The Confederation Cup run was very special for the United States
Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a very patriotic person, usually drawing on my Italian roots before anything else. I prefer being like the ancient Romans and having two home towns -- the town where you were born and Rome (whatever that is so cool and I'm still going to do that).
This tournament has changed the way I follow international soccer. Even at the beginning of this tourny I routed for Italy over the United States, but not any more. I will still route for Italy but United States will always trump if they ever play each other. Italy has won before, but the game is much more then that, it is a religion. Now it's our time to win and for the game to grow here in the States.
Watching the Game in a Toronto bar full of Spanish and Brazilian supports with maybe one or so fellow Americans, these game were a source of pride. No one there respected us and whether they do or not, we have now earned it.
This is only the second time i have been proud to call myself and amercian, the first was Obama getting elected and the second was the USA great showing in the Confed Cup, and i hope for many more to come.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Redbull Air Races!
Well i will admit that i was not quite sure about the sport before had, but i find it very entertaining and will tune in again when the Races return in Sept. on FSN.
Detroit shows once again that they can put on a great show when holding a world class event
I really have nothing else to say so just look at these pictures
Confederations Cup
Yea yea, I thought it started tomorrow so that's why I forgot about today's games.
But anyway, I'm gonna give my prediction for all of the tournament's games.
Groups A
Spain, South Africa, New Zealand and Iraq
Iraq 0-0 South Africa
Spain 5-0 New Zealand
I can say I'm not too surprised at these results, South Africa is so young as a footballing nation, not being allowed as a national team until the early 1990s because of the Apartheid, not being part of FIFA until this time.
So Now predictions
Iraq 0-3 Spain- I would love Iraq to steal a goal but it just won't happen
New Zealand 1-2 South Africa-South African get their first win but it doesn't come easy
Iraq 3-0 New Zealand- Iraq will continue to impress and make it to the semis
South Africa 1-4 Spain-SA ride the emotion of the last game, get the first goal but then Spain turns it on
Group A
Spain (winner)
Iraq (runner up)
Group B- Italy, Brazil, Usa, Egypt
Brazil 2-1 Egypt- A new Tactical Brazil will struggle but will over come Egypt
Usa 1-3 Italy, USA will finally get a goal that's not an own goal, but Italy will dominate.
Egypt 0-1 Italy- Egypt will continue to disappoint, Vintage italy
Brazil 3-0 Usa- the group of death just turned into a group of massacres from the big guns
Brazil 2-2 Italy- young guns will shine for both, Brazil wins the group
Egypt 2-2 Usa- yea, not much to play for, never take the pride
Group B
Brazil (winner)
Italy
Semi- Finals
Brazil 3-1 Iraq- Iraq will get a goal but over confident Brazil will make it to the final
Italy 2(P)-2 Spain- Unlike the match up in Euro 2008, it will be full of goals but still goes to penalties, Italy edge it out.
Final
Brazil 2-1 Italy- Brazil show why i Favor them for next years world cup but italy show why they are not just an aging team but still have some fight.
Winner: Brazil
Great Season
Ever since i was really young and all the way throughout high school, I have played in some organized sport.
Starting at the age of 4 i played countless seasons of sports, Soccer, Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Dodgeball, Football, Basketball(the last 3 mainly intramural at school).
I probably only won 3 tennis tournaments, 2 hockey championships, losing in Finals of in all of the sports i listed above.
So in say about 30 seasons of different sports, at least 10 finals and only winning 3, and i can say i would much rather have made the final and lost then have lost in the first round or never made it at all.
I would like to congratulate the Pens on the game 7 victory
The Wings played amazingly well and gave us a great run and were only just one game away from winning back to back Stanley Cups, I would much rather lose in the final then never have gotten to the finals at all.
Congrats Red Wings on an amazing season
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
ROMA
Depressed after the wings loss, Im gonna give you the best ever AS Roma team
Hi guys, i have the best AS Roma Squad
Managed by Capello
4-2-3-1
Pruzzo
Bruno Conti Totti Agostino Di Bartolomei
Falcao Giuseppe Giannini
Sebastiano Nela Aldair Giacomo Losi Cafu
Franco Tancredi
With De sisti, Candela, Gabriel Batistuta, Ancelotti, Gudio Masetti, De Rossi, Vincenzo Montella on the bench.
