Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
April 16, 2024 - Pioneer League (PL)
This past week New York City officials approve a 25,000-seat stadium for Major League Soccer's New York City Football Club next to the New York Mets' stadium, Citi Field; the Hershey Bears set an American Hockey League record for most wins in a season with their 52nd; the Oakland Ballers signed Kelsie Whitmore, becoming the first woman to play in the Pioneer League; and Brooklyn FC revealed a "shared identity" for its USL Super League brand. Highlights from this week come from Major League Soccer, the National Women's Soccer League, Canadian Premier League, Major Arena Soccer League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Professional Women's Hockey League, Western Hockey League, North American Hockey League, United States Hockey League, Pioneer League, Midwest League, Eastern League, United Football League, Indoor Football League, European League of Football, NBA G League, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, Major League Rugby and Ultimate Frisbee Association.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
New York City FC CEO Brad Sims joins Scoreline to talk about Queens Stadium, the team's new 25,000 capacity stadium getting approved and what it means for the state.
Re-watch the best moments where Messi had one goal and one assist in Inter Miami's 3-2 victory at Sporting Kansas City - played before 72,610 fans.
USL Super League
Brooklyn Football Club t announced it would adopt the same logo and core branding for all of its teams, including the USL Super League team set to kickoff in August. The decision to use a single name, brand, and logo was made to reinforce "a shared identity, ethos, ambition, and values" across the club, from its professional teams to its academy program. "Our club is built on the principles of inclusion and empowering our next generation of leaders," stated Brooklyn Football Club CEO Mack Mansfield. "The launch of our USL Super League team in August, competing at the highest level of professional soccer in our country, allows us to provide a platform to grow and elevate the women's professional game for our city. By utilizing the same logo for both our USL Super League and Championship teams, we are able to better align the core values of the club while still giving each team their own unique tone and vision. ¬Â
National Women's Soccer League
The Chicago Red Stars, who play at SeatGeek Stadium, will have a game at Wrigley Field this year, spurring talk of their own stadium and equity.
Canadian Premier League
Hercules the bald eagle takes part in the pregame coin toss.
Major Arena Soccer League
Catch up on the first week of the Ron Newman Cup playoffs with this week's edition of MASL in 5 with Alex Bastyovanszky!
MASL Ten for Ten - Nick Vasos - Voice of the Kansas City Comets
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Jimmy Huntington broke a 1-1 tie with a shorthanded breakaway goal to help lift the Hershey Bears (52-13-0-5) to a 4-1 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (38-23-8-1) on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of 10,042 at GIANT Center. Hershey's 52nd win of the season established a new American Hockey League record for wins in a 72-game season, breaking the mark of 51 first established by the 2022-23 Calgary Wranglers.
Here are the highlights.
Louis Domingue GOALIE GOAL! Hartford Wolf Pack vs Springfield Thunderbirds
ECHL
Here's an interview with a member of the ECHL Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. Mrs. Kelly, who also has had the league's playoff MVP award named in her honor, single-handedly ran the league's office for its first three seasons.
Professional Women's Hockey League
The PWHL has been a huge success in its inaugural season and part of that can be attributed to the fact that hitting is allowed. Ottawa's team brought in former NHLer and TSN Hockey analyst Marc Methot as a hitting instructor. Methot also discusses why he has such a personal stake in this.
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10 Plays of the First Round
North American Hockey League
NAHL Top Plays - April 1-7, 2024
United States Hockey League
USHL Goals of the Week
BASEBALL
Pioneer League
The Oakland Ballers agreed to terms on contracts with three players who attended the open tryout at Laney College. Infielder Andrew Martinez, right-handed pitcher Connor Caporale, and right-handed pitcher Kelsie Whitmore all signed contracts and will attend the team's Spring Training in May. Kelsie Whitmore, from Temecula, CA, made history in 2022 as the first woman to sign a professional contract with an MLB Partner League team as a member of the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League. Whitmore's first ever professional baseball appearances came in Northern California as a player for the Sonoma Stompers in 2016-2017.
Oakland Ballers sign Kelsie Whitmore from open tryouts
Midwest League
Padres prospect Lucas Dunn makes a diving catch and throws out the runner a the plate for a game-saving double play for High-A Fort Wayne.
Eastern League
FOOTBALL
United Football League
UFL Top 10 Plays from Week 3
Indoor Football League
The best plays from around the league in Week Four of the 2024 IFL season!
European League of Football
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
Top 10 Plays Of The 2024 NBA G League Playoffs
Women's National Basketball Association
The WNBA announced the schedule of games to be broadcast and streamed nationally during the 2024 regular season, which will tip off on Tuesday, May 14 and run through Thursday, Sept. 19. The television and streaming schedule for the league's 28th season features matchups across ESPN platforms (25 games, including nine on ABC, 14 on ESPN and two on ESPN2), CBS Television Network/Paramount+ (eight), CBS Sports Network (12), ION (43), NBA TV (40) and Prime Video (21). Additional information will be made available regarding Meta's 20-game broadcast schedule and the schedule for other distributors. The Indiana Fever will play 36 of 40 regular season games on national television during the 25th regular season in franchise history.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs, the city's own professional lacrosse team, proudly announced today a new era with Lee's Family Forum as their home venue for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. In partnership with Foley Entertainment Group, the Desert Dogs will host nine thrilling home games at Lee's Family Forum (LFF), commencing this December. "We want to be where our fans live and make a real impact in the community that matters to our fanbase. Embracing Lee's Family Forum underscores our commitment to forging deeper connections with the residents and families of Las Vegas," remarked Joe Tsai, Co-Owner of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. "By being an integral part of the Henderson neighborhood, I hope the Desert Dogs and our players become household names and bring unity and joy to the local community. ¬Â
NLL Week 19: Top 5 Plays
Premier Lacrosse League
This game ended in a TIE! Unleashed All Stars vs Team Sekai Japan Game Highlights
OTHER SPORTS
Pro Volleyball Federation
The Atlanta Vibe, the city's newest professional sports team, are the first team in the inaugural season of the Pro Volleyball Federation to clinch a spot in the league's postseason championship. Standing at an impressive 15-4 record to hold the top spot in the league standings, the Vibe have won their last six-straight matches and 11 of their last 12. The league's first championship will be held in the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. The two semifinals matches on Wednesday, May 15 and title match on Saturday, May 18 will air nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Major League Rugby
The BEST plays from Major League Rugby Week 6
Ultimate Frisbee Association
The New York Empire carry two consecutive titles and a 30-game winning streak into the 2024 season, and all 23 other teams want a shot at the throne.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Pioneer League Stories from April 16, 2024
- 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.
