Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
August 1, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
This past week Washington Spirit midfield Chloe Ricketts became the youngest player in the National Women's Soccer League to score a goal at the age of 16, the NBA G League's Long Island Nets named Mfon Udofia their new head coach, and the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers named Jussi Ahokas the 25th head coach in franchise history. Highlights from this week come from the National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, 3ICE, Canadian Football League, XFL, International League, Northwest League, South Atlantic League, American Ultimate Disc League and the Eastern League.
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
Chloe Ricketts becomes the youngest player in NWSL history to score a goal + Behind the scenes. With the goal, Ricketts became the youngest goal scorer in NWSL history, passing Portland's Olivia Moultrie.
On SC Featured, Trinity Rodman has embraced her last name as she forges her own path in the sports world.
2023 National Soccer Day
The North Carolina Courage announce the signing of 17-year-old U.S. Youth National Team star midfielder, Riley Jackson, to a multiyear, guaranteed contract through the 2025 NWSL season with an option for 2026. Jackson, who turns 18 this coming December, will forgo her NCAA eligibility and signs her first professional contract via the NWSL's U18 entry mechanism. She chose the path to select the professional training environment that best fits her goals of becoming a top player in the world. Jackson participated in training sessions with the Courage in the summer of 2022 and 2023 before opting to sign fulltime with the club.
Major League Soccer
From silky dribbles that left defenders in knots to audacious nutmegs that earned applause from all corners of the stadium, this compilation brings you the finest displays of skill and flair from the month of July.
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 20 of the 2023 regular season with Miami FC forward Ryan Telfer voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after scoring the decisive goal and producing a strong all-around display in his side's 1-0 victory against San Antonio FC at Toyota Field on Saturday night.
United Soccer League One
The Greenville Triumph is represented by offensive and defensive standouts in this week's USL League One Team of the Week. Forward, Leo Castro and center back, Brandon Fricke are among the top 11 players across the division after Greenville completed a challenging two-match week.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
The Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, have named Mfon Udofia as the seventh head coach in franchise history. Udofia (moo-FON you-DOE-fee-uh) joins Long Island after spending the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach with the Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League. Prior to his stint with the Clippers, he spent one season (2021-22) as an assistant coach with the Capital City Go-Go, two seasons (2019-21) as an assistant coach with the College Park Skyhawks and one season (2018-19) as an assistant coach with the Erie BayHawks.
Top 20 Dunks Of The 2022-23 Season
Women's National Basketball Association
Watch as Sabrina Ionescu posts 12s across the board to secure her fourth career triple double in her revenge game against the Seattle Storm to help the New York Liberty to a 86-82 victory.
Brittney Griner takes break from WNBA to focus on mental health.
BIG3
BIG3 Miami 2023
HOCKEY
Ontario Hockey League
The Kitchener Rangers announced that Finland-native Jussi Ahokas (pronounced you-see, uh-ho-kus) has been named the 25th head coach in franchise history. Ahokas, 42, comes to Kitchener with 20 consecutive years of head coaching experience and is today known as one of the most decorated bench-bosses in European professional hockey, being named the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs' (EHC) 2019-20 Coach of the Year across Europe's top professional hockey leagues spanning Germany (Deutsche Eishockey Liga - DEL), Finland (Finnish Elite League - Liiga), Sweden (Swedish Hockey League - SHL), and Switzerland (National League - NL).
Sean Furfaro talks with newly-named Kitchener Rangers coach, Jussi Ahokas.
The Mississauga Steelheads announced that the team's Head Coach and General Manager, James Richmond, has been signed to a five-year contract extension, carrying through to the 2029-30 season. Richmond's time in Mississauga has been nothing short of excellent, posting an overall record of 194-164-24-18. In his first season as Head Coach, he took the Steelheads all the way to the OHL Finals after securing the Eastern Conference Championship. His leadership on and off the ice earned him the Coach of the Year title in the 2021-22 season, which saw the Steelheads win a franchise record 37 games and reach the second round of the playoffs. This past season, Richmond helped the team secure their future by trading for three former first round picks in Angus MacDonell, Porter Martone, and Jack Van Volsen, several other key lineup pieces, and numerous draft picks.
Federal Prospect Hockey League
Hold on to your hats, sports enthusiasts! Wytheville is about to get a major adrenaline boost as we proudly announce the arrival of a thrilling new professional hockey team, the Blue Ridge Bobcats, owned by the dynamic duo of Barry Soskin and Chris Bryniarski. This power-packed team is ready to dominate the ice and take the town by storm!
