Baltimore Orioles: Are They For Real?

So, I am writing about the Baltimore Orioles (the basement of the American League East Division). Why would I write about a team that is thirty plus games under .500 on the season, thirty games back of the Yankees in the East, and has finished dead last in its division for the past two years? In my opinion, the Baltimore Orioles, as of recent, have been the hottest team in baseball. Are they for real?

They have won eight of their last ten games including an impressive win last night against the highly-praised Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are a team that used to see plenty of basement action in the East like the Orioles before the Rays improved their pitching, hitting, and fielding to make a World Series appearance a couple of years ago. Now, the Rays are competing at the top of their division with the best of the best, the New York Yankees. Is the Orioles turn around a fluke, or is it a sign of better things to come for the organization and the desperate baseball city of Baltimore? I think the Orioles' spark on the field in the past couple of weeks means more of the latter than the former.

Ever since the Orioles hired Buck Showalter as the new manager at the beginning of August, the Baltimore baseball team has seen better days, better pitching, improved hitting, and flawless fielding. Is Showalter the prime reason for the wins in Baltimore? Is Brian Robert's veteran leadership finally paying off for the Orioles' plethora of young talent? I do not who the credit goes to. Does it go to the organization for all its firings over the years? I do know most of the credit should go to Buck Showalter. In my opinion, there is a new and improved American League East. The Baltimore Orioles have just made their division even tougher. In fact, the AL East is the toughest division in baseball. The Orioles are far away from postseason contention this year, but if they can use the rest of this season to build momentum for 2011, the Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays better watch out. Is this a bold prediction on my part? Sure, it absolutely is, but the Baltimore Orioles are for real now. They were not satisfied with the way they played in the past, and they were not at all happy sitting at the bottom with the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Mariners in the American League.

I have heard Camden Yards is a beautiful ball park. It is going to be even sweeter when the Orioles start contending for the playoffs again in the near future. The days of Cal Ripken Jr. in Baltimore are long gone, but the Orioles organization have young, healthy ball players like Felix Pie, Adam Jones, and Matt Wieters to build the ball club around for the future. Are the Baltimore Orioles for real? To conclude, yes, the Baltimore Orioles are for real.

Book Review: "Coming Back Stronger" By Drew Brees

Every one remembers the dramatic, exciting Super Bowl win this year for the 2010 Champion New Orleans Saints as they beat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in a superb fashion. It was a great achievement for the fans and residents of New Orleans after the horrific catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. After the hurricane, homes were submerged underwater, buildings were demolished, and it was one of the deadliest hurricanes in United States history. Some New Orleans' residents packed up their belonging and moved to other parts of the country before the storm hit to be with family members in safe places. Others were less fortunate, and either took refuge inside the Superdome (Home of the Saints), they had to be rescued days later, or died.

I give my total respect to the Colts and their fabulous 16 win season. I think Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. However, the Super Bowl win for the city of New Orleans was destiny. I am not totally positive, but I believe the win was a part of God's plan to show that he was not done with the state of Louisiana, specifically the city of New Orleans. There was still work to be done in New Orleans. The championship gave the people of New Orleans hope for a better future in their rebuilding city.

The journey of how the Saints organization went from paper bags to the top of the football mountain is an amazing story. Saints football was the one thing that brought the people closer together to produce hope for better days, to rebuild, to restructure, and to win a championship. The Saints' success story is God's happening, but it would not be at all possible without the leadership, determination, and Christ-like attitude of Drew Brees.

Drew Brees originally played the quarterback position at Purdue University in Indiana. Then, Drew was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played for San Diego from 2001-2005. Then, Brees became a free agent, and he decided to take his talents and services to New Orleans where he signed in March of 2006. Remember, Katrina took place in 2005 right before Brees' signing, so Drew made a real difficult decision, but a choice led by God in hopes of resurrecting and reviving the Saints franchise, the devastated city, and its people. Drew Brees is truly a man of God. He has been a saint on and off the football field. The Saints' story is an inspiring one. It shows that anything is possible through God if you have faith and trust in him. God can do miraculous things if you obey and follow his words and ways. Like Drew Brees said in his book, "See adversity as an opportunity." The hard parts of life can be opportunities if you have the positive mind-set, the right attitude, and the vision of Jesus Christ.

Read Drew's book, "Coming Back Stronger." If you think you are not the type of person who can be motivated by a book or a speaker, think again because this book will have you jumping out of your bed each morning equipped for a good day, ready with a positive attitude, and seeing God's wonderful purpose for you. Besides the Bible, this book is my new favorite. It has something for everybody. The book has a positive message, it is easy to understand, everyone can relate to at least one of Drew's experiences, and there are multiple things to learn from each chapter. I highly recommend reading this phenomenal piece of work.

Not to give anything away, let me share some interesting quotes from the book. "It is not where you start in life, but rather how you finish." "Any situation, no matter how bad, can ultimately make you stronger." "If God leads you to it, he will lead you through it." There are many more inspirational messages and sayings inside of the book. I have now seen the perspectives of two Christian NFL quarterbacks, Kurt Warner and Drew Brees. I absolutely love reading about Christian professional athletes and the work that they do because these athletes share their stories, and it has inspired me to follow God more intimately and closely in order to fulfill his purpose for me.

I hope when you read a book like the one by Drew Brees, you might feel the same way as I do. It is amazing how God can use people's life stories through books and writing to touch the lives of others. This book is not a football book. You do not have to know anything about football in order to read it. "Coming back Stronger" is a memoir that can be easily understandable for anyone who feels inspired or led to read this autobiography. I suggest you read this book, but I also suggest you read the one by Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda, "First Things First." Enjoy the reading!

Should the MLB All-Star game decide home-field advantage in World Series?

Without a doubt, the MLB all-star game is the best all-star game in professional sports because it means something. In the NBA, the all-star game is always high scoring, but there is always a lack of defense, hustle, and determination to win the game since a win does not mean much. In the NFL, the all-star game is pretty much pointless. Except for last year, the pro bowl has taken place after the entire season was over (a week after the Super Bowl). The players show very little motivation because they do not want to risk injury going into the off season. The only inspiration NFL superstars have is a little more extra money when they win. The MLS Soccer All-Star game is at least somewhat exciting this year as the MLS players take on the very talented Manchester United club. Also, NASCAR has an all-star event, but does anybody even watch it or know about it? The same thing goes for the National Hockey League, a game which is usually only on cable.

Since 2003, the winner of the all-star game has decided which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series in October. This decision was made by the MLB commissioner because in 2002, there was a tie in the all-star game. Bud Selig wants this game to count, be worthwhile for the players to participate in, and be worthwhile for the fans around the world to watch. A mid season exhibition game decides the fate of a champion. Is this the right move for sports? I think it is. The MLB midsummer classic has meaning. The fielders hustle for ground balls, the outfielders dive for sinking line drives, and pitchers show off their best stuff in order to win the ball game. The two managers from the previous World Series coach and manage the players just like it is a meaningful game because they know how important home-field advantage is to their respective leagues.

The American League has owned the National League since 1996. This year (2010) was the first time the NL beat the AL. Honestly, this year was somewhat boring. Only four runs crossed the plate. The AL scored on an unearned run, and it was Brian McCann's late hit that put the NL up 3-1, which was the final score. There was very little offense. No home runs were hit. However, the defense was exciting to watch. Corey Hart made a spectacular diving catch in left field. In the ninth, the right fielder for the NL made a nice throw to get David Ortiz out at second in a game-saving situation.

So, home-field advantage determined by a mid season game does make professional baseball more intriguing. It seems to make intuitive sense, but has it really influenced who would actually win the World Series? From 1996-2009, the American League has won the all-star game. Since 2002, the American League has won the World Series five times, and the National League has won three times. So, there is a slight advantage to winning the all-star game, but there is not much because the World Series is a way bigger game than the all-star game. The players' emotions are running high. There is less room for error. The World Series is all or nothing. While the all-star game just determines how many games a team will have at their home ballpark in front of their fans come October.

Overall, I hope other professional leagues will follow Major League Baseball's example and make the mid season exhibition game meaningful to take part in and watch. This was a great idea for America, America's game, and sports history.

Twins get 1st Walk-Off Victory at Target Field; take three of four from Chicago and gain ground in AL Central

The Twins struggled right before the all-star break as they fell to third in the division behind the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. Entering into the second half, the White Sox had been the hottest team in baseball, and Detroit has a potential triple crown winner in Miguel Cabrera. The AL Central is heating up. The White Sox won their first game out of the break by beating the Twins 8-7 because of a bad pitching performance by Kevin Slowey.

However, the Twins took the next three games because of great pitching performances by Francisco Liriano and Carl Pavano. On Saturday, Carl Pavano pitched a complete game 3-2 victory over the Sox. This was Pavano's fourth complete game of the season,and it was his eleventh win. Pavano's pitching opponent, Mark Buerhle, also pitched a complete game, but Pavano was just a little bit better. Saturday's game lasted just one hour and fifty-two minutes. It had been the middle of the lineup for the Twins in the White Sox series that did most of the damage offensively including Mauer, Cuddyer, Kubel, and Thome, but the entire lineup contributed to help the Twins to three straight wins.

