NCAA Lacrosse Final

If the absence of a catchy title didn't give away my ignorance about lacrosse the rest of this post show make that painfully obvious. Every year I seem to find myself drawn to the sport of lacrosse. I enjoy watching the semi-finals and finals of the NCAA championship of every summer. Generally I only can watch it for 10 minutes or so at a time. It could be because I know very little about the game. Today's match was different.

The fifth seed Cornell took on defending national champions Syracuse. 'Cuse was the second seed and the clear favorite. Naturally I decided to root for the underdog, and after I watched the Big Red dominate Virginia on Saturday I latched onto Cornell University.

From what I could gather Syracuse had the more potent offense. They wanted lots of shots and a fast-paced game. Cornell, on the other hand, was very deliberate and methodical in the offensive zone.

After withstanding an early Syracuse barrage Cornell started to pull away. The title looked to be theirs when they scored with five and half minutes left to go ahead by three. The wheels came off then for the Big Red. Their methodical attack had been keeping the ball away from the Orange. The final 3:37 saw Syracuse score three goals. The tying goal coming only four seconds from time. The equalizer came off a wild scramble. The 'Cuse player flipped the ball over his head to his teammate just in front of the crease. From there it looked easy, and we were off to overtime. From there a Syracuse counterattack sealed Cornell's fate only a couple minutes into the sudden death period.

I have no idea where this comeback ranks in the annals of lacrosse history. All I am sure of is that it is the most exciting game I have seen. Let me know what you all think if you saw the game.

The Curse of Mad Mick

Luton Town, of English Football League Two, lost today 2 - nill away to Brentford. It was the Hatters' eighth loss of the season, but some say their relegation to non-league football was assured years ago.

In 2005, Luton Town finished 10th in the Football League Championship. Thanks in no small part to a budding superstar Michael Eade. Eade was acquired by the club in 2002. The three years he spent at Luton Town were magical for the club. The Hatters were promoted to the the League Championship and stayed their until 2006. This was just the beginning of the slide for Luton Town.

After his release Eade made the brave voyage across the Atlantic like Pilgrims and Beetles before him. Eade landed at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. Eade was red-shirted his first year in the states. Although Mad Mick enjoyed his time at Tyler he yearned for the pitch. He migrated north. It looked like a transfer to NAIA Champions Graceland University was on the books. Regrettably this was not the case. Eade would play his football at a different NAIA giant-Park University.

2006 was a hard year for Luton Town as well. Only Leeds United had a worse record the the Hatters. Things weren't looking any better entering the 2007 season, as Luton were docked 10 points for entering administration. Again they were relegated.

In his first season at Park University Eade played in 10 games. He was back-to-back MCAC Defensive Player of the Week in October. Eades 1.01 goals against average lead the Pirates to their seventh straight NAIA National Tournament appearance.

Now we come to 2008. This season was an upstairs downstairs tale when it comes Michael Eade and Luton Town FC. Luton were docked 30 points to start the year. The Hatters has their relegation confirmed April 13 in a draw against Chesterfield. Eade on the other hand had a sub 1 goals against average and notched six clean sheets.

Where would Luton Town be today if they had correctly assessed the talent of this young goal keeper? They certainly would be above the non-league football they are set to compete in next season. Eade is beginning his third season at Park University, and he has his eyes set on the national championship. Maybe Luton Town will think twice before passing on a player of similar caliber in the future.

The Weather is Always Fair in KC

Not even two months ago I would see at least 15 people on Facebook with statuses about the latest Royals game. I knew this was only due to the fact that it was the start of a new season and that they were winning. Now that the team has started to come back to Earth a bit all the love seems to have disappeared. You can hear it on the radio shows, on the streets, and in the stands.

I think that Kansas City is easily in the Top 5 of Fair Weather Towns in the country. Believe me, I take no pleasure in making this claim. I love Kansas City and want nothing but the best for it. I know that winning breeds popularity everywhere. In KC though as soon as things look like they might go wrong fans pull their support.

A little over 20 years ago the Chiefs couldn't give away tickets to their games. Then when they started to become respectable there wasn't a ticket to be found. In plenty of NFL cities once they start selling out the fans stick by there team through thick and thin. The last few years have been the thinnest of any for the Chiefs in my lifetime. I have no idea how the front office staff managed to keep every home game on TV this past season. If things don't improve soon we might not see the Chiefs on TV. My biggest gripe isn't with the Chiefs though.

