Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on February 28, 2023 under Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)
This past week CFL free agent quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson signed with the United States Football League's New Orleans Breakers, St. Louis SC won its inaugural game as Major League Soccer started the 2023 season, and Chrome LC grabbed the title in the Inaugural Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series. Highlights from this week come from the XFL, Major League Soccer, Premier Lacrosse League, National Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Premier Hockey Federation, NBA G League and American Ultimate Disc League.
FOOTBALL
United States Football League
CFL free agent quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson announced on social media he'll play with the USFL's New Orleans Breakers in 2023.
From his Instagram page: "My amazing partner Chinaka, daughter Aziza and my whole family have given me space to partake in the insanity it requires pursue perfection. It is time I stay closer to home and chase my dream with family by my side."
He added, "I love the CFL and hold it in the highest regard. Playing in the states this year allows family and football to overlap and I could not pass up on that opportunity."
Bethel-Thompson threw for a CFL-and-career-high 4,731 yards last season with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with the Toronto Argonauts, leading them to a Grey Cup Championship.
Here are the first round selections in the 2023 USFL Draft. The Michigan Panthers selected Michigan State offensive tackle Jarrett Horst with the first pick.
XFL
Game winning kick for St. Louis Battlehawks kicker Donny Hageman in their 20-18 victory over the Seattle Sea Dragons.
Battlehawks quarterback A.J McCarron "I love playing. This is special and I can't thank the XFL enough."
Inside the Command Center: New XFL Rules with Dean Blandino
Canadian Football League
The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today the team has re-signed Canadian LB Henoc Muamba. Muamba, 33, is back for this third season in Toronto after becoming only the second player ever to win the Grey Cup's Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian awards. The 6'0, 230lb linebacker had three tackles and a crucial fourth quarter interception with just over three minutes remaining to help the Boatmen lift their record 18th Grey Cup in late November.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
In their 2023 MLS debut, St. Louis CITY SC clawed from behind to earn a huge 3-2 win over Austin FC behind goals from Tim Parker, Jared Stroud and João Klauss. Klauss who was very active throughout the game, latched on to Niko Gioacchini's pass before beating the defender and slotting the ball in the back of the net with the outside of his foot. Miguel Perez, CITY SC's 17-year-old homegrown player also made his debut for St. Louis.
Here are the highlights.
National Women's Soccer League
NJ/NY Gotham FC announced the signing of midfielder/forward Yazmeen Ryan to a new three-year contract with one option year. Acquired as a part of a three-way trade in January with Angel City FC and Portland Thorns FC, Ryan is a vital part of Gotham FC's bold new vision for 2023 and beyond. "I signed long-term because this is going to be an exciting process for Gotham FC and I want to be here every step of the way," said Ryan. "I believe I fit perfectly with our club because I perform my best when my back is against the wall. I'm excited to be here as the vision for Gotham FC comes to life. It also means a lot that the club has shown their belief in me and wanted me in New York-New Jersey for many years to come. It's extremely motivating and I'm really excited to go on this journey with Gotham FC."
Major Arena Soccer League
The Major Arena Soccer League announced that an expansion Guadalajara team will be joining the current 14-team league this coming fall, pending a vote of league owners. Commissioner Keith Tozer has spent the last two days in Guadalajara, Mex. talking to community leaders and touring the proposed stadium, Domo Code Jalisco. "Guadalajara is a wonderful city with a storied history and a deep love for the game of soccer," said Tozer. "We look forward to continuing to work with team management and city leaders to bring the MASL to a brand-new market."
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
The Chromeback is complete, and it comes with champagne. Dylan Molloy posted seven points, netting one goal and three two-bombs in Chrome's narrow 24-23 victory over Atlas in the Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series finale at The St. James in Springfield, Va. on Sunday. With 5:15 left to play, Molloy met net for two points to tie the game at 20. He scored again 30 seconds later to give Chrome its first lead of the day. Two more goals from Colin Heacock and Gibson Smith IV set Chrome on a six-point run and three-point lead. Atlas attacker Jake Carraway stopped the bleeding, scoring back-to-back goals to tie the game at 23 with under two minutes to play. Chrome midfielder Justin Anderson stole the lead back near the one-minute mark and Chrome ran the clock down to victory. With the win, the third-seeded Chrome claimed the first-ever Championship Series Cup and the $120,000 prize purse. It is the cub's first championship of any kind since the inception of the PLL in 2019.
