Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
November 3, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
This past week the United Soccer League Championship cancelled its Championship due a COVID-19 outbreak, instead crowning the Tampa Bay Rowdies Eastern Conference Champions and Phoenix Rising FC Western Conference Champions; the Greenville Triumph were awarded the United Soccer League One Title for earning the highest points per game average in the league after its Championship was cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests with the Union Omaha team; BC Lions owner David Braley passed away at the age of 79; and the NBA G League team in Detroit announced it will be known as the Motor City Cruise. Highlights from this week are from United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Major League Soccer. Canadian Football League, American Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, NBA G League, Women's National Basketball Association, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, and Major League Lacrosse.
SOCCER
United Soccer League Championship
The United Soccer League announced that the 2020 USL Championship Final will not be played. The decision has been made for the health and safety of everyone involved after multiple persons on the Tampa Bay Rowdies covered persons list tested positive for COVID-19 upon a second round of rapid testing at the Tampa Bay Rays' medical facilities. USL HQ, in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Phoenix Rising FC, has therefore made the determination that the season will conclude after Tampa Bay and Phoenix each progressed through their conference playoffs to win the Eastern Conference and Western Conference titles, respectively.
The 2020 USL Championship final between Tampa Bay Rowdies and Phoenix Rising is off after an outbreak of COVID-19 among the Rowdies. In an interview with ESPN FC, Jake Edwards, the president of the United Soccer League, explains the decision to cancel the final of the league's highest division, rather than postpone the match for two or three weeks.
The United Soccer League honored standout performers from the regular season with the announcement of the 2020 USL Championship All-League Teams. Louisville City FC led the way with four First Team selections, while 11 clubs overall had players selected among the 22 honorees. Forward Cameron Lancaster led LouCity's selections, earning the second First Team All-League selection of his career after recording 10 goals and two assists in the regular season. He was joined by three first-time selections with goalkeeper Ben Lundt, defender Sean Totsch and midfielder Speedy Williams all earning their first All-League honors after their standout campaigns.
United Soccer League One
With the 2020 USL League One Final Cancelled earlier due to positive COVID tests within the Omaha organization, the Greenville Triumph were awarded the 2020 League One Title for earning the highest points per game average in the league. The Triumph led the USL League One standings for the entirety of the 2020 season.
USL League One announced its statistical award-winners for the 2020 season, with Greenville Triumph SC goalkeeper Dallas Jaye claiming his second consecutive Golden Glove award, the Richmond Kickers' Emiliano Terzaghi earning the Golden Boot and Union Omaha's Ethan Vanacore-Decker taking the Assists Champion award.
USL League One announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 15 of the 2020 regular season with Greenville Triumph SC's Alex Morrell earning Player of the Week honors after leading his side to a season-ending victory against Orlando City B.
Major League Soccer
The LA Galaxy announced that the club has relieved Guillermo Barros Schelotto of his head coaching duties, effective immediately. Dominic Kinnear will serve as the LA Galaxy interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season. Additionally, assistant coach Gustavo Barros Schelotto, assistant coach Ariel Pereyra, goalkeeping coach Juan José Romero and performance coach Javier Valdecantos have been relieved of their coaching duties. Barros Schelotto was 21-26-6 during in MLS during his time with the club. The LA Galaxy are 5-11-3 during the 2020 MLS Regular Season.
The Los Angeles Galaxy, languishing in last place of Major League Soccer's Western Conference, fired the bulk of the team's coaching staff including head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto - effective immediately. Katie Johnston reports.
National Women's Soccer League
The Houston Dash and Head Coach James Clarkson have agreed to a new contract. Clarkson, the third head coach in franchise history, heads into his third year on the touchline. Through two seasons, he has compiled a record of 14-15-6 across all competitions, including a mark of 7-3-1 in 2020. His leadership was crucial during the 2020 campaign, which was interrupted on multiple occasions by the global coronavirus pandemic. Despite the start-and-stop nature of the season, Clarkson led the Dash to the club's first ever league title on July 26 when Houston defeated the Chicago Red Stars to capture the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.
