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NWSL National Women's Soccer League

Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
April 25, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)


This past week Dink Pate, at the age of 17, became the youngest known professional basketball player in U.S. history by signing with the NBA's G League Ignite, the National Women's Soccer League's Kansas City Current fired head coach Matt Potter, and the American Hockey League tabbed Calgary Wranglers goaltender Dustin Wolf as the eighth goalie to be named Most Valuable Player. Highlights from this week come from the NBA G League, National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Canadian Premier League, American Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, XFL, United States Football League, Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League and National Lacrosse League.

BASKETBALL

Guard Dink Pate, rated a five-star high school prospect in the Class of 2024 by ESPN, has signed with NBA G League Ignite, General Manager Anthony McClish announced. "I'm extremely excited to join Ignite," Pate said. "The opportunity to develop on and off the court alongside top prospects and veterans is the best route for me in order to accomplish my dreams of playing in the NBA. I wouldn't be here without the support from my family, trainers, coaches and teammates. ‚¬Â

Pate is now the youngest ever American-born professional basketball player.

Dink Pate reclassified from a junior to a senior to graduate early and join the NBA G League Ignite.

Women's National Basketball Association

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and The E.W. Scripps Company have signed a multi-year agreement to televise games on Friday nights during the regular-season on ION, a national entertainment network that reaches every U.S. TV household over-the-air and on all major pay TV and connected TV services. "WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION" will feature WNBA games during two windows on Friday nights over 15 weeks from May 26 to Sept. 8. The Friday night schedule and windows, details of which will be announced at a later date, will include games that will be available nationally as well as games made available on a regional basis.

SOCCER

National Women's Soccer League

The Kansas City Current announced that the club has parted ways with head coach Matt Potter, related to issues around his leadership and employment responsibilities. Assistant Coach Caroline Sjöblom will serve as Interim Head Coach, effective immediately. "We watch the play on the pitch, we keep a pulse on the locker room, and we are constantly evaluating ways to improve our club," said General Manager Camille Ashton. "Through our ongoing process of continuous improvement, we believe now is the right time for this change. ‚¬Â

Utah Royals FC has named World Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time NWSL Champion, iconic USWNT forward and former Utah Royals FC Captain Amy Rodriguez as its Head Coach to lead the Club in its new era. "Returning to Utah is a dream I never knew I had and it is with the utmost humility that I step into this role as your Club's head coach," Rodriguez said. "My time with the Royals is among the greatest years of my professional career. The Utah community fully embraced my family and made this state feel like home for not just myself, but my husband and kids as well. We were devastated to leave and I left feeling like there was still unfinished business on the table. I cannot put into words just how excited I am to get to work and bring Royalty back to this community. ‚¬Â

Interview with Utah Royals Head Coach Amy Rodriguez

Major League Soccer

On Saturday night, Dax McCarty started his 400th Major League Soccer match during Nashville SC's 1-1 draw with LAFC at GEODIS Park.

Nine days before his 36th birthday, the veteran midfielder became just the third outfield player in league history to reach that milestone, joining MLS legends Kyle Beckerman and Chad Marshall in the elusive 400-start club.

Canadian Premier League

More than 20,000 Canadian soccer fans packed Canadian Premier League (CPL) stadiums over opening weekend of the League's milestone fifth season, a 67 per cent increase in attendance compared to 2022.

The first B.C. Derby in Canadian Premier League history took place on as Vancouver FC went to Langford to take on Pacific FC. Here's a recap of all the action at Starlight Stadium, as a new rivalry was born.

United Soccer League Championship

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 5 of the 2023 regular season with Monterey Bay F.C. forward Christian Volesky voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording two goals and one assist in his side's 4-2 victory against New Mexico United on Saturday night at Cardinale Stadium.

A goal, an assist and a derby dub! Pedro Fonseca - USL League One Player of the Week

HOCKEY

American Hockey League

The American Hockey League announced today that goaltender Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Wranglers has been voted the winner of the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL's most valuable player for the 2022-23 season. Wolf becomes just the eighth different goaltender in league history to win MVP honors, following Johnny Bower (1956, '57, '58), Denis DeJordy (1963), Gilles Villemure (1969, '70), Pelle Lindbergh (1981), J.F. Labbe (1997), Martin Brochu (2000) and Jason LaBarbera (2004). And at 22, Wolf is the youngest AHL MVP since Jason Spezzain 2004-05.