Western Hockey League
We caught up with Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Sawyer Mynio after he was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft
3ICE
2023, Week 5 - 3ICE in 3 Minutes
2023 Week 5 - Beard Guyz Bearded Performer of the Night: Evan Cowley
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
Recapping a thrilling Touchdown Atlantic 2023 between the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia from the unique perspective of our CFL sideline cameras
Plays of the Week
XFL
The XFL has announced that St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle Kevin Atkins has signed a contract with the New York Giants of the National Football League. Atkins becomes the 33rd XFL player to sign an NFL contract this offseason, joining seven other Battlehawks teammates who have been signed since May 15. Tied for second in the XFL with a pair of fumble recoveries, Atkins also had a sack to go with 14 tackles in 10 games for St. Louis.
XFL CEO/President Russ Brandon issued the following statement today regarding the potential impact of renovations at TDECU Stadium on the 2024 Houston Roughnecks home game schedule: "The XFL is working with the University of Houston to determine the availability of TDECU Stadium for our games in 2024 as the building undergoes renovations. If we determine that the stadium is unavailable to accommodate our home dates, we will find a new home in the area for the coming season. The XFL loves Houston, and the Roughneck Nation loves the XFL. We aren't going anywhere!
The 2023 XFL Combine Live Stream featured an interview with D.C. Defenders' Head Coach Reggie Barlow. Hosts Sam Acho and Defenders Defensive Back K.J. Sails caught up with Coach Barlow to discuss the XFL Combine, the 2023 XFL season and how he spells LOVE!
BASEBALL
International League
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Josh Palacios hits a 466-foot walk-off home run for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.
Northwest League
The High-A Vancouver Canadians were held hitless by the Everett AquaSox until Michael Turconi's two-run, walk-off single in the 12th inning
South Atlantic League
Baltimore Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo doubles twice and triples for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The Halifax Thunderbirds announced that the team has agreed to a three-year extension with forward Cody Jamieson. "As we have said for years, He is the heartbeat of this team. When he goes, we go," Thunderbirds Owner and General Manager Curt Styres said. "Cody's game elevates at the biggest moments and that is what separates him from the rest. Our Captain is returning to the Nest and we couldn't be happier. ¬Â Jamieson, 36, has spent his entire 12-year career as a member of the Thunderbirds organization after being selected first overall in the 2010 NLL Draft.
OTHER SPORTS
Pro Volleyball Federation
The Grand Rapids Rise announced the hiring of Bill Walton as associate head coach for the Pro Volleyball Federation franchise. Walton joins the Rise after serving as head coach for the Texas Tornados, a club volleyball team, from 2018-22. He spent 24 seasons as head coach at the University of Houston from 1986-2009, totaling a 458-319 record (0.589) with 14 20-win campaigns. Walton had the fourth-longest tenure of any head coach in the history of Houston's athletic program, leading the Cougars to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and winning the 1990 National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
The Columbus Fury named sports industry veteran and former Columbus Blue Jackets senior executive Dr. David Paitson as its Chief Executive Officer bringing the accomplished sports executive back to Columbus to oversee the establishment of the new Pro Volleyball Federation franchise. Dr. Paitson will oversee all aspects of the Fury's business and volleyball operations, marking the seventh start-up he has been a part of in the sports space. Dr. Paitson, who served as both Vice President of Marketing and Vice President of Ticket Sales during his more than ten years with the Blue Jackets, was also the President and General Manager of the beloved Columbus Chill.
Major League Rugby
Major League Rugby announced the 2023 Expansion Draft to grow the roster of its newest club, the Miami Sharks. Expansion Drafts allow new clubs to acquire current MLR players as they prepare for their inaugural season. Current league members made a minimum of five players available to Miami to build the team's initial roster. The Sharks are obligated to match or better a selected player's current contract terms during negotiations. No player is under obligation to accept an offer from Miami.
American Ultimate Disc League
The TOP 10 plays from the final weekend of the 2023 regular season!
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 1, 2023
- KC Live! in KC Power & Light District to Host U.S. Women's National Team Watch Party for Round of 16 Sunday, August - Kansas City Current
- Naomi Girma Named Bud Light Woman of the Match in USA's 0-0 Draw against Portugal - San Diego Wave FC
- 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.
