game injured list. Mitchell suffered an upper body injury in Week 3. Backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle will start in his place.
Expectation now is for the CFL's Atlantic Schooners will be ready to play in 2021 in Moncton, N.B., while a new stadium is being built in Halifax.
This play could only happen in the CFL: a walkoff rouge giving the BC Lions a 18-17 victory over the Toronto Argonauts and Lions head coach DeVone Claybrooks his first ever CFL victory.
XFL
"Football is life." Hakeem Nicks feels free on the football field, which is why he's fighting for a spot in the XFL
Indoor Football League
The Indoor Football League (IFL) is proud to announce the 2019 Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year Awards. Iowa Barnstormers QB Daquan Neal has been named the 2019 IFL Most Valuable Player. Green Bay Blizzard head coach Corey Roberson was named Head Coach of the Year.
National Arena League
Massachusetts Pirates wide receiver Mardy Gilyard reached 50 career touchdowns in a Pirates uniform. He is the first non-quarterback in franchise history to do so.
BASEBALL
Atlantic League
The Sugar Land Skeeters clinched the First-Half Freedom Division Championship, securing a berth into the 2019 Atlantic League Postseason. The Skeeters will be making their second straight trip to the playoffs and their fifth overall trip in the franchise's eight-year history.
West Coast League
For the third time in four seasons, the Victoria HarbourCats will be in the West Coast League postseason. It took until the final day of the 27-game first half schedule, but the HarbourCats (18-10) clinched the WCL First Half North division title with an 8-1 victory over the Bellingham Bells.
Canadian American League
Carolina League
Congrats to Winston-Salem Dash pitcher Zach Lewis on his engagement to his fiancée Bobbi.
Midwest League
The Lansing Lugnuts will not wait one more out to send off fireworks.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
Atlanta United FC vs. New York Red Bulls was wild in a 3-3 tie.
National Women's Soccer League
ESPN and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the preeminent professional women's soccer league in the United States featuring more than 55 players competing in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, announced an agreement to televise 14 league matches during the 2019 season. Eight matches will air on ESPNEWS, and the remaining six, including the two semifinals and the championship, will air on ESPN2.
Here are the four goals that North Carolina Courage forward Kristen Hamilton scored that tied a NWSL record for most goals in a game against the Houston Dash.
The end of this year's World Cup marks a new beginning as Budweiser becomes the first official beer sponsor of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The multi-year partnership is built on Budweiser's commitment to continue supporting women's soccer, not just every four years but on a year-round basis.
United Soccer League Championship
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced that Steve Trittschuh has been relieved of his duties as head coach. Assistant coach Wolde Harris has been named interim head coach while the club undertakes a search for Trittschuh's permanent replacement in the upcoming months. Trittschuh, the first and only head coach in Switchbacks' history, went 55-59-27 in USL Championship league play since joining Colorado Springs in March of 2014.
BASKETBALL
Big3
Once Enemies Gilbert Arenas heated up, there was no stopping him thanks to incredible assists by Royce White
Power Glen "Big Baby" Davis went off after receiving two technical fouls and being ejected from the game against the Trilogy.
Women's National Basketball Association
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner became the third player in WNBA history to record 600 career blocks. Check out some of the best blocks from her career.
HOCKEY
Southern Professional Hockey League
The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced that it will drop the puck for its 16th season on Friday, October 18 with four games scheduled.
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
Archers defenseman Matt McMahon with two great saves against the Redwoods
Chrome midfielder Jordan MacIntosh scores a behind the back goal against the Chaos that makes ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays at Number Four.
OTHER SPORTS
World TeamTennis
The six-time WTT champion Washington Kastles announced that it is re-signing 2018 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion and women's doubles finalist Nicole Melichar to play the first two weeks of the 2019 season. The announcement comes a day after the 2019 Wimbledon doubles draws were released and the Kastles' 2019 Draft pick Lyuda Kichenok was forced to withdraw from this year's championship and WTT competition for the season, due to injury.
National Pro Fastpitch
Chicago Bandits shortstop Katie Reed makes an amazing diving catch against the Cleveland Comets that registered on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays at Number Nine.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Alliance of American Football Stories from July 9, 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.
