Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on October 10, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
This past week the Women's National Basketball Association announced expansion to the Bay Area for the 2025 season, Major League Soccer's D.C. United and Head Coach Wayne Rooney mutually agreed to part ways, and former NFL player Myles Jack became majority owner of the ECHL's Allen Americans. Highlights from this week come from the Women's National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Canadian Premier League, Western Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Canadian Football League, XFL, Arena Football League, and American Ultimate Disc League.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
The seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors have been awarded a WNBA expansion team, it was announced today by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The team will begin play in the 2025 season, making it the first new franchise to join the league since 2008. "The Bay Area is the perfect market for a WNBA team, and we are thrilled this opportunity has finally come to fruition," said Warriors Co-Executive Chairman & CEO Joe Lacob. "We have been interested in a WNBA franchise for several years, due in part to the rich history of women's basketball in the Bay Area, and believe now is the ideal time to execute that vision and build upon the legacy. The WNBA continues to solidify itself as the preeminent women's professional basketball league, and we look forward to supporting the best women's basketball players in the world and our team starting in 2025. ¬Â
The WNBA is Coming to the Bay Area!
1st new WNBA team in 15 years announced for 2025 season, and it's coming to San Francisco
Check out the last moment of the Las Vegas Aces' 99-82 win over the New York Liberty to go up 1-0 in the WNBA Finals best-of-5 series. Hear from Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young as they join Holly Rowe postgame to break down the win.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
D.C. United have announced that the club and Head Coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways. "We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time. This decision creates the avenue for our next General Manager to have the full opportunity to impart a new philosophy and structure onto our sporting operations, which begins with the critical identification of a Head Coach who will best align with this," said Jason Levien CEO and Co-Chairman of D.C. United. "We are grateful to Wayne Rooney for all he has done for our club and for soccer in the Nation's Capital, first as a D.C. United player and captain and most recently as our coach. He remains an important part of the D.C. United family and a valued and cherished friend. ¬Â
Minnesota United FC have parted ways with Head Coach Adrian Heath, the club announced today. Assistant Coach Sean McCauley will serve as the Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2023 MLS campaign, while Assistant Coach Ian Fuller and Goalkeeping Coach Stewart Kerr will remain in their current roles. Heath joined MNUFC in November 2016, ahead of the club's 2017 inaugural season in MLS. In 2019, Heath led the Loons to their first MLS Cup Playoff appearance and the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He continued that success in 2020, with a semi-final appearance in the MLS is Back Tournament and a run to the Western Conference Finals. Over his seven seasons with the club, he compiled a 91-101-56 record in all competitions and made the MLS Cup Playoffs four times (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Lionel Messi returns from injury for Inter Miami after missing 4-straight MLS games
National Women's Soccer League
Megan Rapinoe and Laura Harvey address a record crowd in Seattle after Rapinoe's final OL Reign regular season home game.
United Soccer League Championship
San Diego Loyal SC forward Ronaldo Damus was voted The USL Championship Player of the Week for his performance in the club's 4-1 win against Monterey Bay F.C. on Sept. 30.
United Soccer League One
The City of Lancaster, CA (Lancaster), the United Soccer League (USL), and Antelope Valley Soccer, Inc. (USL Antelope Valley) announced plans to bring men's professional and women's pre-professional soccer to the Antelope Valley (AV). The teams will play in the Lancaster Municipal Stadium, which will be converted from its minor league baseball configuration to a 5,300 seat, soccer-specific stadium. This unique, public-private partnership will bring professional soccer to the Antelope Valley to be played in only the fourth professional soccer-specific stadium in Southern California. USL Antelope Valley is led by its Founder and President, John Smelzer. Smelzer is a sports industry veteran, having held legal and commercial roles with World Cup USA 1994, the NFL, NBC Olympics, and FOX Sports. Through his passion for the Beautiful Game, Smelzer has brought together an impressive group of local stakeholders and supporters that share his love of soccer and community.
Pro soccer is coming to Lancaster, bringing new opportunities and community pride.
