Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on July 25, 2023 under Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF)
This past week United States Football MVP Alex McGough of the Birmingham Stallions signed with the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego announced it will host the 2023 National Women's Soccer League Championship, and the Pro Volleyball Federation team in Omaha revealed it will be known as the Omaha Supernovas. Highlights from this week come from the United States Football League, Canadian Football League, XFL, Indoor Football League, National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Pro Volleyball Federation, American Ultimate Disc League, Eastern League, Pacific Coast League, Women's National Basketball League, Premier Lacrosse League, Western Hockey League and 3ICE.
FOOTBALL
It didn't take long for the best player in the USFL to find a new opportunity in the National Football League. Two weeks after leading the Birmingham Stallions to a second straight USFL championship, quarterback Alex McGough has signed onto the 90-man roster for the Green Bay Packers after a Tuesday workout, the Packers announced on Wednesday. The Stallions announced on social media that McGough has been released to sign with an NFL team.
United States Football League
USFL MVP Birmingham Stallions quarterback Alex McGough signed with the NFL Green Bay Packers. Here are his top plays from the USFL season.
Check out the top 10 plays from the USFL season
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week
XFL
The Arlington Renegades announced that defensive back Darren Evans has signed an NFL contract with the New York Giants. Evans is the 31st XFL player to sign an NFL contract since the conclusion of the XFL season, and the second Arlington player to do so along with LB Willie Taylor (Jacksonville Jaguars). The Arlington Renegades will retain Evans' rights should he return to the XFL.
Seattle Sea Dragons wide receiver Jahcour Pearson 2023 XFL Highlights
Indoor Football League
Plays of the Week 18
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League announced San Diego Wave FC as the host of the 2023 NWSL Championship, presented by Bud Light. Returning to the west coast for the first time since 2018, the league final will be held at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California on Saturday, November 11. "We're thrilled to have San Diego Wave FC as our host for this season's Championship match," said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. "With top-notch facilities, a passionate soccer community and a favorable coastal climate, San Diego sets the perfect stage for our marquee event. Many thanks to everyone at Wave FC and Snapdragon Stadium for their efforts in making this celebration of our league a reality. We look forward to welcoming fans in November for another exciting season finale. ¬Â
San Diego named host of 2023 NWSL Championship at Snapdragon Stadium
Bay FC, the Bay Area's newest professional women's sports team, announced it will call PayPal Park its initial home stadium when the team plays its inaugural season in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2024. "PayPal Park is a perfect place to start this journey for Bay FC - a team that has truly been a dream and many years in the making right here in the Bay Area," said Aly Wagner, co-founder and co-chair of Bay FC. "This has been one of the top U.S. stadiums for our women's national team to play in and will be a great atmosphere for our very first Bay FC footballers to step into and play before an energized, passionate and intelligent fan base ready to be entertained. ¬Â
NWSL Players read a heartfelt send-off letter before the 2023 World Cup
Major League Soccer
Arsenal F.C. defeated the MLS All-Stars, 5-0, in the 2023 MLS All-Star Game at Audi Field in Washington D.C. Arsenal was led by forward Bukayo Saka, who was named the 2023 MLS All-Star Game MVP in front of an Audi Field-record and sellout crowd of 20,621. MLS is now 9-5-5 vs. international competition in the MLS All-Star Game. This was the second time facing Arsenal F.C., and the first since 2016. In the previous matchup, Arsenal prevailed 2-1 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, with Chuba Akpom earning MVP honors.
Here are the highlights.
Lionel Messi GOLAZO wins it in STOPPAGE TIME on Inter Miami debut!
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 19 of the 2023 regular season with FC Tulsa forward Phillip Goodrum voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording two goals and one assist across a pair of victories that vaulted his side into seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.
United Soccer League One
USL League One announced the Team of the Week for Week 18 of the 2023 regular season with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC defender Arthur Rogers named Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball with his three-assist match in the midst of Northern Colorado's two-win week.
Major Arena Soccer League
The Kansas City Comets bolstered an already-solid defense with the signing of the 2022 MASL Defensive Player of the Year Chad Vandegriffe to a three-year contract. This signing gives the Comets two of the top five MASL career leaders in blocks. Vandegriffe, who will be in his 10th season in the league, tied a career-high with 54 blocks in 24 games last season for the Florida Tropics on his way to being named to the Elite Six team during the post-season award announcements. For his career, Vandegriffe has 240 blocks, placing him second all-time in the MASL.
