Bryant: Novak Djokovic in search of love
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
Center Court: Men’s Paris Preview
NEXT VIDEO 
- Center Court: Men’s Paris Preview
Center Court: Men’s Paris Preview
- Center Court: Women’s Paris Preview
Center Court: Women’s Paris Preview
Before it became his signature moment to date, Novak Djokovic was motivated by a slight.
He had just made the greatest shot of his career, maybe of any career: Down two match points to Roger Federer in the 2011 U.S. Open semifinals, he made the wicked, desperate cross-court forehand return that saved, for the moment, the greatest season of the Open era. The shot was terrific, but the match was still over, certainly, with Federer holding another match point.
As a final acknowledgment, Djokovic turned to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, hugely partisan toward the great Federer, waving both hands high, as if to say You want more, don’t you? And everyone did. But Djokovic was also saying You should want more of me, too. Look at what I’m doing. I’m having the greatest season in history and NO ONE here is on my side?
We all know what happened next. Djokovic broke Federer’s spirit in that moment, right there. Federer was up 5-3, 40-15 in the fifth set, another potential final matchup with Rafael Nadal waiting. Federer never won another game. After that game, he never even reached another match point. Djokovic won the next four games, then steamrolled Nadal in four anticlimactic sets the following day for his third major of the year. The legend of the iron-willed Djokovic as the toughest out in sports was written that weekend, and it continues to this day.
The original slight, the abundance of respect for Djokovic but a curious absence of universal love from the tennis world, has never quite been massaged, has never quite healed. At some point, it was inevitable that despite his six majors, dominance over the rankings and recent destruction of Nadal in the Monte Carlo final (a place where Nadal had won eight straight titles), the wound would be reopened.
It happened in Madrid, where Djokovic was being stunned by Grigor Dimitrov, the young Bulgarian who seems to have patterned his every step on a tennis court after Federer. Dimitrov pulled off the three-set upset. But it wasn’t the loss that seemed to annoy Djokovic nearly as much as it was the crowd, who seemed to be pulling for the upset over the game’s best, suggesting once more that he hasn’t completely bridged the affection gap he confronted after saving that first match point against Federer 20 months ago in New York.
[+] Enlarge
After Djokovic won the second set tiebreak, he went to his chair, incited the crowd with some hand-waving, and then shouted to them in Serbian. Numerous blogs and media outlets reported Djokovic’s words as obscenities.
Tension had built, crystallized by the fact that Djokovic is rarely, if ever, the crowd favorite, and having the crowd pull for Dimitrov seemed too much. The fans at La Caja Magica reacted negatively to Djokovic taking a medical timeout in the second set, commencing a series of whistles and boos and, to Djokovic’s great annoyance, lustful cheers after each of his miscues.
For the tennis crowd that loves rivalry, the 21-year-old Dimitrov blew up the bracket, his win denying a delicious Nadal-Djokovic rematch from Monte Carlo, but the crowd didn’t care. Just like in New York, the issue wasn’t underdog versus favorite, but anyone versus Djokovic. For all his fun and playfulness and talent and erudition, it seems that upstart or favorite, Djokovic is the villain.
Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player going right now — winner of five of the past nine majors, three straight Australian Opens, finalist in eight of the past 10 majors. He is the No. 1 player in the world. He plays with a ferocious indomitability on the court and owns a definitive, likable charisma off it. He is approachable and funny, evidenced by his comedy at Kids Day at the U.S. Open last year and his impersonations. But the roaring love of the tennis world is largely reserved for the two men who have carried the sport the past decade and into history: Federer and Nadal.
Of course, the two own the tennis imagination for good reason. Federer is the greatest player the game has seen, and Nadal is his greatest rival, overshadowed by Federer only in titles but not head-to-head. Together, they have accomplished more than any pair of men. Only Evert-Navratilova compares.
The Federer-Nadal camps are rabid, both entrenched, both passionate, both seeing Djokovic for part of what he is: the scary gate-crasher of one of the greatest rivalries in the history of all sports, the guy who keeps the major count down because he can beat them both. Federer-Nadal is as good as Ali-Frazier, Red Sox-Yankees, Cowboys-49ers. It is the matchup that makes fans watch the tournament draw, figure out the possibilities for the fourth round and the quarters and the semis, hoping for the dream final. It is the equivalent of the football schedule being released in the spring and circling a game that is nine months away.
Federer and Nadal will be, for many parents, the entry point or continuation of their love of the sport, the way the old guard talks about Mantle and Mays, Williams and DiMaggio.
None of which has much to do with Djokovic personally, but the individual nature of tennis creates, fairly or unfairly, a hero-villain dynamic. There are contemporary players, like Andy Murray or Tomas Berdych, who lack the leading man public persona and on-court game, and others, like Andy Roddick, who carry a certain brusqueness that marketers are paid to transform into charm, but Djokovic possesses a genuine winner’s flair.
Earlier in his career, Djokovic was temperamental; his on-court rage at his play and erratic serve did not play well against the regal and elegant Federer or swashbuckling charisma of Nadal. During his 2011 season, however, Djokovic seemed to carve out a space for himself both with his relentless, unbreakable play and the recognition that it would be he and Nadal fighting for supremacy of the sport. He carried himself like a champion. He put his personality, his intelligence and multilingualism on display. His commercials are funny.
But in the space of the public imagination, nothing much can replace the hold Federer and Nadal have on this generation of tennis.
Djokovic is in many ways Ivan Lendl, the great talent who upended Jimmy Connors-John McEnroe and McEnroe-Bjorn Borg, the player who played his way into the starlight. Lendl was respected, never loved. Lendl took over for Connors against McEnroe the way Djokovic has for Federer in many ways. A Djokovic-Nadal final is box-office, top-shelf athletic entertainment.
Unlike Lendl, Djokovic does not come off to the public as cold and distant. He is Eastern European, but the Serb luckily is not saddled with the Cold War and its nationalistic trappings. Nor does he possess something gauche or unprofessional as there seems to be on the women’s side with Victoria Azarenka, the reigning Australian Open champ who hasn’t quite been forgiven for her various odd fits of gamesmanship on the court.
At least only for now, Djokovic remains something of the outsider, despite his gifts. Djokovic is a worthy and great champion, and has a rabid fan base. He plays with a furious and admirable desire to succeed, to belong — no different than that of Federer and Nadal. He is, however, simply unlucky to follow the star show of two icons. Perhaps it is a slight that fuels him even as it wounds him, and over time, if he continues to dominate the game, the crowd tenor toward him will change. Nostalgia will take over and he will gain from its sentimentality in a way Lendl never did. Lendl on some occasions would mention to audiences that just once it would be nice if the crowd wanted him to win.
It should also be remembered that for much of the first two decades as a pro, Connors was never showered with universal affection, not until his surprise 1991 U.S. Open run that changed how the public would view him. In the meantime, as he dominates but can’t seem to win more than half of the crowd, Djokovic is faced with an interesting adventure in self-discipline: absorb the disappointment that winning the crowd is out of his control, or continue to lose his cool and embody the villain label he seems desperate to avoid.