Hi guys, i have the best AS Roma Squad
Managed by Capello
4-2-3-1
Pruzzo
Bruno Conti Totti Agostino Di Bartolomei
Falcao Giuseppe Giannini
Sebastiano Nela Aldair Giacomo Losi Cafu
Franco Tancredi
With De sisti, Candela, Gabriel Batistuta, Ancelotti, Gudio Masetti, De Rossi, Vincenzo Montella on the bench.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Game 5 live coverage
We are so dedicated to this blog, we decided to go to game 5
What a performance by the Red Wings, all around just dominated game 5, but why? The Pens had all the momentum coming from game 3 and 4, especially 4 when they just destroyed the wings. So to quote Fred Willard in A Mighty Wind, "Wha' happened?"
We know that Pittsburgh is a talented team, they have made to two straight finals, they have the talent, but they do not have the mental capacity. They don't have the bottle, the bollocks, the stones, the balls, or however else you would like to put it, but the Pens just don't have it.
Fleury, Crosby and Malkin can't seem to handle big games on the road.
Malkin only has 2 points on the road compared to 5 at home, and Crosby really hasn't shown up at all, only having 2 points, both being at home.
Most likey the biggest problem has been Fleury on the road, giving up 11 goals in 3 games on compared to 4 goals in 2 games at home.
And why yes, Osgood is on pace to give up more on the road, but Fleury is a repeat offender from last years finals.
The Pens played their best and evened the series, but werethen were just destroyed in game 5. They just don't have the testicular fortitude to win game 6 -- congrats Wings on your 12th cup.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Earth to Red Wings?
Hello, Hello.......Babcock......Osgood....anyone?
Yeah I can't get a response either.
Wings thought that they were already champs after winning the first 2 games at home. In game 3 and 4, i have not seen hossa or franzen, big name players maybe showing their true side, or just riding the success of the rookies. Either way, if the Wings want to win the cup they must prove that they deserve those big money contracts.
Maybe the wings were distracted because they saw the new cover of esquire(http://www.mid-day.com/imagedata/2009/jun/bar-rafeli.jpg) yes its quite nice, but they must get their minds back on hockey. Complete lack of Concentration and just poor poor Defense from the entire team and not so stellar goaltending from osgood leads to 2 losses in Pitt.
In saying all this, Pens have just played amazing. Malkin and Crobsy have gotten the support the Lebron could never get. While Malkin has always been providing, Crobsy and the rest of the team really have not. But in Game 3 the Pens stepped it up and in game 4 Crosby must have gotten a call from Bettman telling Crobsy to stop embarrassing me and win!
I'm sticking with my predicton with wings in 6 but the only thing that worries me is the wings looked really old. But with #13 on his way back for the wings, expect an entirely different team kinda like if jim brown came back(simpsons reference )
OH! i've got it, Matt's great piece on the NBA Finals just got the wings pumped up for Game 1 of the Finals and they couldn't concentrate on game 4, I hear Osgood is a huge Kobe fan.
Yeah I can't get a response either.
Wings thought that they were already champs after winning the first 2 games at home. In game 3 and 4, i have not seen hossa or franzen, big name players maybe showing their true side, or just riding the success of the rookies. Either way, if the Wings want to win the cup they must prove that they deserve those big money contracts.
Maybe the wings were distracted because they saw the new cover of esquire(http://www.mid-day.com/imagedata/2009/jun/bar-rafeli.jpg) yes its quite nice, but they must get their minds back on hockey. Complete lack of Concentration and just poor poor Defense from the entire team and not so stellar goaltending from osgood leads to 2 losses in Pitt.
In saying all this, Pens have just played amazing. Malkin and Crobsy have gotten the support the Lebron could never get. While Malkin has always been providing, Crobsy and the rest of the team really have not. But in Game 3 the Pens stepped it up and in game 4 Crosby must have gotten a call from Bettman telling Crobsy to stop embarrassing me and win!