Here are the highlights
National Lacrosse League
Panther City Goaltender Nick Damude scores his second career NLL goal!
Kyle Killen scores a hat trick as Vancouver wins on the road
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Lauri Pajuniemi scored his first career hat trick to help capture the win for the Hartford Wolf Pack
ECHL
Plays of the Week
North American Hockey League
Top Plays of the Week - February 13-19, 2023
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10
OHL Plays of the Week
Premier Hockey Federation
PHF Week Thirteen Highlights
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
A career-high night for South Bay Lakers Cole Swider as He Finished With 37 PTS and 10 REB vs. Iowa Wolves
Women's National Basketball Association
The WNBA Draft 2023 presented by State Farm will be held on Monday, April 10. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN with exclusive coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The draft will also be available live on the ESPN App. Top prospects will take part live as the WNBA Draft presented by State Farm returns to the acclaimed Spring Studios New York, located in the Tribeca section of Manhattan and the home to such iconic events as Fashion Week and The Tribeca Film Festival.
The Los Angeles Sparks announced the re-signing of forward Chiney Ogwumike. The two-time WNBA All-Star enters her seventh season in the league and fourth with Los Angeles. "Chiney is a key returning veteran for the Sparks," said Sparks CAO & GM Karen Bryant. "We are grateful to have her continued leadership and frontcourt presence on our team."
The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury have re-signed center Brittney Griner. Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman: "It's a great day for all of us to announce that Brittney Griner has officially signed to play for the Mercury in 2023. We missed BG every day that she was gone and, while basketball was not our primary concern, her presence on the floor, in our locker room, around our organization, and within our community was greatly missed. We will continue to use the resources of our organization to support her, on and off the floor, and we are thrilled for her that she gets to return to basketball, which she loves so dearly. This is a special signing and today is a special day for all of us."
The Los Angeles Sparks learned that forward Stephanie Talbot suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament while playing overseas for the Adelaide Lightning and will miss the 2023 WNBA season.
BASEBALL
Texas League
Second-year manager Joe Thon takes over the reigns as Corpus Christi Hooks field chief in 2023. The ninth manager in 18 seasons of Hooks Baseball, Thon was also Fayetteville's development coach in 2021. His tenure with the Astros includes a 2019 business internship. I'm very excited about the upcoming season," Joe Thon said by phone from West Palm Beach, Fla. "Our staff and I understand this is a big responsibility to get the guys ready to contribute at the big-league level. We've known a lot of these players as rookies and it's nice to see how they have matured and developed. It will be a bit surreal to be back in the Texas League. It's been since 2017 but Whataburger Field was a fun place to play then, and I know we'll have some fun this year."
South Atlantic League
The Wilmington Blue Rocks announced today that the team's assistant general manager, Liz Welch, has been promoted to General Manager. In this capacity, she will oversee the day-to-day operations of the club while continuing to grow the game of baseball in the greater Wilmington region and working to enhance the Blue Rocks' long-standing presence within the community. Welch is only the fourth general manager in the team's storied thirty-one-year history and becomes the South Atlantic League's only female general manager.
Appalachian League
Boyd Sports, LLC has announced that Jarrod Bowen will be the General Manager of the Kingsport Axmen. Bowen spent the previous season with the Axmen as Assistant General Manager and as an account executive. A Kingsport native and graduate of Gate City High School, Bowen attended East Tennessee State University, where he graduated in August of 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Sport and Recreation Management.
OTHER SPORTS
American Ultimate Disc League
The DC Breeze have one of the deepest lineups of throwers in the league, and they use that skill to great success by staying in motion and keeping defenses on their toes at all times.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Premier Lacrosse League Stories from February 28, 2023
- 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.