Danny Valencia has filled in nicely at third base where he has not made an error yet. J.J. Hardy has fully recovered from his wrist injury, and his offensive and defensive presence is being felt. With Justin Morneau out with concussion-like symptoms, Michael Cuddyer is taking over first. This means Jason Kubel can play right field, and Thome can swing the bat as the designated hitter on a daily basis.

Ozzie Guillen must be thrilled to be leaving Minnesota and the dangerous piranhas. Chicago now has lost three straight games, and they only lead the central by 1.5 games over the slumping Tigers and the resurgent Twins. This weekend Detroit got swept by the last place Indians in Cleveland in a four-game series, and the Indians will come to Target Field starting tomorrow for a three-game division matchup.

On Sunday, the Twins captured their first walk-off victory at Target Field. Nick Blackburn pitched five okay innings by keeping the ball low in the strike zone, but he gave his team a chance to win the ball game. The walk-off could not have come at a better time. In the ninth, Bobby Jenks walked Orlando Hudson and Joe Mauer to start the inning. Then, he gave up singles to both Kubel and Cuddyer before being pulled. The next Sox pitcher, Sergio Santos, walked Jason Repko. After five batters, there was still nobody out in the inning. Delmon Young stepped up to the plate. Young was the one who hit the two-run home run in the bottom of the second to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.

Delmon Young softly hit the ball into right-center, which allowed Kubel to score, and Cuddyer was able to cross the plate as the go-ahead run because of a wild throw by center fielder, Alex Rios. The Twins fought back to score four runs in the ninth, and they did not give up. On Sunday, the Twins won by a final score of 7-6. Three of the four games were decided by one run. Minnesota, like every other team, will go through ups and downs, but they must go out and play to win each and every game of the season.

After a good start to the second half of the season, the Twins now look forward to taking on Cleveland, Baltimore, and Kansas City in their next three series. All three of these teams have sub .500 records. Baltimore has the worst record in baseball. What a weekend for the Minnesota Twins.

How to be the next NBA Superstar....Sports Science: Accuracy in Shooting a Basketball

The main goal for a basketball player is to shoot and score. Where is the best place to shoot or which areas on a basketball court have a high percentage shot? Does distance and angles from the basket have to do anything with shooting accurately? The objective of the offense in basketball is accuracy of each attempted shot and most players recognize this; but, only the better shooters learn how to practice correctly and work at improvement year round.

When shooting from anywhere on the court, there is a mental and physical aspect involved. At not time is psychological conditioning more critical than when shooting the basketball in a game. Shooters need to learn to develop concentration when shooting, so they know that the ball will score. Shooters need confidence and the ability to relax. It is not a good idea to shoot when in doubt. Do not take a low percentage shot except in desperate circumstances. If a person does not have confidence in their shot, the player should not take the shot because they are more likely to miss than to make. A person may have had their confidence shaken by a string of misses, or they may be overly tense, tired, or may have a lapse in concentration.

There is also a physical aspect of shooting the ball. Shooting a ball and connecting with the target involves several factors. One factor is sighting or locating the target. In sighting, the eyes are used merely to locate the target in space, and the computing of an intercept trajectory is left for the brain. When a shooter concentrates on an object such as the basket, their eyes will get quite wide. The eyes are like a computer. They continuously are updating a three-dimensional fix on whatever is being held focus. Another physical aspect of shooting the basketball is body balance. when properly balanced, a shooter can coordinate the efforts of each muscle to produce a force in the direction of the basket. There is also the factor of timing and rhythm to consider. The timing of a shot begins with getting the correct foot down for takeoff and ends with the follow through and recovery.

Which spot on the basketball court is the best place to shoot from? There really is not a best spot the way most people shoot. In order to make a shot, a person needs to have accuracy in their shooting. The accuracy is affected by the way a person aims the ball and their effort in shooting the ball. The ball will have a chance to go in the net if the center of mass of the ball is inside an imaginary cylinder extending upwards over the hoop, and if the ball is coming in too flat, the target zone disappears and its unlikely the ball will go in except by "a lucky shooter's bounce" off the rim. So, there is not one true good spot on the basketball court to shoot from because a person needs to aim and put effort in the shot.

Shooting from a closer spot allows the shooter more error in aim. A hard shot will bounce off the rim much harder than a soft shot. So, if a person hits the rim, they are better off hitting it softly because the change in direction of the ball is going to be less and may keep the ball in the target zone. It is more difficult to shoot a ball softly and make the shot. Basically, what the shooter is trying to do is to have the peak of the ball's flight path as close to the hoop as possible, and the downward flight of the ball will still be in the target zone

When learning how to become a consistent shooter, it takes time. It takes time because a person needs to practice, follow, and listen to important basketball tips. Having a good shot makes a person a threat on the floor, especially if the person can drive well to the hoop. In order to shoot, a person needs to know the fundamentals. For shooting a basketball, a person must have their entire body in the right position to ensure that they have the greatest chance of making the shot. That means a person's stronger arm should be up and bent at 90 degrees. When a person shoots the ball, they should flick their wrists and push their arm to propel the ball. In order to shoot well, your body needs to be positioned right. A person's feet should be shoulder-width apart and parallel to each other, and a person's weight should be equally distributed on each foot.

World Cup a huge success in S. Africa; Can Brazil overcome challenges as it prepares for 2014?

After a successful World Cup in South Africa, players, coaches, fans, and journalists head back to their homes. Many feel disappointed in their teams' efforts. Other countries like the Netherlands and Spain have a lot to be proud of. This World Cup has globalized the game of soccer all around the world, especially in the United States where soccer's popularity is considerably lower than in other countries.

The country of South Africa had a lot to prepare for, but they managed to pull off an incredible soccer environment as they hosted Africa's first World Cup. With the hard work of so many South Africans, there is no doubt that another country in Africa will be a host soon.

However, Brazil will face many of the same challenges South Africa went through as Brazil starts preparations for the tournament in 2014. Just like South Africa, Brazil has huge crime problems, a large income gap, cities that are spread out, and has very little infrastructure like stadiums and airports. Brazil is falling behind pace in order to be ready in four years. This country cannot afford to fall behind anymore because they also host the Confederations Cup in 2013 and the Olympics in 2016.

Brazilian soccer federation president Ricardo Teixeira and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva say that there is nothing to worry about because everything will be ready in time. Fifa is not happy with Brazil's progress so far. They still need to build new stadiums, airports, set up roads, and construct a communication system. Brazil plans to handle air travel by investing money in sixteen airports across the country. They also expect to build twelve new stadiums including one in Sao Paulo, the continent's largest city.

There are plenty of financial issues because not every country can handle a venue as big as the World Cup. It will cost Brazil an estimated $18 billion in construction, but the government says that this is a wonderful opportunity because preparation will bring in around 700,000 jobs and over 600,000 fans are estimated to come from outside of the country during the tournament.

Brazil has a huge task at hand as the last time they were the host nation was 1950. The World Cup can either bring a country into financial disaster, or it can bring huge economic success like it did in South Africa.

Soccer is a world's game. Players are training with professional teams. Coaches are preparing with players and studying film for how to perform better. Construction workers are doing all they can to get stadiums built, polished, and fields ready to play on. Do not forget about the youth. They are the future of soccer. There are soccer camps across the globe like the ones the Minnesota Thunder Academy and the University of Minnesota have that kids participate in to eventually be professional, World Cup athletes. One of the biggest soccer events for youth is the Schwan's USA Cup where youth from many countries play soccer and some of them go on to play the game in professional leagues and for national teams. The 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa has localized the global and globalized the local.

Spain wins first World Cup; defeat Netherlands 1-0 in extra time

On July 11, 2010, Netherlands and Spain played for the final World Cup trophy in Johannesburg, South Africa. After a long month of watching 32 teams compete in exciting matches, two clubs that had never won a World Cup took the field Sunday.

Netherlands came into the match by winning all six of its matches including an impressive victory over number two ranked Brazil in the quarterfinals. Entering the tournament, the Netherlands' world ranking was fourth compared to Spain who was ranked second. The Spanish entered the competition by winning the European Championship in 2008, losing a group play match to Switzerland, and winning every game since that defeat.

On Sunday, Netherlands started the match as the underdog, and Spain was the favorite. The game sure started off that way. Fernando Torres of Spain did not start, but the Spanish players controlled most of the first half with ball possession, scoring chances, and passing percentage. However, it was an intense game from both sides as the two teams played with a do-or-die attitude. The winner was taking a plane ride home with a trophy, and the runner-up would be filled with disappointment.

After scoring just seven goals in the tournament, could Spain win another game by the score of 1-0? Spain has one of the toughest defenses in the world anchored by a phenomenal goalkeeper in Iker Casillas. Casillas kept the Spaniards in the match with some incredible saves including a lucky one off his foot.

Netherlands played their heart out, but Spain had the final say with Andres Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute (extra time). With four minutes left before penalty kicks, Torres crossed the ball right in front of the goal for Iniesta. All Iniesta had to do was to put the ball right past the keeper.

The match was rough. By the end of the first half, the referee had administered more yellow cards than there were shots on goal by either team. Each team played with purpose and gave an effort that this entire world will not forget.

Netherlands took home the silver. Spain, for the first time, took the gold, and the players will go home to their country proud with tears of happiness. If you thought this World Cup was exciting, just wait until 2014 when it comes to Brazil.