Howard Bryant | email
Senior Writer
- Senior Writer, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine
- Author of “The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron”
- Author of “Juicing the Game”
Article source: http://espn.go.com/tennis/french13/story/_/id/9306074/novak-djokovic-search-love
Follow the UW-Madison teams at this weekend’s USA Ultimate College Championships at Reddan Park
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
Madison sports fans looking to discover a sport on the rise are fortunate to have the USA Ultimate College Championsips (PDF) at Reddan Park in Verona this weekend. Forty teams total — 20 women’s and 20 open — are competing for national titles beginning with pool play on Friday and Saturday with elimination rounds beginning Saturday evening. Quarter-finals are Sunday morning with semi-finals in the afternoon at Mansfield Stadium on the Madison Memorial High School campus.
Both UW-Madison squads are in the field, with the three-time national champion Hodags seeded second in the open tournament and perennially contending Bella Donna seeded eighth among the women’s teams. The men wear baby blue uniforms most often, occasionally switching to black jerseys. The women alternate between red and black.
USA Ultimate is still a developing organization and it’s not particularly easy to navigate its website. Fans will want to pay attention to the Score Reporter pages, which have schedules and scores. The open scoreboard is here, women’s here.
There will also be extensive coverage of the tournament from Ultiworld (which ranks the Hodags fourth and Bella Donna 11th in the nation) and Skyd Magazine.
The Hodags get going early on Friday, playing Cornell at 8:30 and arch nemesis Carleton College at 12:30. Pool play continues on Saturday with games against Harvard (10:30) and Florida State (2:30). The Hodags’ rivalry with Carleton, better known as CUT, is long and heated with Wisconsin taking the most recent game on May 5 for the North Central Region title.
Bella Donna starts off with a big test at 10:30 a.m. Friday against top-seeded Oregon. They play Minnesota at 2:30 p.m., Northeastern at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and Stanford at noon Saturday.
Article source: http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=40013
MLS week 13: Reviews and previews
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
In case anyone missed the week’s really big news, it looks like HOUSTON MAY BE HEADING BACK TO THE WESTERN CONFERENCE! Yes, struck by the debilitating dynastic prospect of more Dynamo vs Galaxy finals, MLS has acted resolutely by accepting $100 million of outside investment to start a new New York team and presumably shunt Houston back to the West in 2015. It’s a bold move, that everybody nobody saw coming, but arguably no more leftfield a move than bringing the Yankees in as partners…
The existing New York/New Jersey team, the Red Bulls, greeted the news from the top of the Supporters Shield standings, with the chance to emulate an unbeaten streak they last achieved some ten years ago (when Kevin Keegan was Manchester City manager). The Red Bulls face Columbus this weekend at the start of a three game home stand on the field and a possible 18 month one off it.
Meanwhile, as the rest of the league feasts themselves on the Red Bulls discarded games in hand, Montreal edge back into action, having apparently been determined not to run out of games as they did on last year’s run-in. The Garbo-esque Impact make a rare public appearance against a Philadelphia side who are beginning to show more than just McInerney’s goals.
Houston won’t be in the West just yet, but it’ll be a shame to miss their regular ongoing tussles with Sporting KC if and when they do go. After Sporting ended their record-breaking unbeaten home run a couple of weeks ago, the Dynamo will be out for revenge, though Kei Kamara will be looking for a definitive performance to show he’s back home. That’s this week’s NBCSN game on Sunday afternoon.
New England added insult to injury for the Dynamo when they added a second straight home defeat for them last week, and now they go home themselves to welcome Toronto, who might need a quick reminder of the long term nature of the revival project they’re working on, as the immediate pressures of poor league form pile up. Also feeling the pressure, the redoubtable Chelis at Chivas, who are slumping alarmingly after their bright start, and who face a tough trip to the quietly achieving Colorado side, who are finally getting their first choice players back, but who’ve done just fine with their so-called second stringers.
Colorado can’t rest up in that last play-off spot though, as a surging Seattle team are just behind them and going to LA looking to extract some revenge for last year’s semi-final elimination and prove that they are indeed, back. Seattle come into the game with the confidence of having beaten erstwhile frontrunners Dallas last week. Dallas are back home, yet again, to face San Jose. The Earthquakes are still scoring late goals, but they’re tending to get them single points rather than three points in recent games. They have one win in nine games.
Chicago meanwhile, have two wins in ten games, and the second worst goal difference in the league. They’ve just lost successive games to the Union and seem to think they might have the blueprint. That may explain why they’re rumored to be moving to bring Bakary Soumare back to where he started, and may further explain his “shop window displays” in those two recent games. The Fire go to RSL this weekend, who are back home themselves for the next four games — they’re tucked in nicely in second spot in the West and will hope to put a little bit of pressure in Dallas with that run.
Our regular cast of team reps join us this week, to begin ratcheting up the hype about what Dom Kinnear might wear for his first game back in the West, and also mention in passing the main stories for their teams heading into the games this weekend. See what they have to say below and add your own take on the weekend’s action, then join us on Monday to see if we’re any the wiser.
All kick off times are listed as ET
DC United vs Portland Timbers
Sat 7:00PM, RFK Stadium (Univision Dep.)
Kim Kolb, Screaming Eagles:
When does a draw seem like a victory? When you’ve dropped seven in a row, that’s when. United built a little on it’s 1-2 loss to Dallas with some tweaks to the lineup such as Nick DeLeon in central midfield, and rookie Taylor Kemp made his debut. While not all is well, at least there are moments where things tend to work, and the return of Chris Pontius surely helped. With the team down 0-1, Pontius whipped in a cross that Kyle Porter got to on the far post. Putting a cross to the far post AND having a player making that run, let alone connecting on it was something that DC United hasn’t done since the days of Tony Sanneh. United is still bringing in a stable of trialists, this week there are three such players in town, including the grandson of Johan Cruyff. From where United was, there are no quick fixes, but the right attitude and some smart roster pickups/adjustments could salvage the MLS campaign.
Michael Pearson, Timbers Army, Portland:
After a improbable 2-2 draw in Vancouver that saw Futty Danso cruelly sent off late in the match, right before a glorious (if slightly illegal but very deserved) goal out of nowhere by Jose Valencia , kept the 10 game unbeaten streak alive for Portland. The Timbers didn’t play their best match, and some players appeared to already look a little winded playing Portland’s high intensity soccer, but the draw away from home kept the team on the roll, both in standings and in the Cascadia Cup competition.
Up next, Timbers face winless-in-9 DC United, who came away with a solid result against Sporting KC to end a 7 game losing streak. Timbers will feature yet another CB combination, as injuries to Silvestre and Horst, as well as the suspension to Futty, will force the debut of Pa Kah, Rauwshan McKenzie (recently signed but has trained several weeks with the team) or rookie Dylan Tucker-Gagnes. Regardless of what happens at the back, look for the midfield and attack, which has remained mostly unchanged, to continue the high possession, high pressure style that is continuing to earn the team points home and on the road. With DC’s spotty defense as of late, I suspect we will see another chance for the Timbers to earn points on the road.
Montreal Impact vs Philadelphia Union
Sat 7:00PM, Stade Saputo
Sofiane Benzaza, Mount Royal Soccer, Montreal:
After a few weeks of talking injuries, recovering from injuries would describe the Montreal Impact’s past week or so. Enjoying a bye week in Major League Soccer, the Impact almost lost two core players as both Jeb Brovsky and Felipe Martins felt their share of pain. We were told during the post-game press conference against the Vancouver Whitecaps that the Brazilian had passed kidney stones and was hospitalized for a couple of days. Jeb Brovsky’s case was even more dramatic — the right back broke his nose in 6 places when going for a ball in the air against the Whitecaps. The scary pictures of his bloody face were only matched by his bravery in coming back for the last minutes of the game.
