Promiscuous Girl

Last year, United States Women's Soccer Team goalkeeper Hope Solo was a semi-finalist on Season 13 of Dancing with The Stars. Solo has been in the news lately because of the myriad recent misdemeanor criminal shenanigans of her husband, former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens.

Among the three people who finished ahead of Solo was Rob Kardashian, who finished second that season. He has had some relationship issues of his own lately. Kardashian is the ex-boyfriend of singer Rita Ora, whom Kardashian recently smeared on Twitter as a promiscuous cheater. Ora is the subject of today's Chick Pic.

Kardashian claimed she went around the block with 20 guys while they were dating; I wasn't one of 'em! Were you?

It's refreshing to see a cute chick rocking tennis shoes. 2

She isn't bad looking with clothes on. 3

Or without them.... 4

I prefer "without". 5

1) Image from www.capitalfm.com
2) Image from www.d4premiere.com
3) Image from www.thatgrapejuice.net
4) Image from http://ritaorasummertime.blogspot.com 
5) Image from www.entertainmentwise.com

Inspiration in Victory and Defeat

This past weekend, champions were crowned in the sports world. PGA golfer Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, age 42, won his first, ever, major tournament on Sunday, finishing three strokes ahead of the field. In Women’s World Cup soccer, Japan defeated the United States for its first ever World Cup championship.

DARREN CLARKE IN THE 2011 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

With Tiger Woods’ absence from the 2011 Open Championship due to injury, golf is in greater need of a compelling story than it usually is during a major tournament. After Rory McIlroy’s dominating run at the U.S. Open in June, many eyes were on him for an encore in the British Open. However, McIlroy never mounted a significant challenge for the lead. Instead, Clarke unexpectedly roared out to an early lead after the first two rounds, and would play a game of cat and mouse with American Phil Mickelson during the next two rounds. On Sunday, Clarke completed the improbable goal of winning the Open Championship, by several strokes.

If Darren Clarke won his first major at age 42, it is possible he may never win another during his career. Still, Clarke gave real-life meaning to the expression, “Better late than never,” Being in my mid-30s, I personally am encouraged by examples of how the best has yet to come for a man competing in a game in which the competitors utilize strength and endurance in addition to skill. Golf is a sport in which older participants can compete, but, like all sports, those possessing youth have an inherent advantage.        



2011 Open Championship Winner Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland 1

THE AMERICAN WOMEN'S WORLD CUP TEAM

A few hundred miles away from the British Open, in Germany, the United States women’s team captured the interest of sports fans all across America during its fantastic run to the finals. The #1 ranked Americans earned a dramatic victory in the World Cup Quarterfinals against Brazil with an Abby Wambach goal in the 122^nd minute of play to force penalty kicks. After a Hope Solo save during the penalty kick phase, the Americans were able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, win the match on penalty kicks and outlast the Brazilians.

Similar drama unfolded on Sunday. Securing late one goal leads in regulation and in extra time, the Japanese penetrated the American defense and, twice, tied the score and survived, forcing penalty kicks. The Americans, however, did not have great fortunes during the penalty kick phase, missing their first two shots and digging themselves into a deep hole from which they could not recover.

In spite of the disappointment, the American women, in a country that watches relatively few women’s sporting events and very little soccer, made many casual soccer observers into fans of their team and stimulated interest in their sport. That is not necessarily an easy task, in a nation with an insatiable appetite for the sports that it traditionally follows (such as baseball and golf), played by men. In its run for a third World Cup, the American women inspired soccer fans, provided a rallying point for America and its sports fans, and provided a model that could inspire aspire young female athletes across the country.

Abby Wambach's goal in extra time appeared to seal a World Cup victory for the U.S. 2

AN INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

This past weekend offered inspiration to sports fans. It offered inspiration in victory from a salt-and-peppered man in his forties who demonstrated the value of persistence and perseverance. It offered inspiration, in spite of defeat, from a group of vibrant, energetic and dedicated young women who captured the attention of the masses through one of the least likely mediums in women’s soccer. 

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise in The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.       

1) Image from newyork.cbslocal.com

2) Image from espn.com

Word On the Tweet – July 15, 2011

With the second half of the Major League Baseball season underway and the NFL lockout appearing to be close to an end, social media is abuzz with all sorts of news, announcements, and rumors. The Daily Hat Trick, once again, has flexed its all access pass to the top secret Tweets that players and coaches won’t let everyone see.


Every NFL fan, everywhere, upon the announcement of the rookie wage scale, the last major point of negotiations in the NFL lockout:

YESSSSSSSS!

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft:

NOOOOOOO!

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft:

WHEW!