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University of Minnesota women's soccer team prepares for a tough 2010 schedule

Summer of 2010 is filled with many opportunities for players of all ages to learn and play the game of soccer. Immigrant children have the chance to participate in the Minnesota Thunder Plus program where they learn valuable skills on and off the playing field. Youth players can sign up for day camps this summer through the Minnesota Thunder Academy in order to sharpen their abilities for upcoming soccer seasons. Plus, young girls have the opportunity to practice, perform, and perfect their talents with the University of Minnesota women's soccer team.

Minnesota is the place to be for soccer this summer, especially since Buzz Lagos' son, Manny Lagos, is coaching the NSC Minnesota Stars (Minnesota's new professional soccer team). With events like the World Cup, soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and there is no better way to spend a hot summer day playing, learning, or watching soccer.

In Minnesota, summer is about at its half way point through the season. The State Fair is at the end of August, and then, school starts back up in September for most kids. However, it is not too late to attend some sporting events. The University of Minnesota women's soccer schedule is now available online. Looking at who they play, this could be their toughest season. The Gophers will play twelve games on the road compared to only eight at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Their toughest test will be the beginning of the season when they play four non-conference teams on the road including Notre Dame (season opener) on August 20, Vanderbilt, Western Kentucky, and Belmont. Notre Dame reached the national semifinal, but they lost to national champion North Carolina. The fighting Irish have nine of their starters from last season. Vanderbilt, from the SEC, has ten starters coming back and had a record of 11-8-1 in 2009. Western Kentucky, from the Sun Belt Conference, will play Minnesota on August 29. They finished second in their conference with 14 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws. The Gophers will finish the six day road trip in Nashville, Tennessee, facing Belmont out of the Atlantic Sun conference where they finished second with ten wins and only allowing sixteen goals last season.

Minnesota has little to worry about because all eleven starters from 2009 are returning from a phenomenal season. They finished fourth in the Big Ten with a record of 12-5-3, but they just missed the NCAA tournament having the best RPI of any team that did not make it.

The Gophers' home opener in St. Paul will be Friday, September 3, against the UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos (Big West Champion) in the Minnesota Gold Classic. Their second game at home will be two days later on Sunday versus the San Diego Toreros who finished second in the West Coast conference.

After the Minnesota Gold Classic, the women's team heads to Ohio where they will play Bowling Green and Toledo. Before coming back home to finish the non-conference schedule against Missouri Valley winner, Illinois State, they will play the 2009 SEC Tournament winner, South Carolina Gamecocks, on September 16.

The conference part of the season will start for the Gophers on the road. They begin Big Ten conference play against Iowa on September 23. They will also play Penn State (winner of 2009 Big Ten Conference), Ohio State (finished secon in conference), Northwestern, and Indiana away from St. Paul as well. Big Ten teams that make their way to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium include Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan, and Michigan State.

If the Gophers have a good year, their season may continue into the NCAA tournament, which starts on November 13 and goes through December 6. The National Championship game is in Cary, North Carolina.

The preseason starts on Tuesday, August 3. The Minnesota Gophers have their hands full as they try to prepare for one of the toughest, biggest soccer seasons in team history. Come cheer on and support the Gophers to victory this fall. For a copy of the schedule, click here.

Steve Nash experiences South African life in township of Soweto

The highlight of this summer for most people around the world has been the World Cup including Phoenix Suns point guard, Steve Nash. Steve Nash traveled to South Africa to watch some of the games. He was originally born in South Africa where his father played soccer. Both of his parents are from England, but he spent his childhood growing up in Canada.

Steve Nash loves the game of basketball, but he also spends much of his time playing soccer. As a kid, he started off playing soccer. In middle school, he switched over to basketball because that is what his friends played. Nash is a better basketball player, but he likes both sports equally. He even says soccer has helped him become a much better basketball athlete.

When he went back to South Africa, he got the chance to interact with fans and players, but more important, he received the opportunity of a lifetime to stay in one of South Africa's biggest townships and play soccer with the kids there. The name of the town is Soweto. This is the same place where Nelson Mandela spend a lot of his time during the apartheid.

What is a township? A township is a piece of land set apart for the black South Africans where they could separate themselves from the whites during the times of the apartheid.

After Nash's exit from the NBA playoffs, his focus was on the World Cup and soccer. The evening in Soweto was one of Nash's most memorable experiences as he played soccer with the children and got to see what life was like for so many in South Africa.

The people in South Africa do not have much. The soccer ball the children were using was a flat basketball. Nash went to South Africa to film his experiences in order to share them with the people in the states. The films are a great way to put life into perspective. So many times Americans are trapped within the United States, and do not see what life is really like beyond the country.

The films of Steve Nash's journey to South Africa can be seen on youtube. These films can really help Americans understand what is going on outside of the United States as well as what is happening inside the country.

The children of South Africa have hopes and dreams just like everybody else. The World Cup in South Africa this year has brought countries closer together to play a worldwide game to show that anything is possible and to help show the history and life of South Africa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYWz1OPWQ1c&feature=player_embedded
Steve Nash's memorable evening in Soweto

Life after the Minnesota Thunder for long-time head coach Buzz Lagos

Buzz Lagos is the face of Minnesota soccer. He was the head coach of the Minnesota Thunder for sixteen seasons, and the Thunder have only been around for twenty years. Lagos is passionate, determined, and spirited about the game of soccer. He was part of a soccer organization that was around longer than most soccer clubs in North America. The Minnesota Thunder dissolved away in 2009.

In 2005, Buzz Lagos stepped down as the Thunder coach in order to lead young, immigrant players (mainly from Somalia) at Higher Ground Academy in St. Paul. Most of the players are eighteen or nineteen years old from Africa who know little English. Most of these players come to Minnesota from East African refugee camps.

Why would Lagos give up the Thunder to coach an under nineteen soccer team? Some might consider him crazy, but Lagos thinks of it as a promotion and a great opportunity to challenge, to help, and to inspire these young boys. Some of the players have said that they would have never attended college without the assistance of coach Buzz Lagos on and off the field.

He is a very humble, generous person. He washes the team uniforms. Plus, after the games, he gives each player a ride home, which can take up to a couple of hours. He does whatever it takes to help his players on the soccer field improve their abilities. Also, Lagos knows the players have other responsibilities besides soccer, so he tries to be flexible and assist them in any way he can.

These immigrant players come from one of the most dangerous countries in the world (Somalia), and Buzz Lagos is giving his time to provide these athletes with a safe, friendly environment to play soccer. All the players love their coach for what he has done for them. Buzz Lagos gave up his professional coaching career in order to give hope and brighter futures to young, teenage athletes.

Minnesota Thunder is out; NSC Stars are Minnesota's new professional soccer team

When Minnesotans think of professional soccer in Minnesota, they think of the very popular Minnesota Thunder. The Thunder have been around for twenty long seasons in Minnesota. Those who grew up with this franchise will see it no longer. 2009 was the last official season for the Thunder because of financial problems. In November 2009, the franchise had to release the players and coaching staff from their contracts because the organization just could not keep up with the economics of a professional soccer team.

Where are Minnesotans going to enjoy and watch professional soccer games in the summer now? The year 2010 introduced a whole new franchise to the state of Minnesota called the NSC Minnesota Stars. This team looks to continue and improve the Minnesota soccer tradition with a combination of former Thunder athletes and new, young players.

After the Thunder only making the postseason one time in the last five years, the veteran leaders of the old Thunder team hope to give Minnesotans something to cheer about and to revive the game of soccer in the United States. The NSC Stars play their home games at the National Sports Center in Blaine as they have already started their first season playing in the United States Federation Division 2 professional league.

Some of the former Thunder soccer stars who have made their way over to NSC Minnesota include Johnny Menyongar, Melvin Tarley, and Joe Warren. The Stars really like these players because they have very good leadership skills, and they provide a lot of energy to score goals. These players have the right attitudes for a soccer team, and they play smart soccer in order to win games.

Many people remember Buzz Lagos as the coach for many years for the Minnesota Thunder. Well, his son, Manny Lagos, is going to be coaching the NSC Stars and try to follow in his father's Minnesota soccer footsteps. The Thunder may be gone, but the future of soccer in Minnesota looks bright for the fans, players, and coaches of the NSC Minnesota Stars.

For more information, check out this website: http://bit.ly/d1lxtu

Minnesota Thunder Academy offers camps to improve soccer skills

During the summer, the Minnesota Thunder Academy will put on summer camps for children and youth of all ages. This is the perfect opportunity for young soccer players to improve on critical skills like shooting, passing, dribbling, and working well with others on the field. Camps run throughout June and July, so it is important to register and check your calendar. You do not want to miss an opportunity like this one. This summer program is specifically targeting young soccer players who have a deep passion for the game of soccer and who want to reach new levels of development.

The Academy Camps last about a week from Monday to Thursday. There is no training on Friday because this gives the kids extra time to rest their bodies on the weekends. Having Friday off reduces the risk of injury and allows the players to have lots of energy and focus during the four days of camp.

There are also the Mini Bolts Camps. These camps are set up for very young players. Ages appropriate for this camp are between five and eight years old. This camp is not meant for serious training or for intense workouts. During the two hours each day, the kids receive the opportunity to play soccer with other kids for the sole purpose of having as much fun as possible.

