Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
November 1, 2022 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
This past week the XFL revealed the names and logos for its eight teams, the Portland Thorns won a National Women's Soccer League record third championship and a Russian court rejected Women's National Basketball Association star Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year sentence. Highlights from this week come from the XFL, Canadian Football League, National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, American Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Major League Rugby.
FOOTBALL
XFL
The XFL revealed the brand identities, names and logos for its eight teams as the League prepares for its season kickoff on February 18, 2023. Featuring both new and returning team names, each market has a dynamic logo and distinct team identity that aligns with its community's culture and history. Taking the field for the XFL: Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, Houston Roughnecks, Orlando Guardians. San Antonio Brahmas, Seattle Sea Dragons. St. Louis Battlehawks and Vegas Vipers. "We could not be more excited to unveil our new team identities. Countless hours of creative sessions and collaboration went into bringing these team brands to life. Each team's identity represents the fabric of their local community while also embodying the XFL's vision and ethos: they are authentic, dynamic, modern, and unapologetically bold," said Dany Garcia, Chairwoman and Owner. "We can't wait to see our XFL fans representing their favorite XFL teams this upcoming season. ¬Â
Meet your eight XFL teams
BattleHawks: XFL announces official name of St. Louis team
XFL unveils Seattle Sea Dragons new logo
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
Portland Thorns FC made history by capturing the 2022 NWSL Championship with a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Current at Audi Field, earning their league-best third title. Sophia Smith opened the scoring for Portland in the fourth minute of the match to help Portland to the victory and secured the Championship match MVP award.
Here are the highlights.
The National Women's Soccer League announced Portland Thorns FC attacker Sophia Smith as the 2022 NWSL Most Valuable Player, presented by Budweiser. At 22 years old, the forward is the youngest player in NWSL history to be named the regular-season MVP. Smith's electric season, highlighted by a career best 14 goals in 18 matches, got off to a quick start in April when the forward tallied a goal in the Thorns' regular-season opener. From there, the Windsor, Colorado native went on to lead her team in scoring, tallying a goal in more than half of Portland's matches to set a new club record for goals in a single season.
The National Women's Soccer League announced that San Diego Wave FC centerback Naomi Girma has been named the 2022 NWSL Rookie of the Year, presented by Ally, as well as the 2022 NWSL Defender of the Year. Girma becomes the only NWSL player to secure two individual end-of-year awards in a rookie season. Appearing in more than 1,800 minutes of play throughout the regular season, Girma's impressive first NWSL campaignhelped Wave FC post adefensive effortthat averaged less than a goal against per game in 22 matches.
The National Women's Soccer League announced that San Diego Wave FC head coach Casey Stoney has been named the 2022 NWSL Coach of the Year. After becoming the expansion side's first head coach ahead of the 2022 season, Stoney quickly established Wave FC as one of the top teams in the league, leading the club to a 4-1-0 record in its opening five matches. Under Stoney, the team continued to find success, rounding out the regular season with a top-3 finish and a 10-6-6 record.
Major League Soccer
It's best versus best as the top two teams from the MLS regular season have conquered the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs and are headed to the 2022 MLS Cup. With a 3-1 win over New York City Football Club in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final, the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Philadelphia Union secured their spot in MLS Cup for the first time in club history. After a scoreless first half, NYCFC opened scoring in the 57th minute, but the Union responded by rattling off three second-half goals in an 11-minute span for the win. Philadelphia will travel to face fellow MLS Cup debutant, Western Conference champion Los Angeles Football Club, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, this Saturday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET (FOX and UniMás in the U.S and on TSN4 and TVA Sports in Canada).
Watch every goal scored in the Conference Finals of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs!
Canadian Premier League
Forge FC lifted their third North Star Shield on after a 2-0 victory over Atlético Ottawa in the 2022 Canadian Premier League final. For the second straight final, Alessandro Hojabrpour opened the scoring from a header, before David Choinière doubled the lead late in the second half. Both players have now scored twice in Canadian Premier League finals.
Here are the highlights.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
The details of Brittney Griner's appeal being denied & 9-year sentence being upheld . First Take Angela Rye joins Stephen A. Smith on First Take to discuss news that the Russian court has rejected Brittney Griner's appeal against a 9-year prison sentence.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
American Hockey League President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Howson announced today that Stephen Thomson has been named Manager, Hockey Operations and Player Safety. A former referee, including two seasons in the AHL from 2016 to 2018, Thomson joins the league office after four seasons as manager of officiating operations for the ECHL. Thomson's responsibilities will include managing the AHL's staff of on-ice officials, as well as serving on the league's newly formed Player Safety Committee.
Name a better way to tally your first goal by Jordan Gross with the Milwaukee Admirals than in OT.
North American Hockey League
NAHL Top Plays - Oct. 17-23, 2022
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10
Ontario Hockey League
OHL Plays of the Week
BASEBALL
South Atlantic League
Former Hudson Valley Renegades manager Matt Quatraro has been hired by the Kansas City Royals as their 18th manager in franchise history, the club announced on Sunday. Quatraro began his coaching career as the Renegades' hitting coach from 2004 through 2005, and managed the team during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Quatraro, 48, becomes the third former Renegades manager to be hired as the manager of a Major League team, joining Edwin Rodríguez and Charlie Montoyo.
Atlantic League
After 19 years with professional baseball in Charleston, Jeremy Taylor resumes his role as General Manager with the Charleston Dirty Birds. Taylor was the West Virginia Power's General Manager in 2019. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Major League Baseball contracted 40 Minor League Baseball teams, and the Power was acquired by Andy Shea. The franchise then became a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
Major League Rugby (MLR) announced that the 2023 MLR season will now feature 12 teams in a two-conference competition. 11 of the teams that competed in 2022 will return for the 2023 campaign, however, neither the Austin Gilgronis nor Los Angeles Giltinis will participate. The 12th team will be an expansion team in a new market. A detailed announcement surrounding the expansion team is expected in the coming weeks. With the uncertainties surrounding Austin and Los Angeles' team ownership, it was determined to suspend operations of the two teams to ensure a successful 2023 season, and protect the long-term strength and continued growth of the league.
Major League Rugby says Austin team will not play in 2023.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from November 1, 2022
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- 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.