I'm sticking with my predicton with wings in 6 but the only thing that worries me is the wings looked really old. But with #13 on his way back for the wings, expect an entirely different team kinda like if jim brown came back(simpsons reference )
OH! i've got it, Matt's great piece on the NBA Finals just got the wings pumped up for Game 1 of the Finals and they couldn't concentrate on game 4, I hear Osgood is a huge Kobe fan.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
NBA Finals Preview
Let me first start off by saying thanks to Max for letting me write a guest column (hopefully one of many, depending on how awful this turns out). We talk sports all the time and obviously I thought that the idea of him writing a sports blog would be great because he’s so opinionated and passionate about anything sports related, even snoozefests like cycling and Formula 1 racing (thank God he doesn’t like NASCAR or I might have to throw a pizza in his face).
So anyway, back to what I was supposed to be writing about, the NBA Finals. I decided to write about basketball because he’s already written 3 posts about the Stanley Cup Finals, which is quite understandable (we’re both wingnuts). Returning to David Stern’s playground, at the end of the season, somehow his two favorite playmates, Kobe and Bron Bron, are not the last ones standing. Even though for the entire regular season it seemed more likely than Yao Ming getting hurt, the two puppet buddies are not battling for the title. The Black Mamba and the Lakers (of course one of them had to make it, the NBA can’t stand to have another team like the Spurs in it) will face Superman and the Magic. This is not a bad matchup, both teams have their respective superstars and great role players, but it’s not the marquee matchup everyone drooled over. And you know what, I’m okay with that. When Kobe and Lebron have faced each other, it has never lived up to the hype, it has always disappointed. It’s like a movie you expect to be great and when you finally go, you have such high expectations, it’s never as good as you hoped (anyone remember spider-man 3? seriously why was he dancing?… why?). Every time they play against each other Kobe is sick and they both don’t play well. I think this will be a better series between two good teams, not just two good players. The Cavs are just not a very good team. They had a great regular season, because Lebron has gotten even better, to the point where it’s almost ridiculous. It was enough in the regular season, but the playoffs are entirely different. You need your role players to step up and the Cavs just don’t have the role players to win it all. So enough about the Cavs, they lost, they cried, they’re done (I’m from Detroit, if you can’t tell, I don’t like Cleveland). Let’s move on to the matchups.
1. Point Guard: Derek Fisher vs. Rafer Alston
Neither has been very consistent, but Alston has the ability to have a big game like the one against Cleveland when he scored 26.
Edge: Magic
2. Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant vs. Courtney Lee
Well, I think you already know this one. I’ll go with one of the best guards in history.
Edge: Lakers
3. Small Forward: Trevor Ariza vs. Hedo Turkoglu
This is probably the closest matchup. Turkoglu has been the Magic’s Mr. Big Shot all season long, but Ariza is becoming one of the best defenders in the league (9th in steals this season mainly coming off the bench). I give the edge to Turkoglu because he can shoot from anywhere and he’s been huge all year. Edge: Magic
4. Power Forward: Pau Gasol vs. Rashard Lewis
Pau Gasol is one of the most versatile 7-footers in the league. He may have trouble covering Lewis behind the 3-point line, but he’s been efficient on the offensive end and if he gets the opportunities, he should be able to take advantage. Edge: Lakers
5. Center: Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard
Bynum hasn’t been as good since coming back from knee surgery, but even at his best he would be nowhere near Howard. Bynum has gotten into foul trouble too often and Howard is coming off a dominating performance against Cleveland in game 6 (40 points, 14 rebounds) and is even shooting better from the line (70% against Cleveland). As if it wasn’t already obvious, he’s one of the best, if not the best center in the league. Edge: Magic
6. Bench
Each team has plenty of shooters on their respective benches. I’ll focus on their most important bench players, Lamar Odom and Mickael Pietrus. Pietrus plays good defense and is a pretty good 3-point shooter (40% for the playoffs, 47% against Cleveland), but Odom has the potential to be a game-changer. Odom has averaged 12 points and 9.5 rebounds these playoffs, but he has not been very consistent. He’s had a few big games, but also a few rotten ones. The Lakers are 8-2 when Odom scores 10 or more points. If he has a couple of big games, it will help the Lakers immensely. He is the x-factor. The Lakers bench also has more experience having been here last year. Edge: Lakers
7. Coaching: Phil Jackson vs. Stan Van Gundy
Jackson has 9 rings. Van Gundy’s had a great year, but I’ll have to go with experience. And besides Van Gundy sounds like a mouse with bronchitis (how can you respect him?).