Like I said before earlier this season everyone was on the Royals bandwagon. Now that they have hit the skids fans are nowhere to be found. I contend that these kinds of times are when teams need the fans' support more then ever. I don't think that most people even know when the team plays now. I love sports and I love Kansas City. I want to see be up there with Boston or Chicago with great sports cities.

I hear plenty of cries calling for a team for the Sprint Center. Kansas City hasn't shown that it deserves one. It's like when you were little and you had to take care of a goldfish to show your mom that you could handle a puppy. In this case we already have two fully grown dogs. We leave them unfed and unwatched. Why do we think that any one would turn up to an NBA or NHL team? Between the long season and probable dearth of talent attendance would be minimal. Unless KC can lure a championship caliber team they won't be given the proper support and nurturing they need.

Please Kansas City, I beg you, give our local teams the support they need to succeed. Your time now will be rewarded later.

Best Month Ever?

I know March is mad, but I think May could be the best sports month of the year. Don't get me wrong no one loves March Madness more than I do. I think the first weekend could be best single weekend in sports. May, on the other hand, is the best month.

The baseball season is starting to heat up as it moves into the second month. The quarter mark of the season approaches and fans start to see if their team is for real or not. Contenders begin separating from pretenders. While, there is still plenty of the season left baseball's second month still provides its share of action. This year is no exception. Controversy is dominating the headlines unfortunately. The steroid scandal claimed two more victims, Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez. If you are able to get past that you will see a 30 game hit streak, 2 cycles, 2 steals of home, homers flying out of the New Yankee Stadium, and the arrival of Zack Greinke. If none of those tickle your fancy don't worry, because there are plenty more options.

The NHL playoffs rage in the month of May. The playoffs in the NHL might create some of the most tense games of any sport. There is nothing better then playoff overtime hockey. This season had an eight-seed beat a one. The Ducks of Anaheim beat the top seeded Sharks and took the Red Wings to a game 7 tonight. Even though it ended undramatically the series between the Penguins and the Capitols could have been one of the most important of the year. Being able to watch Sid the Kid go at Alex the Great for 7 games was amazing. They are the two best players the league has to offer. If you crave warmer climates never fear.


Everyone complains about the lack of effort in the NBA. That all changes once the playoffs roll around. This year, like every other year, the playoffs are physical, close, and exciting. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers have been the exception. They have Lebron James though and he more then makes up for it. Half of the series this round have gone the full 7 games. It could set up a Kobe vs Lebron final.


If you are more international in your sporting interests May has got you covered too. The Champions League Semi-Finals and Finals are here too. The top soccer teams from across Europe battle through group stages and two knock out rounds before getting to the final four teams. Champions League is the most prestigious club cup competition in the world. This year Manchester United will look to be the first back to back winner in the Cup's history. They take on Barcelona in Rome on May 27th.



I have saved the best for last. Two thirds of the Tripple Crown are in the month of May. The best two minutes in sports aka the Kentucky Derby is the first Saturday in May. I will admit that I know nothing about horse racing. Derby day brings it out of me though. I love it. You can't keep me away from the TV I just soak it all in. The Preakness is this Saturday. The dream of a Tripple Crown is still alive. Mine that Bird jockied by someone new seeks another long shot victory.


I know that I have left plenty of sporting events out. The Players' Championship at Sawgrass is more then deserving of a spot on my list. I figure I have subjected all my readers to enough pontification on sports I know nothing about. So golf fans out there know that I hold a place in my heart for the Players'. If it were a major it would surely be on the list.

That's chump change

After admitting to purposely throwing behind Texas Rangers' second basemen Ian Kinsler the Chicago White Sox's Bobby Jenks was find by Major League Baseball. The fine was a whopping $750. I see this going a couple of different ways. The league could be rewarding Jenks' honesty. Six Sox players were hit in the weekend series. Two of those came in Saturday's game. Jenks said he was throwing at Kinsler, but said he didn't want to hit him. Honestly, I think the small fine was only given because Jenks said anything. Baseball would have been happier if Jenks had denied the whole thing. The powers at be want to turn a blind eye to bean-balls just as they do every other problem with the nation's pastime. It could be because I never played baseball, but I have a problem with intentionally hitting a player. I know that a token $750 is not going to stop anyone. Most guys have that in their couch cushions. It is only a matter of time before a career ends via bean-ball. Baseball needs to take a stronger stand. Maybe then everyone will be able to respect them more.

