Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
June 7, 2022 - Northwest League (NWL)
This past week Major League Soccer's Charlotte FC fired head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez, Juan Mercedes threw the first no-hitter in Everett Aquasox history, the Philadelphia Stars clinched a playoff berth in the United States Football League postseason and the London Lightning won their fifth NBL Canada Championship. Highlights from this week come from Major League Soccer, the National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, Northwest League, Midwest League, United States Football League, XFL, Canadian Football League, Fan Controlled Football, National Lacrosse League, NBL Canada, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Major League Rugby and American Ultimate Disc League.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
Miguel Ángel Ramírez was informed by Sporting Director Zoran Krneta and President Joe LaBue that he will not continue as the head coach of Charlotte FC. Assistant Coach Christian Lattanzio will serve as Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2022 season. "This is a difficult decision, but one we feel is best for the team at this time," said Owner David Tepper. "I want to thank Miguel and his staff for their hard work during our first season and wish them the best in their future endeavors."
Charlotte FC fires Head Coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez
Sporting Director Zoran Krneta said he did not want to go into detail regarding the firing of Charlotte FC's inaugural head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez.
Major League Soccer doesn't kick off in St. Louis until 2023, but some of the team's biggest fans had another reason to get pumped this month. St. Louis City SC invited those who were first in line to put down a deposit for general reserve season tickets to pick out their seats in person. 5 On Your Side was also able to take a tour of the under-construction and newly named Centene Stadium.
National Women's Soccer League
Budweiser Player of the Week - Sofia Huerta, OL Reign - Week 5 - 2022 Season
Verizon Save of the Week - Ashlyn Harris, Gotham FC - Week 5
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 12 of the 2022 regular season with New Mexico United midfielder Justin Portillo voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording three goals and one assist across two victories for United that moved the side into the playoff positions in the Western Conference.
BASEBALL
Northwest League
For the first time in franchise history an Everett Aquasox pitcher has thrown a no-hitter as Juan Mercedes struck out a career-high 10 to complete the seven-inning gem against the Eugene Emeralds. Only two batters reached safely against Mercedes, who issued walks to Patrick Bailey in the second and Casey Schmitt in the fourth. The victory was the second in three starts for Mercedes.
Juan Mercedes threw the first no-hitter in Everett Aquasox history. In the second game of a double header, Mercedes struck out 10 hitters with 98 pitches over the 7-inning game
Midwest League
The Great Lakes Loons turn the first triple play of the MiLB season
Plays of the month of May
FOOTBALL
United States Football League
The Philadelphia Stars just became the third team to book their ticket to the inaugural USFL Playoffs! Watch the moment Head Coach Bart Andrus reveals the team's official invitation to Canton, Ohio
Pittsburgh Maulers Ramiz Ahmed just set a new USFL record 61 yards with this BOOT
Every touchdown from Week 8
XFL
The XFL reveals a bold brand identity, signaling a new vision for the forward-thinking league. Stay tuned for more information as we power ahead to the 2023 season.
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League's Board of Governors has ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Canadian Football League Players' Association. The agreement, which was ratified last week by members of the Canadian Football League Players' Association, is now in effect.
The defending back-to-back Grey Cup Champions are looking to run it back in 2022 with an impressive core group of stars returning to Winnipeg.
Back-to-back eastern division titles are nothing short of impressive, but for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats the ultimate goal is still a Grey Cup. If 2022 is going to be their year, it might depend heavily on two star veterans.
Champions Indoor Football
Champions Indoor Football will take over day to day operations of both the Billings Outlaws and Rapid City Marshals. Over the next few weeks, the league will work with staff to preserve each market by doing a full financial accounting of each market and will work with vendors, players, and coaches to ensure indoor football is played in both markets in the coming seasons.
Champions Indoor Football is happy to announce the Board of Directors has approved a new ownership group for the Billings Outlaws. The Board approved the application of an ownership group led by Steven Titus. The league has personnel on the ground presently in Billings helping Mr. Titus sort through financials to ensure a smooth transition for his ownership of the franchise.
Fan Controlled Football
Top 5 Offensive Plays of Week 7
The NOT Top 5 of Week 7
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League Finals continue with Game 2 on Saturday, June 11, when the Buffalo Bandits, 15-14 winners last night in a thrilling Game 1 in front of a boisterous crowd of 14,274 fans in Buffalo, visit the Colorado Mammoth, beginning at 9 p.m. ET. The Bandits' Tehoka Nanticoke had a huge night with five goals and two assists, and Nick Weiss scored the game winner with 0:51 remaining. Zed Williams added four goals and four assists for the Mammoth who return to the "Loud House" at Ball Arena on Saturday to try to even the series.