The American Hockey League announced that Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Tye Kartyehas been voted the winner of the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Awardas the AHL's outstanding rookie for the 2022-23 season. One of the offensive leaders on a first-year team that ranked second in the AHL with 48 wins and 103 points, Kartye recorded 28 goals and 29 assists to lead all league rookies with 57 points in 2022-23.

Dustin Wolf spoke with Cassandra Vilgrain about winning the Les Cunningham Award as the most valuable player in the AHL in 2022-23.

The deciding goal laid in the hands of Utica Comets Samuel Laberge. Onto the North Division Semifinals

Lucas Carlson sends it home in 2OT and brings Charlotte Checkers fans to their feet!

ECHL

The ECHL announced that Hank Crone of the Allen Americans has been selected as the Warrior Hockey ECHL Most Valuable Player for 2022-23. Crone led the ECHL in the regular season with 49 goals and 105 points, becoming the first rookie to lead the league in scoring since Elmira's Dustin Gazley in 2011-12. Crone led the league with 39 power-play points, while his 16 power-play goals were tops among first-year players and tied for second overall, while 23 power-play assists were tied for sixth overall.

The ECHL announced that Everett Sheen of the Steelheads is the 2022-23 recipient of the John Brophy Award as the league's Coach of the Year. Sheen led the Steelheads to ECHL single-season records with 58 wins and 119 points this season en route to the second Brabham Cup title in team history. Idaho also set a new league mark with 32 home wins and the team's 11 shutouts are tied for second in a single-season all-time. The Steelheads captured the Mountain Division title for the first time since 2015 and the team's 44-point improvement over the 2021-22 season is tied for the eighth-best single-season improvement in ECHL history.

The ECHL announced that Hank Crone of the Allen Americans has been named ECHL Rookie of the Year and the recipient of the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy. The ECHL on Monday announced that Hank Crone of the Allen Americans has been named ECHL Rookie of the Year and the recipient of the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy.

North American Hockey League

Top Plays of the Week - April 10, - April 16, 2023

Western Hockey League

Olen Zellweger, a prospect of the Anaheim Ducks, ties a WHL Playoff record for points in a game by a defenseman with seven points (3G-4A) in a 10-4 win over the Portland Winterhawks of the second round of the 2023 WHL Playoffs.

Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Erie Otters Hockey Club today announced that 15-year-old defenceman Matthew Schaefer of the Halton Hurricanes U16 program will be the first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.

The Ontario Hockey League announced that Dave Cameron of the Ottawa 67's is the recipient of the Matt Leyden Trophy awarded annually to the OHL's Coach of the Year.

FOOTBALL

XFL

Head coach Hines Ward and quarterback Jack Coan discuss the emotions after the San Antonio Brahmas' heartbreaking XFL season-ending loss to the D.C. Defenders in the Alamodome

Police officer Trevon Sanders plays in XFL with Orlando Guardians

United States Football League

Congrats to the 9 USFL Officials that have been selected for the 2023 NFL Season

Quarterback Dakota Prukop shares a special moment with his wife and soon-to-be baby boy after getting the New Jersey Generals their first win of the season.

Canadian Football League

The final Central Scouting Bureau rankings reveal the top 20 draft-eligible Canadians ahead of the CFL Draft on May 2nd.

Indoor Football League

Week V Plays of the Week

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

Buffalo Bandits Chase Fraser rebounds and goes thru the legs for a fantastic finish!

Marshall Powless dives from behind-the-cage and delivers a sweet dunk on the open backside.

Premier Lacrosse League

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster today announced that its 2023 All-Star Weekend will be held at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium at the University of Louisville on July 22, 2023, marking the league's first appearance in Kentucky. "Louisville's deep sports fandom and spirited lacrosse community made the decision to bring our league's All-Stars to Kentucky an easy one," said Mike Rabil, co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League. "We're excited to showcase the best of our players in a new market, and are grateful to Mayor Greenberg, the University of Louisville Athletic Department, and the Louisville Sports Commission for the opportunity to bring pro-lacrosse to Louisville. ‚¬Â

BASEBALL

Top 5 Minor League Plays of the Week

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

Major League Rugby (MLR) announced its third annual Collegiate Draft today, where 39 of the best young rugby players in North America will be selected over three rounds. The MLR Draft will air on Thursday, August 17 at 6:30 PM ET on Fox Sports 2 in the United States and on The Rugby Network for international viewers. "Draft Day is a big, big day," said MLR CEO Nic Benson, "It's the culmination of years and years of work for these athletes on their pathway to Major League Rugby. The MLR Draft is an immeasurable opportunity for the next group of North American rugby players with professional and national team aspirations.

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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National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 25, 2023


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