Sunday Sports from A to Z - 12/22/13 Edition

A is for Andy Dalton. The Red Rocket threw for 366 yards and 4 touchdown passes as the Cincinnati Bengals routed the Minnesota Vikings 42-14 today. The win clinched a playoff berth for Cincinnati and marked the first time in Bengals history that they've clinched a playoff berth in three consecutive seasons.

Photo Credit: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/22

B is for Bowl Games. The Bowl Season kicked off on Saturday with four games. Colorado State scored 18 unanswered points in the final 3 minutes of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl as the Rams rallied to shock Washington State 48-45. Sophomore running back Kapri Bibbs ran for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win, while Washington State's Connor Halliday threw for 410 yards and 6 touchdown passes in a losing effort... 25th ranked USC jumped out to a 35-6 halftime lead over Fresno State and cruised to a 45-20 win in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. Quarterback Cody Kessler threw for 344 yards and 4 scores to lead the Trojans... The San Diego State Aztecs routed Buffalo 49-24 behind 229 yards and 3 touchdowns from junior running back Adam Muema in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Finally, in an interstate showdown at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, a missed 48 yard field goal with 9 seconds left allowed the University of Louisiana-Lafayette to hang on for a 24-21 win over Tulane. Tulane Senior running back Orleans Darkwa tied a career high with 3 rushing touchdowns in a losing effort.

Photo Credit: http://campusinsiders.com

C is for Champions League Draw. The Champions League draw for the Round of 16 is set with some big-time match-ups now on the slate. Here's a rundown of the eight pairings: Manchester City (England) vs Barcelona (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) vs Paris Saint-Germain (France), AC Milan (Italy) vs Atletico Madrid (Spain), Arsenal (England) vs Bayern Munich (Germany), Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) vs Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Galatasaray (Turkey) vs Chelsea (England), Olympiakos (Greece) vs Manchester United (England), and Schalke 04 (Germany) vs Real Madrid (Spain). Some of the highlights involve Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) taking on his former club Chelsea and German star Mesut Özil (Arsenal) getting matched up with the German Champions Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich knocked out Arsenal in the first round of last year's tournament en route to the title. 

Photo Credit: http://www.eastbengaltherealpower.com

Smitty's Mailbag

Can you explain the MLS's designated player rule? The most I know about it is that teams are limited to 3 designated players. Which seems kinda odd to me cause I would think everybody on the team would be a designated player. - Cory L., Raceland, LA

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Nicknamed "the Beckham Rule," the Designated Player Rule was adopted as part of MLS's salary cap regulations for the 2007 season. The rule allows each MLS franchise to sign up to three players that would be considered outside of the team's salary cap (either by offering the player higher wages or by paying a transfer fee for the player), allowing MLS teams to compete for star players in the international soccer market. In a nutshell, it's a way for the league to either bring in talented foreign players or keep our better domestic players in the league by being able to offer them more money without incurring a penalty.

Each club has two Designated Player slots and clubs are allowed to “purchase” a third Designated Player slot for a one-time fee of $250,000 that will be dispersed in the form of allocation money to all clubs that do not have three Designated Players. Clubs will not have to buy the third DP roster slot to accommodate Designated Players 23 years old and younger. Designated Player slots are not tradable.

Here's a list of the league's current designated players:

Álvaro Fernández (Uruguay) - Chicago Fire
Sherjill MacDonald (Netherlands) - Chicago Fire
Oswaldo Minda (Ecuador) - Chivas USA
Hamdi Salihi (Albania) - D.C. United
Fabián Castillo (Colombia) - FC Dallas
David Ferreira (Colombia) - FC Dallas
Julian de Guzman (Canada) - FC Dallas
Oscar Boniek Garcia (Honduras) - Houston Dynamo
Landon Donovan (USA) - Los Angeles Galaxy
David Beckham (England) - Los Angeles Galaxy
Robbie Keane (Ireland) - Los Angeles Galaxy
Marco Di Vaio (Italy) - Montreal Impact
Shalrie Joseph (Grenada) - New England Revolution
Jerry Bengtson (Honduras) - New England Revolution
Thierry Henry (France) - New York Red Bulls
Rafael Marquez (Mexico) - New York Red Bulls
Tim Cahill (Australia) - New York Red Bulls
Freddy Adu (USA) - Philadelphia Union
Diego Chará (Colombia) - Portland Timbers
Kris Boyd (Scotland) - Portland Timbers
Álvaro Saborío (Costa Rica) - Real Salt Lake
Javier Morales (Argentina) - Real Salt Lake
Fredy Montero (Colombia) - Seattle Sounders FC
Mauro Rosales (Argentina) - Seattle Sounders FC
Danny Koevermans (Netherlands) - Toronto FC
Torsten Frings (Netherlands) - Toronto FC
Eric Hassli (France) - Toronto FC
Barry Robson (Scotland) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Kenny Miller (Scotland) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC


