Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on March 7, 2023 under National Arena League (NAL)
This past week the the San Diego Seals defeated the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 15-12, in the first-ever Stadium Showdown at Snapdragon Stadium; former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown joined the National Arena League ownership group of the Albany Empire while his father 'Touchdown' Eddie Brown became the team's Vice President; and St. Louis CITY SC became the fourth expansion team in Major League Soccer history to win its first two matches. Highlights from this week come from the National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, National Arena League, XFL, Major League Soccer, 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.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The San Diego Seals came out victorious against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs with a 15-12 win at Snapdragon Stadium in the National Lacrosse League Stadium Showdown. The day was filled with firsts, as it was the first-ever outdoor game in NLL history, and the first time the San Diego Seals played the newest team in the league, the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. The Stadium Showdown was an epic day filled with incredible lacrosse, fanfare, excitement, and perhaps the dawn of a new era in the NLL.
Here are the highlights:
Halifax's Ryan Benesch scored three goals and became the sixth player to reach 500 goals in league history.
Premier Lacrosse League
Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster announced that Team USA gold-medal winning coach, Mike Pressler, has been named head coach and general manager of Atlas Lacrosse Club. One of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, Pressler joins the PLL with 37 years of collegiate coaching experience. Pressler most recently served as head coach at Bryant University, where he led the Bulldogs to six NCAA tournament appearances. He was previously the head coach at Duke University, where he was a three-time ACC Coach of the Year, and the 2005 F. Morris Touchstone National Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Devils to a record 17-win season. Pressler was also named head coach of Team USA, leading the men's national team to a gold medal at the 2010 World Championships.
How the CHROME won the first ever Championship Series
FOOTBALL
National Arena League
The Albany Empire, of the National Arena League (NAL), announced today that former NFL Superstar and Super Bowl LV Champion Antonio Brown is joining the Empire ownership. Additionally, his father and Arena Football legend 'Touchdown' Eddie Brown joins the Empire front office as Vice President. "What we are doing here today is about sustainability and the future, we want to make it so arena football is here in Albany forever" Said Empire owner Mike Kwarta "That's why I'm thrilled to announce that Antonio Brown and his father 'Touchdown' Eddie Brown are coming home to join the Empire. ¬Â
NewsChannel 13's Rodger Wyland interviews Antonio Brown and Eddie Brown. He is the new vice president of football operations for the Albany Empire. However, the headliner is Eddie Brown's better known son, Antonio, who is now a team owner.
XFL
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joins Scott Van Pelt to discuss why he got involved with bringing back the XFL.
Get you a ref who can do it all
On fourth down late in the game, Ben DiNucci throws it deep to Josh Gordon who makes the catch and makes his way into the end zone to score a 65-yard touchdown to give the Sea Dragons a 30-26 win.
St. Louis Battlehawks running back Brian Hill kept his promise on the People's Elbow
Canadian Football League
The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced the signing of American QB Bryan Scott. Scott, 27, played three games for the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL in 2022 after being drafted third overall, completing 70.6% of his passes for 558 yards and five touchdowns. The 6'2, 220lb pivot played for the Generals of The Spring League in 2020, leading the team to a 4-0 record, a league MVP award and the league championship, while being named MVP of the title game after throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced that they have hired Nadia Doucoure as Offensive Quality Control Coach, heading into the 2023 season. Doucoure served as a scout for the REDBLACKS, in 2022, after taking part in the team's Women in Football internship program during training camp. She becomes the second full-time female coach in CFL history, after previously becoming the first female coach in Carleton Ravens history, joining the program in May of 2021.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
St. Louis CITY SC opened CITYPARK in style, earning a come-from behind 3-1 win over Charlotte FC. An own goal by Bill Tuiloma, a penalty from Eduard Löwen and classy finish from striker João Klauss ensured that CITY SC recorded a victory in their first-ever match at CITYPARK. With the win, CITY SC became the fourth expansion team in MLS history to win its first two matches, with the other teams achieving such feat being Chicago Fire in 1998, Seattle Sounders in 2009 and most recently LAFC in 2018.
