Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
November 15, 2022 - United States Football League (USFL)
This past week San Antonio FC won its first United Soccer League Championship title, the United States Football League's New Orleans Breakers named John DeFilippo its new head coach, and the Indiana Fever won the Women's National Basketball Association Draft Lottery. Highlights from this week come from United Soccer League Championship, National Women's Soccer League, MLS NEXT Pro, United States Football League, Canadian Football League, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League,
SOCCER
United Soccer League Championship
Santiago Patiño scored a pair of goals around a headed finish by Samuel Adeniran as San Antonio FC took a 3-1 victory against Louisville City FC to claim the 2022 USL Championship Final before a sellout crowd of 8,534 fans at Toyota Field. Patiño scored moments before the halftime break to put the visitors ahead before two goals six minutes apart staked the hosts to a three-goal lead with 20 minutes remaining. Brian Ownby scored in the 78th minute for the visitors, but San Antonio closed the door from there, and is now undefeated in its last 46 games in which it has scored the opening goal over the past two seasons.
Here are the highlights.
Rhode Island's men's professional soccer team will make its USL Championship debut in 2024 and will be called Rhode Island FC, a nod to soccer's rich history in the Ocean State. The club unveiled its team colors and an iconic crest on that draws inspiration from the symbols that are unique to Rhode Island and from direct input from the community.
Rhode Island FC revealed as state's new soccer team
Tampa Bay Rowdies attacking midfielder Leo Fernandes was named the 2022 USL Championship Most Valuable Player, capping a career season for the Rowdies veteran that saw him lead the league in combined goals and assists while proving an attacking catalyst for the perennial title contenders as they led the league in goals scored during the 2022 campaign. Fernandes is the first Rowdies player to earn the Championship's MVP honor and is the third player in team history to earn USL Championship honors overall following former defender Forrest Lasso (Defender of the Year - 2020, 2021) and goalkeeper Evan Louro (Goalkeeper of the Year, 2021).
Major League Soccer
St. Louis CITY SC made five selections and completed two trades in the 2022 MLS Expansion Draft. CITY SC picked Orlando City and USMNT forward Niko Gioacchini, Inter Miami midfielder Indiana Vassilev, New England Revolution center back Jonathan Bell, FC Cincinnati left back John Nelson and New York Red Bulls forward Jake La Cava. Following the five Expansion Draft selections, CITY SC made two trades, as well. CITY SC acquired Houston captain and center back Tim Parker in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money over two seasons, $250,000 in 2023 and $250,000 in 2024. Houston will retain a portion of the player's budget charge in both 2023 and 2024. St. Louis then selected La Cava and traded him to Inter Miami for $150,000 in 2023 GAM.
National Women's Soccer League
The Orlando Pride has announced the promotion of Seb Hines to Head Coach, effective immediately, signing a multi-year contract to lead the Pride. A former defender in the English Premier League, Hines was named the Club's interim head coach on June 7, 2022, leading the Pride over the final 15 matches of the 2022 season. During that time, the Pride went on a seven-game unbeaten run from July 3 to Aug. 20, and saw increases in the team's averages on shots, shot on target and passing accuracy, as well as three total clean sheets.
Pride Head Coach See Hines
MLS NEXT Pro
Nashville Soccer Club today unveiled Huntsville City Football Club, or Huntsville City FC, as the name as well as the crest and colors of its MLS NEXT Pro team in Huntsville, Ala. "We are really excited to finally share our team's identity with the City of Huntsville and the world," said Majority Owner John Ingram. "The energy and partnership we have experienced in Huntsville is remarkable and we couldn't imagine a better place for Huntsville City FC to be. ¬Â
Huntsville City Football Club will make debut next season in the Rocket City. The logo and brand were unveiled to the public
MLS NEXT Pro announced that a new independent club will join the League in 2024. Carolina Core FC, based in High Point, NC, becomes the second independent club to join MLS NEXT Pro. The first, Rochester New York FC, qualified for the playoffs in its first season in 2022. "MLS NEXT Pro has four pillars - player development, our local communities, innovation, and a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. When we started engaging with Megan Oglesby and Mayor Wagner, it became clear to us from our first meeting that we are aligned at all levels." said Charles Altchek, President of MLS NEXT Pro. "Strong independent teams are a critical component of our growth strategy for MLS NEXT Pro, and we are confident that Carolina Core FC will overdeliver both on the field and in the community. ¬Â
Carolina Core with join the Major League Soccer NEXT Pro league in 2024. They will play home matches at Truist Point in High Point.