Michael Bradley just made a move to AS Roma. Chievo Verona got $4.6M and half-ownership interests in Romanian Adrian Stoian. Who got the better end of that deal and is that a good move for Bradley? - Cory L., Raceland, LA

Photo Credit: espn.go.com

There's no question that Roma is a better team than Chievo Verona and the addition of Bradley makes them that much more competitive and a favorite to grab a spot in a postseason tournament. In that regard, Roma is getting the better end of this deal as they get a starting central midfielder while giving up less than $5M and a 21 year old prospect who spent last season playing in Serie B. Stoian may turn out to be sensational, it's too early to tell, but for what Roma's looking to do right now and what the addition of Bradley means for them this season, it was an easy decision to pull the trigger.

As for how the move affects Bradley, I love it. After a terrific debut season in Serie A he now goes to a better team which, assuming he can win a starting job, will only help further his development as a player. And that is exactly what the U.S. Men's National Team needs from him right now. The move seems to be working out well so far as Bradley tallied a goal in this week's exhibition game against Liverpool.

There's been a lot of talk as to whether or not this Spanish National team is the best team ever to be assembled. Pele seems to think his Brazilian team from the 70s was better. How do you see it? - Cory L., Raceland, LA

Photo Credit: wired868.com

That's a tough one. Pelé's 1970 World Cup Champion Brazil team outscored its opponents 19-7 in 6 games en route to a perfect tournament. Three times in the tournament they scored at least 4 goals led by Jairzinho's seven and four more from that guy Pelé who you might have heard of. On the other side of the coin you have the 2012 Spain squad. Spain went 8-0 in Euro 2012 Qualifying outscoring their opponents 26-6, and then went on to go unbeaten and conceded just one goal in six games en route to the Euro 2012 Championship. It's worth noting though that Spain did draw with both Italy (1-1 in group play) and Portugal (0-0 before winning on penalties in the semifinals). If we're talking best team ever, I don't think you can have those kinds of slip-ups. Advantage: Brazil. However, don't forget that Spain won this last tournament without David Villa and without Carles Puyol. If they'd had both of them healthy then you might have a real debate on your hands.


There are plenty of rumors rolling around the Deuce may be headed to Liverpool. It's also widely reported that Deuce wants to play Champions League ball. Liverpool is not going to be playing in the Champions League this season. Something is not adding up. Can you  help me to understand the "logic" involved here? - Cory L., Raceland, LA

Photo Credit: guardian.co.uk

To me Liverpool doesn't make a lot of sense. Well, let me rephrase. The move makes a lot of sense to Liverpool. Dempsey would pair nicely with Steven Gerrard in the midfield and this move coupled with a couple others could make Liverpool a serious contender again. But as you said, Liverpool isn't playing in the Champions League this year. Maybe Dempsey grew up a huge Liverpool fan and that's who he's always wanted to play for. Otherwise, I'm as confused as you are. I'm still waiting for PSG to swoop in and make Deuce an offer. I could see him and Zlatan Ibrahimović teaming up to be quite a tandem. And yeah, PSG is playing in the Champions League this season.


That does it for this issue. As always a special thanks to everyone who wrote in. And remember, as the great G$ Meyer says Reading is for Winners, especially when you read Smitty's Mailbag.

Got a question for the mailbag? Click on the link at the top of the page or email us directly at smittysports.blogspot@hotmail.com.