Edge: Lakers
I think this series will be better than last years’, although it isn’t a classic matchup. The Magic won both meetings in the regular season (106-103 and 109-103). However, Jameer Nelson is out, which is a huge loss for the Magic. There is speculation that he may play, but I doubt it. They replaced him with Rafer Alston, but Nelson had 28 and 27 in the Magic’s two wins. He’ll be missed in the finals. The Magic won both regular season meetings, but I think things will go a little differently in the Finals. Everyone loves to compare Dwight Howard and Shaq (they both played for the Magic, they’re both dominating centers, and they both have the same nickname), so I’d like to bring up one point. Shaq led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds (Howard is averaging 21.7 points and 15.4 rebounds) and they got swept by the Houston Rockets. Like this Magic team, Shaq’s team was young, inexperienced, and made it to the Finals after an early playoff exit the year before. I think the Magic’s inexperience will show in this series. The Cavs team from 2006 is another example. Lebron took them to the Finals, they were hot, they had no experience, and they got dismantled by the Spurs. I just think the Lakers will find a way to get it done. They were here last year and I think they’ve learned from it. How often does a team have to lose first before it can win? Another worry for the Magic is Dwight Howard’s temper. He has 5 technical fouls this post-season and if he picks up 2 more, he’ll be suspended for a game, which would absolutely destroy the Magic. We will have to see if he can maintain his composure on the biggest stage. I think Kobe will be the closer everyone believes he is and the Lakers will win this year. Orlando’s immaturity will show and LA will take care of busy when they need to, but it will be close.
Prediction: Lakers in six
(President Obama picked the Lakers too and hey he was right about the Tar Heels)
I guess it’s the general consensus now that Lebron is the best player in the world, but after this series Kobe will be a better winner (with or without Shaq), and that’s what counts. It should be a good NBA Finals, I’m looking forward to it…as long as Hubie Brown doesn’t call any games (fingers crossed).
So anyway, back to what I was supposed to be writing about, the NBA Finals. I decided to write about basketball because he’s already written 3 posts about the Stanley Cup Finals, which is quite understandable (we’re both wingnuts). Returning to David Stern’s playground, at the end of the season, somehow his two favorite playmates, Kobe and Bron Bron, are not the last ones standing. Even though for the entire regular season it seemed more likely than Yao Ming getting hurt, the two puppet buddies are not battling for the title. The Black Mamba and the Lakers (of course one of them had to make it, the NBA can’t stand to have another team like the Spurs in it) will face Superman and the Magic. This is not a bad matchup, both teams have their respective superstars and great role players, but it’s not the marquee matchup everyone drooled over. And you know what, I’m okay with that. When Kobe and Lebron have faced each other, it has never lived up to the hype, it has always disappointed. It’s like a movie you expect to be great and when you finally go, you have such high expectations, it’s never as good as you hoped (anyone remember spider-man 3? seriously why was he dancing?… why?). Every time they play against each other Kobe is sick and they both don’t play well. I think this will be a better series between two good teams, not just two good players. The Cavs are just not a very good team. They had a great regular season, because Lebron has gotten even better, to the point where it’s almost ridiculous. It was enough in the regular season, but the playoffs are entirely different. You need your role players to step up and the Cavs just don’t have the role players to win it all. So enough about the Cavs, they lost, they cried, they’re done (I’m from Detroit, if you can’t tell, I don’t like Cleveland). Let’s move on to the matchups.