Recovering from a grueling month of May, Les Bleus continue to be in the top five teams of the Eastern Conference with a few games in hand. Putting points in the bank early in the month of March is paying dividends. Will the Montreal Impact come out unscathed out of the MLS Spring into the Hot MLS Summer? The answer starts this weekend against the Philadelphia Union. The Union has not beaten any team ranked higher in the MLS standings but have never really laid down against the Montreal Impact in 2012.
Let’s just say that Marco Di Vaio still remembers Zac MacMath and his excellent saves. The Italian striker would not mind taking that monkey off his back and in the same time take the MLS goalscoring lead, held by Philadelphia’s Jack McInerney.
Dan Walsh, Philly Soccer Page, Philadelphia:
Until last Wednesday, it was beginning to look as though designated player Jose Kleberson joined Philadelphia Union solely because his loan deal expires in December, whereas the highly paid player he was exchanged for, Freddy Adu, was under contract for two more years. Forget that notion. Kleberson can clearly still play. He looks like the CAM the Union have lacked since the team began play in 2010.
The difference between Kleberson and Keon Daniel at center attacking midfield is like night and day. The Union’s midfield has finally shown fluidity, both in last Wednesday’s loss to Los Angeles and Saturday’s win over Chicago. No, it’s not perfect yet. (Danny Cruz still has almost no part in the short passing game, and there’s no guarantee Michael Farfan won’t be returned to the left flank, where he’s less effective than on his favored right side.) But it looks on its way. That could change the Union from a counterattacking mid-table team that regularly parks the bus to steal points to a good team that plays entertaining, attacking soccer. Defensive midfielder Brian Carroll looks like a different player when paired with Kleberson. With the Brazilian playing a more advanced playmaking role, Carroll has been freed up to focus on what he does best: shielding the back line. Not only does Carroll look better defensively, but so does the back line. Kleberson still looks only fit for 60-minute stretches. We’ll see what a week off does for him before Saturday’s game in Montreal.
New England Revolution vs Toronto FC
Sat 7:30PM, Gillette Stadium
Julie Kumor, Midnight Riders:
Brian Ching is probably the only player on the field Saturday that remembers the Houston-Revolution rivalry of five years ago, one that existed despite the MLS office’s best effort to manufacture them. So five years ago going to Houston and getting a win and increasing their losing streak at home WOULD have been the headline. The Revs winning at all and finally looking like a team with potential SHOULD have been the headlines. Instead it was Ching’s post-game comments. He called out the Revs for “theatrics” and “time-wasting.” Well Brian Ching – it takes one to know one.
Brian Ching, you didn’t win this game against the Revs on Saturday. The Revs were the better team. I mean if you want your team to win, you should educate them about putting the ball into the back of their own net. I can criticize the Revs for their time wasting, you can’t. You came off like a sore loser, an attitude I am pretty sure Dominic Kinnear fosters. A couple years ago, Kinnear and I got into a sideline exchange at Gillette — while trailing the Revs that day he said “You can come down to Houston sometime I will show you my two rings.” So Brian Ching, I have a deal for you – I will give you the win you think you deserved on Saturday in exchange for either the 2006 or 2007 MLS Cup.
Sonja Missio, 90 Minutes of Hopp:
Someone just needs to come out and say it: whatever Toronto FC is doing (or trying to do) is just not working. Not in regard to the lack of wins, but in regard to the overall structure of the club. For a team that started off with such gusto, TFC has become a bore. Fans are no longer excited for new signings; it has just become a nuisance to remember another name of an over-30-loanee. Fans are becoming increasing agitated with the same style of play: long balls down the pitch and constant/needless back passing to the keeper (I’d wager that Joe Bendik is leading for most ball possession). And fans are realizing how hard it is to rally around a team that refuses to recognize its own faults. It’s one thing to lose games because that’s the nature of the sport, it’s another to lose because that’s the nature of the culture. And that culture is Toronto’s trap; the club relies on the same type of signings, the same type of style of play, and people wonder why they come up with same constant excuses. When Toronto take on New England on Saturday, what are the chances that TFC fans will think—even just for a fleeting second—”I miss the exciting old day when Chad Barrett played for us.”
Toronto needs a new plan, to think and act outside the team’s comfort zone, because the only thing worse than an angry fan, is a bored fan.
FC Dallas vs San Jose Earthquakes
Sat 8:30PM, FC Dallas Stadium
Gina Zippilli, The Inferno, Dallas:
The main discussion this week was around the red card to Blas Perez in the last game against the Sounders. I can see why it was given, but I don’t think it was a red. And yes that’s partly my bias speaking, but also I don’t know what else he was supposed to do in going for a ball in the air but use his arms. The referee was standing right there and waved play on and it was only when Baldomero Toledo on the sidelines called it back and they saw the blood on the defender’s face that it was given. One it happened I didn’t expect it to be overturned, and it wasn’t so we’ll be without one of our best players, and a red card magnet, again next week.
The Seattle game was frustrating in that we struggled at first, got momentum and then in the very next play after a beautiful goal by Michel to tie it up we fell behind again. I think London Woodberry has a bright future and he’s a good kid, but he’s not ready to lead a defense, so the prospect of him up against the likes of Lenhart at the weekend scares me. We need George John back, but he’s just made of glass in some ways — injuries that other players recover from in two weeks take him six, and Schellas Hyndman tends to err on the side of caution when bringing him back, so we could have a second choice center back pairing again for a tough physical game. I’d accept a 1-1 draw for this one. It’s been a good run so far, but it’s clear that if we’re going to do anything in the playoffs it’ll only be with everyone fit.
Lisa Erickson, Center Line Soccer, San Jose:
The San Jose Earthquakes beat the Rapids 3-0!! Finally a great result and a clean sheet for the boys in Black and Blue; but alas the match was Sunday morning and in the MLS Reserve League. The night prior the Quakes got another draw and just another point at home against the Rapids. But looking to the new day, San Jose fans are hoping that the tide is turning and perhaps the Reserve League result will leak over into the regular season matches for the Goonies. San Jose are now playing at full strength after having lived through a batch of injuries and suspensions; now all are ready for some first team cohesiveness to start bringing the results.
Maybe singing “On the road again, just can’t wait to get on the road again…” as they travel across the country in matches for MLS, as well as the US Open Cup will build that cohesiveness. First up, is a stop in Frisco, Texas to take on Western Conference leaders FC Dallas. Then they will go to Charleston, South Carolina for a quick Cup match before flying over to Rio Tinto in Salt Lake City. A bye week for some FIFA dates to recover before going a “Mile High” to challenge Colorado again in Commerce City. They’ll leave the Rockie Mountains for the nation’s capitol to fight the league’s worst team DC United. If the Quakes can bring home 9 points, their hopes for climbing back into the playoff picture will be a welcome relief to all.
