Let’s Get Real My Sporting Observations ………..

Well the Indianapolis Colts squeaked out another win to remain unbeaten within the NFL. In defeating their AFC South divisional rivals the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’ve essentially sewn up their division and garnered home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in the AFC. What better way for Colts’ coach, Jim Caldwell to have such success in his first season as the team’s coach.

Jacksonville, Fl, 17th December 2009. Reggie Wayne (#87) of the Indianapolis Colts runs for yards after the catch against Reggie Nelson (#25) of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 17, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Sam Greenwood .......

In defeating the Jaguars 35-31 , the Colts now are still on the cusp of making history in the NFL. They alongside the New Orleans Saints remain as the only unbeaten teams in the league. The Saints have the daunting task of taking on a Dallas Cowboys’ team that as of late are beginning to live up the hype of the team who just somehow loves to ’swoon’ in December. Eeking out a victory in the month of December for the Cowboys is like a drunk trying to find resolve from only taking sip from a whiskey bottle when they’re actually enrolled in AA. You know that no good can actually come of it. And for Wade Phillips and his team of under achieving prima-donnas. Well, let’s just say that they’re deserving of their fate at present !

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, right, adjusts his microphone at a news conference to introduce the new Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen, left, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Ashburn, Va. The Washington Redskins overhauled their front office Thursday morning, hiring Bruce Allen as general manager after the resignation of Vinny Cerrato. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Manuel Balce Ceneta .......

So now I’m suppose to believe that with the resignation of Vinny Cerrato as the GM of the Washington Redskins that Daniel Snyder’s hiring of Bruce Allen as Cerratto’s replacement , things will all of a sudden will become immeasurably better for the Redskins ? Never mind the fact that Snyder has already started the interview process for the replacement of the embattled coach, Jim Zorn. And there we have Sherm Lewis basically treading on eggshells while he’s been given the job of overseeing the team in the absence of anything creative coming from the mind of Jim Zorn. It looks as if a well deserving person such as Lewis will never be given the chance to show that he’s got what it takes to be a coach in the NFL. Well at least, not on a full-time basis, that is. He can’t do any worse than the likes of Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris or Tom Cable for that matter. Now comes word that former Broncos’ coach Mike Shanahan has visited twice privately, to discuss the impending vacant coach’s position with Daniel Snyder.

And the Redskins’ owner seems somewhat reticent to ‘play his cards’ as of yet and let the fans and general public know what his final decision may well. More money to be thrown at a problem that was originally his in the making, to begin with. But guys we’re simply discussing the Washington Redskins here. Their revolving door policy with the regard to the hiring of NFL coaches has certainly got to be admired and laughed at , all in the same gesture.

Bernard Hopkins seen here taking on middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a catch-weight contest that originally took place in October ,2008. Hopkins would win the bout decisively inflicting Pavlik with his one and only professional loss in the ring.

They call him ‘The Ghost’ but middleweight boxing champion, Kelly Pavlik (35-1-0, 31 KO’s) has been about as much of champion, as Paris Hilton could be considered to be a possible candidate as a Rhodes’ scholar. Pavlik for his part having defeated Jermain Taylor to win the title and then having successfully defended it against the former champion. He then thought it appropriate to take on another former champion of the division, in , Bernard Hopkins. Let’s just say that was a mismatch of gigantic proportions from the very moment that the fight was announced. The ’schooling’ that Pavlik took at the hands of Hopkins should have been enough to suggest to the champion that it’s best to stick with what you know, rather than thinking that you know more than you actually do.

Courtesy of Associated Press and Yahoo Sports

Middleweight champ Pavlik ready for the ring

By Dave Skretta , AP Sports Writer

New York (AP)—Everything seemed to be lining up perfectly for the blue-collar kid from Youngstown. He had battered Jermain Taylor, beaten him again in an immediate rematch, and had turned his attention to cleaning out the middleweight division.

The only thing Kelly Pavlik’s cleaned out this year has been his left hand. Twice.

His year has been about as bumpy as the worn-out roads around Jack Loew’s South Side Boxing Club, where the scrawny 160-pound titleholder has been preparing for his return to the ring on Saturday night against unheralded contender Miguel Espino.

Pavlik began 2009 with an uninspiring defense against a mandatory challenger, then had two fights canceled, before rumors began circulating about why he hadn’t been fighting.

The answer, it turned out, was a staph infection on the knuckle of his hand.

