Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
October 5, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
This past week two National Women's Soccer League head coaches were fired due to misconduct and the league commissioner resigned as a player abuse scandal rocked the league, Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones was named WNBA Most Valuable Player, the Atlantic League's West Virginia Power rebranded as the Charleston Dirty Birds, and the Allen Americans became the ECHL affiliate of the NHL Seattle Kraken. Highlights from this week are from the National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, Atlantic League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Federal Prospect Hockey League, Canadian Football League, National Lacrosse League and Premier Lacrosse League.
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
The North Carolina Courage have terminated Head Coach Paul Riley, effective immediately, in light of reports of very serious allegations of misconduct. Sean Nahas has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
The commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League has stepped down following allegations of misconduct against a now-former coach, Paul Riley. Lisa Baird served in the position for less than two years. Aly Wagner, a former player for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team who also covers the sport for CBS Sports, joined CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss.
NWSLPA ED, Meghann Burke, joins CNN World Sport to discuss the systemic abuse plaguing the National Women's Soccer League.
National Women's Soccer League suspends Washington Spirit from league governance; bans Richie Burke from working with any league players.
NWSL cancels games after abuse allegations against coaches. The National Women's Soccer League is facing scandal after several coaches are accused of abusing players. With Washington Post reporter Molly Hensley-Clancy.
Major League Soccer
The goal, Atlanta United FC Josef Martinez's 100th for his club across all competitions. The fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 club goals in all competitions.
Seattle Sounders FC Joao Paulo's Solo Effort "Goal of The Year"? Brian Schmetzer Says Yes
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 23 of the 2021 regular season with Birmingham Legion FC forward Neco Brett being voted Player of the Week after recording three goals and one assist across a pair of victories that sent Legion FC within a point of Louisville City FC for the lead in the Central Division.
United Soccer League Goal of the Week - Johnny Rodriguez Oakland Roots SC
United Soccer League One
United Soccer League One Save of the Week - Joe Rice - New England Revolution II
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones has been named the 2021 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player, the WNBA announced today. This is the first WNBA Most Valuable Award for Jones, who was the 2018 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year and 2017 WNBA Most Improved Player. In her fifth WNBA season, Jones averaged 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.26 blocked shots and 1.26 steals in 31.7 minutes in 27 games.
Jonquel Jones talks winning WNBA MVP- SportsCenter
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones joins SportsCenter to talk about being named WNBA MVP.
Connecticut Sun head coach Curt Miller has been named the 2021 WNBA Coach of the Year. He becomes the sixth coach in the 25-year history of the league to win the award multiple times, joining three-time winners Van Chancellor, Cheryl Reeve and Mike Thibault, and two-time winners Dan Hughes and Bill Laimbeer.
Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones has been named the 2021 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player. Selected by Connecticut in the first round of the 2017 WNBA Draft (eighth overall pick), Jones averaged career highs of 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 30.6 minutes while starting all 32 games for the Sun this season. Her previous career highs in each of those categories were all set with the Sun in 2020, when she averaged 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 26.1 minutes in 21 games.
NBA G League
The Delaware Blue Coats, NBA G League Affiliate of the 76ers announced that Coby Karl has been named the team's head coach and that J.P. Clark and Isaiah Fox have joined his staff as assistant coaches. Karl most recently served as head coach of the South Bay Lakers (NBA G League/Lakers) from 2016-21, where he compiled a 102-92 record and collected a division championship and conference semifinals appearance.
Coby Karl "It's the most fun league to coach in.:"
The Windy City Bulls named Henry Domercant as the team's head coach for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA G League season. Domercant becomes the fourth head coach in franchise history after having previously served as an assistant coach with the Windy City Bulls since 2018. The former Eastern Illinois University standout held the role of Player Development Coordinator with the Chicago Bulls during the 2020-21 NBA season and also served as an Assistant Coach during the Bulls' NBA Summer League squad in August.
Dyson Daniels is one of the most explosive athletes who has recently joined NBA G League Ignite. In this introduction piece, he explains his goals and expectations for the upcoming season with Team Ignite.
BASEBALL
Atlantic League
West Virginia Power rebrand as the Charleston Dirty Birds
West Virginia Power changes name to the Charleston Dirty Birds
High-A East
The Bowling Green Hot Rods (3-2) took a 6-3 win in game five over the Greensboro Grasshoppers (2-3) to win the High-A East Championship at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This is the Hot Rods second championship. The first came in the Midwest League in 2018.
HOCKEY
ECHL
The Allen AMERICANS Professional Hockey Club announced a new affiliation agreement, becoming the first-ever ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Seattle Kraken. "The ECHL plays such a key role in the development of NHL players," said Ron Francis, Kraken GM. "This is a very important decision for the long-term success of our organization, and we're excited to be engaged with a championship level organization in the Allen Americans."
It's Kraken time!
North American Hockey League
Top Plays of the Week
Western Hockey League
WHL Commissioner Ron Robison delivered remarks to the media ahead of the start of the 2021-22 WHL Regular Season.
Ontario Hockey League
From one blueline to another, Kirsten Welsh's journey from standout defenceman to becoming the OHL's first woman linesperson is an inspiring one.
Federal Prospect Hockey League
FPHL Binghamton Black Bears Time lapse
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
Ottawa Redblacks DeVonte Dedmon returns a punt 73-yards for a touchdown.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League, the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, revealed its full 2021-22 game schedule, beginning with Face Off Weekend, December 3-4. Early highlights of the slate include the standalone first contest featuring the Vancouver Warriors at San Diego Seals on Friday, December 3; a 2019 NLL Finals Rematch between the Calgary Roughnecks and Buffalo Bandits in Buffalo on Saturday, December 4; the first game played in Fort Worth, Texas (Dec. 10) and the return of the NLL to Hamilton, Ontario (Dec. 4) and Albany, New York (Dec. 18). Each team will play nine home and nine away contests during the season.
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Halifax Thunderbirds forward Cody Jamieson and equipment manager Dave Sowden share the impact of the residential schools on their lives and the importance of awareness and education.
Premier Lacrosse League
Best Saves of Chaos Blaze Riorden's MVP Season
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 5, 2021
- NJ/NY Gotham FC to Host Washington Spirit at Subaru Park in Carli Lloyd Hometown Farewell Match - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Angelina Called up to Brazil WNT for October FIFA Window - Seattle Reign FC
- What to Watch for with Racing at the NC Courage - Racing Louisville FC
- 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.