Introducing Your 2012 MLS All Stars

KEEPERS

Dan Kennedy - Chivas USA

Photo Credit: ruralhobbyfarm.com

Jimmy Nielsen - Sporting Kansas City

Photo Credit: soccerbyives.net

DEFENDERS

Steven Beitashour - San Jose Earthquakes

Photo Credit: sjearthquakes.com

Aurélien Collin - Sporting Kansas City

Photo Credit: thesoccerroom.com

Ramiro Corrales - San Jose Earthquakes

Photo Credit: sjearthquakes.com

Jay DeMerit - Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Photo Credit: news.sportsinteraction.com

Heath Pearce - New York Red Bulls

Photo Credit: newyorkredbulls.com

Justin Morrow - San Jose Earthquakes

Photo Credit: sjearthquakes.com

 

Carlos Valdés - Philadelphia Union

Photo Credit: philly.com

MIDFIELDERS

Osvaldo Alonso - Seattle Sounders FC

Photo Credit: sounders.sportspressnw.com

David Beckham - LA Galaxy

Photo Credit: articles.chicagotribune.com

Kyle Beckerman - Real Salt Lake

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

Dwayne De Rosario - DC United

Photo Credit: dcunited.com

Landon Donovan - LA Galaxy

Photo Credit: blog.eastbay.com

Graham Zusi - Sporting Kansas City

Photo Credit: pressbox.mlssoccer.com

FORWARDS

Thierry Henry - New York Red Bulls

Photo Credit: mlssoccer.com

Eddie Johnson - Seattle Sounders FC

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

Chris Pontius - DC United

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

Chris Wondolowski - San Jose Earthquakes

Photo Credit: flair.wittysparks.com

BY THE NUMBERS

Smitty's Mailbag

There has been a fair amount of controversy surrounding Jurgen Klinsmann's speech following the Brazil match. Personally I think his comments were taken completely out of context by his detractors and used to blast him unfairly. What's your take on that situation? - Cory L., Raceland, LA

For those of you who missed it, this is the quote that Cory is talking about:

“We need to get an edge, be more nastier. Maybe we’re a little bit still too naive. Maybe we don’t want to hurt people. But that’s what we’ve got to do. You’ve got to do that at the end of the day. So we’ve got to step on their toes more and get them more frustrated and make a case with the referee maybe as well."

Photo Credit: sports.yahoo.com

The only issue I have with Klinsmann's statement is the line where he says we have to want to hurt people. Much like I wrote about in my Mailbag a couple weeks ago when 'Bountygate' was still all the rage, there's absolutely no room in any sport for that. Except, you know, boxing, etc. Short of that, and if you assume he didn't mean that in the literal sense, I think he's absolutely right. Too often the U.S. gets pushed around by other teams and we are never the side that dictates the tempo of the match. Nobody plays the U.S. and is intimidated by us, and that's what needs to change in Klinsmann's eyes. It doesn't have to be physically hurting people, but it does involve taking other teams out of their comfort zones. You don't want your opponents comfortable when they receive the ball, you want them to know every 50/50 ball is going to be contested, and you literally want them to feel you on them everywhere they go on the pitch. Playing physically doesn't mean you're playing to hurt someone. But it also means that you can't be worried about hurting someone or shy away from making plays because of what might happen. Jermaine 'Reckless' Jones is the epitome of this. He brings the workmanlike attitude that has been the staple of American soccer over the years, but he adds a hint of physicality and unbridled aggressiveness. Now granted, Jones takes this to the extreme, and he's a little too reckless for my taste, but he's one of the few players on the U.S. squad that really plays with an edge and that's why he's been a regular during the Klinsmann era.

Photo Credit: sports.yahoo.com

The idea of playing with an edge or a nasty side isn't unique to soccer. In baseball it means not being afraid to pitch hitters inside. In basketball, think Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics. Since Garnett's arrival in Boston back in 2007, the Celtics began playing with a new intensity on defense. They made sure you wouldn't get an uncontested lay-up, and after the whistle they'd make sure no practice shots went in the basket by jumping up and goaltending them. In hockey you have 'Enforcers' whose roll is literally to intimidate other teams stars while protecting their own. All of these scenarios involve making the opponents uncomfortable and getting in their heads.