“It’s been crazy, the hand, we have worked through that and it’s in the past. The problem with the hand was just time-consuming,” Pavlik said earlier this week. “At the end of the day, we had two major surgeries within two months of each other.”
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The most desired fight out there that all of the fans would want to see and they ought to demand that it take place. It would be for Pavlik to face off against whom many believe to be the number one contender and perhaps the best middleweight in the division, in, Paul Williams (38-1,27 KO’s). Williams for his part hasn’t ducked a challenge and has given the best of himself whenever he’s had to face an opponent. This’d be the one match-up that I for one, would be willing to pay to see. But instead we’ll be forced to see Pavlik defend his title in a meaningless PPV event against a nondescript challenger, Miguel Angel Espino (20-2-1,9 KO’s) , in Pavlik’s hometown of Youngstown, Ohio at the Chevrolet Center, this upcoming Saturday. Don’t hold unto your hats, as this fight might be about as eventful as having your prostate checked. And as we guys know, about the only person who seems to be enjoying themselves at the time, is the medical professional who happens to be conducting the exam. How was it for you ? LOL, LOL,LOL !!! Need I say anymore on the matter ?

Paul Williams (right) seen here taking on Sergio Martinez in a middleweight bout held at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Complex, Atlantic City , New Jersey. Williams would defeat his opponent with a unanimous points decision. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Will Hart ..................

Courtesy of HBO.com

Williams wins hard fought decision against Martinez

By Chuck Johnson

The result was an action-packed, nonstop-punching thriller at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall as Williams survived a valiant upset bid by Sergio Martinez to win a 12-round majority decision.

Showing why they’re considered two of the world’s best junior middleweights, Williams and Martinez moved up a few pounds to meet in the middleweight non-title bout, and it didn’t take long before they started connecting.

Both fighters scored knockdowns in the first round to set the tone for an ebb-and-flow donnybrook that ended with judge Julie Lederman calling the fight even 114-114 while judges Lynne Carter 115-113 and Pierre Benoist 119-110 both gave the nod to Williams.

“It was a good fight, a war,” said Williams, who spent most of the bout nursing a profusely-bleeding cut over his left eye that was opened by a combination of punches and an apparent head butt.

“This fight wasn’t easy, but I wasn’t trying to box him,” Williams said. “I wanted to make it a war.”

Williams (38-1, 28 KOs) landed a left to the temple that dropped Martinez in the first round, but the 6-foot-1 slugger from Aiken, S.C. found himself on the seat of his pants moments later when Martinez unloaded a hard right to the jaw.
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Williams seen here boxing as a welterweight taking on Carlos Quintana in the second of their two much heralded fights. In this selection you’ll see the devastating punching power of Williams. The fight took place at the Mohegan Sun Casino , Uncasville, Connecticut on the 7th June 2008. With the win Williams recaptured the WBO welterweight title.

Williams knows ultimately that sooner or later Pavlik has to fight him as the champion can’t carry on avoiding the number one contender for his belt. The problem is that with Pavlik’s propensity to either hurt himself in a bout or more often than not an foreseen medical comes to light during his training regimen . In all likelihood , all the fans might ever get to see, is Pavlik in a nondescript bout , while Williams is laying waste to the rest of the middleweight division.

They say things tend to come in three’s and what with the untimely deaths of NFL’s players Chris Henry and Steve McNair to apparent acts of violence . I think it’s time to keep a watchful eye on the police blotters up and down the country where there NFL franchises situated. You think I’m kidding ? Who could’ve foreseen the untimely deaths of both Henry and McNair ? Well , off course the ‘man upstairs’ would know but other than that , who else ?

OK, so there’s no real need to heap praise on the US national soccer squad. We know they’ve made it to next year’s World Cup in South Africa. But in all honesty it’d take a monumental disaster of catastrophic proportions for the team to even make it to the quarter or semi-finals of the competition. As good as the team has been , they’ve also had that tendency to slip back into the depths of mediocrity.

Well now comes word that perhaps the team’s best player ,Landon Donovan, is looking to breach out once again and make his way into Europe and acclimatize himself with the rigors of soccer. What the MLS simply just wasn’t good enough for his overrated but yet underachieving talent ?

Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Donovan join Everton on loan from L A Galaxy

LIVERPOOL, England (AP)—United States forward Landon Donovan will join Everton on a short-term loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Premier League club, which announced the deal Friday, is hoping the American’s pace, experience and scoring record will help the team climb away from relegation trouble.

Donovan has to get a work permit to complete the loan, which will run from January until mid-March. It will finish in time for the 27-year-old player to return to the MLS for the Galaxy’s opening match on March 27.

“It’s all done now,” Everton manager David Moyes said. “Landon will join us at the start of January. He will come in and add pace. He’s a good finisher.”

The deal was announced two days after Donovan signed a new four-year contract with the Galaxy. He will team up with Tim Howard, the first choice goalkeeper for the United States who is in his fourth season with Everton since moving from Manchester United.

“Hopefully he is the first of two or three we want to bring in January,” said Moyes, whose team is 15th in the standings, one point above the relegation zone. “We need to strengthen our squad to make sure we are not in a situation like we have at the moment with so many injuries.

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L A Galaxy coach, Bruce Arena and Landon Donovan talks about his ambitions and aspirations with the Galaxy and his impending loan to the English Premiership club , Everton.