Real Salt Lake vs Chicago Fire
Sat 9:00PM, Rio Tinto Stadium
Matt Montgomery, Under the Crossbar, Real Salt Lake:
Having played less than 40 percent of their matches at home, Real Salt Lake will be licking their chops at the prospect of a four-game home stand. With Chicago Fire the side coming first, the chop-licking should escalate: With only two wins and one draw, the Fire are running alongside Toronto FC and DC United in the fight for the worst-off side in MLS, and that offers an opportunity for RSL to really solidify their footing in the middle period of the season. With summer international absences approaching, forging good partnerships across the pitch will be of a high priority.
The home stand sees several players easing back into contention: Alvaro Saborio and his quad strain are closer to fitness and making the pitch, and Olmes Garcia’s adductor strain should be lifting, and Cole Grossman — who had been out following a concussion near the beginning of the season — is back into training. Importantly coming back into contention is Robbie Findley, who, despite some poor finishing last weekend, was a game-changing force, and just like that, RSL’s strike force is nearly entirely healthy. Opponents should be rightly a little worried about RSL’s renewed focus on attack, and with some set piece prowess emerging, the methods for scoring become many from relatively few. With the Fire likely to look for a point at Rio Tinto Stadium, there’s plenty of reason for RSL fans to expect a win.
Scott Fenwick, Editor, On the Fire, Chicago:
Just when it seemed Chicago was on a one-way road to nowhere (at least until summer transfer window time), its front office acted to bolster the squad. Big man center back Bakary Soumare got his wish: he’s returning to Chicago.
Granted, there’s still much work to be done – especially on the offensive side of the ball – but plugging a gaping hole in its defense and bolstering its depth will help the Fire rebuild from the back. Soumare’s arrival will likely shift Jalil Anibaba to right back and put “El Liability” Wells Thompson back where he belongs – on the bench as a reserve winger.
What’s perhaps most intriguing now is Arne Friedrich’s fate. Practically, the right move should be to try to work a deal to get the German international to retire. With Friedrich close to max salary, his departure would help the Fire free up needed cap space. Psychologically, it would also help the organization and fan base look ahead, rather than continually lament the World Cup veteran’s absence from the pitch.
Certainly, now that Soumare’s back home where he wants to be, his suspect attitude should improve. Perhaps his arrival will inject confidence and life into a dejected Fire locker room, one that must be feeling pretty bad about itself at the moment. After all, “Kid” Klopas’s Fire has taken a measly 7 points out of a possible 30 thus far in 2013. This week, a tough task lies ahead at RSL though.
Solution? Park the bus with Baky.
Colorado Rapids vs Chivas USA
Sat 9:00PM, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Todd Haggerty, Centennial 38 Supporters, Colorado Rapids:
Might I say there is a bit of tempered optimism in Commerce City? No, I’m not talking about the plans to revive the dog track but rather the Rapids and their one loss in the last eight games. Even more so, these precious points come via some of the league’s finest (Chivas USA, Toronto, San Jose, Columbus). A true test of the Rapids progress is likely to be revealed this weekend when they take on Chivas USA (again!). Unfortunately the weather is supposed to be warm this weekend so we are unlikely to see either Pareja or Chelis wearing sweaters.With the lack of sweaters and the improving health of the squad, this match should yield three points for the Rapids–strengthening their quest for the last playoff spot. In Open Cup news, the Rapids dismal coin toss streak continues as the team will travel to Florida to take on Orlando City SC.
Alicia Ratterree, The Goat Parade, Chivas USA:
This week appears to be very much the same as last week for Chivas USA and that is full of uncertainty. The team dropped another game in blowout fashion last week, this time to Real Salt Lake, and the honeymoon certainly appears to be over for Chelis. Although his tactics have never been what one would call rigid, the loose approach is growing less and less effective, especially against tactically astute sides like RSL.
Besides the continuing slide on the field, the rumors off the field have been even more fascinating. Late last week came word that Chivas USA and Chivas de Guadalajara were about to be sold, perhaps as soon as Friday. That didn’t happen, but rumors are still swirling. There have also been whispers about Chelis’ job security, but as of midweek, he was still present at training. Could there be massive changes on the horizon for this team? Who knows, honestly, but needless to say it is a time of pure uncertainty for fans of Chivas USA.
Sporting Kansas City vs Houston Dynamo
Sun 3:30PM, Sporting Park (NBCSN)
Malena Barajas, co-founder, Women United FC, Sporting Kansas City:
Unfortunately, a poor call by a linesman changed the course of last Sunday’s match between Sporting KC and D.C. United at RFK Stadium. A 29th minute goal by Sporting KC defender Ike Opara was disallowed denying KC the lead before the half. The match ended in a draw, with Sporting KC unable to finish several opportunities in the late part of the second half. Following the match, the head of the Professional Referees Organization recognized the error, which increased the frustration felt by the team and the fans.
Sporting can transfer that frustration to motivation on Sunday against rivals the Houston Dynamo. After ended the Dynamo’s no-loss at home record just two weeks ago, Sporting KC must defend its own turf. It does not hurt that it will be playing this match in front of a sold out crowd at Sporting Park. This match will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network. Prepare for the return of defender Chance Myers who has been out with a hamstring strain relieving Mechak Jerome who has been filling in during Myers’ absence. These three points are critical to widening the gap between Sporting KC and the Dynamo in the Eastern Conference table.
Next Tuesday, Sporting KC will face the Des Moines Menace of PDL in a third-round US Open Cup match. Should (read: when) Sporting KC advance it will potentially face USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC, where Dom Dwyer, a Sporting KC loan, is leading the USL Pro in goals scored with 12.
Stephen Eastepp, Dynamo Theory, Houston:
From one week to the next, things got worse for Houston. As if losing the home unbeaten streak wasn’t enough against conference rival Sporting Kansas City, now the men in orange did the unthinkable – lost to New England. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if the Revs are the worst team in MLS, in fact despite their record, they have one of the league’s best defenses. If Houston wants to remain as a top contender, they have to take out teams like New England. So with the loss, the Dynamo now have a two game losing streak – both at home nonetheless.
Things could get worse for Houston as now they’ll travel to Kansas City to take on SKC again. The problem is the Dynamo will likely have to do it with both starting center backs shelved. Bobby Boswell is suspended after head-butting a Revs player, while Jermaine Taylor will likely sit after popping his shoulder out of place in the first half. If both defenders sit, Eric Brunner and Ricardo Clark will likely pair in the middle and could be a bit to unfamiliar with each other to lock down the backline. Sporting Kansas City will be looking to capitalize on loss of two of four defensive starters and sneak out another win in this exciting new rivalry.
New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew
Sun 5pm, Red Bull Arena (UniMas)
Dan Dickinson, Sports editor, Gothamist, New York:
This can’t be right. Didn’t you hear the news? Soccer is finally returning to the NYC area after thirty-something years, thanks to the endless benevolence of Manchester City and the Yankees. We’re all focused on potential stadium locations and figuring out how to chant “Come on Citeh” in a New Yawk accent. You’re telling me there’s already a soccer team in the area – and they have a home game this weekend?
A week of almost nothing but NYC FC news has strangely turned the first game of a three-game Red Bulls home stand into a statement match. Not a statement about their place in the league standings; they’ve reached top of the overall shield table in ages after downing LA late. Rather, it’s about their place in the sporting world. There may be no better way to broadcast “We’re already here” than by dominating the Crew. Keep an eye on Thierry Henry – last year, he went on a rampage against them in all meetings, but was shut out offensively during a road trip to Columbus last month.
