Return of the Hat

After a much needed intermission from publishing daily material, the Daily Hat Trick is back in the game, baby! Sometimes, in order to produce a blog you would want to read, a step needs to be taken back in order to take steps forward. After taking some time to recharge my batteries and reexamining my approach to the Daily Hat Trick, it’s time to get back on the horse.

SINCE LAST TIME

Today, we’re going to fill in some gaps. I’ll be offering my point of view on some goings on in the sports world since the Hat Trick was last posted in late May. It is remarkable how much has taken place in a short period of time.

NBA FINALS

The Heat are denied a three-peat and the San Antonio Spurs are avenged after coming so close, but so far away in the 2013 NBA Finals. Only one of the four games won by the Spurs in this series was close. It was clear by the middle of Game 4, a one-sides Spurs win at Miami, that a three peat was not only “not in the cards”, but not even within reach of the Heat.

The Heat looked like a tired, aging team running out of end-of-the-year gas in its fourth consecutive NBA Finals. The Spurs looked like a team determined and with a plan to finish unfinished business after being seconds away from winning a title last season only to have Ray Allen rip it away in the final seconds of the 4^th quarter of Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.

Fifth time is a charm. 1

RETURN OF THE KING

The NBA offseason is often filled with theater and surprised during free agency signings. This year was even more suspense filled. The “Big Three” of the Heatles – LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade – all opted out of the final year of their contracts. This ramped up speculation of where they would be playing basketball in the 2014-2015 season. The first domino that would have to drop before anyone made any major moves was the King sized domino – LeBron James.

James stunned the sporting world for the second time in four seasons. After stabbing the city of Cleveland and Cavaliers fans in the heart on ESPN in July of 2010 with his announcement that he was “taking his talents to South Beach”, James released an essay to Sports Illustrated announcing his return to the Cavaliers next season. The method by which James made his announcement, in a well thought out piece of writing as opposed to a one hour TV special or press conference, played out with the public much better than 2010’s “The Decision” on ESPN, which raised money of a charitable cause but was a public relations disaster.

The power balance shifted immediately in the Eastern Conference, with the Cavs shooting to the top of the oddsmakers’ list of teams favored to win the 2015 NBA Finals. Carmelo Anthony soon announced he would stay in New York, Chris Bosh announced he would stay in Miami, and Pau Gasol went to the Chicago Bulls, and Luol Deng signed with the Miami Heat. Smaller dominoes have been falling ever since Friday’s announcement.

2

WORLD CUP

The United States advanced to the “knockout round” of 16 for the second time in the modern era of the Cup. The U.S. survived the “group of death”, including 2006 and 2010 nemesis Ghana, eventual World Cup champion Germany, and Uruguay. Television ratings for the Cup, in spite of the U.S. playing games in the afternoon in the middle of the week, soared. In this this blogger’s opinion, America is in the midst of a soccer revolution in our sporting landscape.

Also remarkable during the 2014 World Cup was the complete dismantling of front-runner Brazil by Germany, 7-1, in the semi-final match. I cannot recall a more shocking and unexplainable debacle in any major sporting even in my lifetime. People with little to no interest in the Cup may cite some of our one-sided Super Bowls; it isn’t even close. World Cup games yielding more than three total goals between both teams in the knockout stage of the World Cup are uncommon. Germany surged to a 5-0 lead by the middle of the first half.

The Germans would not have a letdown. They faced an equally formidable Argentina team in yesterday’s World Cup Final. It would take Extra Time to decide the contest, but Germany was able to pierce the Argentinian armor in the 113^th minute. The Germans controlled possession of the ball and dominated the game defensively; the Argentina squad could not muster a single shot on goal.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

At the start of the season, the Hat Trick released its MLB preview. There will be much more discussion about the season and where it is going in the coming days. Two things stand out: all of the divisions are in competitive races and a flurry of new stars are being born or are growing in MLB.

THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM

Unlike Elvis, The Hat Trick is back in the building. Buckle your seatbelt and get ready. It’s going to be a wild ride!