Landon Donovan may well be a considerable talent but in no way is he this country’s best player ! That undoubted privilege would have to go to the team’s goalkeeper, Tim Howard. Who if anything , he’s been the only bona-fide world class star that this country has or produced in the sport over the past two decades. Howard who now plays in the English Premier League (EPL) with Everton, has been an outstanding player throughout much of professional career. And he’s won at the highest levels in terms of domestic soccer. And his form for both his club side and country has been nothing short of exemplary .

A montage of Howard’s early years from a youth, on and upwards.

Howard has been a model of consistency at every level of the sport that he’s played. And it is understandable why he’s such a desired talent across the globe. There are but a handful of goalkeepers on the planet with his unique and innate talent. But yet year in and year out all the pundits here seem to talk about is the modest talent of the L A Galaxy’s, Landon Donovan. I suppose now having to share center stage with teammate, David Beckham , does have its privileges after all ?

With a loan deal now in the works , Donovan will be joining his national teammate as a member of Everton’s premiership roster. And with Howard viewed as the backbone of Everton’s defense, it’ll be very interesting to see what Landon Donovan will be able to contribute to the aspirations of the team. He’s been a noted striker within the MLS. Where he has been very prodigious and productive. But playing in the MLS and playing in the EPL are two entirely different things. It’s like making a comparison between varsity football and the NFL.

Though this isn’t first foray into playing soccer on the European continent at the domestic level. It will however provide Donovan with the experience he seeks and ramp up his competitive edge as a player. If he’s to prove himself the player that many believe he can be at the international level. Then he’ll have to prove once and for all that he can play in one the most competitive domestic soccer leagues in the world and acquit himself amiably . If not then US’s hopes at the 2010 World Cup mightn’t be as bright as many are hoping it will be.

So once and for all , let’s get real here ! These are the topics, what are your thoughts on each ?

NB: This piece was first posted by me within the following site http://theoraclesays.wordpress.com under the original title of ‘Let’s Get Real …..My Sporting Observations ….

There Are Rules And Then Are Rules That Are Meant To Be Obeyed So Why Break Them ?

There are rules and then there are rules, that are meant to be obeyed. And in no way should a team be able to obfuscate the responsibility of upholding those rules. Even when it’s not to your liking. And in light of this one has to ask what it is that Chelsea FC of the English Premiership League (EPL) , thought it was doing by luring away a young player from his team , causing him to break his contract ?

Chelsea FC and members of its first team and reserves on the roster. picture appears courtesy of premierleague.com/clubs/chelsea fc @ copyrighted material All rights reserved ..................

To some this may not seem to be an important issue. But it goes to the integrity of the game. And how one goes about conducting themselves in an orderly business fashion. A contract, is a contract , be it oral , implied or written. As was the case , herein.

Galel Kakuta of Chelsea FC . The young player was signed originally from the French first division club Lens in 2008. But it has now been alleged that he was lured away by the Premiership club Chelsea , whilst still under contract with the French club side. An infraction of not only UEFA rules but aslo that of FIFA and that of the Premiership as well. picture appears courtesy of premierleague.com/teams/club/chelsea -fc @ copyrighted material All rights reserved ......................

And while this is not the first time that FIFA , the governing body for world soccer , has come down harshly on a club in this regard. It does send a serious message. That actions such as Chelsea’s will not be condoned or go unpunished. And though the team has the right of recourse, to lodge an appeal with the Court Of Arbitration For Sports (CAS). It’s hard to imagine that the team’ll have a case as to the veracity of its argument.

Russian billionaire oil tycoon Roman Abramovich the owner of Premier League team Chelsea FC. He's seen here with his companion fashion model Daria Zhukova at a UEFA game in 2007. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Matthias Zoening .........................

And it’s unlilkely that the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich , would knowingly let his executives and management act in such a way. But there’s cause for concern if , in-fact the owner and anyone within the team’s management hierarchy willingly allowed this to happen. It’s also somewhat surprising that FIFA in this respect only imposed a ban and a small financial penalty. One would’ve thought that a much stiffer financial penalty ought to have been incurred by the team. In this case they’ve been ordered to pay the French team, Lens , a sum of $1.2 million , with an additional sum of $186,000 to be paid to the team in terms of financial expenditure in providing training for Gael Kukuta , the player at the center of the uproar.

Courtesy of Yahoo Sports and AP:

FIFA gives Chelsea 1-year transfer ban

Zurich-(AP) Chelsea was banned from signing any new players for a year because it encouraged a teenager to break his contract with a French team and sign with the English soccer power.

The sport’s governing body Thursday barred Chelsea from taking part in the next two transfer windows-January 2010 and the next offseason. The next time the Premier League team would be able sign a new player-nationally or internationally would be January 2011 .