Then, there is the Girls Elite Camp. This camp is looking for highly determined, young girls who want to develop their talents in order to play soccer at higher levels.

All of the dates and information about the Minnesota Thunder Academy summer camps can be found at: http://www.mnthunderacademy.org/player-camps-clinics/

Minnesota Thunder Soccer Program Keeps Immigrant Youth away from the Streets

The Twin Cities is one of the most diverse places in the United States. Immigrants come from all around the world to Minnesota to find work, receive a quality education, and to play the game of soccer. The Minnesota Thunder soccer organization has developed a program called Minnesota Thunder Plus that gives immigrant children a chance to learn and play the sport they love. These children mainly come from Africa, but there are also youth from Mexico and Central America as well.

The program consists of a classroom session in St Paul’s Ober Community Center where kids can get an education by learning subjects like mathematics, science, and language arts. Another component to this program is playing soccer. This part of Minnesota Thunder Plus is a way for different ethnic backgrounds to come together and play soccer like one big family.

When these children first arrived to the United States, soccer disappeared from their lives because of language barriers, skin color, lack of education, and little money. These children had literally no place to go except to the streets. With Minnesota Thunder Plus, poor immigrant children have a place to go every Thursday afternoon. Instead of risking their lives in gangs throughout dangerous neighborhoods, these children can participate in a safe environment with a community of soccer players. Minnesota Thunder Plus is an excellent program that the Thunder soccer club put together to help reduce violence and crime on the streets. Through this program, the youth have made many friends, and now, they are like a group of brothers.

This program was set up in 2002 by Minnesota Thunder Plus executive director Jean Paul Biggirindavyi. He played professional soccer in Berundi, so he knows what impact the game of soccer is having on these immigrants. Biggirindavyi has one major roadblock to his program. This setback is trying to find places for these children to play at. Money is hard to come by as well, even though most of the program is covered by grants. Biggirindavyi has a tough task at hand, but he knows that he is doing the right thing for these children. Hopefully, Minnesota Thunder Plus is just the start for more soccer clubs to help keep the youth off the streets.

World Cup Over for Team U.S.A.; Lose to Ghana 2-1 in Extra Time

The United States were lucky in their first game against England on June 12th. They were unlucky in their second game against Slovenia, and they got a must 1-0 win on Landon Donovan's stoppage time goal against Algeria to win Group C. With a victory over Algeria, they played Ghana in the round of sixteen on Saturday, June 26, 2010. The United States came in as the favorites to win that game but anything can happen in the game of soccer.

The one thing the U.S. did not want to do was to allow another early goal and fall behind. It was about the fifth minute when Ghana scored the game's first goal because of sloppy defense. The United States came into the game with momentum and energy. When they allowed the early goal, the U.S. players knew they had to settle down and play smart, error-free soccer. They needed to control their emotions in order not to concede another goal to fall behind even more.

Starting behind on the scoreboard is nothing new for team U.S.A. They fell behind against England and Slovenia. They nearly fell behind in the Algeria match when the ball bounced off the crossbar. Nothing has been easy for the Americans, but with their spirit, they never gave up.

The first half of Saturday's match was not at all good for the red, white, and blue. The Black Stars of Ghana controlled the ball possession and came out playing more physical , more aggressive, and looked more deserving for the win. Ghana stretched out the field and pulled apart the tough defense on the United States' side. Ghana had many good shot opportunities, and Tim Howard was caught out of position throughout the game. U.S.A. was lucky that they went into the locker room only down by one goal.

Throughout the World Cup, it seemed like the opponent of the United States controlled the first half, and the United States would steal away the momentum in the second half. The United States played the second half more physical and more aggressive in trying to score the equalizing goal. The United States built up the intensity with shot after shot. With so many opportunities, it seemed like a goal was coming. The goal eventually came from the hero of the Algeria game, Landon Donovan, on a penalty kick. The United States kept their composure and were very patient after allowing an early goal. Their persistence payed off as they tied up the game.

After ninety minutes, the score was still 1-1. The match had to go to extra time where it would be extended by thirty minutes. If the game was still tied, the match would extend even further to penalty kicks. Extra time did not start off good for the United States as they gave up the go-ahead goal to Ghana within the first two minutes. Just like Ghana's first goal, this one resulted from the messy defensive effort from team U.S.A. So, all Ghana had to do was to hold the United States to no goals for the next 28 minutes. It was not easy. The United States had some good looks on goal. Both teams had very tired legs.

Despite the United States' spectacular effort, Ghana moved on to the quarterfinals because of their determination to win. Ghana is representing not only one country but the entire continent of Africa because it is the only African nation left in the World Cup. Ghana will play Uruguay and their tough defense in the next round.

The United States had a good World Cup because they won their group, they played with spirit and heart, and they did not give up. The U.S. players can go back to the states with their heads held high.

There are still very good teams left in the World Cup including five from South America. The two teams in the 2006 finals, Italy and France, took early exits. England fell 4-1 to Germany on Sunday, June 27, 2010 in the round of sixteen. England had a chance to tie the game at two in the first half, but the referee did not see the ball as it clearly was a yard behind the goal line. Hockey, football, and basketball all have instant replay. With the crucial mistakes in this World Cup by world class referees, is it time for the game of soccer to add replay technology?

This World Cup has been exciting, stunning, heart-throbbing, and thrilling to watch. Anything is possible. Any team can go home. Any team can win it all and make their nation proud.

2010 NBA Draft

There is no surprise who is going number one overall in the draft. The Washington Wizards have the first pick and are pretty much 100% sure on young point guard John Wall from Kentucky. John Wall played his freshman year and then decided to enter into the draft. He is quick, a good team player, and can shoot from the perimeter. There is only one question. How well can Wall work with Gilbert Arenas in the backcourt? John Wall is clearly the best player in the draft, but what about everyone else?

The Sixers, Nets, and Wolves have the second, third, and fourth draft picks respectively. You would think Philadelphia might try to pick up the next best player in the draft, Evan Turner from Ohio State. Evan Turner was college basketball player of the year this past season. He opted out of his senior season at Ohio State and entered the draft. He needs to mature a little bit more on his shooting and shot selection, but with a guy like Turner on a team, he can really help his teammates look good. There is also Derrick Favors from Georgia Tech who might land at the number two spot. For now, it is safe to say he will be selected at number three with the New Jersey Nets.

The number four pick is where things start to get really interesting. The Minnesota Timberwolves have three first round draft picks. So, they can trade away one or two of those picks if they do not want them. If the Wolves trade, you would probably expect the fourth pick to be DeMarcus Cousins (the big center from Kentucky) to go to a team maybe like the Detroit Pistons. If the Wolves do not trade, they will most likely choose Wesley Johnson, a junior forward from Syracuse.

Johnson worked out with the Wolves, and the Wolves' coaching staff really liked what they saw. He is already close to 23 years old, so the maturity is there. He is a forward, but he can shoot the three ball, which the Wolves really need. Wesley Johnson is the perfect match for Minnesota.

At number five, I do not think the Sacramento Kings will pass up on the talent of DeMarcus Cousins. Sacramento is in need of a big man on the court, and they do not want to miss a golden opportunity.

There is a lot of talent in the NBA draft. It should be exciting to watch and see who goes where. This draft is critically important because it could have a huge impact on the free agency of Lebron James and where he wants to go next. Free agency for Lebron James and other impact players like Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, and Joe Johnson opens up on July 1st. However, that is a whole different story.

U.S.A. Advances on Late Goal by Landon Donovan; Up Next: Ghana

The United States came into Wednesday needing a win against Algeria, and they would advance to the round of sixteen. After draws against England and Slovenia, the United States came out playing with fire. They played with lots of spirit and energy. The last game of group C play was critical because all four teams had a chance to advance to the next round.

England scored an early goal in their game with Slovenia to hold a 1-0 lead for the remainder of the match. The United States had to be careful because they did not want to allow an early goal like the previous two games. Algeria played spectacular defense. Their defense had momentum after shutting out England in the game before. Through all three games, Algeria did not score a single goal.

This game was one of the greatest soccer matches in U.S. history. Algeria had a perfect chance to score in the first half, but the ball bounced off the crossbar. The United States had their scoring chances all game long. Clint Dempsey's goal was disallowed in the first half when the referee called him offsides. Looking back at the replay, it looked like the referee made an error in judgment. The goal should have counted. The referees of the United States' matches have been bigger headlines than the actual players have. The United States did not give up.

After a 0-0 first half, the United States put more pressure on Algeria's nearly flawless defense. Both teams stepped up the intensity in the second half. It looked like whoever was going to score first would win the game. The Yanks had the momentum on their side. Despite many missed golden opportunities, persistence payed off for the Americans.

The second half remained scoreless until the first minute of stoppage time when Landon Donovan grabbed the loose rebound and placed the ball in the back of the net. It was a crazy moment in U.S. soccer history. That goal was the 44Th of Donovan's international career. The Americans were on the brink of going home. With that lone goal of the game, U.S.A. won its group and knocked Slovenia out.

On Saturday, U.S.A. will play the runner-up of Group D, Ghana. England (the runner-up of Group C) will play the winner of Group D, Germany. Landon Donovan's late game heroics kept the hopes alive for the Dream Team. It was a Hollywood ending that America will never forget.