Best series in sports that I know you aren't watching

There is so much happening in sports right now. Manny's suspension, NBA play-off drama, but the hottest action is on the ice. The series between Alexandre Ovechkin's Washington Capitols and Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins. Alex the Great was looking to make a mockery of it all when the Caps' jumped out 2 -0. Game two featured hat tricks by both super stars. Sid the Kid answered the bell and brought his team back winning the next three. Half of the games so far have needed extra time to find a winner.
This Eastern Conference Semi-Final features the two best players in the league. The action has been fast and furious in every game. All the games have had lead changes and overtimes. There is nothing better then NHL postseason overtime. I strongly suggest everyone find VS on your dial at 7 p.m. eastern Wednesday night. I promise these two superstars will not disappoint.

Chelsea vs Barcelona- Champions League Semi-Final Leg 2

I was going to discuss how Kansas City is the biggest fair weather town in the nation, but I will get there later.

After a dreadfully boring first leg Barcelona came to Stamford Bridge. A great piece of defending by Barca was finished off by a once in a life time strike by Michael Essien. The wonderful volley from the Ghanaian midfielder pinged under the bar past Victor Valdez in the 9th minute. After the goal Chelsea returned to their old strategy and sat in front of the goal. It seemed as though they would be able to salt away the next 81 minutes setting up a Champions League Final rematch with Manchester United in Rome. It took 93 minutes before the Catalans were able to even get a shot to Petr Chech's goal. One was all they needed. Andreas Iniesta smashed a 20-yard strike past Chech only 2 minutes from time. Iniesta, in my opinion, was the best player over the two legged tie. Iniesta was the only player on either side that showed any imagination over the 180 minutes. Any attacking prowess Barcelona showed was initiated by Iniesta.

What is lost in all of this is the performance from referee Tom Henning Ovrebo. Ovrebo sent off Eric Abidal in the 66th minute for his apparent trip of Nikolas Anelka. On first viewing I thought it was the correct decision. After seeing the replay it looked like there was no contact between the two. What Chelsea and I don't agree with is his refusal to give a penalty for a clear hand ball by Gerard Pique. I will admit that I was supporting Barcelona, but it was an obvious hand ball. The ensuing PK would have surely put the game out of Barcas reach.

Overall, I think that Barcelona's advance was the fair result. Chelsea never looked like they wanted to attack, and they got what they deserved. I will be looking forward to the Barcelona and Manchester United final in Rome on May 27th.

Arsenal v Manchester United-Leg 2

I have been thinking about starting a sports blog for some time now. I thought now was as good a time as any.

The second leg of the Champion's League Semi-Final between Arsenal and Manchester United had so much promise when the game started. The Gunners were coming into the game down one, but being at home I thought they could be successful. In the first five minutes it certainly seemed that Arsenal were up to the challenge. United responded quickly, however. United's Anderson raced down the left wing and played a mundane ball across the box. Arsenal's defender Kieran Gibbs, making only his 19th appearance for the first team, slipped allowing Park Ji-Sung to score the games first goal only eight minutes into the match. The Gunners didn't have much time to wallow as The Slippery One-Christiano Ronaldo-drew a free kick. Ronaldo spotted the Arsenal keeper, Manuel Almunia, too far from the near post. The Portuguese striker fizzed in a long range strike putting the Red Devils up two-nill. The two early goals killed the Gunners spirit as well as the game. United parked the team bus in front of their goal, and Arsenal had no idea how to crack the defenses. Ronaldo erased any lingering doubt finishing off the rapid United counter attack. Through a great bit of passing Cesc Fabregas, who had been previously unheard of in the match, found him self in the box and was brought down by Darren Fletcher. Robin Van Persie blasted home a cracker of a penalty and were able to draw one goal back. It wouldn't be enough in the end and United are through to the final in Rome.

With the game not providing much in the way of drama I think that Tommy Smyth took it upon himself to make things interesting. I think he made it clear to anyone who watched the he is a clear United supporter. I am a Spurs fan, and therefore any bad thing that happens to Arsenal is fine with me. Smyth felt that not only did Darren Fletcher not deserve his sending off, but he thought it was not a foul at all. I would love to hear from everyone on what they think. Febregas was clearly fouled, and Fletcher deserved his red card. He should have let Febregas score. There were 15 minutes left in the match, and Arsenal needed 5 goals. It is hard to feel sorry for Man United since now they will be forced to play reigning PFA winner Ryan Giggs instead. I don't know how they will survive.