Gyan and Ghana Prevail

On Saturday June 27, the United States had a chance to right the history books and make their mark in FIFA World Cup history. The U.S has not made it passed the knockout stage for the past 3 World Cups and the United States did not plan to come up short this time around. The United States scratched their way into the knockout stage by earning a point with a draw versus England out of sheer luck, Tying Slovenia 2 to 2 after trailing by two in the second half, and beating Algeria one nil in dramatic and thrilling fashion. The US is led by veteran and leading scorer Landon Donovan and young superstar Jozy Altidore. Their ruthless goalkeeper Tim Howard was also vital to the Unites States' success. Their biggest obstacle was yet to be overcome and they sure had their hands full with Ghana. Ghana, the lone African nation to make it to the knockout stage advanced because of timely scoring and steller defense led by goalie Kingson. Ghana had not allowed a single goal thus far in the entire World Cup and their defensive method had really been paying off. Their scoring was nothing to write home about but they possess one of the world's best strikers, #3 Asamoah Gyan. A man who is absolutely dangerous from outside the box and can shoot with both feet. Alexi Lalas, ESPN soccer commentator said, "Gyan has the best left foot in the land." The US sure had their work cut out for them and if they wanted to advance further on into the World Cup, they were going to have to go out there and earn it. The US got off to a slow start as usual and gave up an early goal in the 4th minute to midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng. A well struck left foot by Prince made it passed goalkeeper Tim Howard and the US were down yet again. The US made some changes during halftime and came out firing in the second half. Clint Dempsey was fouled inside the box and the US had an opportunity for the equalizer. Landon Donovan did just that and knotted up the score at one a piece with the penalty kick. After 90 minutes we decided nothing and in the 94th Asamoah Gyan struck again and with an incredible strike from 15 meters out and ended the hopes of an entire nation. Say goodbye U.S.

A Defensive Disaster

In the 2010 NCAA Baseball Super Regional in Gainesville, Florida, the Miami Hurricanes battled their bitter rivals, the Florida Gators. The Florida Gators manhandled the Miami Hurricanes in game 1 of a three game series. Florida's ace Alex Panteliodis threw a complete game and held the Canes to just 2 runs. It was a must win situation in game 2 for the Hurricanes to continue their playoff hopes. Being down all game, Canes center fielder Nathan Melendres hit a 3 run blast in the top of the 8th inning to put the Canes up 3 to 2 and gave the Canes their first lead of the series. All the Canes needed to do was pitch and play defense, they were unable to obtain such a simple second nature task. Prior to the 9th and final inning of game 2, the Canes defense made 4 errors which is unexceptable in such a crucial situation (Keep that in mind). The Miami Hurricanes manager Jim Morris called for their experienced lights out closer Daniel Miranda to close out the deal and get his team to a CWS(College World Series) deciding game 3. Miranda needed two outs to record to seal the deal in game 2. He made some great pitches and got himself a "double play ball." Third baseman Michael Broad mishandled the ground ball and the Canes were not able to record a single out. Miranda beared down and got a clutch strikeout on the Gators hottest hitter Brian Johnson. All they needed was 1 more out to force a game 3 to see who was moving on to the CWS. Miranda threw a great change up low and away and got pinch hitter Nolan Fontana to roll a groundball to shortstop Stephen Perez. Perez fielded it cleanly and just made a god awful throw to first base which first baseman Scott Lawson could not handle. All I was thinking was take your time, you have time to make a good strong throw. He flat out choked. He tried to will and guide the ball to 1st instead of just throwing it. Eventually, the Canes got out of the inning and in the 10th inning, yet another defensive blunder occured. A high shallow fly ball was hit to right field and right fielder Pelaez just dropped the ball. He didn't even touch it. That run came on to score and it was over. The Hurricanes finsihed the game with 7 errors. Are you kidding me!!!! You cannot be serious!!!! A flippin high school team can play better defense. My grandma can catch a pop up for god sakes. This is almost too painful to blog about but you just cannot expect to win a game when you get only 3 hits and make 7 errors. What an embarassment.

Stephen Strasburg throws gas

Mark the date ladies and gentlemen, June 8th 2010, the day pitcher Stephen Strasburg makes his Major League debut. Well, if you saw the game, it was quite simple, he was remarkable. In just 7 innings he strck out 14 batters. Are you kidding me! Thats an average of 2 strikeouts per inning. Stephen Strasbug came from San Diego State University and went 11-2 with a 2.23 era and led the nation in strikeouts. We all new he could throw 100 mph but the incredible "yacker" we had no idea about. It's arguably his best pitch. Strasburg was motivated not only because it was his first major league start but a player from the opposing team really sparked his fire. Pittsburgh Pirates' outfielder, Delwyn Young said, "This is just another pitcher. I not worried about him. I don't care who he is or where he came from. This is just another pitcher to me." This wise ass comment did not help the Pirates' cause against Stephen Strasburg as the majority of their lineup struck out 2 times. Young however did back up his comments by hitting a solo homerun against Strasburg so he did not look like a complete fool. Strasburg was as expected, incredible. By for the most built up MLB debut of any player in the history of the game.