However, the games are not over. They are just getting started, and the matches from here on out get tougher because if the team loses one game, they are done. Being the underdog, Team U.S.A. has to dream big or risk going home to the states. U.S.A....U.S.A....U.S.A.....

Border Battle: Minnesota Twins vs. Milwaukee Brewers

After the Twins' success in Philadelphia, they continue their road trip in Milwaukee where they will face their rival Brewers. The Twins and Brewers will begin their three game series today, June 22, 2010.

The Twins came into this series with a two game win streak and a record of 40-29 to lead the AL Central Division. While the Twins have seen good baseball, the Brewers (29-40) are struggling to compete in the NL Central. The Brewers are currently fourth and nine games back of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Today, the Twins will send Scott Baker (6-5, 4.41 ERA) to the mound, and the Brewers will counter with Chris Narveson (5-4, 5.79 ERA). On Wednesday, it will be Liriano vs. Parra. The series finale on Thursday will conclude with Blackburn and Gallardo.

These two teams met about a month ago at Target Field, and the Twins took two of three. Now, the Brewers are looking for revenge as they try to defend their home field. The Twins are going to have to be careful of the Brewers' dangerous, power-hitting middle of the lineup. Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Corey Hart can all hit the ball a long way. The Twins have some power of their own with Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, and Cuddyer.

However, the hottest hitter for Minnesota right now is Delmon Young. Young has raised his batting average to .306, and he is showing why he belongs on the Twins' ball club. He came up with the Rays at a very young age, and now, he is 24 years old. Delmon Young has not shown the Twins the explosiveness and power he can potentially have. Delmon is still young, and he has a lot to improve. He just needs some valuable experience in order to mature into a fine young ball player.

Carlos Gomez, the Brewers' center fielder, will see his former team for the second time since being traded for shortstop J.J. Hardy. Gomez had a good offensive and defensive series in his return to Minnesota at Target Field as he looks to provide an energetic spark to the Brewers' lineup.

Milwaukee is going to be packed with Brewer fans as well as Twin fans who made the trip across the border. This should be an exciting series to watch. Twins. Brewers. One of the biggest rivalries in baseball unfolds tonight.

World Cup Group A: Mexico, Uruguay Advance; South Africa Out

For the first time in World Cup history, the host nation will not advance past group play. South Africa came into Tuesday needing a win against struggling France. They also needed help from Uruguay to beat Mexico. Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0, so Uruguay ended up first in Group A.

South Africa held on to beat short-handed France 2-1, but because of goal difference, South Africa has to sit out and Mexico advances. Things were going well for South Africa all game long. France was down a man after one of its players received a red card early on in the game. After a finals appearance in 2006, France is going home with only one point in this tournament.

South Africa did all it could in this last group play match, but they fell short of the round of sixteen. South Africa beat the sloppy French team because they had more spirit, more desire to win, and they played together as a strong, cohesive team. African teams have not faired well in this tournament, but after South Africa's performance, Africa has a lot to look forward to in future World Cups.

The South Africans have a lot to be proud of. It is just too bad to see their country out so soon. France was the heavy favorite to win Group A, and they ended up last in the standings. France has to make many decisions about the soccer team in order to get back on track.

So, Mexico and Uruguay will move on and will play the top two teams from Group B. Group play is like a round robin tournament. After group play, the World Cup becomes single elimination. If a team loses, they pack their bags and head home. The stakes are higher. No matter how good a team is, nothing is guaranteed in the Fifa World Cup.

Carl Pavano Pitches Complete Game in 4-1 Victory; Twins take 2 of 3 from Philly

The Minnesota Twins continued their inter league success this past weekend against Philadelphia in Citizen Bank Park. Since 2006, the Twins have the best inter league record in baseball. The Twins, before this weekend, never played in the Phillies' new ballpark. Citizen Bank Park is nothing like Target Field. Target Field is a pitcher's ballpark whereas Citizen Bank is a hitter's paradise. Balls were flying out of the park like crazy.

Through the first two games of the series, thirteen home runs were blasted (nine by Philadelphia and four by Minnesota). Ryan Howard had the most with two home runs on Friday night and one on Saturday. Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey got roughed up the first two nights. The Twins lost Friday night, but they woke up the lumber with five runs in the ninth in order to win 13-10 in eleven innings on Saturday.

With both starting pitchers leaving the games early and with the bullpen working overtime, Carl Pavano came into Sunday's game knowing that he was going to have to work and work hard. On Sunday, he did his job. He threw a four hit complete game against the hard-hitting Phillies, and the Twins began their inter league road trip by taking two out of three games.

Pavano was dealing strike after strike. He was just pounding the strike zone on Sunday just like he has been doing all season. Most of his outs came on fly balls. He is a fly ball pitcher anyways, so he kept the defense (best in the Majors) busy. Nick Punto made a spectacular, strong throw across his body to get the speedy Shane Victorino out at first base. Both Jason Kubel and Denard Span made some exciting, diving catches in the outfield.

Pavano only made one mistake all game and that was a solo home run. He did not strikeout many, he got ahead in the count, and most important, he did not walk anybody. Through seven innings, his pitch count was only at seventy pitches. He sure gave the bullpen a much needed rest. Plus, the bullpen and the rest of the club have an off day before they travel to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers in a border battle.

On Sunday, the offense showed up as well. Both Justin Morneau and Denard Span had solo home runs to provide enough run support to give Pavano his eighth win of the season. Pavano stepped up when the Twins need him most. They are going to need his veteran leadership throughout the rest of the season if they want to make it to October this fall.

The Twins left Philadelphia on a good note with a 4-1 win over Roy Halladay and the Phillies on Sunday. They still lead the Detroit Tigers by 1.5 games in the wild Central Division. Do not forget to vote for the All Star Game to see the Twins well represented in Anaheim (home of the Angels). The Twins are now 40-29, and the boys of summer are just getting warmed up.

MLB vs. NBA

There are obvious differences between baseball and basketball, yet there are also some that are not quite clear. In baseball, officials are called umpires, but in basketball, they are called referees. The coach of a baseball team is called a manager or a skipper. In basketball, the coach is just called the head coach. Basketball has a salary cap and baseball does not. In baseball, the captain is picked by the team and wears the letter "C" on his jersey. In basketball, the captain or leader of the team is chosen, more or less, by the fans. Baseball is played outdoors (except for Tampa), and basketball is played indoors. A basketball team has five players on the court. A baseball team has nine players on the field. A basketball game is timed and only lasts 48 minutes (assuming the game does not go to overtime). There is no time limit for a baseball game. A basketball game is divided into four quarters that last twelve minutes each. A baseball game is divided into nine innings with three outs per inning. Baseball is mainly played during the summer and basketball during the winter. Basketball players wear shorts and jerseys. Baseball players wear caps, uniforms, and pants. The average height of a basketball player is taller than a baseball player. The differences can go on and on...

Tiger Woods: Handling the Media

Wherever Tiger Woods goes, he cannot escape the media. Woods has seen more media attention than any other athlete in the United States within the past year. It all started back in November of 2009 when Tiger injured himself as he crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree while backing out of his driveway. His wife smashed the window of the car with a golf club to get him out. There was no alcohol involved. Woods told police that his wife was only trying to help but not hurt him. The police had to investigate the situation. Woods tried to keep everything that happened to him a secret. Tiger left the world with many unanswered questions. After this accident, Woods’ life began to go downhill. The media exposed his personal life. Tiger knows the power the media can have when the media are confronted with important information. The media surrounded him every which way he went. The whole world found out about his love affair and his unfaithfulness to his wife, Elin. Woods’ secret was out, and the media humiliated him for who he really was. The top golfer in the world soon had huge regrets for his irresponsible and selfish behavior. Did the media go too far by invading someone’s privacy to get information?

Tiger Woods handled the situation responsibly and correctly. He stepped off the center stage. He decided to take a break from golf in order to get help and to make everything in his life right again with family, friends, fans, and the media. When Tiger stepped down, he did not know if he would ever return. He made a big mistake, and the media did not let him forget it. Tiger had an enormous challenge to overcome. He took his time to do whatever he could to clear up his lack of good judgment.

In 2010, Tiger Woods made a public appearance in front of close family members and friends. This was his first public statement in months in order to offer an apology to his wife, friends, and to the public. CNN released the fourteen minute long statement to the entire world. There were mixed opinions about Woods’ words. Most important, he got his life back on track and asked for forgiveness for what he had done. He is still married to his wife. Plus, he returned to professional golf in April at the Masters. Athletes always have to interact with the media. Tiger Woods stayed calm under pressure from media attacks. For his responsible progress, he can now focus on golf and family.