Ian Fraser, Crew Union, Columbus Crew:
For all the criticism Robert Warzycha comes under in Columbus, the one thing that his teams are built to do is get points on the road. Two weeks ago I said the Crew were due for an ugly win and I was a week early. Toronto were, well, Toronto last week and instead of going into the break up a couple of goals they managed to trail by a goal and never recovered, as Columbus killed the game off.
It came to me that a good comparison for how Warzycha organizes his team shape is that of a ship anchor. It is wide at the bottom and is narrow at the top. The purpose of the anchor is to provide stability and prevent the ship from going astray. Only Warzycha doesn’t know when to pull anchor and allow the ship to roam in more comfortable waters.
Columbus drop anchor in Red Bull Arena Sunday. The Crew had the better of the Red Bulls in their recent matchup but came away with a loss. I imagine NYRB will be more assertive at home, as teams should be, and expect a different game this time. Columbus will have to absorb more pressure with a makeshift central defense as both starters are out. Also, Agustin Viana looks doubtful and Danny O’Rourke is just returning from injury. The Crew anchor looks to be vulnerable at the bottom this week but Oduro and Higuain provide strength at the top so it may just hold up.
LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders
Sun 11pm Home Depot Center (ESPN2)
Josie Becker, Editor, LAG Confidential, Los Angeles:
The big story for the LA Galaxy this week is trying to find their footing again after a grueling road trip. After getting two rounds off in the first ten rounds, to accommodate their play in the CONCACAF Champions League, LA started making up that time off with three matches in eight days all on the road. Their form wasn’t all that great, losing both weekend matches but showing well mid-week against the Philadelphia Union.
Landon Donovan was especially great in that match, managing two assists and a goal as well as being the contributing factor on the opening own goal on their way to a 4-1 victory. Being left off Jurgen Klinsmann’s US roster just hours before is widely cited as the reason for the breakout performance. However, there were struggles in New York. A big chunk of those struggles can be blamed on the Galaxy being without two of their first choice midfielders for most of the match. Mike Magee was scratched before kickoff, and Juninho suffered a knock not ten minutes into the proceedings. Their replacements had a tough time getting distribution going from the midfield.
Now the Galaxy begin a stretch where they’ll be the only MLS side without a bye week for a stretch of eleven match days. They’ll be without Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez for part of that stretch, as they’re away on international duty. Should they survive the fire, they should be in a good way for the playoff run.
RONAN O’GARA: Putting shape on Paris plans
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
RONAN O’GARA: Putting shape on Paris plans
It’s the eve of an all-Irish Rabo Direct pro 12 final, again underlining just how strong the provincial game remains in this country.
There are probably only two moneyed clubs in France with a greater depth of options on their playing staff than three of the four Irish provinces.
I should be in a better position to refine that judgment in a few months. I expect to make my first trip to Paris in the next week to get a proper schedule and structure for my new position with Racing. The media is the media, and the frenzy over Jonny Sexton isn’t surprising. But it’s off the mark. I am not going to Paris to be Jonny Sexton’s coach. That’s the bit I could do in my sleep, but it’s all the other elements of the coaching position that are new and will be challenging for me out there.
Things like developing a squad culture at Racing, getting the team prepared as opposed to myself, and simple things like realising there will be two senior coaches there and I will be their junior.
It’s important that you respect what Laurent Travers and Laurent Labit are doing. The best management teams I’ve seen at close quarters are highly organised, highly prepared, and there’s a clear synergy between them. No matter how experienced a player is, he will look to the head man and the coaching staff for direction. When that’s right, the potential for any team can be huge.
It’s important that I watch first, observe and listen, because the biggest mistake is thinking you can go straight in and change something because you’ve had an impact as a player. Coaching is completely different.
The key things don’t change — hard work and attitude. Those values are essential because even though Racing have a lot of new signings coming in, there is also a massive number of players there that are established and I know next to nothing about them.
The other key element of Paris preparation for me is on the domestic side. There’s a house and car with the contract and though those items are incidental to the rugby, they are extremely important to me in terms of Jessica and the kids. Because if they’re not happy, I’m not happy and I’ll be coming home early.
To explain: when you’re focused on work as a rugby player you could be anywhere in the world and scarcely notice. I’ve been in beautiful parts of South Africa and Tonga and people are ‘that place was beautiful’ but it’s all the same to me. What’s important is getting my family relaxed and feeling comfortable in France. Enjoying it.
I know from quizzing Dougie (Howlett) and Rua Tipoki about the challenges of getting their partners involved when they arrived in Cork.
This whole Paris deal happened quickly. I essentially landed it on Jessica. Ideally you’d have time to discuss all this. But if it doesn’t work for us as a unit, I’ll come home. Fair enough, it’ll be seen as a failed venture, but so what? There’s nothing bigger than your family. I’m not going to have them crying every night, because they are very close to their cousins, so there will be homesick moments. But if it gets too overwhelming, then let’s go home. Nothing is more important than family.
Last Friday’s meeting with Jacky (Lorenzetti, the Racing president) was productive. They’ve established themselves in the Top 14 but now they want to win something. He said he wanted to tap into a winning mindset, but that’s as a player. I’m completely unproven as a coach. There’s 42 players in the squad with only two senior coaches, excluding me. That seems like an awful lot of work for two coaches, but that’s a good thing for me in terms of scope to muck in and help them. Everyone brings something to the table from somewhere else. I’ve picked the brains of people that arrived here with Munster. They brought innovative ideas, but they weren’t born with them — they picked them up as they went.
In fairness to Racing, there probably wasn’t a position available per se but they’ve seen what I can bring to the club and they’ve created a position for me. I’ll be able to roadtest ideas and strategies with the junior players in the club, but it looks like I won’t have that much spare time away from the first team.
Jonny Sexton knew the arrangements in advance. He was one of the only people who was forearmed. He was only laughing when he heard it. ‘The media are going to love this one’. He got that one right.
People need to understand how much time kickers spend with each other. We leave Carton House at 10am for the Aviva, and it’s either my car or his. We kick, ice bath and head for Juniors, a restaurant in Dublin. It’s basically hanging out. You’re not going to do that with someone you’re awkward with. Otherwise you’d be kicking alone, travelling in different cars, making excuses, ‘Eh, I’ve a meeting there now, Jonny, catch you later’.
It was a strained relationship at the start. That’s called rivalry. Time and respect changed that.
His final 80 in Leinster colours comes tomorrow in the Rabo final against season-long front-runners Ulster. Teams that have led the league from the gun tend to get caught. When you’re going hard and consistent all season, is there the extra gear when it matters, to take it to another level in a final? There’s another thing. The Ulster celebrations when they beat Leinster recently in the RDS. You can be sure the dancing, skipping, fist-pumping exploits of Johann Muller will have been replayed several times this week. That won’t be lost on the Leinster players. Ulster have beaten them twice this season, but Leinster will be steely for this one.
The feedback I’m hearing is that Joe Schmidt treated the Amlin like a Heineken Cup. The minute they were knocked out of the main competition, they set their stall out. They are so fixated on doing the double now. And the Nacewa, Sexton and Schmidt last-game incentive.