1. Point Guard: Derek Fisher vs. Rafer Alston
Neither has been very consistent, but Alston has the ability to have a big game like the one against Cleveland when he scored 26.
Edge: Magic
2. Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant vs. Courtney Lee
Well, I think you already know this one. I’ll go with one of the best guards in history.
Edge: Lakers
3. Small Forward: Trevor Ariza vs. Hedo Turkoglu
This is probably the closest matchup. Turkoglu has been the Magic’s Mr. Big Shot all season long, but Ariza is becoming one of the best defenders in the league (9th in steals this season mainly coming off the bench). I give the edge to Turkoglu because he can shoot from anywhere and he’s been huge all year. Edge: Magic
4. Power Forward: Pau Gasol vs. Rashard Lewis
Pau Gasol is one of the most versatile 7-footers in the league. He may have trouble covering Lewis behind the 3-point line, but he’s been efficient on the offensive end and if he gets the opportunities, he should be able to take advantage. Edge: Lakers
5. Center: Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard
Bynum hasn’t been as good since coming back from knee surgery, but even at his best he would be nowhere near Howard. Bynum has gotten into foul trouble too often and Howard is coming off a dominating performance against Cleveland in game 6 (40 points, 14 rebounds) and is even shooting better from the line (70% against Cleveland). As if it wasn’t already obvious, he’s one of the best, if not the best center in the league. Edge: Magic
6. Bench
Each team has plenty of shooters on their respective benches. I’ll focus on their most important bench players, Lamar Odom and Mickael Pietrus. Pietrus plays good defense and is a pretty good 3-point shooter (40% for the playoffs, 47% against Cleveland), but Odom has the potential to be a game-changer. Odom has averaged 12 points and 9.5 rebounds these playoffs, but he has not been very consistent. He’s had a few big games, but also a few rotten ones. The Lakers are 8-2 when Odom scores 10 or more points. If he has a couple of big games, it will help the Lakers immensely. He is the x-factor. The Lakers bench also has more experience having been here last year. Edge: Lakers
7. Coaching: Phil Jackson vs. Stan Van Gundy
Jackson has 9 rings. Van Gundy’s had a great year, but I’ll have to go with experience. And besides Van Gundy sounds like a mouse with bronchitis (how can you respect him?).
Edge: Lakers
I think this series will be better than last years’, although it isn’t a classic matchup. The Magic won both meetings in the regular season (106-103 and 109-103). However, Jameer Nelson is out, which is a huge loss for the Magic. There is speculation that he may play, but I doubt it. They replaced him with Rafer Alston, but Nelson had 28 and 27 in the Magic’s two wins. He’ll be missed in the finals. The Magic won both regular season meetings, but I think things will go a little differently in the Finals. Everyone loves to compare Dwight Howard and Shaq (they both played for the Magic, they’re both dominating centers, and they both have the same nickname), so I’d like to bring up one point. Shaq led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds (Howard is averaging 21.7 points and 15.4 rebounds) and they got swept by the Houston Rockets. Like this Magic team, Shaq’s team was young, inexperienced, and made it to the Finals after an early playoff exit the year before. I think the Magic’s inexperience will show in this series. The Cavs team from 2006 is another example. Lebron took them to the Finals, they were hot, they had no experience, and they got dismantled by the Spurs. I just think the Lakers will find a way to get it done. They were here last year and I think they’ve learned from it. How often does a team have to lose first before it can win? Another worry for the Magic is Dwight Howard’s temper. He has 5 technical fouls this post-season and if he picks up 2 more, he’ll be suspended for a game, which would absolutely destroy the Magic. We will have to see if he can maintain his composure on the biggest stage. I think Kobe will be the closer everyone believes he is and the Lakers will win this year. Orlando’s immaturity will show and LA will take care of busy when they need to, but it will be close.