World Cup Group C: U.S.A. vs Slovenia

A week after the United States pulled off an enormous victory against England with a 1-1 draw, the U.S. was back on the field in Johannesburg, South Africa against Slovenia. That was a true David vs Goliath match up. Slovenia is the smallest country in the tournament with a population of two million (the size of Houston, Texas). Plus, the United States is the largest with 310 million people. Slovenia qualified for the World Cup by beating a very good Russian team. They started off group play with three points by a win over Algeria. However, the United States entered into the match as the clear favorite to win. England and the United States are expected to advance past group play, but Algeria and Slovenia have not made that easy. Midway through the first half, Slovenia scored the first goal of the game. They would later extend the lead right before the half to make it 2-0. Coach Bob Bradley of the U.S. must have gave his team an excellent motivational speech at halftime because two minutes into the second half, #10 Landon Donovan scored the United States' first goal. Landon took the shot from the side of the goal on a very difficult angle. Donovan got the United States' momentum back early in the second half, and they dominated the rest of the way. For Landon Donovan, that goal was his 43rd goal in international play. He is, without a doubt, one of the United States' top players. This game was very physical. Yellow cards were handed out on both sides. The refs did not tolerate anything, and they made a few big mistakes that potentially cost the United States a win. In the 81st minute, Michael Bradley (Coach's son) for the United States scored the equalizer goal to tie the game up at two goals a piece. The United States were once down two goals, but they did not count themselves out. The team came together for a huge second half comeback. A little bit after the United States' second goal, the U.S. had a golden opportunity with a free kick. The United States thought they had a goal when Edu kicked the ball into the back of the net, but the ref called an offside. It was a very controversial call because looking at the replay, it appeared no one was actually offsides. So, the game finished as a draw. Both teams grabbed a point in the standings. Neither team has advanced or has been eliminated yet. One thing is for sure: the referees cost the United States' a win on a few controversial calls. However, both teams put on quite a soccer match. It was very entertaining and filled with lots of energy. The United States must defeat Algeria next Wednesday if they want any hope of advancing to the next round.

Game 7 of 2010 NBA Finals: For All the Marbles

On Thursday, June 17, 2010, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers took part in the very final game of the 2009-2010 NBA season. This series was truly spectacular. The Lakers ended up on top with a come-from-behind win. The final score was 83-79. At one point, the Celtics had a thirteen point lead in the third quarter. The Lakers constantly chipped away at their deficit. They took their first lead in the second half when Kobe Bryant made a couple of free throws in the middle of the fourth quarter to make it 63-61. After that, the Lakers did not look back. Bryant struggled shooting the ball, but he had help from Ron Artest who finished with twenty points. The Celtics were without starting center, Kendrick Perkins, who injured his knee in game six. Kobe led all scorers in game seven with twenty-three points, and without a doubt, he took home the MVP trophy of the series by averaging nearly thirty points a game. Paul Pierce led Boston with eighteen points, and Garnett had another good night with seventeen. Ever since his Jordan-like performance in game two, Ray Allen has been basically ice cold from the floor. Rasheed Wallace took Perkins' spot in the starting lineup. He played excellent defense and provided some much needed offense to start. However, he took himself out of the game in the fourth from being winded. This might be if for Wallace who is thinking about a possible retirement. Some say age is catching up to the Boston Celtics. No one expected them to make it this far. They finished the regular season very sloppy. They suffered many injuries throughout the season. No one gave them a chance against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the players of the Celtics came together ready to play at the right time. They entered into the 2010 playoffs as a four seed in the East, and made it all the way to the finals. Celtics went home without a championship, but their season was not a disappointment or a failure. It was a great success. Head coach Doc Rivers expects to take some time off to spend time with his family. The Celtics have a strong team. Despite age, they are going to be top contenders in the NBA for the next few years. The Celtics gave the Lakers a finals to remember. Yesterday marked the first time the Lakers beat the Celtics in a game seven. Bryant won his fifth ring (his second without Shaq), and Phil Jackson won his eleventh (six with the Bulls, five with the Lakers). Phil Jackson is going to go down as the best coach in NBA history whether he coaches next year or retires. Kobe Bryant is clearly the best player in the NBA, and he added to his legacy. After the Lakers' game seven victory, some consider Bryant to be the best Laker of all time. Bryant now has the same number of rings as Magic Johnson has (another Laker great). This series did not end the way I wanted it to finish, but both teams put on amazing displays of individual talent and teamwork. It just so happened that the team that won the rebounding battle each game end up winning the game in the end. The Lakers out rebounded the Celtics in game seven, and they came away with the victory. The Celtics played like the better team, but the individual effort of Kobe Bryant somehow prevailed. Congratulations to both teams on such marvelous seasons. Hopefully, the greatest rivalry in basketball will produce another exciting NBA finals in the near future. Los Angeles Lakers. Boston Celtics. Best NBA Finals I have witnessed.

Sports Science: Shooting a Soccer Ball

The main goal for a soccer player when playing soccer is to score goals. Where is the best place to shoot? Does distance and angles from the goal have to do anything with shooting accurately? There is only one way to find out: experiment the problem. The only ways to score goals is to take as many shots as possible. The FA Soccer Star Challenge (1988) states that all other soccer techniques are wasted if shooting chances are not taken - therefore, take each and every shooting opportunity that occurs. Shooting a soccer ball is very difficult because a person is not always going to score. That is why it is okay to miss, but a person must take responsibility to take as many shots as they can.

According to the FA Soccer Star Challenge (1988), records have shown that a high percentage of shots are taken not directly in front of the goal but from an angle to the side of the goal. Taking shots from the sides of the goal means a better chance of scoring. So, when practicing or training on shooting, it is important to practice on angled shots.

Should a person focus more on taking low or high shots? The goalkeeper has a harder time saving the ball from going in when shots are low because the ball is harder to grip when the goalie has to bend down. While if a person takes a high shot, the goalkeeper has more time to move to the ball because the flight of the ball is easier to pick up when the ball is in the air. Also, low shots usually work best because a low shot can be passed to another player if the shot is going to go wide. On the other hand, high shots cannot be passed to another player to go in the goal because high shots are usually too high for another player to deflect in. The goalkeeper has a real hard time blocking a shot because it causes the goalkeeper to be bumped up on the playing surface. The best way to shoot a low shot is by kicking through the middle of the ball with the laces. The FA Soccer Star Challenge (1988) states that whenever you shoot, go for accuracy before power, and do not miss by shooting over the crossbar. It is less of a sin to shoot wide rather than high.

When shooting a soccer ball, is it better to shoot on the near half of the goal or the far half? If a ball is shot going away from the goalkeeper, it is harder for the goalkeeper to block. Therefore, shooting a ball on the far half of the goal has a better chance of scoring because the goalkeeper will have a harder time holding on to the ball. If the goalie cannot hang on to the ball, then another teammate can shoot the ball again. The FA Soccer Star Challenge says that accuracy in shooting is more important than power. Therefore, if a person is going to mis, they should not miss over the bar. But, they should miss to the side of the goal.

When a person plays soccer, they should keep their concentration on the ball, but they must also keep their eyes on the field ahead of them. This way the player can find openings up the field because sometimes taking a shot can go out the window of opportunity in just a fraction of a second. All dribbling skills in the world won't amount to much if when you go to score, your shooting technique is not at 100%. Everything from your posture to the angle of your foot and your position in the field can affect your success in a multitude of ways.

A person should always look for any possible shot. A person should look for chances where a player can take the ball around the defender and put the ball into the net. A player always wants the other team to be scared of whether or not the person is going to take a shot. Even if there is a small chance of scoring, take the shot because there won't be many opportunities left in the game. A player does not always have to hit the ball with power, but do not hit it directly at the goalkeeper. Keep the ball to the left or to the right of the keeper. If a player can pull the shot off and score, then by all means, put the ball in the goal with lots of power. When shooting, a person should land on their shooting foot when shooting with power, keep their knee and head over the ball, strike the center of the ball and strike through the ball, keep their toes pointed and their ankles locked, strike with power or place the ball into the corners, and keep their hips square to the target.

The role of the arms plays an important part in shooting because the arms help maintain the balance of the body. The arms are usually extended out to the sides of the body during the forward motion of the kicking leg to help keep the center of gravity over the support foot and to increase the moment of inertia of the trunk. The greater the mass of the leg and the greater the velocity of the foot at impact, the greater the resultant velocity of the ball at impact. When finding the accuracy of a shot, it is going to depend on where the foot strikes the ball. The accuracy is highest when the velocity of the ball is 80% of the maximum velocity. One last thing that will affect the accuracy of a shot is that if the person is doing a run up kick, there is going to be more force and momentum than a standing kick.

The question is: How is the accuracy of a soccer ball affected by distance and angles with a human goalie?