FOOTBALL
United States Football League
The USFL announced that NFL veteran offensive coach John DeFilippo has been hired to lead the New Orleans Breakers. He replaces Head Coach Larry Fedora who recently stepped away from football to spend more time with his family. The hiring comes four months after the Breakers' 31-17 playoff loss to the eventual USFL Champion Birmingham Stallions. DeFilippo, 44, gets his first opportunity as a professional head coach. He takes the helm of a team that featured six All-USFL players and finished the 2022 regular season with a 6-4 record. Starting the USFL's second season in April 2023, DeFilippo intends to bring an exciting brand of football to New Orleans Breakers fans.
The New Orleans Breakers named John DeFilippo, their new head coach. He replaced Larry Fedora, who stepped down in September. The new coach was a guest on The Football Playbook with Ric Serritella and dropped this massive tidbit of information about the USFL's plans for the 2023 season. Two teams will be based in Birmingham. Two teams will be based in Memphis, more than likely. Then four will be in Detroit. Thats the plan for right now. So the four northern teams will be up there.. what I was told is it will be a lot less congestion with all teams in one place. 
The USFL and Birmingham leaders announced that the 2022 Champion Birmingham Stallions will kick off their title defense on Saturday, April 15, at Protective Stadium. Fans can lock in priority access to 2023 Stallions games by visiting Ticketmaster to make a season ticket deposit of $25. After registering, fans will be contacted about seating preferences and package pricing. "The City of Birmingham is honored to have played home to the inaugural USFL season," said Mayor Randall Woodfin. "Our community embraced the Birmingham Stallions and rallied behind them as they won the USFL Championship. We look forward to again partnering with the other stakeholders to host the Stallions this spring as they defend their title. ¬Â
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week - Division Finals
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
For the first time in franchise history, the Indiana Fever received the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, determined by WNBA Draft Lottery. The Fever appeared in the WNBA Draft Lottery for the eighth time in the 24-year existence of the franchise.
The Dallas Wings have hired Latricia Trammell to serve as the organization's next head coach. Trammell joins the Wings after spending the previous four seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. Tasked primarily with overseeing the defense, Trammell was part of a staff that led a top-three defensive net rating for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021.
The Indiana Fever win the 22nd annual WNBA Draft Lottery and earn the top pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.
NBA G League
The Memphis Hustle got creative with this assist!
Canadian Elite Basketball League
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Canada's Official First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball and its only FIBA recognized league, announced that it is expanding to Winnipeg for the 2023 season. This is the CEBL's fourth expansion since the league launched in 2019 with six founding franchises. Details of the new franchise, including ticket information, team nickname, colours, logo, and more will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced that it is suspending operations of its franchise in St. John's, Newfoundland. "We would love to play in Newfoundland, but we need to play in a major spectator facility. We appreciate the efforts of all involved to host games during the 2022 season at the Field House at Memorial University, but the lack of amenities required by a professional league at the level of the CEBL have proven to be untenable," said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Goalie Jesper Wallstedt, born 2002 scores in American Hockey League, while was playing with Iowa Wild against Chicago Wolves.
ECHL
Norfolk Admirals Professional Hockey Club announced Rod Taylor is leaving his position as head coach of the Norfolk Admirals. The Admirals have named assistant coach Jeff Carr as head coach effective immediately. Carr, 38, becomes the 13th head coach in Norfolk Admirals history. Before being named Norfolk's assistant coach on August 11, the Wisconsin native was the bench boss for the SPHL's Knoxville Ice Bears. Carr was named the 2021-22 SPHL Coach of the Year after leading the Ice Bears to a 42-10-8 record, which was the franchise's first regular season title since 2009.
ECHL Plays of the Week
ECHL Saves of the Week
North American Hockey League
The top plays in the NAHL from October 31 - November 6, 2022
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Top 5 - Week 7
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The New York Riptide announced that the team has signed a multi-year lease extension with Nassau Coliseum. The news reaffirms the team's commitment to Long Island as the building's main tenant and will keep the team in Nassau County for the foreseeable future. "Our organization is proud to continue our long-term commitment to Long Island, and specifically the growth of the game at the grassroots level," GF Sports and Entertainment Vice President Rich Lisk said. "Nassau Coliseum gives us the best opportunity to play championship lacrosse, grow the local community, and be an outstanding source of fan entertainment so we are thrilled to continue our relationship with them. ¬Â
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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- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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