Chelsea called the penalty “without precedent” and “totally disproportionate” and said it would appeal to the Court for Arbitration of Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The French club Lens had complained that Chelsea lured 18-year old Gael Kakuta to break his contract with the club and join the English team in 2008.

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And whilst the feeling may well be that Chelsea’s actions aren’t egregious. One first has to look at the message this now sends across the game. Especially in light of the smaller clubs involved in the game and their very own existence .

What are your thoughts on the matter ? I look forward to reading your comments with a great deal of interest.

Dear Ol’ Blighty I Can Still Hear You Callin’ And I Yearn For My Football And Then Some !

I’m not afraid to say it, but as an expat Brit now living in the United States . I still long for a game of football , that’s soccer for the uninitiated amongst you. As you, Yanks, like to call it. Well I know you’ve all suddenly started to either praise or vacillate over the success of the US men’s soccer team. But until they’ve really proven themselves at the international level. Then whatever interest that’s said to be shown as to the MLS will be only marginal at best.

Michael Owens shows his delight after scoring his first goal for United in the team's 5-0 triumph over Wigan Athletic. The striker was bought by the team from Newcastle United to provide the goal scoring offense alongside teammate Wayne Rooney. picture appears courtesy of premierleague.com copyrighted material @ All rights reserved ..................

We’ve seen what the David Beckham foray into the soccer market here has done. It’s been about as welcoming as being told by the wife that she’d like for you to accompany her shopping on a Sunday afternoon to buy a present for your mother-in-law . The initial interest bordered on being theatrical as to its very presence. But given the lack of success by the L A Galaxy and the heightened expectations that’ve failed to surface. It’s all died down, the game for all sense has settled down and found its only little niche amongst a loyal band of followers.

Wayne Rooney makes it on point. The player scored his 100th goal for the team infront of a raucous crowd on Utd's way to an emphatic 5-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic. picture appears courtesy of reuters.uk/photo/ Phillip Allison .........................

In stark contrast south of the border and across the Atlantic Ocean. The support for the game, borders on being almost a religious bent, as to the loyalty shown by the fans. And nowhere is this more evident than within the English Premier League (EPL). In terms of the brand and the notoriety of the teams involved. It may well be the most successful and competitive soccer league in the world. And with ESPN now carrying their games. It has to be said that the game will now reach a much larger audience than already anticipated. Not that the league didn’t reach a large enough audience internationally to begin with. Games are televised on each of the continents and many teams have a large cadre of international supporters.

Dimitar Berbatov scores United's second goal of the game. picture appears courtesy of reuters.uk/photo/Phillip Allison .......................

And perhaps the most famous team of them all, in Manchester United , can basically underscore the wealth and presence known. United or ‘The Red Devils’ as they’ve come to be known , are essentially the New York Yankees of the Premier League. Albeit that the ownership, the Glazer family , has laden the team with a great deal of debt. At last count that figure was said to upwards of $1.15 billion .

Aaron Hughes (left) of Fulham and Ashley Cole(right) of Chelsea battle for the ball as Bobby Zamora of Fulham and Cole's teammate John Terry looks on. Chelsea would triumph over their south London neighbors 2-0 in the Premiership League match. picture appears courtesy of reuters.uk/photo/ Bill Watson ...................

The team continues to have unprecedented success with their chief architect of it all , being none other than their manager , Sir Alex Ferguson. He has now become the most successful manager in the Premiership and he’s sought after around the world as a guest speaker in terms of undoubted coaching talent and soccer knowledge. The Red Devils’ vociferous and loyal fans support them to the nth degree . So much so , that when they travel , be it domestically or abroad. They travel in throngs ,by the thousands.

Where Is The Love ?

You’ve two small children playing in a sand-box when all of a sudden a small eruption is created and the two though trying to be amiable to one another. For all sense and purpose, they actually do not like each other at all. What’s a parent to do ? Much less the adult that has to the two young kids within their custody ?

Hostile Galaxy fans make their feelings known towards the player David Beckham who's featured in picture. This was all part of an onslaught and crescendo in evidence during a midseason friendly that took place between the Los Angeles Galaxy and A C Milan at the Home Depot Center in Carson , California ,. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Gabriel Bouys ..........................

So it is with the non-sensical feuding that’s now allegedly taking place with perhaps the two most recognizable names on the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. In one corner you have fledlgling superstar Landon Donovan and in the other you’ve got the over-hyped world soccer star David Beckham.

To my mind the Galaxy were sold a bill of goods when they chose to take their player within their fold. I can purely understand that it was done from a business standpoint to create a buzz for the game of soccer within the greater Los Angeles are and in particular amongs the Latino and Caribbean populace. That being said that experiment has become about as the McCain, Palin ticket ,that the Republicans deemed would be successful in garnering the party a further four more years in the White House. Well that ticket sank from the get-go,faster than a German U-boat that’d come under attack from the Allied Forces. And the same can be said about the apparent goodwill that was initially in place when Beckham came onboard with the L A Galaxy.