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 www.usatoday.com
2) Image from si.com via sneakerbardetroit.com

Goal Oriented

Naturally, I expect that the dozens of regulars reading the Hat Trick have missed the daily Chick Pic. Why not reboot with a female athlete? American soccer player and Olympic medalist Alex Morgan has been trending heavily on search engines this week and is the subject of today's chick pic.

Anyone for "Beach Soccer"? 1

2

 

Alex Morgan "kicking in" in an appearance.... 3

 

And kicking butt on the soccer field.... 4

1) Image from www.ibtimes.com
2) Image from www.picstopin.com
3) Image from www.listal.com
4) Image from www.entertainmentwallpaper.com

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

The Best of 2011

Today is a special milestone: the 300th article posted in The Daily Hat Trick!!! YAY!!! Thank you all for your continued support!

The Daily Hat Trick does things a little differently than out media outlets. I personally think that it is better to run a piece reviewing the biggest stories of a year after the year is over. Often, the slowness of the sports news cycle in the final week of a calendar year can necessitate such pieces being run in late December. This year, however, I think there was plenty to talk about before the calendar went from 2011 to 2012.

The following are what I think were the biggest sports stories in each month of 2011. Enjoy your look back on the year that was!


January

Auburn wins the BCS National Championship

The Southeastern Conference won its fifth consecutive BCS National Championship as the Auburn Tigers outlasted the Oregon Ducks. Auburn shot to the top of the college football polls like a rocket on the strength of their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Cam Newton. In spite of a slough of controversy regarding Newton's eligibility due to an alleged play-for-pay scandal, Newton rose above the fray and guided his team to its first national championship since 1957.

Newton would be the first player chosen in the 2011 NFL Draft. 1

February

The Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl XLV

The Packers won their first Super Bowl in 14 years after a late regular season and playoff surge. Aaron Rodgers returned to the Packers' lineup from injury in December and the Cheeseheads never looked back. The Packers secured the final seed in the NFC playoffs then won three games on the road to advance to Super Bowl XLV to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers, in their third Super Bowl in six seasons, lost their first Super Bowl in 15 years as Ben Roethlisberger was unable to rally the Steelers all the way back from an early deficit. The Packers demonstrated that they would be a contender for the next several years, winning 15 regular season games and securing the top seed in the NFC in the following, 2011, season.

A star was born last February. 3

March

Virginia Commonwealth (11) stuns Kansas (1), 71-61, in the southwest Regional Final to advance to the Final Four.

VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart, then age 33, became a household name among college hoops fans in the month of March. The Rams had to play their way into the field of 64, playing one additional game than 60 other teams in the field in the First Four round of the tournament. The 11th seeded Rams continued to deliver upset after upset.

Virginia Commonwealth put themselves on the radar with a second round upset of Georgetown. Then they stunned Purdue, followed by a win over fellow upstart 10th seeded Florida State. Many teams become tournament Cinderellas only to fall in the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight Round. Facing Kansas in the Southwest Regional Final, all bets were that the clock would strike midnight against the #1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks. The Rams won by 10 and advanced to their first, ever, Final Four.

Shaka Smart and the Rams shocked the world last March. 2

April

Connecticut defeats Butler to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

The Daily Hat Trick detailed this NCAA Tournament Final game back in April. In one of the ugliest performances in the history of the NCAA Tournament, the Connecticut Huskies defeated Butler, 53-41.

Connecticut shot 35% from the field. This would often be an omen of doom in a championship game. Fortunately for UConn Coach Jim Calhoun and the Huskies, Butler shot less than 20%.

Butler lost its second consecutive NCAA Tournament Championship Game, having lost to Duke in 2010. Their coach, 34 year old Brad Stevens, would lose several seniors, including his best player, forward Matt Howard. Howard, incidentally, shot 1 for 13 in the game. It was Calhoun's third National Championship at Connecticut (1999, 2004).

Connecticut's Kemba Walker, the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, cuts down the net. 4

May

Dan Wheldon (died, October 2011) nips J.R. Hildebrand as Hildebrand hit the wall in the final turn, to win the Indy 500.

