Why Football “Soccer” is slow to catch on in the United States
Football, or soccer as it is called in the States, is slowing gaining speed in the United States. But the reason that it proceeding slowly can be tracked to the game today, the officiating.
The USA won this match and everyone in the world knows it, but it goes down as a draw because of some bad officiating. But there were some mysterious calls against the Yanks leading to the ultimate one when the USA had the go ahead goal taken away by some mysterious foul that the official refused to say who committed it.
The game deserves an explanation and FIFA needs to reign in their officials only placing their best officials in these games. The official from Mali was horrible and should be sent home never to officiate again. All you have to do is watch the game and see the horrible calls.
A non-call on an offsides against Slovenia that led to a goal, a handball called against Findley that hit off his shoulder and head that led to a yellow card and a disqualification for the next match, and several fouls that weren’t called on Slovenia. One should have been called on a foul against Altidore in the box for a penalty kick.
We can all hope that FIFA gets it act together for the remaining games. This is truly a great sport and a world sport, but we deserve world class officiating also. Once that happens, the sport will continue to grow and a break-neck speed in the United States.
Vote Tulo for NL All Star at Shortstop
The fan voting is winding down and Tulowitzki is in third place in voting for National League All Star at Shortstop. It’s time to kick up the voting and get him ahead of Hanley Ramirez and Jimmy Rollins.
Hanley has had a decent year, but Tulo is having a great season and deserves the start this year. Rollins hasn’t even been playing most of the season because of injuries.
Let’s get the voting started and vote in Tulo!
My thoughts on Jim Joyce’s call and MLB’s response
In one quick moment, Armando Galarraga went from celebrating the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history to agony when Jim Joyce missed the call at first base.
It was a horrible call.
But to credit Joyce and the Detroit Tigers have handled the call with class and sportsmanship.
Joyce came out and apologized after seeing the replay and personally sought out Galarraga to apologize that evening. Joyce even declined the option to not work home plate the next day and was forward handling all the criticism. Continue reading “My thoughts on Jim Joyce’s call and MLB’s response”
MLB: Why Can’t I Watch the Rockies-Giants Today?
Hey MLB, why can’t I watch the Rockies-Giants game this afternoon?
You have instituted some weird national blackout of games that are scheduled before 7:00 PM EDT. Because of this inane policy, I won’t be able to watch the Rockies game.
It’s not the Rockies fault, they weren’t the one who scheduled the game. The Giants did. If you want to blackout the game in their television market, fine. But I am 1,000 miles away in Colorado and have no chance to attend the game.
Oh, and the reason you have this blackout in place is so I can watch the NY Mets vs Philadelphia on Fox. I could care less of that game.
MLB, I want to watch the Rockies game, get rid of this arcane blackout restriction so I can watch my team.
This blackout is only hurting the fans.
Sharks Win Series, Avalanche Have Great Season
The Sharks were the best team this series and it really showed the last three games.
Even though the series was once tied at two games a piece, the turning point was in game two when the Avs were up 5-4 late and lost. If they win that one it puts a lot of pressure on the Sharks.
But the Avs did have a great season. They were picked to finish last in the west and they fought their way into the playoffs. We saw the coming of age of a bunch of young players.
The future looks quite bright for the Avs. I’m looking forward to next season.
NHL Officiating is incompetent
The NHL officials have proven how incompetent tonight by just watching the Avs-Sharks game tonight.
They have called several ticky-tack penalties on the Avs in the first period and nothing on San Jose. One of those penalties gave the Sharks a 2-0 lead.
There were several times where they let Blake get away with holding and a cross check and didn’t call it. Andy got tripped by a Shark, no interference.
It then went over the top with a scrum behind the Sharks net. Mcginn for the Sharks had dropped the gloves and was pounding Duchene in the head.
What do the refs call? An extra minor on the Avs. This is just horrible. Right now, the refs have called 22 penalties on the Avs and only 10 on the Sharks.
I watch a lot of hockey and this series has had the worst refs and I think it is a reflection of the NHL. I think they have it out for the Avs.
I hope it gets better in the 3rd period, but I doubt it. I think this game is out-of-hand.
DU Hockey Getting Ready for the NCAA Championships
The DU Hockey Team is getting ready for the NCAA championships this weekend. The Denver Post has a video interview about the top line and their performance this year.
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/934052406
Hobey Baker Award fan vote
Hobey Baker Award fan vote | The Denver Post — All Things Colorado Sports.
Get out and go vote for your Pioneers in the Hobey Baker fan vote.
NHL players should play in the Olympics
The NHL is making waves and statements at this Olympics that they may not allow their players to play in the next Olympics in Sochi.
Excuse me? The NHL players in these Olympics has made it one of the best hockey tournaments ever and has turned on a bunch of people to hockey.
When has NBC ever got over 10 million people to watch a hockey game and that is when they buried it on MSNBC? The answer is never.
Brian Burke, the GM of the USA Team and GM of the Toronto Maple Leaves seems to be against having NHL players represent their countries.
Imagine some of our markets where we’re challenged attendance wise. You get into a situation in Atlanta or Florida that are fighting for a playoff spot, actually generating interest and people are following their teams in the standings and then close their doors for 2 ½ weeks and say, ‘Thanks for your patronage but come back in 2 ½ weeks.’
I would have to argue that watching the best play in the Olympics generates more interest that having monotonous NHL games on. The world’s focus is on the Olympics and this hockey tournament. You will get more exposure and people interested in the sport and that will help the NHL in the long-term.
Growing up in northern California, we only were able to watch hockey once every four years when the Olympics were on. Watching the 1980 hockey team win in Lake Placid peaked my interest and I became a hockey fan.
The best of the world were playing then except for the U.S and probably Canada because the NHL didn’t play. But the best of the world should play and that includes the NHL players.
Mile High Soapbox 