Thursday, July 3, 2008

Turtle power on the pitch

There was no bigger upset in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday than Crystal Palace USA’s upset of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls at Broadneck High in Annapolis, and no bigger theme across the eight games played in the tournament than Maryland soccer.
Former Terps Marc Burch and Abe Thompson each scored twice to lift their respective teams, D.C. United and FC Dallas, to victory, while Taylor Twellman also scored in New England’s 3-0 win over Richmond.
[Washington, D.C.-native Mike Banner also got into the act with two goals for the Chicago Fire, but that’s another story.]
It may as well be called the summer of Terrapin soccer, with Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu and FC Midtjylland (Denmark) defender Dan Califf shining with the U.S. national team, and Robbie Rogers a favorite to make the MLS All-Star team as a member of the Columbus Crew. Edu, Rogers and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz may also be on their way to Beijing with the U.S. Olympic team.
“The Terps are representing well,” said Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski, who boasts a total of 11 former players currently in MLS and another 17 who have represented MLS teams in the past.
As for Crystal Palace, in just its second year of existence and a member of the United Soccer League Second Division, it sent ripples throughout the soccer world with a dominating, 2-0 win over the Red Bulls despite playing nearly two-thirds of the game down a man.
With the win, Palace advances to play Twellman and defending U.S. Open Cup champion New England in the quarterfinals in New Britain, Conn., on July 8, and is the only USL2 team left in the field.
The highlight of Palace’s victory over New York came in the 76th minute, when forward Gary Brooks, with his back to the goal, one-touched a pass from his flank over his head into far corner of the net. The immaculate strike gave his team a two-goal lead and all but secured the win.


Nothing beats Daytona in July

When Kyle Petty was a kid growing up he used to love going to the Firecracker 400 every 4th of July weekend.
“It was the only time of the year as kids that we got really to go to the beach and have fun. Plus, my dad won a lot of those races — so summer at Daytona was great for the Petty family,” Petty told The Examiner’s Jim Williams.
The Daytona 500 is still the granddaddy of the Sprint Cup Series, but the race that the fans and the drivers most enjoy is the one the same track hosts every July — and it’s expected to be the weekend’s highest-rated sports event.
“The 500 has become a corporate race,” said Petty. “Big time sponsors, VIP’s from all over the country and the world fly in for that race. But the real race fan and the drivers love the Daytona 400. This really is a family race and a drivers love to bring their families for a little fun and relation.”


GOOD IDEA, BAD IDEA

GOOD IDEA » Saving $13.5 million over two years, which the Capitals did by picking up 2002 Vezina and Hart trophy winner José Théodore for $9 million over two years after Cristobal Huet bolted Washington for a 4-year, $22.5 million deal with Chicago.

BAD IDEA » Allowing Théodore to leave Denver in the first place. The Avalanche helped him get his career back on track. But not being able to sign him has left Colorado with Andrew Raycroft, who was a stellar 2-9-5 last season.

GOOD IDEA » Changing history. The Los Angeles Clippers will matter next season with the addition of Baron Davis, who could be the franchise’s best point guard ever.

BAD IDEA » Bringing a locker room mentality into the front office. Former Kansas City Wizards executive assistant Kathryn Carver has sued her former employer, alleging she and other female employees were subjected to “pervasive and regular” sexual harassment.

GOOD IDEA » Wearing sunglasses at night. Top-ranked 400-meter runner Jeremy Wariner doesn’t take them off when he races, day or night. Maybe he will when he gets another gold placed around his neck.

BAD IDEA » Tempting fate. Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino, who unceremoniously ditched the Atlanta Falcons in December, is dealing with his third arrest this spring after LB Wendel Davis was charged with felony mischief for allegedly punching a car.


KNUCKLEHEAD OF THE WEEK » Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Rose should’ve been our superstar of the week following his selection as the top pick in the 2008 NBA draft on June 26. But sure enough — and we’re certain it’s just coincidence this news is coming out five days later — the rookie already has his first court date, July 11. The ex-Memphis guard was ticketed for allegedly driving 106 mph in a 65-mph zone on April 29, in a 2008 Land Rover registered to Wasserman Media Group — the Chicago sports management firm that represents him. Perhaps, playing for a team so close to home might be somewhat challenging after all. Good luck, Vinny.


BY THE NUMBERS

30 » USA Soccer’s place in the latest FIFA monthly rankings, dropping it nine spots and putting it behind countries like Ivory Coast and Paraguay.

8,184 » Times a player has fallen a triple short of hitting for the cycle — a single, double, triple and home run — since 1961, nearly once per 12 games.


ON THE RECORD

“I think … fans want to see them come up and hit 550 foot home runs. You know what? They’re going to see a lot of that anyway.”
— Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is skipping the Home Run Derby because he doesn’t want to hurt his swing.


“That was by far the fastest 200 free field I’ve ever been in. ... Our relay team has the potential to be the best four guys who have ever swum the 800 free relay.”
— Swimmer Michael Phelps on the incredible American talent at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.