The key will be whether Brian O’Driscoll plays. If he doesn’t, it changes the Ulster playbook.
With O’Driscoll, it’s about presence and in professional sport, presence is key. With him at 13, Ulster will go around rather than through while if it’s Madigan and McFadden, they’ll be thinking differently. They’ll test them whereas they’d give O’Driscoll the benefit of the doubt.
Madigan is a big threat but he will struggle as a 12 in Test rugby. He isn’t a D’Arcy. Darce is unique. Give him a one-on-one and he’ll struggle to get over the gainline, but give him four fellas to face and he’ll manage to get five yards over it. He makes the most complex of situations look easy and the simplest of situations look difficult! Some man.
Schmidt will leave a really good set-up after him. Leinster have done a lot of things brilliantly in recent years, one of which is serious squad unity. That’s not an easy thing, and it has to be managed really closely, which it has been. That’s a compliment to the new Irish coach.
What is crucial in any set-up — and will be again in Racing, with such a squad size — is the players from numbers 23 to 33 in a squad (or in Racing’s case 23 to 42). That’s a team in itself. How do they feel about themselves, what value do they see themselves bringing to the team, are they being listened to, appreciated? And how do you mix that with keeping your best players on the pitch? Leinster are Ireland’s best at present, though I’m not sure Ulster are No 2. They’ve been more consistent in the Rabo but were hugely disappointing in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens while Munster won a quarter-final and pushed a team in Clermont all the way in the semi-final.
Either way, there’s a lot on the table tomorrow in the RDS. The minute you exit Europe, the focus put on this competition is huge. There was always a sense of panic when you were knocked out of Europe and suddenly all your focus was on the Rabo.
Priorities change. We were in Portugal on a family holiday after the 2011 Magners final win over Leinster. I was there with my family, as was Mick O’Driscoll. We met eight of the Leinster team enjoying themselves in the sun for a week. The craic at the pool was good by day with the usual slagging. For years we’d been telling them to enjoy the Celtic League successes and leave the big stuff to Munster. This time though they were after winning the Heineken Cup. One day by the pool, the waiter arrives over with a bottle of Magners on a tray, with a glass of ice and a message from Luke Fitzgerald and Fergus McFadden. ‘Well done on the Magners, Rog’. I was firmly put in my place. Not for the first time by the Leinster lads.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
Home
Article source: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/cwmhcwcwgbid/rss2/
Terps Trio: ACC lawsuit, Navy and Georgetown, Alex Len’s NBA possibilities
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
Baltimore Sun reporters Jeff Barker and Don Markus and editor Matt Bracken weigh in on the three biggest topics of the past week in Maryland sports.
What is the central issue in the legal skirmishes between Maryland and the Atlantic Coast Conference as the school prepares to join the Big Ten next year?
Jeff Barker: There’s an issue of jurisdiction. The ACC says North Carolina – not Maryland – is the proper venue to air the dispute. Maryland disagrees. There are suits ongoing in both states.
-
Weekly Maryland recruiting roundup
-
Aboard ‘Coaches Caravan’ cruise, Randy Edsall says his Terps are on course
-
Maryland says ACC has created budget ‘hole’ by withholding shared revenues
-
See more stories »
But the debate centers on the ACC’s $52 million exit fee. Here are three points of contention:
** Is it fair? The university says it’s anti-competitive, not allowing the open market to work as it should. The ACC says the fee has been important in keeping the conference stable and that Maryland has made no valid antitrust claim against it under state law.
** Is it enforceable? Maryland says the fee was imposed last year without sufficient notice given to members. The ACC says the member presidents approved it, and that it is binding.
** Has it been applied too soon? Maryland says it has not formally given notice to the ACC that the school is leaving for the Big Ten, and that it would be premature for the ACC to begin collecting any withdrawal fee.
Other schools and conferences will be watching how the courts treat the exit fee.
Says Maryland: “This is the highest penalty ever assessed … (the) largest penalty in the history of intercollegiate athletics.”
Will Maryland be playing Navy in football and Georgetown in men’s basketball any time soon?
Don Markus: The short answer is probably no. With the Terps going to the Big Ten in 2014, and the league itself going to nine games in 2016, there’s really no room on Maryland’s schedule. The Midshipmen are expected to join the newly named American Athletic Conference in 2015, but who knows how many of those former Big East teams will have jumped ship by then?
That doesn’t mean the two schools shouldn’t try to figure out a way to meet, at least every two or three years. Instead of Maryland playing a South Florida, which it will do next season, or even a Texas, which was added for a home-and-home before the Terps joined the Big Ten, why not meet Navy at MT Bank Stadium or FedEx Field?
I thought about this when the Terps did a Coaches Caravan cruise Thursday night out of City Dock in Annapolis. The Military Bowl is moving to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in December, meaning that the Terps could wind up there as the No. 8 ACC bowl invite. The Midshipmen, as long as they win at least six games, are contracted to play elsewhere.
Sailing on the Severn River – right past the Naval Academy – might have stirred the conversation in that direction because a couple of fans asked Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson about playing Navy. Anderson said he has spoken with his counterparts in Annapolis. I hope the discussions are serious, because Maryland needs a rivalry game going forward.
The Big Ten announced last week its 2014 schedule and for now – and probably the foreseeable future – Maryland’s regular-season finale is scheduled against Rutgers. I’m not sure how you feel, but I don’t exactly see that firing up the masses to come out to Byrd Stadium on the last Saturday in November. The feeling up in New Jersey is probably mutual.
Navy would be different, but the Midshipmen don’t have to worry about a rivalry game in their new league. They’ve already worked it out that they will finish the regular season against Army and I’m sure they will continue playing Air Force as well. Regardless of how the new AAC works out for Navy, its rivalry games are in place.
Getting to play Georgetown might be easier, but certainly not easy. Since the flap between the two schools caused Anderson to announce that he was not going to let the Terps play the Hoyas in any sports if they couldn’t play against each other in basketball, there’s been some thawing in the relationship.
Anderson mentioned Thursday night that the Hoyas’ field hockey team will be practicing and playing at Maryland this season while Georgetown’s field is being refurbished. But he also admitted that there is one rather large obstacle – alluding to the size of former men’s coach John Thompson – in the discussions about basketball going any further.
I think that as time goes on, the Terps could try to reach out to Thompson and forge some sort of truce. Heck, even he and Lefty Driesell buried the hatchet after all those years, with Thompson reportedly working behind the scenes to get Driesell more serious consideration for the Naismith Hall of Fame. I can see the same thing happening for hoops.
The Terps certainly need a local basketball rivalry to get their fans excited, and the Hoyas would be the perfect choice. Maryland plays at the Verizon Center this season against George Washington in the BBT Classic, something Mark Turgeon is doing begrudgingly. Why not play Georgetown instead and have a Kentucky-Louisville thing going every year?
Healthy rivalry feeds Qazi
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
Fernando Ledesma photo/The Apple Leaf
Wenatchee High School junior Sohail Qazi has found success on the tennis court and in the classroom.
This story represents a portion of the recent work produced by The Apple Leaf staff. The Apple Leaf is published by the Advanced Journalism class at Wenatchee High School, under the tutelage of adviser Dave Riggs. The award-winning publication is a forum for expression by the students of Wenatchee High School, affording them a chance to air facts and opinions relative to all issues of concern to them.
