Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on July 11, 2023 under Major League Rugby (MLR)
This past week the New England Free Jacks won their first Major League Rugby Championship, Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC set a Major League Soccer attendance record of 82,110 fans at the Rose Bowl, the XFL's Las Vegas Vipers named Dr. Anthony Blevins their new head coach, and National Women's Soccer League forward Megan Rapinoe of OL Reign announced her retirement at the end of the season. Highlights from this week come from Major League Rugby, the American Ultimate Disc League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, Canadian Premier League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, XFL, Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Western Hockey League, 3ICE, Midwest League, International League, Texas League, Women's National Basketball Association and NBA G League.
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
Major League Rugby (MLR) crowned New England victorious in the quest for the 2023 Championship Shield, as the Free Jacks defeated the San Diego Legion 25-24 in MLR's Championship Final. New England overcame a 13-17 halftime deficit and took a one-point lead with two minutes left on the clock after Le Roux Malan's second try of the match. The No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences, New England entered the match on an 11-game winning streak, while San Diego arrived having won a league-record 14 in a row. "The league extends its congratulations to the Free Jacks' athletes, coaches, front office, and city of New England for taking home their first-ever MLR Championship Shield," said MLR CEO Nic Benson. "We are thrilled to see the Free Jacks' hard work throughout the season culminate with a win at the 2023 Championship Final and lifting the MLR Shield for the first time."
New England Free Jacks defeat San Diego Legion in their first-ever MLR Championship at SeatGeek Stadium.
American Ultimate Disc League
The TOP 10 plays from Week 10 of the 2023 AUDL season!
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
The LA Galaxy's Fourth of July match against LAFC at the Rose Bowl Stadium set a new MLS standalone attendance record with a sold-out crowd of 82,110 fans. The previous standalone attendance record was set on March 5, 2022, when the Galaxy squared off against Charlotte FC before 74,479 fans at Bank of America Stadium.
Tyler Boyd's Curling Golazo Lights up Rose Bowl's El Trafico Showdown
Masterclass in MLS: Highlighting June's Best Skills
National Women's Soccer League
OL Reign forward and club original Megan Rapinoe today announced that following the conclusion of the 2023 NWSL season, she will retire from professional soccer. OL Reign will commemorate Rapinoe's illustrious career at its final match of the regular season at Lumen Field on October 6 against the Washington Spirit. Rapinoe, an 11-year veteran of the league, has been an integral part in shaping OL Reign's identity on and off the field. The international star joined the Reign during the league's inaugural season in 2013 and has remained with the team ever since. She currently holds the club record for most career goals scored (48) and assists (25) and ranks fourth all-time in regular season appearances (109) for the Reign. Rapinoe's impressive career includes three seasons in the WPS from 2009-2011, as well as a season with Olympique Lyonnais in France from 2013-2014.
US Women's National Team and OL Reign star Megan Rapinoe announced that the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be her last and 2023 will also be her last season playing professional soccer.
Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith June Player of the Month
The National Women's Soccer League announced today that Washington Spirit midfielder Paige Metayer has been named Rookie of the Month.
Canadian Premier League
Saves of the Month
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 17 of the 2023 regular season with FC Tulsa forward Phillip Goodrum voted the Championship Player of the Week after rallying his side to victory with two goals and one assist in a thrilling 3-2 win against Detroit City FC on Friday night.
United Soccer League One
USL League One announced the Team of the Week for Week 16 of the 2023 regular season with North Carolina FC forward Oalex Anderson voted the League One Player of the Wee
FOOTBALL
XFL
The XFL announced that Dr. Anthony Blevins has been named head coach of the Vegas Vipers. Blevins joins the XFL from his position as assistant special teams coordinator with the New York Giants. Last season with the Giants, Blevins served as the assistant special teams coach. In 2021, he was also an assistant linebackers coach; in 2020, he was the team's assistant defensive backs coach. He was the assistant special teams coach in his first two seasons with the Giants (2018-19). "I'm honored to be named head coach of the Vipers," said Blevins. "I watched the XFL last season, and I was incredibly impressed by the action on the field and the coaching on the sidelines. I'm looking forward to taking the next step in my career, and this a great opportunity to share my knowledge and experience while getting the most out of players on the field for the fans in the stands and watching at home."
The XFL announced that Josh Cella has joined the League as Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing the XFL's league and team sponsorship, advertising and consumer product businesses. "Josh's experience in bringing IP, traditional media and social content together will evolve and strengthen the relationships we are building in the marketplace," said Russ Brandon, President of the XFL. "He will play a key role in driving revenue growth and carrying out the League's strategic vision. We are excited to bring him on board as we gear up for the 2024 season." Cella joins from Comcast Spectacor's Gaming division, where he was Chief Revenue Officer over a portfolio of businesses in gaming, esports and media.
Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci's FULL XFL Season Highlights. He signed with the NFL Denver Broncos.
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week
Plays of the Week 16
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced that Aaron Schneekloth has been named head coach of the organization's American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Schneekloth has spent the last 10 years on the Eagles' coaching staff, which included a pair of championship seasons as the team's head coach while the Eagles were Colorado's ECHL affiliate. He led the Eagles to back-to-back Kelly Cup titles in 2016-17 and 2017-18, posting a 95-38-11 (.698) combined regular-season record followed by a 32-12 playoff mark. The Calgary, Alberta, native finished runner-up for ECHL Coach of the Year in both campaigns.