In one of the most exciting and improbable finishes to the signature race of the IndyCar Series, the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 offered a finish for the ages. J.R. Hildebrand led by more than a a full car length in the final lap, only to crash into the wall on the final turn, just feet away from the finish line. Hilderbrand's car would slide across the finish line under its own power and he would finish second. But England's Dan Wheldon would pass Hildebrand after the crash and win the Indy 500, the final win of his career.

Wheldon is as good an example as anyone of why we should seek and savor the good times of life. Wheldon would die in a crash five months later. 5

June

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in six games to win the NBA Finals

Former league MVP Dirk Nowitski shed the label that he was a great regular season player and a great scorer but couldn’t lead a team to a championship. Nowitski came through in the clutch repeatedly in the NBA Playoffs.

The signature moment of the Mavericks’ championship run was Game 2, in which Nowitski spearheaded a furious comeback, from 15 points down with less than seven minutes remaining, to avoid a deep 0-2 hole in the series and, instead, tie the series at one game apiece. The Mavericks would go on to win the series in six games.

Dirk delivered the dagger to the Heat in Game 2. 6

July

The United States Women's World Cup team advances to the Finals, losing to Japan

The Unites States Women’s World Cup soccer team had sports fans in the Unites States partying like it was 1999, the last time the women won the World Cup. The 1999 tournament was hosted in the United States and brought unprecedented attention to women’s soccer.

For a fortnight, American goalkeeper Hope Solo and clutch scorer Abby Wambach became household names among sports fans. The United States would advance to the Finals in dramatic fashion, scoring a last minute goal in extra time against Brazil to force, and win in, penalty kicks. The United States would lose to Japan in similar fashion in the Finals in the penalty kick frame.

Hope Solo: Beautiful young woman...too many corny Star Wars jokes elicited by her name. 7

August

NFL preseason football commences, after the end of the NFL lockout

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s “Back to football,” declaration became music to the ears of millions of American sports fans. After a lockout that lasted more than five months, depriving America of its favorite sport and football junkies of mini camp, training camp, free agency, and trade updates (and some preseason action), the lockout came to an end. Preseason games enjoyed strong ratings, with nationally televised games drawing better ratings than critical pennant race games in Major league Baseball. Twenty-first century America’s pastime was back!

Preseason football was never bigger. 8

September

St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays clinch improbable playoff berths on the final night of the regular season in dramatic fashion

The Hat Trick ran a piece following the final night of the MLB regular season. Four games decided the playoff fates of four teams. Adding to the drama, the Cardinals came back from a seemingly insurmountable 8.5 game September deficit to clinch the Wild Card. The Rays, who also were in a deep September hole, trailed the Yankees by seven runs in a must win season finale. Never in my lifetime could I recall so much being at stake on one single night, possibly the greatest night in the history of regular season baseball.

MLB on Wednesday, September 28, 2011: Last name, "Ever", first name, "Greatest" 9

October

St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series

The St. Louis Cardinals completed the most improbable run to a World Series Championship in decades. Not only were they hopelessly behind in the playoff race at the beginning of September, but twice, in Game 6 of the World Series, the Cardinals were down to their last strike. In one of the most memorable conclusions to a potential World Series closeout game (i.e. an elimination game), Cardinals third baseman David Freese delivered a pair of clutch, run scoring hits with the game hanging in the balance. Freese would deliver a walk-off homerun in the11th inning. The Cardinals would comfortably win Game 7 the following night and win the World Series.

If you never heard for David Freese before, you'd better recognize! 10

November

LSU 9 Alabama 6, OT

This game was billed the “Game of the Century”, likely to decide the winner of the SEC West Division and the representative of the SEC in the BCS National Championship Game. The winner did in fact win the division, the conference and a spot in the National Championship Game. The loser won a spot in the big game too.