Racing Louisville FC and the Chicago Red Stars have agreed to a deal that sends forwards Savannah McCaskill and Yuki Nagasato to Louisville as the 2021 National Women's Soccer League expansion franchise's first roster additions. Racing Louisville FC has also acquired an extra international slot for the 2021 and 2022 seasons as well as the Red Stars' first-round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft - meaning the club can expect to select at No. 1 and No. 5 overall. In exchange, the rest of Chicago's squad received protection from Racing Louisville FC in the Nov. 12 expansion draft.
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
The BC Lions Football Club is very saddened to announce that our owner and champion David Braley passed away peacefully at his home in Burlington, Ontario. Also owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1989 to 1990 and the Toronto Argonauts from 2010 to 2015, Braley served as an Interim Commissioner of the CFL and Chair of its Board of Governors. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Popular Hamilton businessman David Braley has died. He was 79 years old. Word of his death came today from the B.C. Lions, the CFL team that he has owned since 1997.
Joey Moss was more than a dressing room attendant for the Edmonton Oilers and the Edmonton Football Team, he was an icon in the city and ambassador for the mentally handicapped. Moss died after leaving a lasting legacy in Edmonton. He was 57.
National Arena League
The National Arena League announces the termination of the membership agreements for both the Tampa Bay Tornadoes and the Louisville Xtreme. Both franchises were scheduled to play in the upcoming 2021 season but due to the current COVID-19 situation both teams failed to provide the league-mandated letters of credit, the National Arena League's front office was forced to proceed with the decision to dismiss both franchises. In addition, due to the current situation regarding the global pandemic, the West Virginia Roughriders have opted to go dormant for the 2021 NAL season.
Champions Indoor Football
The West Texas Warbirds are saddened to bring news that, due to extenuating family circumstances, Head Coach Marcus Coleman will no longer be with the organization. In an effort to respect his and his family's privacy, there will be no further details as to the reasoning Coach Coleman decided to stay in San Antonio.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson has announced that the league's Board of Governors has approved moving the anticipated start date of the 2020-21 season to February 5, 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. The AHL continues to work with its member clubs to monitor developments and local guidelines in all 31 league cities. Further details regarding the 2020-21 American Hockey League season are still to be determined.
AHL Delays Start of Season to February
North American Hockey League
NAHL Plays of the Week
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Moncton Wildcats left wing Gabriel Fortier hat trick in their 4-3 victory over the Halifax Mooseheads.
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League announced an updated timeline on its Return to Play plan for the 2020-21 season as it continues to work with government and health agencies to finalize outstanding matters that help ensure the health and safety of all members of the OHL community. Under the new timelines, OHL Training Camps are scheduled to commence on Saturday, January 23 in preparation for the 2020-21 Regular Season that will feature a 40-game schedule running from Thursday, February 4 through Saturday, May 8.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
The Detroit Pistons announced the name and logo for their new NBA G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise. Detroit's newest professional franchise will play its games on the campus of Wayne State University starting with the 2021-22 season. The new NBA G League club's moniker pays homage to the region's automotive history and love for the open road. The logo, unveiled incorporates the iconic red basketball from the traditional Pistons brand. The colors - red, white, blue and gray "" and lettering align with the Pistons' current font and color scheme.
The Detroit Pistons announced their new NBA G-League team will be named the Motor City Cruise. The team is scheduled to begin play in the 2021-22 season.
Jalen Green Is Ready For The Grind
Women's National Basketball Association
Check out some of the top buckets from the WNBA rookies from this past season.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League, the longest running and most successful professional lacrosse league in the world, announced that the League is targeting to start their 35th season the weekend of April 9th to 11th in 2021. The focus of the league and NLL teams is to work with health authorities and local jurisdictions to develop health and safety protocols for the players and fans at their games. A detailed schedule will follow at an appropriate time. The 2019-20 NLL season ended March 12 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz sat down with Devan Kaney to discuss the decision to launch the NLL's 35th season in April.
Premier Lacrosse League
PLL 2020 in Six Minutes. Year Two Recap
Major League Lacrosse
Learn more about New York Lizards short stick defensive midfield Mark Ellis' lacrosse journey.
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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United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 3, 2020
- 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.