Aaron Schneekloth Returns To The Helm
ECHL
The Cincinnati Cyclones, in conjunction with the National Hockey League's (NHL) New York Rangers, have announced a new affiliation agreement. The Cyclones had spent the previous six seasons as the affiliate for the Buffalo Sabres, while the Rangers had been affiliated with the ECHL's Jacksonville IceMen since 2021. "We're elated and honored to be entering an affiliation with the New York Rangers," said Cyclones Team President Ray Harris. "The Rangers bring with them a deep tradition of excellence on and off the ice. Our teams are united and share the common goal of developing players within a winning culture. We know this is the right move for our organization to help return a championship back to Cincinnati."
Cyclones, New York Rangers announce new affiliation agreement
Southern Professional Hockey League
The Fayetteville Marksmen, proud members of the Southern Professional Hockey League, have signed Ryan Cruthers as the director of hockey operations and seventh head coach in team history. Cruthers, 39, from Farmingdale, N.Y., served last season as the assistant coach for the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede. "I'm excited to be a member of this new Marksmen family and take it to new heights," said Cruthers.
Western Hockey League
From June 23 to 25, 2023, The Western Hockey League held its 2023 High Performance Officiating Exposure Camp to enhance the development and performance level of top officiating prospects across Western Canada and the United States.
United States Hockey League
Youngstown Phantoms President Andrew Goldman has been named the 2022-23 Dave Tyler United States Hockey League Executive of the Year. Named President of the Phantoms in 2018, Goldman helped lead Youngstown to its first Clark Cup Championship in 2022-23. Named President of the Phantoms in 2018, Goldman helped lead Youngstown to its first Clark Cup Championship in 2022-23.
North American Hockey League
It did not take long for the Minnesota Wilderness to fill its coaching vacancy. The NAHL franchise announced Colten St. Clair as the sixth head coach in team history. His hiring comes just one week after Brett Skinner departed to lead the coaching staff of the Fargo Force of the USHL. The 30-year-old St. Clair has spent the last two seasons as associate head coach of the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers. In his first season with Sioux City, he helped guide the team to a Clark Cup championship. Before the start of the 2022-23 campaign, the role of assistant general manager was added to his duties.
3ICE
2023 Week 2 Goals of the Night
BASEBALL
Midwest League
At 9 AM this morning, Frankie Scalzo Jr. was coaching young ballplayers at the Meijer Baseball Academy at Four Winds Field. At 9 PM, he was closing out a no-hitter. July 6, 2023 could certainly look down the road as the turnaround for the South Bend Cubs. After a challenging last two weeks, the Cubs finished off Thursday night with the 10th no-hitter in franchise history, and the 4th as the South Bend Cubs. In a 4-0 final over the Peoria Chiefs, South Bend's no-no was combined between Michael Arias, Jarod Wright, Eduarniel Nunez, and Scalzo Jr.
Frankie Scalzo Jr. strikes out the final batter of the game to cap High-A South Bend's four-pitcher no-hitter.
After the magical no-hitter, Brendan King spoke with the man who finished it off the mound, Frankie Scalzo Jr.
International League
Philadelphia Phillies prospect John Hicks cracks a walk-off homer for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Texas League
Arizona Diamondbacks prospect A.J. Vukovich hits three homers for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles
Prospect League
Danville Dans manager Eric Coleman recorded a milestone 300th victory as skipper of the Dans on Saturday night with a 12-4 win at the Alton River Dragons. Coleman has been manager of the Dans since the 2014 season. Coleman's overall record with the Dans is 300-216 for a .581 winning percentage. He has led the team to post-season action in seven of his nine seasons, including 2023 by virtue of the team winning the first-half title in the Wabash River Division.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner rises up then dunks the ball for the first time this season.
Kelsey Plum records a career-high 40 PTS on 14-18 FG, including 6-9 3PM, as the Las Vegas Aces top the Minnesota Lynx, 113-89. This is also the first 40-point game in Utah/SA/LV franchise history.
Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun earns Kia Player of the Month honors for June after averaging 14.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 9.3 APG
A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces earns Kia Player of the Month honors for June after averaging 19.5 PPG, 8.9 RBP, and 2.2 BPG
NBA G League
You may know Jordan Bowden as a force on the court for the Long Island Nets but when the final buzzer sounds, he is so much more. American Express gives us an inside look into the life of a baller, business owner, husband, and girl-dad Jordan Bowden as he chases his NBA Dreams.
Canadian Elite Basketball League
The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced that they have relieved Dean Demopoulos of his duties as the team's head coach. Assistant coach Tanner Massey has been named head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. Demopoulos departs with a record of 16-18 since he was appointed to the role prior to the 2022 campaign. Demopoulos led Saskatchewan to a play-in game in the 2022 CEBL postseason thanks to a league-fifth regular season record (11-9). The team then went on to secure a quarterfinal berth after beating two-time CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK. The Rattlers also held a league-best home record, 8-2, in 2022.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Major League Rugby Stories from July 11, 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.