Photo Credit: gibfootballshow.co.uk

In soccer, people are somewhat reluctant to admit that there's a darker side to 'the Beautiful Game', but if you watch any of the world's top teams (Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, and even Spain) they dictate the way the match is played, and they aren't afraid to push their opponents around a little bit. If the U.S. is going to become one of the world's elite teams, Klinsmann is right. They'll need to be a little bit more nasty.


That does it for this week. As always a special thanks to everyone who wrote in. And remember, as the great G$ Meyer says Reading is for Winners, especially when you read Smitty's Mailbag.

Got a question for the mailbag? Click on the link at the top of the page or email us directly at smittysports.blogspot@hotmail.com.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/02/2829964/jurgen-klinsmann-says-us-team.html#storylink=cpy

8 Teams Remain in U.S. Open Cup

Photo Credit: blog.pennlive.com

Three more MLS clubs were eliminated in the Round of 16 highlighted (or lowlighted depending on your allegiances) by another upset win for the Harrisburg City Islanders (USLP). This time Harrisburg City took out the New York Red Bulls behind a pair of goals from former Red Bull Sainey Touray and an insurance goal from Lucky Mkosana as they advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals. The Islanders have now eliminated five MLS teams since 2007.

Here's a look at the other seven games played yesterday:

*Sporting KC advanced with a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids behind a first half own goal and an insurance goal from Teal Bunbury in the second half.

*Freddy Adu assisted on Antoine Hoppenot's extra time game winner as the Union knocked off DC United by a score of 2-1.

*The Dayton Dutch Lions (USLP) ended the Michigan Bucks (PDL) cinderella run in this year's Cup thanks to an extra time penalty kick from Joel DeLass.

*The Charlotte Eagles (USLP) followed their 2-0 win over FC Dallas with a 2-1 win over the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) thanks to an extra time penalty kick from Mauricio Salles.

* Juan Agudelo put Chivas USA up early, and Juan Pablo Angel won it with a stoppage time penalty kick as the Goats edged out the Carolina RailHawks (NASL) by a score of 2-1.

*Steven Lenhart's goal late in the second half was the difference as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Minnesota Stars 1-0.

*The Seattle Sounders got a pair of goals from both Fredy Montero and Osvaldo Alonso as the Sounders ended the dream for amateur club Cal FC in a 5-0 rout. The Sounders have now outscored their opponents 10-1 through the last two rounds.

The quarterfinals will kick off on June 26th. Here's a look at the pairings:

Harrisburg City Islanders vs Philadelphia Union
Dayton Dutch Lions vs Sporting Kansas City
Charlotte Eagles vs Chivas USA
Seattle Sounders vs San Jose Earthquakes

Tuesday Trivia

This week's question:

Photo Credit: bustasports.com

Johan Santana just tossed the first no-hitter in New York Mets history when he held the St. Louis Cardinals hitless on Friday night. How many times have the Mets been no-hit since the franchise joined the National League in 1962?

Last week's question:

Landon Donovan became the first player in U.S. Men's National team history to net a third hat trick while playing for the Stars and Stripes when he struck for three goals against the Scots on May 26th. Who are the ten other players to score at least three goals in a game for the United States?


Answer:

Here's a list of all of the hat tricks in U.S. Men's National Team History. The ten players in addition to Donovan are listed in bold. Players with an asterisk scored four goals in a game:

11/08/25 - Archie Stark* vs Canada

Photo Credit: pwt-blog.blogspot.com

07/17/30 - Bert Patenaude vs Paraguay - 1930 World Cup

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

05/24/34 - Aldo "Buff" Donelli* vs Mexico - World Cup Qualifier

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

10/20/68 - Peter Millar vs Haiti - World Cup Qualifier

Photo Credit: nasljerseys.com

11/02/68 - Peter Millar vs Bermuda - World Cup Qualifier

12/05/93 - Joe-Max Moore* vs El Salvador

Photo Credit: phillysoccerpage.net

01/27/02 - Brian McBride vs El Salvador

Photo Credit: kickette.com

07/19/03 - Landon Donovan* vs Cuba

10/13/04 - Eddie Johnson vs Panama - World Cup Qualifier

01/29/06 - Taylor Twellman vs Norway

03/25/07 - Landon Donovan vs Ecuador

01/24/09 - Sacha Kljestan vs Sweden

04/01/09 - Jozy Altidore vs Trinidad & Tobago - World Cup Qualifier

05/26/12 - Landon Donovan vs Scotland

8 MLS Squads Knocked Out of U.S. Open Cup in 3rd Round

Photo Credit: vcstar.com

With a berth in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League on the line, you'd think MLS Clubs would take the U.S. Open Cup a little bit more seriously. But in the 3rd Round of the Tournament, the first round in which MLS clubs play, half of the 16 U.S. based MLS clubs were eliminated from the competition.