If ever there was a time for the player (David Beckham #23) to appease the fans in L A . Then now'd be the time for him to prove them wrong and that he can deal with adversity on various differing fronts. picture appears courtesy of afp / getty images/ Gabriel Rouys .............................

What initally looked like a PR dream has now become a complete nightmare of unimaginable proportions for not only the Galaxy’s hierarchy . But also for the Beckham, as well as the game’s sanctioning body for domestic league competition, Major League Soccer (MLS). And tje situation certainly hasn’t been helped by the team’s apparent lack of success on the field. Albeit that the initial large crowds that first greeted Beckham are no longer to be seen at the team’s home venue of the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. They’ve now become something of a rarity with regard to a large sell-out audience. And in terms of a the local or even national tv audience. It barely raises a blip on the Nielsen ratings nationally or even within the team’s own home market.

Ronaldinho of AC Milan is seen heree shielding the bal from the L A Galaxy's Landon Donovan in a mid-season friendly game staged at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ...................

And it would appear that Landon Donovan’s critical review and assessment of his teammate though being his personal view. It’s apparent that those said view aren’t just shared by the player alone but also the fans of the L A Galaxy. Donovan’s comments though not disparaging were critical of Beckham as a teammate , a leader , someone who was also lacking in character but above all something of a narcissist. A great many words that succinctly describe a player who in many respects is no longer the highly skilled player he once was.

Ronaldinho (80) and Beckham (#23) Serie' A teammates share a brief congratulatory moment during the firendly game played between the L A Galaxy and A C Milan at the Home Depot Center in Carson , California. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ................

And the situation may have been further exacerbated with the reluctance of the player to initially return to the team after his stint with the top Italian soccer club A C Milan . The tussle between the two clubs left everyone with the distinct feeling that Beckham no longer wanted to return to play competitive soccer in the United States. Much less honor the multi-million dollar contract that he’d signed with the MLS team. Whilst Beckham tries to exude that illusion of team camaraderie , it is clear that in terms of the word team as long as the ‘Beckham brand ‘ is front and center there for everyone to see . The word ‘team’ doesn’t at all srtictly apply to him. He may well exude that in the public and media interviews that he conducts. But then on appearance it is merely being done to legitmize the Beckham brand and to gain the public’s empathy.

Ronaldinho of A C Milan is double teamed by the Galaxy's Landon Donovan (center ) and A J DeLaGarza during the first half of the game played between the two teams. The game would end up in a 2-2 tie at the end of 90 minutes of regulation play. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ................

And though the L A Galaxy fared reasonably well without the player while he was in Europe plying his trade. The fact of the matter can’t have been lost on the owners of the Galaxy in not having Beckham as their primary sales and marketing tool. It has led to a sizeable loss in revenues, as well as support for the team within its own market. And the team’s standing within the MLS Western Conference has been proving to be something of a disappointment. The team sits in fourth place entrenched behind the Houston Dynamo in first place, followed by the Seattle Sounders and Chivas USA.

Though the season hasn’t been a complete loss for the team . It is extremely hard to envisage how they will be able to make concerted effort to right an already unstable ship , in terms of their already tenuous situation. With Beckham now seemingly back into the fold . There’s no clear way to guage and assess how his teammates might feel. Albeit that Donovan , himself , has tried to recant some of the statements that’ll be part of an upcoming book about Beckham’s first season experiences with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham is substituted in the second half of the mid season friendly played against Italy's A C Milan at the Home Depot Center in Carson , California. It was very much a partisan crowd in attendance for the game. And many of those fans in attendance showed their disdain for David Beckham throughout much of the game. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ...................

The expose’ will give the public an inside look at Beckham and his teammates and explain his initial foray into the MLS market with the team. It will be seering in its analysis and is said to not pull any punches in the areas that matter most concerning the player and his teammates. If Landon Donovan’s initial statements are indeed anything to to by. Then this will indeed will be warranted in terms of a good read. But then again one might find the same type of tawdry details in any type of steamy romantic novel or even perhaps in a tabloid magazine. As it’s been often been said ‘…… any type of publicity be it good, bad or indifferent is still publicity worth having’. Otherwise how else are they going to get to know you , warts and all ?

As to the Galaxy’s postseason ambitions. They may well now rest with the possible momentum that the team can maintain over the remainder of the regular season. If they’re indeed then able to attain a postseason berth for the playoffs. Failure to do so and there will be a great deal of recriminations and allegations made as to what went wrong . And very much the reasons why. And n o doubt there’ll be fingers directly pointed at David Beckham , merely because of the player’s lack of effort and the very fact of his reluctancy to play and also to honor his original contract with the club.

Well That Was The Weekend That Was

The death of Michael Jackson notwithstanding . It’d appear the sport’s world carried on in its usual customary way. Jackson’s death became headline news around the world . As is befitting that of a once powerful entertainment icon.