St. Louis CITY SC took the pitch for the first time at CityPark. The club won their second consecutive game.
National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League, the National Women's Soccer League Players Association and Electronic Arts Inc. announced partnerships as part of EA SPORTS's ongoing commitment to elevate and authentically represent the women's game. "The NWSL's integration into EA SPORTS FIFA 23 is a monumental milestone for the league, the players and millions of football fans around the world as we continue pushing boundaries for the women's game," said Jessica Berman, Commissioner, NWSL.
The Washington Spirit signed 15-year-old midfielder Chloe Ricketts to a three-year contract with an option for 2026, the club announced today. Ricketts, a current high school sophomore, officially becomes the youngest contracted NWSL player ever, passing Portland Thorns FC's Olivia Moultrie. Ricketts will join the NWSL through the league's new Under-18 Entry Mechanism.
NJ-NY Gotham FC announced that U.S. Women's National Team forward and NWSL star Margaret "Midge" Purce has signed a new multi-year contract with the club through 2024 that includes an option for the 2025 NWSL season. Since joining Gotham FC via a trade with the Portland Thorns in 2020, Purce has emerged as a star and invaluable leader. Her breakout NWSL season came in 2021, when she led Gotham FC in scoring with nine goals, finished second in the NWSL's Golden Boot race, was a finalist for NWSL MVP, and was named to the NWSL Best XI. Last season, she scored three goals and contributed three assists in 16 matches.
OL Reign General Manager Nick Perera has informed the club of his plans to depart and pursue new opportunities at the end of this month. "I want to thank Vincent Berthillot, Laura Harvey, the players and staff at OL Reign and take great pride in what we accomplished together last year," said Perera. "I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this club's story and wish continued success to the organization and everyone involved. ¬Â Under Perera's management, the club won the 2022 edition of The Women's Cup and finished first in the NWSL regular season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first time since 2015.
United Soccer League Championship
The United Soccer League again has bolstered its leadership team with today's announcement that veteran soccer executive Jeremy Alumbaugh has been named the organization's Senior Vice President of the USL Championship, a newly formed position. Alumbaugh joins the USL with more than 25 years of experience in the soccer industry - from the youth to professional ranks. A native of Champaign, Illinois, he was previously the Vice President and General Manager of Saint Louis FC in the USL Championship, and most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Chattanooga FC.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The Cleveland Monsters beat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday night 3-2 in overtime at FirstEnergy Stadium in the Cleveland Monsters Outdoor Classic
ECHL
Plays of the Week
North American Hockey League
Top Plays of the Week - February 20-26, 2023
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10
Ontario Hockey League
OHL Plays of the Week
Premier Hockey Federation
PHF Week Fourteen Highlights
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
G League's Top Dunks Of February 2023
BASEBALL
Carolina League
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, the Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, announced Michelle Skinner as the team's new General Manager. Michelle is one of two current female General Managers in the Carolina League. Michelle Skinner comes to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers after 13 seasons with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Frontier League, formerly the MiLB Short Season Affiliate of the Houston Astros. Starting in 2010 as the Administrative Assistant, Skinner held the roles of Fan Development Manager and Community Relations Manager prior to being named the Assistant General Manager in 2015.
Coastal Plain League
The Holly Springs Salamanders of the Coastal Plain League are proud to announce the addition of Sara Killeen to their front office team, making them an all-female staff for the upcoming 2023 baseball season. This historic move for the league demonstrates the Salamanders' commitment to promoting diversity and gender equality in the sports industry. General Manager Shari Massengill, who joined the Salamanders in 2022, will lead the team of talented women, which includes Director of Corporate Partnerships, Amanda Gillis and newly appointed Ticket Sales Manager, Sara Killeen. Massengill has a wealth of experience in sports management, having previously served as the General Manager for Kinston when they were MiLB Single-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians and Assistant General Manager for the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate for the Atlanta Braves.
OTHER SPORTS
American Ultimate Disc League
The San Diego Growlers generate some of the best flow in the constricted space near the end zone, and Daniel Cohen breaks down just how they are so consistent in contested spaces.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
National Arena League Stories from March 7, 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.
