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 National Women's Soccer League

Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
July 14, 2020 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)


This past week Tori Miller was named the first ever female General Manger in NBA G League history, the newest National Women's Soccer League team in Louisville was named Racing Louisville FC, Major League Rugby received an expansion bid from a Hawai'i ownership group, and World TeamTennis started its 45th season at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Highlights from this week are from the Women's National Basketball Association, National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, Canadian Premier League, World TeamTennis, Major League Rugby, Canadian Football League, Atlantic League and Coastal Plain League.

BASKETBALL

NBA G League

The Atlanta Hawks and their NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, announced multiple promotions and a hire within the Basketball Operations group, including the promotion of Tori Miller to General Manager of the Skyhawks. Miller's promotion establishes her as the first woman to hold the title of General Manager in the history of the NBA G League. Former Skyhawks General Manager Derek Pierce will continue to oversee Atlanta's scouting department in his role as Vice President of Player Personnel for the Hawks.

Women's National Basketball Association

Duke hired former WNBA star Kara Lawson as its women's basketball coach. Lawson 39, served as an assistant coach with the NBA Boston Celtics this season.

The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of three time WNBA Champions Detroit Shock (2003, 2006 and 2008) was demolished. The Shock played there from 1998 till 2009.

After countless championships and concerts since 1988, The Palace of Auburn Hills was demolished in seconds.

SOCCER

National Women's Soccer League

The National Women's Soccer League's newest expansion franchise will be known as Racing Louisville FC in recognition of local tradition and as a nod to the game on a global scale. Racing Louisville FC begins play in the spring of 2021 with backing from Soccer Holdings, LLC, the same group managing two-time USL Championship title winner Louisville City FC. Both the women's and men's sides will call Lynn Family Stadium home while training daily at a new $15 million facility fewer than two miles away.

Racing Louisville FC unveiled as NWSL's newest franchise. The club will begin play in 2021 in Louisville, Ky., at Lynn Family Stadium, also home to the USL Championship's Louisville City FC.

NWSL's expansion to Louisville was first revealed in the fall of 2019. Louisville's new National Women's Soccer League debuts name, colors. The announcement now brings the team to life.

Houston Dash forward Shea Groom leapt high and connected for a super header goal, which was the Most Searched Play of the Week

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer announced an updated format and schedule for the MLS is Back Tournament and that Nashville SC have been withdrawn from the competition. Since arriving in Orlando, nine players on Nashville have had confirmed positive test results for COVID-19. The decision was made in the best interest of the health of all players and staff participating in the tournament, and in line with protocols created in conjunction with local and national health authorities and infectious disease experts.

FC Dallas and Nashville SC are not playing in the MLS is Back Tournament anymore, but the clubs remain inside the bubble in Orlando, Florida. Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer joins Taylor Twellman on Banter to discuss what it's like to be in the bubble but not able to play, and he addresses the rumors and narratives surrounding Dallas' withdrawal. He also shares how he is feeling personally after missing a chance to take on the starting goalkeeper role for Luchi Gonzalez's squad in the absence of Jesse Gonzalez.

Columbus Crew's new Argentinian Designated Player Lucas Zelarayan conjures up the best goal so far in the MLS Is Back tournament, sending a majestic curled free kick off the post and in to give Columbus a 1-0 lead over Hell Is Real rivals FC Cincinnati.

United Soccer League Championship

Louisville FC Midfielder Speedy Williams grabs the opening goal in Lynn Family Stadium history!

United Soccer League One

Toronto FC and The United Soccer League (USL) announced that Toronto FC II has withdrawn from the 2020 USL League One season due to current public health restrictions. Together, both the league and club have determined that it would not be possible for the club to accommodate a return to play in Toronto this season and look forward to returning in 2021.

Canadian Premier League

Top 10 Goals of 2019 Canadian Premier League Season

OTHER SPORTS

World TeamTennis

San Diego Aviators head coach John Lloyd on how WTT improves the individual player.

Major League Rugby

Major League Rugby (MLR) received an expansion bid from Kanaloa Hawai'i and the initial application for membership has been accepted. The League and the Hawai'i group have now entered into an exclusive negotiating period. Kanaloa Hawai'i now has 90 days to finalize terms and meet the League's expansion benchmarks before being ratified by a board vote to be formally admitted as an MLR member.

The first ever Maori and Polynesian owned and operated professional rugby club is expected to start in America's Major League Rugby competition next year. Based in Oahu, Hawaii, the team's called Kanaloa Hawaii Rugby, and among its backers are former All Blacks including Anthony Tuitavake, Ben Atiga, John Afoa, Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko.

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

Belairdirect, a car and home insurance company and longtime sponsor of the Edmonton Eskimos, says the team's name, which has been used since the late 19th century, is no longer appropriate.

National Arena League

The Carolina Cobras are happy to announce that Head Coach Joshua Resignalo will return for 2021, and we are excited to have him return. Coach Res, as he is known, has been around football most of his life. He played QB in high school before going into the US Marine Corp in 2000. While serving in the Marines he served two tours in war zones in Iraq and also fought battles in Fallujah, he was there in 2003 and 2004.

Indoor Football League

The reborn Spokane Shock announce they have re-signed their Quarterback, Charles McCullum, for the 2021 season. McCullum is a two-time IFL MVP who only has 1,000 yards until the All-Time Indoor Career Passing Yardage crown is his own. The Atlanta, Georgia native spent the past two guiding the high-powered Carolina Cobras offense.

LACROSSE

Major League Lacrosse

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced the 2020, 20th Anniversary, schedule. The teams of Major League Lacrosse announced their rosters. The rosters will include a 25-man active roster and 5 reserve players. Should a member of the 25 man roster test positive for COVID, the team may activate one of their reserve players in their stead. This season will allow teams to carry one of the largest active rosters in MLL's 20 year history.

National Lacrosse League

The New York Riptide have named Jim Veltman as the second general manager in franchise history. In addition, Dan Ladouceur has been named the franchise's head coach. Ladouceur joins the Riptide after spending the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Georgia Swarm.

BASEBALL

Atlantic League

The Somerset Patriots announced in a press conference that the team will bring baseball back to TD Bank Ballpark this summer with the newly created SOMERSET Professional Baseball Series. Starting on July 17th, the Somerset Patriots will play games against the New Jersey Blasters, a team also run by the organization, exclusively at TD Bank Ballpark. Both teams will consist of local players to help control travel and limit the risk of individuals coming from other parts of the country.

Here are the the press conference highlights!

Coastal Plain League

Bananas Toddlerography is the content we never knew we needed but now can't live without.

Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.


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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 14, 2020


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