Myself on the other hand, I wasn’t overly concerned with his death. Because despite his many manifestations and the fact that the so called long awaited CD never amounted to much. His death if anything is a god-send to us all. Unfortunately however , we’ll now have to deal with the endless speculation as to the cause of his death. And until the coroner’s office carries out the autopsy , we’ll never really know the true cause of death.

Melanie Oudin (right) of the US shakes hands with Serbia's Jelena Jankovic , having just defeated the Serbian in three sets to make it into the fourth round of the women's singles tournament at Wimbledon. As Sunday was a rest day , play resumes bright and early on Monday morning. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Martha Hutchinson ..............

As Wimbledon proceeds into its second week. We’ve seen the rise of another American female teen sensation in the guise of seventeen year old Melanie Oudin, who defeated the sixth seed and former world #1 Jelana Jankovic 6-7(8-10),7-5,6-2, to make her way into the fourth round at Wimbledon in the women’s singles tournament. For Oudin this is her moment in the sportlight on the sport’s greatest stage. And anything garnered now from hereonin can only be considered a bonus for the young teen.

Serbia's Victor Troicki makes an athletic attempt dive to keep the ball in play and alive in the game against Britain's Andy Murray. Murray would go on to win the match in straight sets 6-2,6-3,6-4 , and make his way into the fourth round at Wimbledon. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Carl De Souza ..............

And as usual the expected names one’s accustomed to seeing have made it into the second week at Wimbledon. There’ve been one or two surprises and small upsets. But nothing as such that would indeed send a seismic shift across the sport.

Now if anything is we’re liable to see the men separated from the boys. And the girls separated from the women. As those who can legitimately lay claim to the title will now begin to make their presence felt over the ensuing rounds.

Joey Logano speaks with the convened press after his historic win of the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH,. Also in pictue is Tony Stewart and his crew chief Greg Zippadelli . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Marcus Goodridge ...............

And the fans of NASCAR saw history being made when Joey Logano all of nineteen years of age became the sport’s youngest driver to win a Sprint Cup event. Logano won the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 in a rain shortened race at Loudon, New Hampshire.

Though the race wasn’t without its moments . It can be said that with the inclement weather did put somewhat of a damper on a race that many may well have been looking forward to.

Kyle Busch (18) driver of the Interstate Batteries Toyota pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup series race the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH. picture appears courtesy of getty images/NASCAR / Jerry Markland ..................

For Dale Earnhardt Jr this proved to be something of a respite albeit that he finished outside the top ten with a thirteenth place finish. As to his postseason ambitions of making it to the Chase. His chances seem to be diminishing by the race . And for team boss Rick Hendrick whilst he’s still got implicit faith in Dale Jr, one has to question how much longer that this can really go on. As clearly with each passing moment you can clearly see that a great mistake was made in the letting go of Kyle Busch from the team to incorporate Earnardt within Hendrick Motorsports’ midst. Albeit that Earnhardt Jr may well be deemed of greater value in terms of the corporate brand imaging , popularity and the money that no doubt follows him in endorsements. But the facts are there for all to see ….nothing beats winning. And that’s something that Busch has become accustomed to doing since his departure from Hendricks Motorsports. His successor on the other hand has yet to win a Sprint Cup race for his team.

In baseball the AL East is very much the division we’d all believed it would be . The New York Yankees (43-32) are finding ways to win . Even though they’re having to play catchup with the Boston Red Sox (46-29) who lead their fierce and determined rivals by a mere three games. And slowly making up ground are last season’s winners of the AL pennant and the division the Tampa Bay Rays(42-35).

Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera comes to the mound in the eighth inning of the Subway Series game against the New York Mets played at Citi FIeld in Flushing , New York City, New York. Rivera would go on to record the 500th regular season save of his long and illustrious career in the Yankees' 4-2 triumph of the New York Mets. picture appears courtesy of getty images/Jim McIsaac .............

Such is the rivalry now being created between the trio that the drama as it unfolds warrants close scrutiny by the most knowledgeable of all fans. For if anything we’re liable to see the winner of the division become the prohibitive favorite to win the World Series outright.

Rivera is congratulated by Yankees' third base and bench coach Tony Pena after he nothces the Yankees' 4-2 triumph over the Mets at Citi Field , Flushing , New York,. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jim McIsaac ...............

Of the three teams at present it may well be the Rays and the Red Sox who are playing the best at present. And rthat’d be based on the record of their last ten games respectively. With the Rays going (7-3) to a decidedly more (6-4) by the Red Sox. The Yankees have matched the Rays in that respect but when measured against who’ve they’ve been playing as of late in the moribund Subway Series against a woefully inept New York Mets’ team. You can understand my reasoning for not being too overly impressed with those particular results.

The Yankees have swept their crosstown neighbors in the season series and along the way their legendary closer Mariano Rivera was able to notch up his 500th regular season save in Major League Baseall. Quite an achievement for a player who’s well respected by his peers as well the fans across the game of baseball.

