Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on August 18, 2026 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
This past week the Arizona Rattlers won their second Indoor Football League National Championship in the past three seasons, the National Women's Soccer League's Chicago Stars FC fired Head Coach Marin Sjögren, and the Winnipeg Sea Bears won their first Canadian Elite Basketball League title.
Highlights from this week come from Indoor Football League, Canadian Football League, National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, Canadian Elite Basketball League, Women's National Basketball Association, Women's Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, National Lacrosse League, Major League Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee Association, Pacific Coast League, and International League.
FOOTBALL
Indoor Football League
In the end, there were "consequences" just like Kevin Guy promised. The Arizona Rattlers won their eighth national championship, Guy's sixth as head coach of the Rattlers, 62-51, before a raucous, partisan Rattlers crowd of 4,900 at Tucson Arena. The title comes a year after a disappointing and frustrating end to 2025 when the Rattlers lost in the first round of the playoffs on a disputed play that ultimately and literally cost the team a chance to repeat its 2024 championship. "There will be consequences," Guy said after that game. A year later, Rattlers quarterback Max Meylor got the game-sealing touchdown he didn't get in the championship game a year ago when he lost the title game with the Green Bay Blizzard. He also walked away Sunday night with some hardware the Most Valuable Player trophy.
Indoor Football League expansion team coming to Savannah in March
United Football League
Dallas Renegades quarterback Austin Reed has signed with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The move brings the total to 22 NFL teams that have signed a player from the 2026 United Football League season. In his UFL debut, Reed opened the season setting a UFL single-game record with 376 passing yards and three touchdowns. He went on to set another league record with 21 passing touchdowns over the 10-game season. He also finished second in the UFL with 1,923 passing yards, completing 174-of-309 pass attempts, also good for second in the league. Reed spent time on the Chicago Bears practice squad after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He appeared in five preseason games for Chicago, completing 23 of 33 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown.
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
Chicago Stars FC announced that the club has parted ways with Head Coach Marin Sjögren and Assistant Coach Anders Jacobson. Karina Báez will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 NWSL season. Báez has served as an assistant coach for the Stars for three seasons and has extensive experience in various technical roles, including as a head coach abroad. In addition, former Chicago Stars FC head coach Lorne Donaldson will return to the club as interim director of coaching for the remainder of the 2026 NWSL season, overseeing all technical and analytical aspects while reuniting with a familiar roster and staff. "We are determined to make our club a serious contender in the NWSL and have a plan in place to do so beginning now and leading into the 2027 season," said Chicago Stars FC President Karen Leetzow. "We wish Martin and Anders the best in their future endeavors, and we're grateful to Karina for stepping into this leadership role, as well as Lorne Donaldson for his disposition to return to our club and help guide the team during this transition period as we rebuild the infrastructure of our sporting department."
Last weekend's trip to D.C. was already a special one for Natalie Jacobs. After honoring her late grandfather in Arlington at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the center-back scored the game-winning goal in D.C. Scoring the game-winner for the Courage made it that much sweeter.
Gainbridge Super League
Brooklyn FC announced the signing of forward Tziarra "Zee" King, pending league and federation approval. The dynamic attacker joins Brooklyn FC to bolster the club's frontline ahead of the upcoming 2026 Gainbridge Super League Fall Season. Extensive pro experience: King, 26, arrives in Brooklyn with an extensive resume and a proven goal-scoring track record. First round draft pick: Drafted 8th overall in the 2020 NWSL College Draft by the Utah Royals, King has since made over 70 professional appearances across the NWSL with the Royals and Seattle Reign FC. A clinical finisher: Known for her pace, technical skill on the wing, and finishing ability, King is a versatile attacking threat capable of changing the game in an instant. Head Coach Alex Smith: "Tziarra is an exceptional talent. She's got speed, creativity, and professional experience, and I fully expect her to be one to watch this season in the Super League. She embodies the way I feel the game should be played and what we are building here, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our club and our borough."
Major League Soccer
Thomas Muller scores on the RARE INDIRECT FREE KICK inside the box!
BASKETBALL
Canadian Elite Basketball League
At last, Winnipeg has its first CEBL title. The Sea Bears earned their long-awaited maiden championship after taking down the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 on Saturday in the CEBL Finals at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. It was Xavier Moon who put the Sea Bears on his back en route to earning the title of Finals MVP - aptly already named after him after he won two previous with the Edmonton Stingers in 2020 and 2021 - racking up a game-high 29 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists. "It's crazy to be back in this environment again. I mean, obviously, familiar territory for me for winning, but to do it in a city that's never won a playoff game, I think it means a lot more. This one is a lot more special than the first one. So, like I've been saying, man, I'm happy for my teammates, and I'm happy for the city of Winnipeg," Moon said.
Here are the highlights
Women's National Basketball Association
Watch as the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, 1x MVP, 11x All-Star and 3 time-champion, Diana Taurasi gets her jersey retired by the Phoenix Mercury
See highlights from Caitlin Clark (26 PTS, 3 REB & 9 AST) and Aliyah Boston (18 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST, 5 STL & 3 BLK) as the Indiana Fever came back late to defeat the Atlanta Dream despite Allisha Gray tying her career-high 32 PTS with 7 REB & 4 AST on 4 3PM. Makayla Timpson scores a new career-high 20 PTS while Kelsey Mitchell extended her league-record 20+ PTS streak to 19 games.