Canadian Premier League
CPL Productions: A season-defining match at York Lions Stadium - York United FC hosted Atlético Ottawa in a crucial match for both teams' seasons - but in the end there was only one winner.
HOCKEY
ECHL
The Allen Americans, ECHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators (NHL), today announced a new ownership group including majority owner NFL Linebacker Myles Jack and LaSonjia Jack of Amsonia Sports. The team will be managed and operated by Zawyer Sports and Entertainment and REV Entertainment. Jack, and his mother LaSonjia Jack, are the first African-American majority owners in professional hockey history. Jack spent seven seasons in the NFL prior to retiring last month, spending the majority of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted him in the 2016 NFL Draft as the 36th overall pick. Jack also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Western Hockey League
The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to recognize Head Coach & General Manager Mike Johnston, who earned his 500th WHL win behind the bench a 4-1 win over the Everett Silvertips. Johnston becomes the 11th coach in WHL history to achieve this milestone. Now in his 14th season as head coach of the Winterhawks, Johnston owns a career record of 500-235-29-30, with 1,059 points earned in 793 games coached.
Following the conclusion of an independent investigation into a violation of Western Hockey League Standard of Conduct policies, the Wenatchee Wild have announced the termination of head coach Kevin Constantine's contract with the club, effective immediately. Associate head coach Chris Clark and assistant coach Andrew Sarauer will maintain coaching duties for the team until a new head coach is named.
WHL Top 10
North American Hockey League
NAHL Top Plays - September 25 - October 1, 2023
Ontario Hockey League
OHL Plays of the Week
Oshawa Generals honor franchise great Dave Andreychuk, retiring his #9
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
QMJHL Plays of the Week
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
Montreal Alouettes Jeshrun Antwi's incredible one-yard onside punt
XFL
Current Green Bay Packers' Punter Daniel Whelan sat down with XFL EVP of Football Ops, Marc Ross in this edition of 'A Conversation With'. The former D.C. Defenders and All-XFL Team Punter is the first Irish born player in the NFL since 1985. Whelan talks about moving from Ireland to California as a child, not playing football until he was in high school, trying to make it on the New Orleans Saints, working at a spa, life in the XFL and how it helped him get ready to go to the NFL.
Arena Football League
Albany Firebirds Return to the Arena Football League
BASEBALL
International League
Catch the best highlights from the Norfolk Tides' 7-6 victory against the Oklahoma City Dodgers in the Triple-A National Championship at Las Vegas Ballpark
Pacific Coast League
Oklahoma City Dodgers infielder Michael Busch has been selected as the 2023 Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player as well as the league's Top MLB Prospect, Minor League Baseball announced. Busch played in 98 games with Oklahoma City this season in addition to appearing in 27 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his time in the PCL, Busch led the league among qualified hitters in slugging percentage (.618) and on-base plus slugging (1.049). He also ranked second in batting average (.323), third in on-base percentage (.431), fourth in home runs (27), fifth in RBI (90), fifth in extra-base hits (57) and fifth in total bases (241).
Atlantic League
The Lancaster Barnstormers continue to rake in the awards following their second straight Atlantic League Championship. Corner infielder Andretty Cordero has been named as the Atlantic League Player of the Year, it was announced today by league officials. He is the first Barnstormer to be so honored since Blake Gailen in 2012 and the fourth winner in franchise history. Cordero, 26, led the league with 166 hits and 116 RBI with 40 doubles and 15 home runs. He led the Barnstormers with 38 tying or go ahead RBI and had the club's longest hitting streak of the season at 18 while switching between first and third base with duty as the designated hitter.
Appalachian League
The Greeneville Flyboys have announced Jack Wilson as the manager for their 2024 season. "I am honored and extremely excited to join the Flyboys family next summer," said Wilson. "As an Appalachian League alumnus, I am thrilled to come back to where my professional career started. I have always been a huge fan of summer collegiate baseball, and Greeneville is one of the best spots in the country. ¬Â
OTHER SPORTS
American Ultimate Disc League
Antoine Davis took on the top matchups all season long for the #1 ranked New York defense, and made big plays against some of the best offensive players in the league.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from October 10, 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.