Prediction: Lakers in six
(President Obama picked the Lakers too and hey he was right about the Tar Heels)
I guess it’s the general consensus now that Lebron is the best player in the world, but after this series Kobe will be a better winner (with or without Shaq), and that’s what counts. It should be a good NBA Finals, I’m looking forward to it…as long as Hubie Brown doesn’t call any games (fingers crossed).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Game 1 & 2 and the break down of the new NHL rule
With games one and two we saw very similar games with the same end result and the return of the clutch and grab style of hockey, and I could not be happier.
In game one, it all came down to whose defense was better. After early mistakes by both teams' defense, the Wings were able to hold it down better and weather the Penguins storm. Goals occurred in the first 10 minutes of the second period and the end of the third, and with a combination of good bounces and great defense, the Wings pulled out a 3-1 win.
In game two we saw the Pens push the Wings, getting the first goal and a dominating the first period. The Wings came back to tie and then take the led on the first goal of any amazing skill from Flipullia. They got another from Abdelkader the Alligator, but this was just an insurance goal, as the Wings defense and Osgood thought that the first game was so good that it deserved to be repeated with game 2 ending 3-1 Wings.
This series so far has been characterized by a couple of things -- good defense and goaltending by the Wings and the lack of defense and goaltending from the Pens, as well as the return of the pre-lock out NHL rules.
2 Reason Wings are winning
#1 Osgood > Fleury.
Osgood right now would win the Conn Smyth, while Fleury looks like he belongs playing for the farm club.
#2 Return of the Clutch
Hooking, holding and interference have made a triumphant return to the game of hockey, and, personally, I could not be happier.
We are now seeing two great skilled teams but since the Wings play in the West, they know how to not rely solely on talent and when getting physical is necessary.
Anytime Crosby crosses the blue line with the puck, it seems that the Wings are magnetically drawn to him, and just snuff him out of the play along the boards.
This did worry me in the game one, because who knew what the referees were going to call, but since they seem to be letting most things go, it has resulted in some good old school hockey.
Prediction game 3
We have seen nothing from the Pens and that's why they are going to win game 3. Someone has to show up, and it's their second time in the finals, and the first game at home. Someone please show up for the sake of hockey.
Osgood does not have his backup Zetterberg to make a save today, so I'm predicting Pens 3-2 most likely in over time, but if the scores were reversed it would not surprise me.
In game one, it all came down to whose defense was better. After early mistakes by both teams' defense, the Wings were able to hold it down better and weather the Penguins storm. Goals occurred in the first 10 minutes of the second period and the end of the third, and with a combination of good bounces and great defense, the Wings pulled out a 3-1 win.
In game two we saw the Pens push the Wings, getting the first goal and a dominating the first period. The Wings came back to tie and then take the led on the first goal of any amazing skill from Flipullia. They got another from Abdelkader the Alligator, but this was just an insurance goal, as the Wings defense and Osgood thought that the first game was so good that it deserved to be repeated with game 2 ending 3-1 Wings.
This series so far has been characterized by a couple of things -- good defense and goaltending by the Wings and the lack of defense and goaltending from the Pens, as well as the return of the pre-lock out NHL rules.
2 Reason Wings are winning
#1 Osgood > Fleury.
Osgood right now would win the Conn Smyth, while Fleury looks like he belongs playing for the farm club.
#2 Return of the Clutch
Hooking, holding and interference have made a triumphant return to the game of hockey, and, personally, I could not be happier.
We are now seeing two great skilled teams but since the Wings play in the West, they know how to not rely solely on talent and when getting physical is necessary.
Anytime Crosby crosses the blue line with the puck, it seems that the Wings are magnetically drawn to him, and just snuff him out of the play along the boards.
This did worry me in the game one, because who knew what the referees were going to call, but since they seem to be letting most things go, it has resulted in some good old school hockey.
Prediction game 3
We have seen nothing from the Pens and that's why they are going to win game 3. Someone has to show up, and it's their second time in the finals, and the first game at home. Someone please show up for the sake of hockey.
Osgood does not have his backup Zetterberg to make a save today, so I'm predicting Pens 3-2 most likely in over time, but if the scores were reversed it would not surprise me.
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