Buffalo Bandits Nick Weiss wins it in the final minute on a breakaway goal!
The Celtics and Warriors aren't the only ones dunking in a championship.
Full highlights from the Buffalo Bandits' 15-14 game one win over the Colorado Mammoth. NLL Finals 2022.
Vancouver Warriors General Manager Dan Richardson announced changes to the club's coaching staff. Head Coach Chris Gill and Assistant Coach Kaleb Toth will not be returning to the team for the 2022-23 season.
BASKETBALL
National Basketball League of Canada
The London Lightning finished off its drive for a fifth NBL Canada championship with a 97-96 win over the KW Titans at The Aud. The victory capped a 3-0 series sweet for London, who becomes the league's first crowned champion in nearly three years. Terry Thomas led the Lightning with 25 points, followed by Amir Williams with 18 and Chris Jones with 16. The Titans were topped by Tyrrel Tate and Jesse Jones with 28 and 27 points, respectively.
London Lightning Win Their 5th NBLC Championship
Women's National Basketball Association
Brittney Griner's teammates speak on her absence 100 days into being wrongfully detained in Russia.
NBA G League
The Grand Rapids Gold, the NBA G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets, announced that its regular season games for the next five seasons will be played at Van Andel Arena. Van Andel Arena is a 12,000-plus seat arena located in downtown Grand Rapids. "Our goal has always been to provide an elite level of basketball to the West Michigan community," noted Steve Jbara, president of the Grand Rapids Gold. "This move further solidifies our efforts to elevate all aspects of our fan experience, and we're looking forward to calling Van Andel Arena home for future seasons."
Once the DeltaPlex announced it was closing its doors, the Grand Rapids Gold had to find a new home. And they have done that, as expected: it's the Van Andel Arena.
Windy City Bulls' Top 10 Plays of the Season
Lakeland Magic's Top 10 Plays of the Season
Delaware Blue Coats' Top 10 Plays of the 2021-22 Season
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Overtime winning goal from Springfield Thunderbirds Matthew Peca.
Federal Prospect Hockey League
The FPHL has just released the 2022-2023 schedule. Each of the teams will play 28 home games and 28 away games. The FPHL would also like to welcome three new expansion teams; The Motor City Rockers, Elmira Mammoth and the Mississippi Sea Wolves. The league has returned to ten teams again. The first game is scheduled for October 13, 2022, with the Motor City Rockers taking on the Port Huron Prowlers. The FPHL regular season will wrap up on April 15, 2023.
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10 Plays of Round 3
Ontario Hockey League
Revisiting the 2022 OHL Eastern and Western Conference Championship Series.
Guelph Storm defenceman Cam Allen discusses the honour of being voted the League's top rookie.
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League (USHL) and Tri-City Storm announced Mitchell Miller was named the League's Player of the Year and Defenseman of the Year for the 2021-22 season. Miller, a native of Sylvania, Ohio, finished third in league scoring and first among defensemen with 83 points (39-44-83) in 60 games this season. His 83 points was 26 more than the next defenseman while his 39 goals was tied for the most among all skaters in the USHL and was 13 more than the next defenseman. Miller's 44 assists finished tied for 10th in league scoring and was second among blueliners this season.
The United States Hockey League (USHL) and Tri-City Storm announced Anthony Noreen was named the League's Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season. Noreen's third Coach of the Year award comes on the back of the best season in Tri-City Storm history as Noreen led his team to a 47-11-3-1 record (98 points).
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
QMJHL Plays of the third round
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
Due to a violation of league rules, the Austin Gilgronis have been disqualified from 2022 postseason play. Championship Series fixtures will be announced as they are determined.
The LA Giltinis earned the Rhino Rugby Try of the Week for an epic chip from Luke Carty to Billy Meakes and offloaded to Christian Poidevin for the try!
MLR Biggest Hits - Week 17
American Ultimate Disc League
The Top 10 plays from Week 5 of the 2022 AUDL regular season!
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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Northwest League Stories from June 7, 2022
- Emeralds Start Series on the Win Column against Spokane - Eugene Emeralds
- Dust Devils Back Home Tonight - Tri-City Dust Devils
- 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.