Phil's Keys to Winning a Soccer Match

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and it is one of the most physical. With the World Cup taking place, I am curious about how coaches and players go about trying to win a match. How does the United States come into South Africa with a winning mentality when they are one of the biggest underdogs in the tournament? At any level, how does a team win a soccer game? There is no right or wrong way to go about winning. There is no mathematical formula that tells a goalie how to move or how a striker is supposed to shoot. I have been playing soccer my entire life. I have watched lots of soccer games on television and in-person. I have been on the losing end of games more than the winning end, but knowing how to lose a game helps me better understand how to win one. Losing is beneficial to become a winner because improvement and success comes from figuring out and focusing your energy on weaknesses. I play mostly left forward and center midfielder. My strength is in those positions. My weakness is at defense, but I have teammates who are better defensive players than me to help me out. Now, I am going to tell you my keys and advice to winning any soccer match. I am not perfect. My advice is very general. No team can win every game. Every team is unique in their abilities. These are just my thoughts on the success on the soccer field. An important key to winning is a high accuracy of passing percentage. The best way to achieve this is by practicing with one other person. The game of soccer is about movement. It makes no sense trying to practice hitting a still target. Players, especially midfielders and defense men, should have proficiency in passing on the run. Midfielders and defenders need to be able to pass the ball up ahead to forwards in order to score. It is very hard to find an open target on the soccer field. So, players must be able to execute give-and-gos. They must be able to "thread the needle" between two defenders. A good pass should be crisp, smooth, and the person on the receiving end should be able to handle it without too much difficulty. Passing is one of my strengths. So, I can get a lot of assists because I have almost pinpoint precision to get the ball where it needs to go. Plus, my passing works better when I am under pressure. If a team obtains a high passing percentage, then turnovers and mistakes can be potentially avoided. Thus, there are more opportunities for shots. This leads into my next key. It is always important to take as many shots as you possibly can. You never want to miss a golden opportunity because soccer is a low scoring game. The more shots a team takes, the more likely they are to score. When a team gets past midfield, they should have an all-out offensive mentality to score. Take the ball up the sidelines, bring it into the corner, and cross the ball in front of the goal. Most of the time a player will not be in front of the goal to put the ball in. Do not be discouraged because persistence pays off. Be sure to take advantage of some of the easier shot opportunities like corner kicks, free kicks, and penalty kicks. You practice these over and over again going for quality and perfection. So, when game time comes, you won't miss your valuable chances. Corner kicks and free kicks should be worked on almost every time a team practices. Sometimes, it is even a good idea to design certain plays that fit specific situations. Accuracy in shooting takes dedication to master. When I first started, I was never good at it. Today, I am still not that accurate of a shooter. Shooting takes lots of patience because eventually the ball will make its way into the back of the net. Another key to winning is the goalie. A goalie can see the entire field, so he/she needs to be a vocal leader, especially for the defense on where to go and who to cover. The goalies need good communication with their defenders in order to clear the ball out of the danger zone, and so the opposing team does not get any easy openings or shots. Goalkeepers know where everyone is on the field, and they must use that to their advantage to take charge. Goalkeepers should also be quick, flexible with their body, have fast reflexes, and have good instincts in where the ball is going to go. Another key to winning is communication. Teammates must constantly talk to each other in order to help one another and to work together. Communication helps limit the gaps on defense. Good communication allows the defense to be unstoppable like a wall. Good communication gives the offense more to work with when trying to find ways to score. Communication is key because you cannot see the players behind you. It is not something you can practice on the field. The best way to get better at communicating is to get to know your teammates as much as possible. I gave a lot of information so far. So, I will leave you with two more pieces of advice. First, play your respective positions. Do not try to score if you are a defender. Scoring is what the strikers are for. Midfielders need to play up on offense as well as fall back on defense to help when necessary. Some midfielders will only help on the offensive end, and then, the defense is left struggling by itself. Play your positions, but make sure to spread out. A successful team uses the entire field to win. Spreading out can confuse and separate the opponent's defense, and it can allow for quick breakaways for perfect scoring chances. When players stick to their positions, then the strongest weakness turns into the greatest strength. However, the most important key to winning is to respect everyone around you and to have fun. Respect coaches, teammates, opponents, spectators, and referees. Soccer is a game no matter if you win or lose. Winning is fun, but keep a positive attitude when you lose because you just might win the next one. I just shared with you my thoughts, opinions, and ideas about winning a soccer match. If you do not like what I have to say, you probably would not still be reading this. If you are still reading this, I am no expert on soccer. I am just commentating on what I think is the best way to go about winning at the World Cup level or at any level. Everyone has their opinions, and this is mine.

06/12/2010 U.S.A. vs England second half

Watching the second half of this great rivalry, I (like most Americans) was kept on the edge of my seat. This game could have gone either way. The United States started off the half by grabbing away the momentum that England had in the first half. The United States surely played the second half a lot better than the first. Even with England's struggles in the second half, the U.S. was constantly worried and on its toes because England can always find ways to score. The United States had so many chances to score in the second half. The first half belonged to England. The second half belonged to the United States. The entire game was so intense to watch because it was played with physiology and with psychology as well. Both goalkeepers, Howard and Green, clearly stepped up their games after each of them allowed one goal. The U.S. have the better players, but soccer is a team game. Therefore, England was the favorite coming into the match to win the game. Despite England's second half difficulties, they found themselves with many great opportunities to score. England made things happen out of nothing. The United States had to be much happier with their efforts in the second half. The soccer history between these two countries has been dominated by England. England had a 7-2-0 record against the United States coming into this match. In the second half, England pushed so many men forward that they left fewer men back to defend. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, but the U.S. have a lot to gain from their performance against England. The United States played with much needed confidence. The man of the match was Tim Howard, but both goalkeepers had spectacular games. This draw was a victory for the United States. The United States started off group play on the right track. It was not a great performance, but it sure was a mature one. Today was a good game for both teams.

06/12/2010 U.S.A. vs. England First Half

England jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the third minute of the match. The United States' defense did not do their assignments in the beginning. They did not stay with their opponents. It looked like they could not keep up with England's exciting offense. The United States fell behind early, but this is what the World Cup is all about. One play can change everything in a game. The U.S. is facing a big challenge against the eighth best soccer country in the world. The U.S. is ranked at number fourteen. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was frustrated early with his defense. Tim Howard was kept busy in the first half making save after save. Americans were holding their breath when Tim Howard went down and injured his hand. Howard is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and one of the toughest by staying in the game. The United States were on their heels the entire half. They did not get many shots off, and did not have much possession time. However, U.S.A. matched up well against England. At the end of the half, Clint Dempsey scored one of the softest goals you will ever see. His goal went off the hands of England's goalkeeper, and the ball trickled into the goal. Rob Green, England's goalkeeper, fumbled the ball, and the U.S. scored one of the luckiest goals in World Cup history. How does Green recover mentally from that goal? Does England replace him or keep him in for the second half? At half, the game is tied up at one goal a piece. The game started out as a nightmare for the United States, but there is hope as the momentum shifted to the United States' side towards the end of the first half. England is going to come out playing even tougher in the second half. The team that scores first in a World Cup match goes on to win 70% of the time. History says that if the United States gives up the first goal, there will be disaster in the World Cup. Keys to the United States in the second half include Tim Howard, a stronger, more stable defense, and some quicker feet on offense. The keys to England include #10 Wayne Rooney, and they must keep putting pressure on the United States' defense. The way both teams are playing, Americans and the U.S. players would be happy with a draw. It would be nice to see an upset, but the United States are willing to take any points they can get.

2010 Fifa World Cup

The World Cup began today on June 11, 2010 in South Africa. This is truly exciting, especially for Africa because this is the first time these games will be held on this continent. This must be a true honor for the country of South Africa and its people. The World Cup is probably the second biggest world sporting event behind the Olympics. The World Cup takes place every four years in a host nation. Countries from all over the world must compete before the games in order to qualify for a spot in the event. Only thirty-two teams actually make the trip to this event, but it is truly spectacular to watch. This year, Spain is the heavy favorite to win it all. Some other teams to keep an eye on include Italy, Brazil, France, England, and the biggest underdog - The United States. Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, was expected to make a rare public appearance at the first match between South Africa and Mexico but did not because his thirteen-year-old great-granddaughter was involved in a fatal car accident on the way to one of the events. It was a terrible tragedy. The driver in the other car was reportedly drunk. Not a good way to start the World Cup. One question everyone is asking is whether or not Africa is ready to host such a big event as this one. I think Africa is ready, and this year is going to be better than any other. The opening match took place in Johannesburg between South Africa and Mexico. The host country has never lost an opening round match. In fact, host countries are 14-0-5 in the first game of the World Cup. Mexico was the favorite to win this match. The Mexicans dominated the first half. At the end of the half, they had a goal taken away from them on a very close offsides call. The half ended with a 0-0 tie. The second half belonged to South Africa. They came out ready to prove they could play. They scored an early goal to take a 1-0 lead. With about ten minutes left, Mexico tied up the game at one goal a piece. South Africa had another chance at the 89th minute, but the ball went off the side of the post. South Africa had their chances to get a second and even a third goal. However, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. South Africa and Mexico put on quite a show in front of 90,000 plus fans. One of the most anticipated days in U.S. soccer history is tomorrow on June 12th against England. United States is an underdog, so they have nothing to lose. This makes them more dangerous, and England knows it. This U.S. National Team has proven they can win, and they are good. Can they shock the world this year? There are going to be many upsets in the World Cup. My first upset pick is the United States over England with a final score of 3-2. Remember, one game can change everything.

Timberwolves Preparing for Next Season

After another disappointing season, the timberwolves are looking for changes and additions to the roster for next year. Could next year be the year that Ricky Rubio comes over and takes over point guard? How about John Wall from Kentucky or Evan Turner from Ohio State? The Timberwolves are in a rebuilding mode. With their talent and coaching, I see the T-wolves being a playoff team in 4 or 5 years (maybe 3). Right now, the wolves have the rookie John Flynn from Syracuse making plays at the point. They got Kevin Love doing it all (rebounding, scoring, shooting threes, blocking shots). They got the speedy, high tempo, energetic Corey Brewer leading fast breaks down the floor. But, do not forget about Al Jefferson. Perhaps, the most dynamic and best player in a wolves jersey today. Then, you also have other guys like Ryan Gomes as well making huge contributions. Do not look at the timberwolves 14 wins and 60 losses. Do not look at their 16 game losing streak. If you watched them play for the first time, you would never guess that they have only won 14 games. The Timberwolves play smart basketball. The wolves play as a team. They play as one. Every game, no matter what the record, The Minnesota Timberwolves play with heart.