• • •
There’s nothing quite like it. Standing on the green clay, glaring across the court into your opponent’s eyes. Nothing separates you from him but a waist-high net.
The nerves start to attack your knees, which begin to tremble. You take a few deep breaths that retract the nerves into your stomach, and there they stay, reminding you it is time to perform. With your head clear and your body steady, you toss the fuzzy, yellow Wilson ball into the air and with a single fluid motion of your arm and racket, the ball rockets toward your opponent.
This is when junior Sohail Qazi feels most at home. “I like (tennis) because it’s an individual sport and a team sport at the same time,” said Qazi. “You can go out and play singles against another guy all by yourself and know that it was all you. But then tennis is also a team sport when you play for the high school because you’re around your friends.”
Qazi and Nathaniel Noyd will compete in doubles at the state tournament that begins today in the Tri-Cities.
Qazi began playing tennis when he was 7 years old. “I was just playing with my brother and my dad. I would go out when they did and that’s how I started. And then I got more and more into it when my brother started getting more serious.”
Qazi’s older brother has had a huge impact on his life. “You could say we have a little bit of a sibling competition going on,” said Qazi. This competition came to a climax last year during districts when Qazi had to face off against his brother in a match that would decide who would move on to regionals. Qazi proceeded to win, knocking his older brother out of the tournament. “(The victory) was bittersweet,” said Qazi. “I’m never going to forget that, and neither will he.”
To top off Qazi’s athletic achievements, he is also currently taking four AP classes while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average. “My brother took three (AP classes) so I wanted to take four,” said Qazi. With his busy schedule, Qazi barely has time to sleep. “I get home at like six, then eat dinner, shower, and do homework until I’m too tired to do anymore or my mom yells at me because it’s too late and I need to sleep.”
“There aren’t many people who can do what Sohail does,” said Jared Vidano, Qazi’s coach since he was 5 years old. “Sohail is a great tennis player who hasn’t even begun to realize his potential yet … he is going to just blossom as a tennis player.”
<!–
–>
» Recommend this story.
» Know more about this story?
Do you have more information about this story? Contact our newsroom by submitting this form. Information marked with an asterisk is required. We will ONLY use this information for the purpose of verification.
Article source: http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/may/24/healthy-rivalry-feeds-qazi/
Terps Trio: ACC lawsuit, Navy and Georgetown, Alex Len in NBA
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
Baltimore Sun reporters Jeff Barker and Don Markus and editor Matt Bracken weigh in on the three biggest topics of the past week in Maryland sports.
What is the central issue in the legal skirmishes between Maryland and the Atlantic Coast Conference as the school prepares to join the Big Ten next year?
Jeff Barker: There’s an issue of jurisdiction. The ACC says North Carolina – not Maryland – is the proper venue to air the dispute. Maryland disagrees. There are suits ongoing in both states.
-
Weekly Maryland recruiting roundup
-
Aboard ‘Coaches Caravan’ cruise, Randy Edsall says his Terps are on course
-
Maryland says ACC has created budget ‘hole’ by withholding shared revenues
-
See more stories »
But the debate centers on the ACC’s $52 million exit fee. Here are three points of contention:
** Is it fair? The university says it’s anti-competitive, not allowing the open market to work as it should. The ACC says the fee has been important in keeping the conference stable and that Maryland has made no valid antitrust claim against it under state law.
** Is it enforceable? Maryland says the fee was imposed last year without sufficient notice given to members. The ACC says the member presidents approved it, and that it is binding.
** Has it been applied too soon? Maryland says it has not formally given notice to the ACC that the school is leaving for the Big Ten, and that it would be premature for the ACC to begin collecting any withdrawal fee.
Other schools and conferences will be watching how the courts treat the exit fee.
Says Maryland: “This is the highest penalty ever assessed … (the) largest penalty in the history of intercollegiate athletics.”
Will Maryland be playing Navy in football and Georgetown in men’s basketball any time soon?
Don Markus: The short answer is probably no. With the Terps going to the Big Ten in 2014, and the league itself going to nine games in 2016, there’s really no room on Maryland’s schedule. The Midshipmen are expected to join the newly named American Athletic Conference in 2015, but who knows how many of those former Big East teams will have jumped ship by then?
That doesn’t mean the two schools shouldn’t try to figure out a way to meet, at least every two or three years. Instead of Maryland playing a South Florida, which it will do next season, or even a Texas, which was added for a home-and-home before the Terps joined the Big Ten, why not meet Navy at MT Bank Stadium or FedEx Field?
I thought about this when the Terps did a Coaches Caravan cruise Thursday night out of City Dock in Annapolis. The Military Bowl is moving to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in December, meaning that the Terps could wind up there as the No. 8 ACC bowl invite. The Midshipmen, as long as they win at least six games, are contracted to play elsewhere.
Sailing on the Severn River – right past the Naval Academy – might have stirred the conversation in that direction because a couple of fans asked Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson about playing Navy. Anderson said he has spoken with his counterparts in Annapolis. I hope the discussions are serious, because Maryland needs a rivalry game going forward.
The Big Ten announced last week its 2014 schedule and for now – and probably the foreseeable future – Maryland’s regular-season finale is scheduled against Rutgers. I’m not sure how you feel, but I don’t exactly see that firing up the masses to come out to Byrd Stadium on the last Saturday in November. The feeling up in New Jersey is probably mutual.
Navy would be different, but the Midshipmen don’t have to worry about a rivalry game in their new league. They’ve already worked it out that they will finish the regular season against Army and I’m sure they will continue playing Air Force as well. Regardless of how the new AAC works out for Navy, its rivalry games are in place.
Getting to play Georgetown might be easier, but certainly not easy. Since the flap between the two schools caused Anderson to announce that he was not going to let the Terps play the Hoyas in any sports if they couldn’t play against each other in basketball, there’s been some thawing in the relationship.
Anderson mentioned Thursday night that the Hoyas’ field hockey team will be practicing and playing at Maryland this season while Georgetown’s field is being refurbished. But he also admitted that there is one rather large obstacle – alluding to the size of former men’s coach John Thompson – in the discussions about basketball going any further.
I think that as time goes on, the Terps could try to reach out to Thompson and forge some sort of truce. Heck, even he and Lefty Driesell buried the hatchet after all those years, with Thompson reportedly working behind the scenes to get Driesell more serious consideration for the Naismith Hall of Fame. I can see the same thing happening for hoops.
The Terps certainly need a local basketball rivalry to get their fans excited, and the Hoyas would be the perfect choice. Maryland plays at the Verizon Center this season against George Washington in the BBT Classic, something Mark Turgeon is doing begrudgingly. Why not play Georgetown instead and have a Kentucky-Louisville thing going every year?
Bayern and Dortmund take rivalry to new level
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
Relations between Germany’s top two teams were always likely to be fraught ahead of their clash at Wembley Stadium, but a power struggle off the pitch has increased the stakes for the biggest prize in European club football.
Dortmund, in particular, is unhappy with Bayern’s transfer dealings as Mario Goetze is switching to the Bavarian side next season and top-scorer Robert Lewandowski is apparently keen to follow suit.