The New England Revolution blew a 3-0 lead in the 103rd minute and fell to the Harrisburg City Islanders (USLP) on penalties.

The L.A. Galaxy gave up a pair of goals after the 75th minute and came up short against the Carolina RailHawks (NASL) by a score of 2-1.

The Columbus Crew blew a 1-0 lead in the 79th minute at home against the Dayton Dutch Lions (USLP) losing 2-1.

The Chicago Fire took a 2-1 lead into the 79th minute against the Michigan Bucks (PDL) before losing 3-2 in extra time.

The Houston Dynamo surrendered a second half penalty and were shutout by the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) 1-0.

FC Dallas got beat up by the Charlotte Eagles (USLP) at home by a score of 2-0.

Real Salt Lake was shocked at Rio Tinto by the Minnesota Stars (NASL) 3-1.

Cal FC (USASA) defeated the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN field 1-0 in extra time.

Now, this is the U.S. Soccer Pyramid. Teams from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), U.S Club Soccer (USCS) and U.S. Premier Development League enter the tournament in the first round. The 16 teams that make it out of the first round take on the 6 teams from the North American Soccer League (NASL) and 10 teams from the USL PRO (USLP) league in the second round, with those winners taking on the MLS clubs in the third round. Losses to the NASL and USLP aren't glamorous by any means, but they're at least understandable when you consider that a lot of MLS teams aren't necessarily playing their best eleven and these guys are at least professionals. However, Chicago's loss to the Michigan Bucks of the PDL, and Portland's shutout loss to Cal FC of the fifth tier USASA are inexcusable.

Now Michigan is no stranger to knocking off MLS clubs having defeated the New England Revolution back in 2000 and almost upsetting the Tampa Bay Mutiny a round later drawing 3-3 and falling on penalties. Cal FC is a completely different story. Founded in 2010 and coached by former U.S. National Teamer Eric Wynalda, these guys have literally come out of nowhere in what is arguably the biggest upset in the history of the U.S. Open Cup during the MLS era.

But enough about the MLS's shortcomings in the tournament, there are still 8 teams that are still alive. Here's a look at the pairings for the 4th Round to be played on June 5th:

Harrisburg City Islanders (USLP) vs New York Red Bulls
D.C. United vs Philadelphia Union
Michigan Bucks (PDL) vs Dayton Dutch Lions (USLP)
Sporting Kansas City vs Colorado Rapids
San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) vs Charlotte Eagles (USLP)
San Jose Earthquakes vs Minnesota Stars FC (NASL)
Seattle Sounders vs Cal FC (USASA)
Carolina RailHawks (NASL) vs Chivas USA

Photo Credit: realsaltlake.com

The Seattle Sounders have won the last three U.S. Open Cups and a non-MLS club hasn't reached the finals since the Charleston Battery did so in 2008. The last non-MLS team to win the tournament was back in 1999 when Pat Onstad's Rochester Raging Rhinos stunned the Colorado Rapids 2-0.

Tuesday Trivia

Last week's question:

The Spurs and Thunder are meeting in the postseason for the first time since the Thunder franchise moved from Seattle. How many players on the current San Antonio and Oklahoma City rosters appeared in the deciding game the last time these two met in the playoffs?


Answer:

The answer is four, and all four players started Game 6 of the 2005 Western Conference Semifinals for the Spurs. The first three are obvious as the trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are still leading the way for San Antonio, but don't forget Nazr Mohammed, the former starting center for San Antonio, who now serves as a backup for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Photo Credit: ebay.com

This week's question:

Landon Donovan became the first player in U.S. Men's National team history to net a third hat trick while playing for the Stars and Stripes when he struck for three goals against the Scots this weekend. Who are the ten other players to score at least three goals in a game for the United States?