And whilst much of this is going on within the game. Nothing much has really changed by way of the way with which the game’s hierarchy still creates the facade that it’s on the right path as far as its steroid abuse program is concerned. While Manny Ramirez sits out his apparent 50 game suspension he’s still able to participate in games . Albeit that it’s at the minor league level. And as asinine as it appears there’s nothing at all the league can do about it. But then again these are the rules that we’re led to believe that the game has to abide by ? So when is a suspension not a suspension within the realms of Major League Baseball ? That’s something I for one feel that inquiring minds would really like to know.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter presents Brazil's captain Lucio (3) with the Confederations' Cup trophy after the Brazilian team's 3-2 ttriumph over the United States men's soccer team in the finals of the competition played in South Africa. picture appears courtesy of bongarts/ getty images/ Cristof Koepsel .................

Alas, the heartfelt story and dream that has yet to be fulfilled came to an abrupt end. The US men’s soccer team failed when they were asked to try and achieve the impossible. Having pulled off the upset victory over Spain the semi-finals of FIFA’s Confed Cup. The fell to the might of Brazil in a spirited display by the US team.

Clint Dempsey (8) , Charlie Davies (9) center and teammate Sacha Kjelstan of the US team are somewhat despondent after the team's 3-2 loss to Brazil in the Final of FIFA's Confederation Cup tournament held in South Africa. The country will also be the venue for next year's World Cup. picture appears courtesy of bongarts / getty images Cristof Koepsel ....................

The victory might’ve been never been doubt had they been able to hang on to the 2-0 lead they built up in the first half of the game. With millions watching at home and tens of thousands watching in the stands showing support for both teams. It has to be said that we may well have been seeing the beginnings of something new in terms of real support for the men’s national squad. Finally they’re gaining some recognition from the fans and not being merely thought of as an afterthought or side show.

Luis Fabiano (9) of Brazil scores the game tying goal in the finals of FIFA's Confederations Cup game played against the US team at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg , South Africa . picture appears bongarts / getty images/ Cristof Koepsel ..................

Were the US men’s team triumphant over their South American counterparts instead of succumbing to a heartfelt 3-2 loss . Then there might be still some room for thought . And the chance that this team is capable and on the right track of pursuing a legitimate thought that they could be considered a contender for next year’s World Cup.

The game’s showcase event will make a return to South Africa where the World Cup will be staged. However, the team ought to be commended for the spirited fight that they put up against Brazil at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg in front of a sold out crowd.

As to what can be contemplated here at home. Well one can only hope that the support that was forthcoming and shown for the team can be maintained. If only to give the team the full support needed as they pursue their quest of garnering a berth for next year’s World Cup to be held in South Africa. And in order to do that the team will have to become more resolute , poised but above all maintain a level of consistency that has been lacking in their game . And which has led to their demise more often that we care to acknowledge. If anything that has been the thing that has really let the US men’s national team down over the years.

So this was the weekend that was. Well it was most definitely as such as far as the sporting highlights were concerned. Was there anything that you felt as such was worthy of acknowledging as far as the sporting weekend was concerned ?

Soccer? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Soccer

Low and behold it’d appear that the world seems to have slipped off its axis somewhat. Well it appears to be that way in the manner with which it’s been described how the US men’s national soccer team defeated Spain (2-0) in the semi-finals of Confed Cup being played in Bloemfontein, South Africa .

Clint Dempsey of the US celebrates the first of two goals scored by the team to defeat Spain 2-0 in the semi final of the Confed Cup being played in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The other goal scorer for the team was Jozy Altidore. picture appears courtesy of getty images / Joseph Block ..................

While it was a stunning upset of the world’s number one ranked team. In no way should it all be compared with ‘The Miracle On Ice’ . That was after all an extraordinary upset that ranks up there with the alltime great sporting surprises. And the scene of the event itself was the 1980 Olymic men’s hockey finals in Lake Placid , New York. This was is a meaningless competition that’s merely a warmup for next year’s World Cup to be played on the African continent in South Africa, itself.

If anything it gives the US team a boost in confidence and the mindset that they can compete with and beat the best. But since the US team has never been known as a model of consistency when it comes to the sport . The best that one can do is to congratulate coach Bob Bradley and his team on a job well done.

It was a bravura performance by the side and with goals coming from Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey. It can be said that the team has far exceeded expectations in making it to the finals of the competition. There they’ll await the winner of the game between Brazil or the host of the competition, South Africa.

As to what this’ll mean to the fans in large may go now go a long way in the sport being finally well received in the eyes of the public. In order for the game to resonate at the professional level here in the United States. The men’s national team has to attain some level of respect at the international level. Thus far they’re not taken seriously at the international. But perhaps with this victory they may well be seen in a new light amongs their international competitors. What might even add to the luster of this victory , would be if they were win the competition outright . That if anything would signify that quite possibly the team has finally arrived at the upper echelons of the international game.

