Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
June 13, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
This past week superstar Lionel Messi announced he will sign with Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF, the XFL and Vegas Vipers Head Coach Rod Woodson agreed to mutually part ways, and the ECHL Florida Everblades won their third Kelly Cup Championship. Highlights from this week come from Major League Soccer, the National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, XFL, United States Football League, Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League, ECHL, American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Premier Lacrosse League, Pacific Coast League, South Atlantic League, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, and American Ultimate Disc League.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
MLS Statement on Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami CF
We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer this summer. Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.
MLS Countdown breaks down the historic significance of Lionel Messi potentially joining Inter Miami CF.
The Futbol Americas duo of Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez discuss how Major League Soccer will maximise Lionel Messi's impact long term. The guys talk about David Beckham's impact on MLS and discuss what success would look like for Inter Miami with Lionel Messi.
World Cup winning Argentina forward Lionel Messi has told two Spanish newspapers that he will join MLS team Inter Miami, turning down a return to his former club Barcelona and a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia. National soccer writer for The Athletic, Paul Tenorio, joins News NOW to explain why Messi could have chosen Miami as his next club and what impact he could have on MLS.
National Women's Soccer League
Sydney Leroux returned the field for the first time in 311 days, and scored minutes later for Angel City FC vs the Chicago Red Stars.
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 13 of the 2023 regular season with San Diego Loyal SC forward Ronaldo Damus voted the Championship Player of the Week after scoring a pair of goals after coming on as a halftime substitute in SD Loyal's comeback to earn a 3-3 draw against San Antonio FC at Toyota Field.
United Soccer League One
The United Soccer League confirmed that Brooklyn, N.Y. and North Sixth Group have been awarded a USL League One franchise to begin competing in 2025. he United Soccer League today confirmed that Brooklyn, N.Y. and North Sixth Group have been awarded a USL League One franchise to begin competing in 2025. "With world-renowned arts, food, music and nightlife, a tremendous mix of cultures among more than 2.6 million residents, and immense local pride, Brooklyn is the perfect home for a professional USL club," USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis said. "Brooklyn is a globally recognized home for what's cool now and what's going to be cool next," Papadakis added. "We believe that Brooklyn's USL club will become a leading soccer brand not only in the United States but also around the world. We look forward to working together with the club and the passionate soccer fans of Brooklyn as we continue to shape the future of soccer in America."
The attacker from Dakar with a brace - Lexington SC - Ates Diouf - USL League One Player of the Week
FOOTBALL
XFL
The XFL announced that the League and Vegas Vipers head coach Rod Woodson have mutually agreed to part ways. "We want to thank Rod for his hard work and commitment to the Vipers and the League last season," said XFL President Russ Brandon. "During Rod's time with the team, the players had an incredible opportunity to learn and benefit from his experience. He left an indelible mark on all the coaches, staff, and players. We wish Rod and his family all the best in their future pursuits". The League will begin the search process immediately and provide information at the appropriate time.
United States Football League
USFL Top 10 plays from week 9
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week - Week 1
Indoor Football League
Plays of the Week 12
National Arena League
Orlando Predators starting quarterback Jonathan Bane suffered a neck injury in Friday night's Predators-Empire game. The injury occurred during early fourth quarter action as Predators Jonathan Bane was scrambling to his right and subsequently was pushed into the sideline barrier. The medical staff immediately tended to him on the field. He was sent via ambulance to a local hospital for treatment where he has been in stable condition. It has been reported that Jonathan Bane has feeling in all of his extremities, and he has been awake and speaking with family, coaches, players and close friends. This morning, we received an update that Jonathan has gone into surgery for his neck, and no further information is available at this time.
HOCKEY
ECHL
For the Florida Everblades organization, the mantra throughout the 2022-23 season has been #RunItBack. That is exactly what the Everblades did. For the Florida Everblades organization, the mantra throughout the 2022-23 season has been #RunItBack. On Friday night, that is exactly what the Everblades did. A 4-3 victory over the Idaho Steelheads before a Hertz Arena record crowd of 7,855 fans closed out a four-game sweep of the Kelly Cup Finals as the Everblades became the fifth team to win back-to-back ECHL Kelly/Riley Cups, while also securing the league's ultimate prize for the third time in the organization's 25-year history. While three other organizations also have won three Kelly Cups, no team has won more. The 4-0 series victory was the third sweep ever in the ECHL's 35-year history.