Despite finishing a record 25 points ahead of Dortmund in the Bundesliga, Bayern is keen to cement its status as the country’s undisputed No. 1 after suffering the ignominy of watching Dortmund claim back-to-back titles while earning plaudits for its attractive style of play.
“Dortmund really annoyed us for two years. This is a wonderful response,” said Bayern president Uli Hoeness after his side wrapped up the title with a record six games to spare.
Goetze is arguably Germany’s most exciting prospect and Bayern is paying his buy-out clause of 37 million euros ($50 million) for the two-pronged effect of reinforcing an already formidable side while dealing a blow to its main domestic rival.
Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp told British newspaper The Guardian that he almost had a heart attack on hearing the news of the 20-year-old’s departure and said that several of his players had trouble sleeping afterwards. He also compared Bayern to a James Bond villain.
Bayern’s sports director Matthias Sammer hit back at the comments.
“To think the whole world is behind you is also a form of humility,” Sammer said. “We have freedom of speech in Germany. He gives his opinion on certain things and we don’t.” Sammer, who won the title as a player with Dortmund in 1997 and later coached the team to the 2002 Bundesliga title, clashed with Klopp on the sideline during the sides’ ill-tempered 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga earlier this month.
Lewandowski is another issue of contention.
The Polish striker, who has scored 10 Champions League goals this season, has refused to sign a new deal at Dortmund and had reportedly told club management he only wants to join Bayern. Dortmund is torn between the option of selling him with one year left on his contract or letting him go for free in 2014.
While Lewandowski is set to play what could be his last game for Dortmund on Saturday, Goetze will miss out after failing to recover from the hamstring injury sustained 12 minutes into the semifinal second leg at Real Madrid.
Dortmund routed Bayern 5-2 in last year’s German Cup final with Goetze on the bench, however.
It was that defeat, and the shock of losing the Champions League final on penalties to Chelsea — in its own stadium — that has fueled Bayern’s determination this season.
The club’s dominance has not been restricted to the Bundesliga. Bayern faces Stuttgart in the German Cup final on June 1.
First though, Bayern turns its attention to winning its fifth European Cup.
Jupp Heynckes’ side dispatched Juventus and Barcelona by a combined score of 11-0 over four matches to reach Bayern’s third final in four years.
Dortmund is bidding to repeat its 1997 triumph from its only previous final. Then, as now, the team surrendered back-to-back Bundesliga titles to Bayern and lost its last league game 2-1 at home. In 1997, Stuttgart won the German Cup.
“When everything happens that you couldn’t believe, then it must be a fairytale,” Klopp said.
His counterpart will be hoping for a fairytale ending to his tenure at Bayern. The 68-year-old Heynckes has two games left to complete a remarkable treble before former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola takes over.
Article source: http://www.sportlive.co.za/soccer/championsleague/2013/05/24/bayern-and-dortmund-take-rivalry-to-new-level
Chris Hemsworth featured as F1 legend in "Rush" trailer
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
May 24, 2013 – 10:29 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Chris Hemsworth is hungry for victory as shown in a new trailer for “Rush”. Playing F1 legend James Hunt, the actor explains race car drivers’ rationale. “There’s a lie that all drivers tell themselves. Death is something that happens to other people,” he says. “That’s how you find the courage to get in the car in the first place. But more powerful than fear itself, is the will to win,” AceShowbiz said.
The upcoming film from director Ron Howard and scribe Peter Morgan will be based on the real-life rivalry between the British racer and Niki Lauda, the established champion from Austria who is portrayed by Daniel Bruhl. Both are willing to risk everything to become world champion in a sport with no margin for error.
During a Twitter QA, Howard shared fans behind-the-scene stories. Asked how much preparation the leading men did for their roles, the helmer said, “Tons. Accents, reading, viewing interviews and races and learning to drive F1s. Guys wrked their asses off.”
Howard also revealed that Lauda, three-time F1 World Champion, once visited the filming location. “Niki only visited 1 day. Didn’t have the patience to hang around a film set too long,” he said. “But he met me took Daniel B 2 races.”
Olivia Wilde and Alexandra Maria Lara co-star as the racers’ love interests in the film, which is set to race to theaters nationwide on September 20.
Article source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/159599/
Lady Chiefs outscore rival Wessex, 7-4, in softball
by admin on May.24, 2013, under Other
THE CALDWELLS — While the two programs have enjoyed comparable success overall for the past 15 or 20 years, when it comes the success recorded in the crosstown rivalry between the softball squads from James Caldwell High School and West Essex Regional, over the past decade, things have gone pretty much the Lady Chiefs way.
Cementing that fact was the 7-4 victory recorded by the JCHS over homestanding Wessex in the ninth annual NJSportAction.NET/Caldwells Crosstown Clash Trophy tussle on Wednesday, May 15, in North Caldwell.
That victory gave the Lady Chiefs local bragging rights for the sixth time in nine games.
It also brought Caldwell, which had started the season 3-7, back to the .500 mark at 11-11, while the Lady Chiefs finished their trip through the extremely tough Super Essex Conference/American Division loop at 6-8, with Wessex falling to 10-13 at that time and ending up at 4-10 in conference combat.
With Caldwell and West Essex back in the same SEC division this year, last week’s win gave the Lady Chiefs a sweep of their two tilts against the Lady Knights, as Caldwell also won a tussle in West Caldwell back on May 3, 5-4.
In last week’s win, it was one-all at the end of the first frame and 2-1 in the Lady Knights’ favor, before JCHS scored four in the fourth and had single scores in both the fifth and sixth, while Wessex could only answer with single runs in the fourth and fifth frames.
The Lady Chiefs’ starter in the circle was Danielle Pesante, a junior righthanded pitcher who scattered 10 hits, while striking out two and walking three.
Lady Chiefs sophomore shortstop Gianna Genallo was the recipient of the game’s Maxine Allen Memorial Life Blood of the Team Award MVP after she went three-for-four, with a run scored and two batted in. Included in her list of accomplishments was the RBI double in the fourth frame which put JCHS ahead to stay.
In addition, senior rightfielder Alex Sciacca went three-for-four with a run scored, senior centerfielder Carleigh Trivino went two-for-four, with a pair of RsBI and senior second sacker Gabby Roselle went one-for-five, with an RBI and a run scored to her credit. More recently, Caldwell reached 14-11 on the year by beating Butler, 2-1, last Thursday, May 16, topping Mount Saint Mary Academy, 4-3, on Monday, May 20, and blanking Leonia, the tenth seed, 10-0, in five frames in a first round state playoffs game on Tuesday, May 21, in West Caldwell.
Today, Thursday, May 23, should see the seventh-slotted Lady Chiefs traveling to take on second-seeded Rutherford in a North Jersey Section 2, Group Tournament tilt at 4 p.m.
“It’s been a long road to come back from 3-7 and to be 14-11 after that start is really gratifying,” enthused longtime JCHS head coach Mike Teshkoyan of his team’s situation, adding, “I’m really happy for the girls, being back above .500 and winning the NJ Sport/Action Trophy again is a great, a very emotional thing for us and to have that hardware back at Caldwell is terrific.”
Article source: http://newjerseyhills.com/the_progress/sports/lady-chiefs-outscore-rival-wessex---in-softball/article_88a0ca74-c40d-11e2-b05d-001a4bcf887a.html