OTHER SPORTS
Pro Volleyball Federation
In cooperation with the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), Nebraska Pro Volleyball is bringing a women's professional team to Omaha. Today, amongst a sea of players, coaches, dignitaries and leaders throughout the state, the Omaha-based team revealed the team name: Omaha Supernovas. The moniker pays tribute to the amazing night sky found throughout the state and region, the magnitude of splendor of the professional athletes, and the massive, explosive energy of women's volleyball in the United States. "Omaha Supernovas both embodies the players on our team and reflects this historic moment in sports," said Nebraska Pro Volleyball President Diane Mendenhall. "Nationally, there is this huge explosive energy around volleyball, and the PVF allows the best of the best athletes to shine brightly here in the United States. ¬Â
This is our moment in history. The Omaha Supernovas are Nebraska's professional volleyball team!
Pro Volleyball Federation, the premier women's professional volleyball league in North America, has announced the addition of Dallas, Texas, as the home of its newest franchise. The team has been acquired by a Dallas-based investment group led by Wall Street veteran and Mandalorian Capital founder Armand Sadoughi and other Dallas business community leaders, including noted local business lawyers Evan D. Stone and Michel Benitez, Mubina Benitez and Richard Zaleskie. Dallas becomes the first announced team that will begin play in the 2025 Pro Volleyball Federation season. Pro Volleyball Federation's inaugural season will launch in February 2024 with seven teams stretching from coast to coast.
Radio podcast interview with the owners Armand Sadoughi and Evan Stone
Major League Rugby
The Toronto Arrows confirmed today that Peter Smith will not return as Head Coach for the 2024 season. "I'd sincerely like to thank everyone in the Arrows family for an incredible journey over the past five years," said Smith. "It is with sadness that our time here comes to an end, but I know it is the right time to step away and embark upon a new challenge and adventure. ¬Â "To the fans, thank you for your unwavering support and optimism. To staff and players both past and present, thank you for making this team so special."
After the conclusion of the 2023 Major League Rugby season, to kick off the End of Season Awards, here is a closer look at the All-MLR First Team.
American Ultimate Disc League
The TOP 10 plays from Week 12 of the 2023 AUDL season!
BASEBALL
Eastern League
Wikelman Gonzalez, Brendan Cellucci, and Luis Guerrero combine for second no-hitter of the season and seventh in franchise history as the Portland Sea Dogs (15-6, 55-35) defeat the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6-13, 41-46) 6-2 at Hadlock Field. This is the second no-hitter for the Sea Dogs this season. Chih-Jung (CJ) Liu tossed a complete game, 7.0 inning no hitter against the Akron RubberDucks on May 5th. It is also the seventh no-hitter in franchise history. The last 9.0 inning combined no-hitter was April 25, 2019 at Binghamton with Kyle Hart, Daniel McGrath and Adam Lau.
Wikelman Gonzalez, Brendan Cellucci, and Luis Guerrero combined for 2nd no-hitter this year and 7th in franchise history.
Pacific Coast League
Seattle Mariners prospect Cade Marlowe runs down a pop-up and makes a juggling catch for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers
Check out the Top 5 plays from the past week in Minor League Baseball
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
All-Access: WNBA All-Star Weekend
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
TOP 10 PLAYS FROM THE 2023 ALL-STAR GAME
HOCKEY
ECHL
The Iowa Heartlanders, ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, are proud to announce the team has been purchased by Heartlanders Hockey LLC, an Iowa ownership group with local ties led by majority owner Michael Devlin. With a strong commitment to excellence both on and off the ice, Devlin aims to build a winning team and foster a close-knit relationship with the local community and partners. Devlin has several years of history in Iowa and is the lead owner of the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers. In his time with the Buccaneers, Devlin has overseen numerous projects aimed at expanding the Buccaneers' footprint in the Hawkeye State and building strong community relationships.
Western Hockey League
Goaltending Coach Andy Moog has announced his retirement after spending the last seven seasons with the Portland Winterhawks. Moog, 63, was an integral part of the team's success between the pipes since joining the Winterhawks staff prior to the 2016-17 campaign.
We caught up with Buffalo Sabres prospect Zach Benson after he was selected 13th-overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
North American Hockey League
The Austin Bruins and Rochester Grizzlies are pleased to announce the finalization of the sale of both teams to new ownership. Craig Patrick and Mike Cooper have spent more than a decade building these successful organizations, and they are excited to pass the reigns to Brian Raduenz to build on their success. Mr. Patrick stated, "We are grateful for the incredible support over the last 13 seasons, and especially from our amazing fans who traveled this year to Blaine for the Robertson Cup. Mike and I will still be around in an advisory capacity and will join you as dedicated Bruins and Grizzlies fans. ¬Â
3ICE
3ICE in 3 Minutes - 2023, Week 4
2023 Week 4 - Goals of the Night
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Pro Volleyball Federation Stories from July 25, 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.
