U S Soccer Loses at World Cup

The success the United States team had in the World Cup should feel good. However for me, not knowing much about soccer, there is the frustration that the game they lost appeared winnable. It seems in every game the United States had many chances to win but despite numerous grade A goal attempts they did not score as often as they should. Conversely in all but the Algeria game it seemed like our defense was not as solid.

It was exciting and a great improvement to get out of Group play. Still it feels like we could have done better. For an event that is once every four years that is not a good feeling to walk away with.

Red Sox Injuries

The Red Sox sit within a game of first place today. This is a feat that Terry Francona cannot get enough credit for. The injuries that have hit the Red Sox this season have been enormous. Jacoby Ellsbury leading the way missing all but a few games, Mike Cameron having been out much of the year and even when on roster unable to play consecutive games. Josh Beckett has been out now well over a month, Dice K out for two extended times as well. In the last weekend Victor Martinez broke his thumb, Dustin Pedroia broke his foot, and Clay Bucholz tweaked something in his leg running the bases.

When and a very big if this team gets healthy they might be a significant threat if they can get to the playoffs.

U S Soccer Defeats Algeria

I watched the whole game. I watched Algeria hit a crossbar early, I watched the US lose a scored goal to a phantom offside call and the US miss good scoring chance after good scoring chance.

In the end it took a mad scramble the length of the field for Landon Donovan to punch home a rebound in the 91st minute ( extra time) for the US to score and thus win and advance to the next round of the World Cup.

It is exciting when every goal counts so much. I have to admit I am very into this event.

The Rise of the Red Sox

Very quietly the Red Sox have come from approaching being 10 games behind in the AL East to being within a game of the Yankees. The Yanks have stumbled and Tampa has stumbled worse. The one thing we can take out of this is the best way for a team to succeed is for me to write them off .( see midwinter Celtics post) The Sox have been doing this with a decimated outfield and a Beckett less rotation. David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia have played well, Bard and Papelbon have been dominant while Lester and Bucholz are auditioning for the best 1-2 punch in the American League. What the future holds we do not know but the Sox have erased a terrible start by dominating the tougher teams on their schedule.

The Rules of Soccer World Cup

So let me get this straight. The US can have a goal disallowed that would have completed the greatest second half comeback in World Cup History and now a few days later we still do not know and will apparently never know why. In soccer the referee can disallow a goal for a foul and does not need to say what the foul was, or who it was on. I cannot understand it. I heard a commentator talking about if you are trying to ruin any chance of Americans embracing soccer this is a reason why they will not. Of course I also hear that if England and the U S end up in a flatfooted tie in their Group in the World Cup the team to advance will be picked out a hat.

I just do not understand it.........it is like finally getting a date with the girl you have dreamed about having interested in you and showing up with food in your teeth and sneezing on her.

Celtics Lose....No it was not a choke

The Celtics lost game six in Los Angeles with a very poor effort so the stage was set for a Game 7 of perhaps epic proportions. The game was a defensive fight with the Celtics playing without Kendrick Perkins. In the first half the Celtics shot much, much better than the Lakers but were seemingly incapable of getting a rebound and allowed the Lakers second and third looks over and over resulting in a very slim lead at the end of the first half. In the third the Celtics went up out to a 13 point lead. From that point on however the Lakers defense intensified and the Celtics could not find offense. In the end the Celtics lost by 4.

A choke? I do not think so. Losing two in a row to the defending champs on their own court when they have the greatest player in the game. I cannot call that a choke. The Celtics had a great run. And I think that the teams were evenly matched. What was not even was the Celtics ability to convert on a nightly basis. Old legs get tired and have to give games away. The Lakers did not give away a minute of the series. In the end they had more at the end to give.

Celtics VS Lakers Game 6 Tonight

Games 4 and 5 of this series in Boston were wonderful to watch, providing you are a follower of the green that is. I believe that the Celtics swagger and bluster might not play well outside of New England. I, myself, am not a big fan of the chest thumping, thug walking act of the entire NBA. I do have to say however that watching some of the things Rajon Rondo does make me say WOW. I also enjoy Glenn Davis and how hard he works. Does he work this hard during the season every game, one wonders, but is Glen Davis a big time player in big time games. This is without a doubt. A funny respite in the middle of the series was the Game 4 post game press conference in which Nate Robinson and Glenn Davis ( who had led the Celtics 4th quarter charge) were interviewed together. They were very funny,,,the " Shrek and Donkey " comment may go down in Celtics lore.

U S OPEN GOLF

The US Open golf tournament starts this Thursday. The course this year is Pebble Beach, a course that Tiger Woods has destroyed in his career. Tiger's performance at the Masters coming back from his personal crisis and the subsequent injury have taken all momentum away from him and the interest in the sport. Perhaps he would have been better advised to come back from all events at the same time.

World Cup Results

The United States tied England 1 to 1 on Saturday. For the United States the game has to be considered a success. For England it was a dismal failure especially when one considers that the goal scored by the U S was one that should not have occurred. The poor goalie for England has been castigated severely, having his name in England go down like Bill Buckner's here in New England.

However Slovenia defeated Algeria meaning that they have a huge edge in the pool and the US and England might be competing for the last spot to come out of the pool. It should be interesting

World Cup

The World Cup starts tomorrow. I do not know much about soccer. I enjoy watching the boys play.

I will watch the US and hope they get out of their group. It is the largest sporting event in the world.

It would be great if the US could engage the country a bit

Stephen Strasburg

It is rare that you see something like this. Something that makes your jaw drop. Something that makes you go WOW. My oldest son and I watched the debut. The sixth and seventh with the buckling curves coming after the 99 MPH fastball. It was something that you will not forget.

How good can he be. I do not know. I am sure adjustments will be made. But it was electrifying. I have enjoyed watching the Nats already this year on the MLB network. Good young players. A good bullpen, a great Color guy in Rob Dibble. Strasburg makes them must see TV every 5 days.

WOW

Chicago Blackhawks win Stanley Cup

This was a great story. The Blackhawks, a legendary team finally win a Stanley Cup. As good as the games were, and they were I watched none of it. I love hockey but for me once the Bruins were out the Celtics and Red Sox took my time. Does Hockey have enough fans that will watch when their teams are out. I am not sure they do. But for what it is hockey is succesful. A regional sport.

I just want the Bruins to do better

Lakers up 2 to 1

Listening to local sports talk radio you would think the Celtics were not fouling constantly. While I have issue with a few calls, the charge Derek Fisher took the otehr night late in the game was a bad call for example. The Lakers have thus far deserved their wins.

Kobe Bryant seems to want it more, Kevin Garnett cannot hold onto a rebound, Ray Allen needs some consistency and the Celtics are not moving their feet. And Rondo you may be great but you still need to hit your free throws.

At this point there is nothing to worry about...as long as the Celtics win tonight. This is a must win.

Remembering Pedro

My oldest son and I watched one of those countdown shows on MLB the other night. Pedro Martinez in 2000 was rated the most dominant season ever for a pitcher. The numbers were amazing. Of special relevance were the differences between Pedro's numbers versus the league average for pitchers. This actually separated him from seasons of Gibson and Koufax. My son remembers Pedro circa 2004 and of course in the playoffs last year, but he does not remember the 99, 2000 Pedro that was as dominant a pitcher as you will ever see.

Jerry Remy says Pedro was his favorite he has ever seen. I have to agree. It seems to me that when Pedro wants to finish up once and for all it would be good to see him at Fenway again. What a showman, a Hall of Famer for sure in my eyes. A Red Sox cap will look good.