Everblades win second consecutive ECHL championship
American Hockey League
Highlights from Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Hershey Bears. The Firebirds defeated the Hershey Bears in game two of the Calder Cup Finals by the final score of 4-0. Backed by Joey Daccord's second straight shutout, the Firebirds scored four times in the second period to earn a 2-0 series lead in the Calder Cup Finals.
Western Hockey League
Former Kelowna Rockets coach Ryan Huska was hired as the new head coach of the Calgary Flames. Huska, 47, becomes the first former member of the Rockets coaching staff to be named an NHL head coach. He spent 12 seasons with the Rockets; five as an assistant between 2002 and 2007 and seven as the head coach from 2007 to 2014. He helped Kelowna capture the 2004 Memorial Cup and WHL titles in 2003, 2005 and 2009.
Check out some of Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard's best work from the 2022-23 WHL season.
Ontario Hockey League
Ottawa 67's forward Luca Pinelli follows in the footsteps of his older brother Francesco, entering the NHL Draft off an impressive sophomore season in the nation's capital.
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League (USHL), in conjunction with Member Clubs, has announced its schedule for the 2023-34 season. The season will consist of 62 games for each team in a cross-conference schedule, returning to the same format last used in the 2019-20 season. Preseason matchups for the upcoming season will be released at a later date. The 29-week regular season is scheduled to begin in September and comes to a close on Saturday, April 13, 2024. "The United States Hockey League is really excited about the 2023-2024 regular season schedule that was released earlier today," said USHL President and Commissioner Bill Robertson. "The race to the Anderson Cup will be a challenge in both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference and we cannot wait to get the season underway with the outstanding talent this league provides night-in and night-out."
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
TOP 10 PLAYS FROM 2023 ALBANY
National Lacrosse League
Toronto Rock forward Dan Dawson has announced his retirement from the National Lacrosse League after 21 seasons that have surely earned him a spot on the league's Hall of Fame. The three-time NLL Champion will now move into a new role with the Toronto Rock as the team's Director of Player Development. "My time has come to an end, and I couldn't be more thankful for my time in this league and this game," said Dawson. "It's my body and my family that are telling me I need to be home. I can't perform at the level I'm accustomed to, and everyone expects from me at my age. Given everything that's going on in my life, my energy and my efforts need to be redirected to the people that have supported me for over 20 years. And that's the main reason why I'm shutting it down. "In the off season was the first time I thought about (retiring) and then heading into this season I knew it was going to be my last and it just felt right. It's so funny when you talk to people that have done this and exited the game or a career after an extended period of time, they always say, you know. You know when it's your time. It just felt right. I know it's the right time."
BASEBALL
Minor League Baseball
Pacific Coast League
Los Angeles Angels prospect Michael Stefanic bashes a homer for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on June 7, 2023 to extend his on-base streak to 61 games.
South Atlantic League
The High-A Rome Braves complete a no-hitter on June 7, 2023.
New York Mets prospect Kevin Parada delivers a walk-off knock for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones on June 7, 2023.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
Macklemore and Megan Rapinoe are two of the people that honored Sue Bird during the Seattle Storm's ceremony to retire Bird's jersey.
Best of WNBA Week 2
WNBA investigating after Brittney Griner reportedly harassed at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport
NBA G League
Pre-Draft Journey: Ignite Mojave King
Pre-Draft Journey: Ignite Sidy Cissoko
Canadian Elite Basketball League
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Gestev, a subsidiary of Quebecor Sports and Entertainment Group, announced that the Videotron Centre will host the CEBL Clash on Saturday, August 26. The game will be an East vs. West showdown between the league's top players following the conclusion of the 2023 CEBL season. "Québec City is a Canadian hotbed for basketball talent, and we look forward to partnering with Gestev to bring the CEBL Clash to the city," said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. "It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our league's biggest stars at a first-class facility like the Videotron Centre and to continue elevating the fast-growing Québécois basketball community."
OTHER SPORTS
American Ultimate Disc League
The TOP 10 plays from Week 6 of the 2023 AUDL season!
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
XFL Stories from June 13, 2023
- XFL Partners with Nick Novak to Run Specialist Showcase - XFL
- 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.