And while there’s the belief that Major League Soccer (MLS) has given rise to the level of competition of the players internationally. Nothing could be further from the truth. If anything it has given some of the players on the team’s roster match experience. The real experience has been attained by the players who’ve sought to learn their craft abroad at the club level playing particularly in Europe. Where in fact they have the most competitive leagues , clubs and best players in the world competing.

Members of South Africa's national soccer team leave the field after their narrow loss to Brazil (1-0) in the semi-finals of FIFA's Confederation Cup played in South Africa. The finals now pits the US against Brazil. The South Africans put on a brave display at the Ellis Park Stadium in Joahannesburg, South Africa. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Antonio Scorza ...............

As we now can either surmise or contemplate what this now means for the sport of soccer here in the United States. It must be admitted that the victory as suprising as it was may well bring about a new found inspiration to the fans in large. Merely because it’ll add to the belief. If we can beat Spain then we’re quite capable of acquitting ourselves against the best that the world has to pit against us. The caveat being is the team capable of maintaining a level of consistency that’d be needed to win such a prestigious tournament such as the World Cup ?

If nothing else it’d be interesting to see that scenario be raised just to see how the team would fare.

We May Make A Lot Of Money So We Can Spend A Lot Of Money

In the high profile world of professional soccer. It has now become win at all costs , literally from a financial aspect. And nowhere is this more self evident than on the continent of Europe and in particular with regards to the countries of , Italy, Spain and England. Where for all sense and purpose the most successful and high profiled clubs are either owned by conglomerates or billionaires.And two of the most prominent clubs in question are that of Manchester United of England and Real Madrid of Spain. The two clubs between them dominate the landscape that is European soccer. And between them their success is unparallelled domestically or on the international front. So much so , that if they’re not part of the conversation for domestic or international honors at the club level. Then there’s a feeling that there’s something wrong with the game itself.

Cristiano Ronaldo then of Manchester United is seen here with the team's coach Sir Alex Ferguson not long after the player had signed with the team in 2003. picture appears courtesy of afp/reuters Christopher McIlvhaney .........................

Manchester United as a club, has had unprecedented success as of late. It has to be said that in the hands of their present owners the Glazer family. They’ve been burdened with what’d be deemed a manageable amount of debt ($1.20bn). But in light of the precarious financial situation of many banks around the world and the economic plight of so many countries acrossthe globe. For some teams this is very much a precarious position to be in. And for the fans and owners Manchester United indeed the situation is no different from any other public or private company.

Malcolm Glazer far right seen here with sons Joel (left) and Bryan. The family's sporting business interests includes the ownership of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the English Premiership League's Manchester United. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mike Nugent ................

The Glazer family are also the owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. And ownership is presided over by the patriarch Malcolm Glazer. With three of his five sons, Bryan , Joel , Avram all running the family’s sporting interests alongside their father. It can be said that this is truly a family business.

From left to right Avi, Bryan and Joel Glazer. All three sons are involved in the sporting business interests of the family's holdings. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Frank Wilmott .............

The family bought the team outright in 2005 , after financing the purchase by leveraging the assets of the team. That takeover saddled the club with an overall debt in excess of $1.5bn at the time ,when one takes into account the servicing and financing fees that goes along with such a financial maneuver. And to date the club still exhibits debt of $1.00bn on its balance sheet. The fact that on appearance very little of the orignal debt seems to have been pared down. The feeling is that the family will either look to refinance much of that debt in order to make the appropriate payments to their creditors . Or quite possibly look to offload some the tangible assets by way of the players on the squad. Whichever way you tend to look at the situation the economic storm that can curtail any professional sports franchise’s ambition is no different from that for a large multi-national to a small company.

In the case of Real Madrid and the mere fact that they’ve seen their most ardent and fierce rival Barcelona FC attain the country’s highest domestic honor in lifting the La Liga trophy, having won the league title. And then go on to defeat Manchester United 2-0 in the top European club competition (Champions League) this season,did not at all sit well with the team.

Florentino Perez the newly re-elected club President of Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid. This time around Perez has reasserted his influence by going on an unprecedented spending spree. He's spent in excess of $225m to aqcuire Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and AC Milan's Brazilian star Kaka. There are now questions being raised as to how these deals were financed. As the purchase of a player can only be made from the fund readily available to a team through its own resources. Monies from an outside party cannot be used in such an endeavor under UEFA and the Spanish Soccer Federation rules. picture appears courtesy of afp/reuters / Esteban Pedroza ...........

The club has seen a great deal of unrest and turmoil . But none more so than is now taking place. With the newly re-elected team President Florentino Perez looking to make his mark, reacquaint himself with the fans and the team once again. The unprecedented spending to acquire new players is taking a torpedo like presence about it.