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, who likely would have been a first round pick in 2010, but waited until 2011 to enter the draft:

@docbrown If I give you my entire signing bonus, can you make me one of those special DeLoreans? #BackToTheFuture #IEffedUp

Unfortunately, Doc Brown did NOT invent the time machine for financial gain! 1

Texas Rangers Owner and President, Nolan Ryan, after a fan at the Home Run Derby came dangerously close to falling over a railing reaching for a ball, just days after a Rangers fan died from a fall reaching for a ball thrown to him by Josh Hamilton:

@DrugFreeJosh See, Josh. It wasn’t your fault. He was just stupid. #Darwinism

AGAIN?!? REALLY!!?? I'll bet this guy burned his hand on the proverbial hot stove more than once as a child. 2

Anyone with a sophomoric sense of humor, after USA soccer player Abby Wambach’s last second goal on a header shot against Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals, followed by a second half goal against France in the semifinals:

Abby Wambach gives the best head on the team! #rimshot #zing #GOAL

Goalkeeper Hope Solo, if she were to play along:

True. But there could be no happy ending without the job I do with my hands. RT @sophomoricSoccerFan Abby Wambach gives the best head on the team.

Best head in soccer! 3

Chicago White Sox Designated Hitter Adam Dunn ($12 million salary, batting .160):

So I walked into a casino and asked the blackjack dealer, “Can I get a hit?” He says, “Not if the day ends in ‘y’!” #VeryFunny #ImStillRich

Bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt:

Are they hiring? RT @99ProblemsAndAHitAintOne So I walked into a casino and asked the blackjack dealer, “Can I get a hit?” He says, “Not if the day ends in ‘y’!”

It would be a start to restore balance in the baseball world. 4

OJ Simpson, after reading that Georgia Tech had to vacate its 2009 ACC title due to NCAA rules violations:

@GTAthletics So how does this “vacating” work? If I vacate the stabbings, can I get some of my money back from the Goldmans?

USC President Max Nikias:

@TheJuiceSlicer Could we vacate your transcript?



Former USC QB Carson Palmer (left) and O.J. Simpson (right). OJ: "If the Brown family won't give you that trade you're demanding, I might be able to help you cut around and slice through the red tape. It may require some yellow tape, though." 5

 Don’t forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.


1) Image from backtothefuture.wikia.com
2) Image from zachisgod.com
3) Image from mysanantonio.com
4) Image from chicagoreader.com
5) Image from thegazette.com

Miracle on Turf

By now, if you are a fan of sports, you have probably heard about the made-for-the-movies drama that unfolded yesterday at the 2011 Women’s World Cup. After American goalkeeper Hope Solo was handed a questionable, I say erroneous, yellow card while defending a penalty kick and giving up the goal on the rekick, enabling Brazil to send the match into extra time, the Brazilians took the lead with a goal by Marta in the 92nd minute.

The officials added 3 minutes of injury stoppage time after the second half of extra time, what appeared to be a mere formality. The Americans executed what is analogous to a Hail Mary in football, moving all of their players forward in the closing seconds. Their prayers were answered with a header in the 122nd minute by Abby Wambach, tying the score at 2 goals apiece and forcing a penalty kick shootout. American goalkeeper Hope Solo made a clutch save during the shootout, enabling the United States to win the match and advance to the semi-final round against France on Wednesday.


Against all odds, the American women never gave up.  1

Yeah, We Won. So What?

As I have said many times in the past, we love our sports in America. Soccer may have recreational participation comparable to football, basketball, and baseball in the United States. As a spectator sport, however, it is virtually non existent on the American sports fan’s radar. Women’s team sports, in general, take a back seat to men’s sports, with only one significant American professional team sports league for women, the Women’s National Basketball Association.

All of these factors, minimizing the significance of women’s soccer, take a back seat when the United States is on a global stage. Like in the Olympics and the men’s World Cup, American sports fans rally round the flag. Very often, the event itself lacks a compelling storyline. In men’s soccer, the U.S. is often outclassed by a more established soccer power. The women have enjoyed more favorable odds, with 1991 and 1999 World Cup championships and multiple #1 rankings in recent years, including this year.

Destiny?

The lofty expectations of this year’s American women’s soccer team in conjunction with the high drama of yesterday’s match have given the American team an aura of destiny. After executing the narrowest possible escape against Brazil (ranked #3 in the world) and the shocking elimination of the host country, Germany, considered a favorite by many, by Japan, the stars appear to have aligned for the American women for a second World Cup title in 12 years.

If you have not been tuning in because this is a women’s sporting tournament…if you have not been tuning in because it is soccer…if you are a fan of sports and support the U.S.A. internationally, you are missing out. The good news is that it is not too late. You will have at least one (hopefully two) more chance(s) to watch the women deliver a red, white, and blue World Cup. Don’t miss out on the history of this team of destiny.



The U.S. women are two wins away from partying like it's 1999. 2


1) Image from espn.com
2) Image from si.com