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USL United Soccer League Championship

Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
August 29, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)


This past week the Enemies won their first Big3 Championship, the Jacksonville Sharks joined the Indoor Football League, United Soccer League Championship's San Diego Loyal SC announced it will fold after this season, and the ECHL's Norfolk Admirals entered an into an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets and their American Hockey League affiliate the Manitoba Moose for the 2023-24 season. Highlights from this week come from the Big3, Women's National Basketball Association, Indoor Football League, Canadian Football League, XFL, United States Football League, United Soccer League Championship, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League One, Major Arena Soccer League, ECHL, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, International League, Texas League, and American Ultimate Disc League.

BASKETBALL

BIG3

The Enemies won their first BIG3 Championship with a 50-43 win over the Triplets at the legendary O2 arena in London. Jordan Crawford led the Enemies in scoring with 23 points.

2023 BIG3 Celebrity Game Highlights - Ft. NLE Choppa, Gillie, Terell Owens & More!

Women's National Basketball Association

Las Vegas star A'ja Wilson records 53 PTS on 16-23 FG in the Aces' 112-100 win against the Atlanta Dream. Wilson ties Liz Cambage for the most points ever scored in a WNBA game.

Best of WNBA: Week 12

Canadian Elite Basketball League

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced that the Montréal Alliance have been awarded the league's 2024 Championship Weekend (CW24), which will include a pair of conference final games Friday, August 9 followed by the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 11. "The CEBL's Championship Weekend has become Canada's biggest annual basketball celebration and an event that not only crowns our champion but celebrates our culture, music, and our basketball communities across the country," said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. "Montreal has embraced its team and our league since day one and has earned the right to have the Alliance host the defining weekend of our season in 2024. ‚¬Â

FOOTBALL

Indoor Football League

The Jacksonville Sharks are proud to announce that the team will be joining the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2024 season. The IFL just finished up its fifteenth consecutive season and currently consists of 14 teams. Some like the Arizona Rattlers, Iowa Barnstormers, and Massachusetts Pirates will be very familiar to Shark fans. "To pick up another historic brand like the Jacksonville Sharks, is one of many reasons to tune into the IFL for 2024," said IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon. "Jacksonville is a first-class organization that will help make everyone better. We are excited to add them to the mix of great IFL franchises as we build for 2024. ‚¬Â The Sharks joined the NAL in its inaugural year of 2017 and since have gone on to win three NAL Championship Titles (2017,2019, and 2023).

Jacksonville Sharks join Indoor Football League (IFL) following NAL title

Canadian Football League

The BC Lions were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of long-time coach and Grey Cup champion Rich Stubler. Stubler first served as Lions defensive coordinator in 2000, when his unit helped pave the way for a Grey Cup championship, before returning in the same role from 2012-13 and once again in 2019. Stubler was also with the Lions as defensive line coach in 2010. A Grey Cup champion with Hamilton (1986), Edmonton (1993), British Columbia (2000), Toronto (2004) and Calgary (2014), Stubler began his CFL coaching career with the Tiger-Cats from 1983-89 and enjoyed successful stops south of the border including with Colorado State (1979-82) and the University of Oregon (1996-97).

CFL Plays of the Week

Tre Ford puts up 391 total yards in Elks first home win in 3 years

XFL

The XFL announced that Arlington Renegades defensive linemen Doug Costin (Las Vegas Raiders) and Tomasi Laulile (Denver Broncos) have signed NFL contracts. To date, 66 NFL contracts have been signed by XFL players since the offseason began on May 15. If the players return to the XFL, they will resume with their former teams.

Seattle Sea Dragons WR Josh Gordon - XFL Highlights

United States Football League

Alex Collins, a running back for the Ravens, Seahawks and USFL's Memphis Showboats has died at age 28. Former NFL and USFL running back Alex Collins, who played five seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, was killed in a motorcycle crash in South Florida, authorities said. He was 28. Collins played five seasons in the NFL between 2016-2018 and 2020-21 with the Ravens and Seahawks. He then played the 2023 USFL season with the Memphis Showboats.