LACROSSE
Women's Lacrosse League
The Maryland Charm are your 2026 WLL champions. In a relentless 16-13 win over the California Palms, the Charm refused to leave Subaru Park without the inaugural WLL trophy. Previously, Maryland placed last in the 2025 and 2026 WLL Championship Series. In the league's third championship opportunity, the Charm went all the way. A Palms team that would not go away versus a Charm team that was firing on all cylinders made for a game that felt just as heated as their first matchup in May. There was no question that players on both sides left it all on the field, but the Charm had every single player contributing to come out on top. Maryland: Many hands make light work Putting together a perfect game is an impossible feat; there are highs and lows in any matchup. In the Championship, there were missed shots, turnovers and lulls at points, but the fire that every Maryland player brought carried them through those moments.
Top Plays of the WLL Season
Premier Lacrosse League
Top Plays of Week 13
National Lacrosse League
Top 5 Plays 2025-26 - Calgary Roughnecks
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Volleyball
MLV Minnesota, the Minnesota-based Major League Volleyball professional sports franchise, has introduced itself as Minnesota Forge, unveiling a team name and visual identity created to represent the strength, ambition, and collective spirit of a state ready to help shape the future of women's professional volleyball.
"Today, MLV Minnesota becomes Minnesota Forge, a team that people across this state can call their own," said Craig Leipold, the Forge majority owner and owner of the Minnesota Wild. "Great teams are built through commitment, belief and a shared sense of purpose. Minnesota Forge reflects that spirit and our vision to create an elite professional franchise that will inspire fans, support women athletes and become a lasting part of Minnesota's sports." The team will begin play in January 2027 and host home matches at Grand Casino Arena. The franchise is one of five expansion teams joining or returning to Major League Volleyball in 2027, bringing the league to 12 teams.
The Minnesota Forge start their inaugural season in January 2027 at Grand Casino Arena, and they announced their team name.
League One Volleyball
League One Volleyball (LOVB) announced the appointment of José Roberto "Zé Roberto" Guimarães as Head Coach of LOVB Los Angeles, bringing volleyball's most decorated coach to Los Angeles ahead of the team's inaugural season. The landmark appointment represents one of the most significant coaching hires in the history of professional volleyball and reinforces LOVB LA's ambition to establish a global flagship franchise in one of the world's premier sports and entertainment markets. "Zé Roberto is the most decorated coach in the history of our sport, and his decision to help build the future of professional women's volleyball in the United States says everything about where LOVB is headed," said Sandra Idehen, Commissioner of League One Volleyball. "His standard of excellence, his commitment to developing athletes, and his belief in what this league can become make him the ideal coach for LOVB LA. We couldn't be more excited to welcome him to our league."
Ultimate Frisbee Association
The Top 10 plays from the first round of the 2026 playoffs!
HOCKEY
United States Hockey League
Paetsch brings an extensive professional hockey background to Youngstown, pairing high-level coaching and player-development experience with a 17-year playing career that spanned the National Hockey League (NHL), the American Hockey League (AHL) and Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Paetsch spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL's Rochester Americans, where he focused heavily on player development while helping prepare players for the next level. Prior to his time with the Amerks, Paetsch worked three seasons as a player-development coach with the Buffalo Sabres, closely monitoring the organization's prospects throughout their progression.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Nathan and his family to Youngstown. Nathan has spent his entire career around high-performance environments and understands what it takes to develop players for the next level. His experience in the NHL, AHL and Europe, combined with his player-development work in Buffalo and his time behind the bench in Rochester, gives him a unique perspective that will be extremely valuable to our players and our organization." Jason Deskins, President of Hockey Operations and Co-General Manager, Youngstown Phantoms.
BASEBALL
American Association
A new ballpark in Blaine, Minn., about 15 miles north of Minneapolis, will be the new home of the newest AAPB team as the league announced expansion in conjunction with Co-Developers Bader Companies and Elevage unveiling plans for The Farm," with opening anticipated in early 2028.
Pacific Coast League
Giants No. 8 prospect Bo Davidson delivers a two-homer game while driving in eight during an outstanding performance for Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.
International League
Marlins No. 8 prospect Kemp Alderman launches a 453 ft homer for Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Cardinals No. 12 prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje fans a career-high 11 batters during his impressive 6 1/3-inning start for Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 18, 2026
- Houston Dash Chase Crucial Points at Home Prior to Extended Road Stretch - Houston Dash
- Reign FC Begins Road Trip against Racing Louisville FC on Wednesday at Lynn Family Stadium - Seattle Reign FC
- Seattle Reign FC Signs Ivorian Forward Ami Diallo - Seattle Reign FC
- Angel City Football Club Transfers Forward Casey Phair to Feyenoord - Angel City FC
- Gotham FC Announces Hello Kitty© Day at Sports Illustrated Stadium - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- What to Watch for as Racing Aims to Continue Surge vs. Seattle - Racing Louisville 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.