Ron Gardenhire and the Twins

Could this be the year the Minnesota Twins win the World Series? I mean, they have all the right players to do it. They just signed Mauer to a Yankee-type contract. They have powerful sluggers like Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, and newly acquired Jim Thome. I truly believe, despite his age, Jim Thome is going to have a big impact on the Twins' season this year, even if he is mainly a pinch hitter. The Twins also got defensive talent with guys like Nick Punto. Plus, the Twins are Piranhas. They can beat you with so many ways with their speed, bunting ability, defense, and new this year is their power to hit home runs. I think the only thing hurting the twins this year in making their World Series Run is Joe Nathan. But, they still have a good looking bull pen with Jon Rausch, Matt Guerrer, Pat Neshek, and Jesse Crain. The starting rotation is one of the youngest in the majors, but guys like Nick Blackburn and Scott Baker stepped up their games last year, and they can be even better this year. Then, do not forget about the coaching staff, especially Ron Gardenhire. This could be potentially his year (finally!!!) that he could win AL mananger of the year. He is a fun coach. He gives everyone on the team a chance to play. He is laid back, but most importantly, he knows how to win ball games. The Twins do not have Metrodome Magic anymore, but they got an awesome new stadium. The fans this year are going to play a huge part in the Twins' success. In conclusion, this is why I strongly, deeply believe the Twins are the team to beat in the American League and possibly all of baseball in 2010.

Bryce Harper

On Monday, June 7th, 2010, the Washington Nationals selected Bryce Harper as the top overall draft pick. Bryce Harper was the top player in the draft. He is only seventeen years old. He can play multiple positions, but he prefers catcher. He has been playing baseball his entire life. Bryce is an all-around player. He is a good fielder and an outstanding hitter with lots of power. The Nationals drafted him as a right fielder. There are high hopes for this young phenom as this franchise tries to turn its luck around. Harper and Strasburg are the young cornerstones for Washington to eventually win a championship. Harper skipped his final two years of high school and received his GED in order to be eligible for the draft. For the two years he skipped high school, Bryce went to Junior College to play baseball for the College of Southern Nevada. During his time at college, he had 31 home runs, 98 RBIs, and had a batting average of .443. Bryce Harper has a lot of potential. He is going to be a star player. He is still really young, has a lot to learn, and is going to make mistakes. However, Bryce Harper is going to develop into a fine player.

Back in Boston

After the Celtics tied up the series in game 2 with a victory in Los Angeles, they were back in Boston last night in front of their home crowd. Believe it or not, the Celtics actually have a better road record than home. Boston is probably the first team to have road-court advantage in the NBA finals. In game 2, Ray Allen had himself quite a performance with a total of 32 points and eight three-pointers (which is a NBA record). Ray looked like Michael Jordan. However, Ray Allen was ice cold from the floor in game 3. He was 0-8 from the three point line and 0-13 overall. He had a forgettable night, but if one Celtics' star struggles, another player picks him up. That was not the case in game three. Both Allen and Pierce struggled all game to find their shots. Boston's shooting was terrible, but Kevin Garnett did rise to the occasion and had himself a monster game with 25 points. After two miserable games in Los Angeles because of foul trouble, Garnett found himself at the top of his game in Boston. He electrified Boston early with the first six points of the game for either team. The crowd was into it early when the Celtics took a 12-5 lead in the first quarter. Although, Phil Jackson took a rare timeout for the Lakers early in the first. After that, the game belonged to Los Angeles. Kobe had a struggle shooting the ball for most of the game, but he ended up leading all scorers with 29 points on 10-29 shooting. The star of the game was not Bryant. The star was point guard veteran Derek Fisher. Fisher is the vocal leader of the Lakers team. He finished with 16 points and had an impressive fourth quarter that gave the Lakers a 91-84 win. Derek Fisher was the show stopper. With his effort in the fourth, the Celtics' late game run came to a halt. The defining moment of game 3was when Fisher ran the length of the court to make a very difficult layup with three Celtics contesting the shot. Derek stepped up in a huge way to give the Lakers a 2-1 series lead, and the Lakers stole back home court advantage. Phil Jackson now has 223 career wins in postseason history. This number is one shy of the most wins in the postseason in all of pro sports. He has ten NBA championships (Bulls and Lakers). Jackson is a hall of fame worthy coach. There is no doubt about that. Just watch him on the sidelines. He is very tall. He is very silent, and he knows how to keep his composure during intense, pressure situations. The 2010 NBA finals are not only showcasing the best players, but it is also showcasing two of the best coaches, Doc Rivers and Phil Jackson. Both coaches know how to motivate their respective teams, and they know how to keep their teams on the right track. In game 3, both teams played exceptional defense, but the Lakers' defense was just a little bit better. Defense wins championships. If this is the case, expect Boston to bounce back and even the series at two games a piece in game four. More important, the Celtics' bench needs to keep finding ways to contribute because these players have done a phenomenal job all series long and throughout the entire playoffs of producing valuable minutes. Look at guys like Nate Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, Tony Allen, and Glenn Davis. The Lakers have a good bench too, but these players are going to have to play a bigger role if they want to win this series. Kobe is not the only person on this team. The Lakers cannot expect Bryant to do everything. Other guys have to be willing to step up and make some plays on offense and defense. This is the biggest rivalry in basketball, and both teams have not disappointed. This has been a fierce, aggressive, intense, and an explosive series so far. The Celtics and Lakers are going to battle this out to the end. Expect a game seven in Los Angeles. Buckle up because this series is about to get crazy and out of control. Boston. Los Angeles. Two teams, one dream. Who wants it more?

Game 1 of NBA Finals 2010

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers. This is the biggest rivalry in basketball. Both teams have been in more finals than any other team. The Lakers have been to the finals thirty-one times, and Boston has twenty-one appearances. However, the Celtics have seventeen championships, whereas the Lakers only have fifteen. Kobe Bryant is trying to improve his legacy with five rings. Paul Pierce's offense and KG's defense are trying to stop that from happening as they go for their second championship in the last three years. Celtics have a tough task at hand. Clearly, Bryant has been the best player in this year's playoffs, and Rondo has been the second best player. You cannot miss this series. The NBA playoff games have been dull and blowouts, but the players from these two competitive teams are electrifying, and they will give us a series to remember. Two of the best coaches in the league, Doc Rivers and Phil Jackson, will showcase their best efforts to motivate and to strategically plan the most efficient way to win. For the Celtics, the key to winning is defense anchored by Garnett, and they must take advantage of their road-court dominance. The Celtics have been a way better road team than what they have accomplished in Boston this season. The key to the Lakers is Kobe Bryant. Kobe is the top player in this series. If he is on top of his game, the Celtics are going to be pushed to work harder than ever before. Another key for the Lakers is to get the big men going early. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are a dynamic duo in the paint. So, it is going to be Boston's defense vs. Los Angeles' offense. Also, Boston's Kendrick Perkins has to be careful. One more technical foul, he is suspended for one game. Perkins has done a nice job of keeping his composure. In Game 1, the Celtics trailed pretty much the entire way. Ray Allen had five fouls before the third quarter was even over. The Celtics showed an explosive offense, but the Lakers kept pulling away because Boston gave the Lakers free throw after free throw. Expect this series to be aggressive. My prediction is that Boston will win in seven games, but it is not going to be easy. Rasheed Wallace has five technicals, and two more he will be suspended for a game. In Game 1, the Lakers had a huge third quarter. The Celtics needed to be almost perfect to overcome a twenty point deficit in the fourth quarter. After three quarters, the Lakers led 84-64. The intensity was amazing. The fans and Hollywood stars sitting court side were pumped up. The emotions of the players were rising as the game went by. You could just see the fierceness in the players' eyes. Both teams are going to put up a fight in this series. No one is taking home the trophy so easily. This game is the game of the year for the 2010 NBA season. Lakers are going to do all they can to defend their title from 2009 in order to become back-to-back NBA champions. Kobe and L.A. have a huge road block in the middle of their pathway. That road block is Boston. How well can the Lakers handle Boston? The Lakers' bench does not have as much depth as the Celtics have. Boston's bench players have the advantage over L.A. with people like Glenn Davis, Tony Allen, Rasheed Wallace, and little man Nate Robinson. However, Los Angeles has Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, and Lamar Odom. In Game 1, the fourth quarter was dominated by the Celtics early on. The Lakers have been working their hardest all season trying to hold off the fighting Celtics. Getting it done was Ron Artest. Artest's physical defense and the Lakers' transition offense helped the Lakers in the fourth quarter take care of business. To conclude, this NBA finals is going to be amazing! If you have nothing to do to start your summer, lay don on the couch for the next couple of weeks, tune into ABC, and watch two explosive teams fight it out until the end. There is no turning back. Get ready, get set, and go. Energy is at its maximum. Bring the excitement on!