USFL's Best Helmet Cam moments from the 2023 season

SOCCER

United Soccer League Championship

The United Soccer League announced that it will transition the franchise rights held by USL Championship club San Diego Loyal SC's ownership group after a viable near- and long-term stadium solution in the market did not materialize. The club has announced that 2023 will be its last season in the league. "Having a modern, commercially viable stadium solution is vital to our clubs' long-term success and is a pillar of the USL's growth strategy," said USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis. "Despite collectively pursuing multiple potential options with SD Loyal's leadership in the San Diego area, an appropriate stadium solution has not materialized. ‚¬Â

The team will play out the remaining 2023 season before ending operations after the USL said there was no viable stadium option.

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 24 of the 2023 regular season with Miami FC forward Joaquin Rivas voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording the first hat trick of his professional career in his side's victory away at Hartford Athletic.

Major League Soccer

Seven games into his Inter Miami CF career, Messi led Miami to their first-ever title. Relive Lionel Messi's best highlights from the inaugural Leagues Cup.

National Women's Soccer League

Gotham FC today proudly announced the club has signed FIFA Women's World Cup champion and Real Madrid's all-time leading goal scorer forward Esther Gonzalez of the Spain Women's National Team through 2025, with a mutual option for 2026. "I am excited and honored to join Gotham FC, one of the top clubs in the NWSL," said Gonzalez. "As I continue my journey in football, I look forward to my next challenge in a competitive league where I will face the best players in the world in every game. ‚¬Â

United Soccer League One

USL League One announced the Team of the Week for Week 23 of the 2023 regular season with South Georgia Tormenta FC forward Kazaiah Sterling named Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball with his sixth career brace in South Georgia's 4-2 victory over Madison.

Major Arena Soccer League

The Dallas Sidekicks have announced Ed Puskarich as the franchise's new Head Coach. Puskarich will mark the seventh Head Coach in Sidekicks history. "The Dallas Sidekicks are super excited to have Ed Puskarich at the helm. Ed brings a wealth of knowledge, community relationships with his club, and 40 plus years of soccer experience. The Dallas Sidekicks have big expectations for the future," said President Jesse Llamas. "We are going to work hard. I want to be entertaining. I want to be fast. I'm going to bring some old-school indoor soccer tactics that I think are lacking in the indoor game right now," Puskarich commented.

Ed Puskarich exclusive interview as head coach of the Kicks, where he shares his excitement for working with the players and building on the club's culture, with a message to all the fans and supporters out there.

HOCKEY

ECHL

Norfolk Admirals Professional Hockey Club announced that the team has entered into an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets and American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose. "We are excited to begin our partnership with the Norfolk Admirals," said Craig Heisinger, Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets. "The city of Norfolk and the Admirals franchise have a rich hockey history and we look forward to the opportunity that this affiliation will provide for our prospects. ‚¬Â

Norfolk Admirals & Winnipeg Jets Affiliation Announcement Video

American Hockey League

The American Hockey League announced that WPMT-TV FOX43 has been selected as the recipient of the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the 2022-23 season. The James H. Ellery Memorial Award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League. It was first presented in 1964-65 and honors the late Jim Ellery, who served the AHL for 17 years as league secretary and publicity director until his death in 1964.

Western Hockey League

We caught up with Kelowna Rockets defenceman Caden Price after he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Ontario Hockey League

Voice of the Spirit Dillon Clark on Saginaw hosting the 2024 Memorial Cup

BASEBALL

International League

New York Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio launches his 20th homer of the season for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets

New York Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez collects three hits and three RBIs during his first game with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Texas League

St. Louis Cardinals prospect Thomas Saggese hits for the cycle and drives in four for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals

OTHER SPORTS

Pro Volleyball Federation

Logan Tom, one of the world's highest profile volleyball players, and Devonie McLarty, a highly respected volleyball referee, have joined Pro Volleyball Federation as the newest additions to the fast-growing League. Tom will serve as the League's Director of International Development & Player Strategy, while McLarty becomes Pro Volleyball Federation's Director of Officials.

American Ultimate Disc League

Down one with under 18 seconds left in regulation, Salt Lake tries a hail mary for the end zone, and Joel Clutton gets the incredible tip above the pack of players to Elijah Jaime for the game-tying score!

Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 29, 2023


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