The “Game of the Century” looked like a page from the middle of last century. The game was a bruising match of running attacks versus ferocious defenses. With the score tied after 60 minutes of play, the game was decided in the first overtime as Alabama failed to score in its possession and LSU’s Kenny Hilliard broke a long run inside the Alabama five yard line to set up a chip shot game winning field goal by LSU’s Drew Alleman.

No touchdowns were scored that night. The low score and the necessity of overtime to decide a winner prompted calls for a rematch in the National Championship Game should no conference winner have a stronger case. In spite of having one loss, like Alabama, and winning its BCS Automatic Qualifier conference (unlike Alabama), the Big XII, Oklahoma State was excluded from the National Championship Game and the Crimson Tide was handed a do-over for its November loss at home by the BCS system. Alabama would win the do-over match, 21-0, and, hence, was handed the BCS Championship trophy.

LSU's Eric Reid wrestles the ball away for a critical interception in "the Game of the Century". 11

December

NBA returns after the end of the lockout

“Back to basketball” did not quite have the same ring as “Back to football” for many sports fans, in the peak of the NFL season, but hoops fans, nonetheless, were relieved to learn that there would be a 2011-2012 season. The NBA would play its first regular season games on Christmas day, always traditionally a day with marquis basketball matchups. The Lakers, Bulls, Heat, Mavericks and other teams with high profile players would play on December 25th.

Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose picks up where he left off last season with a last second, game winning, basket, a hook shot floated over Pau Gasol of the Lakers. 12

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.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.


1) Image from http://blog.newsok.com
2) Image from www.nytimes.com
3) Image from www.nfl.com
4) Image from www.bleacherreport.com
5) Image from http://www.ibtimes.com/
6) Image from http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/
7) Image from www.usatoday.com
8) Image from www.footballnewsnow.com
9) Image from www.jimrome.com
10) Image from www.huffingtonpost.com
11) Image from www.urbanchristiannews.com
12) Image from http://sports.inquirer.net

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

Red, White, And…BOO!

This past Saturday, the U.S.A. soccer team hosted Mexico in a Gold Cup final. After taking a commanding 2-0 lead, the U.S. would go on to surrender four unanswered goals, losing to Mexico, 4-2. The U.S. had beaten Mexico five times in the past ten years.

The colossal meltdown by the Americans was not what stood out most to me or many other casual soccer observers. The Los Angeles Coliseum crowd appeared, by many accounts, to be at least 75% supporters of Mexico. Soccer is a fringe sport among spectators in the United States, so this is not entirely surprising to me. What I did find surprising, and appalling, were the numerous reports of Mexico soccer fans harassing and taunting American fans in an American stadium. In addition, the sounds of Mexico fans booing and jeering at American players (audible to television viewers), in an American stadium, was quite unsettling.

Old Glory is surrounded by a sea of red, white, and green. 1

I have no problem with Mexican fans coming here, spending money and rooting for their team. I have no problem with Mexicans living in America on a Visa rooting for their team. I have no problem with 1st, 2nd, or other newer generation people of Mexican descent, born in the United States, rooting for the Mexican team like their elders do. Frankly, unlike, Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper who launched a profanity-laden tirade over the post game ceremony being conducted in Spanish, I don't even have a problem with the victory ceremony being in the native language of the winning team.

I take issue with fans that are either from another country or supporting the team of another country going into a stadium in Los Angeles, calling American players and fans what translates to "jackass" and booing like philistines. Too many of the Mexico fans acted like they were in their own country when, in fact, their team is being hosted. Those behaving as such, from Mexico, were bad guests and those residing in the United States, but supporting the Mexican team in a similar manner, set a very poor example of sportsmanlike behavior in America.

Next time the Mexico soccer team is in the United States, I hope that as many fans buy tickets and enjoy the event as possible, regardless of origin. I hope that the level of sportsmanship is raised by the visiting fans. I hope that Mexican-American fans demonstrate little tolerance for the behavior of rude guests. Last, I hope the Americans kick the Mexicans’ butts next time! God bless America!

A U.S. victory will silence even the loudest Mexico fans. 2

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1,2) Images from latimes.com