OT: Weekend Sports: WWC Final and FedEx Golf
It’s Saturday morning - and - two weeks almost to the hour until we’ll be setting up the tailgate for the opener. In the meantime, sports around the world keep going.
This weekend - the FedEx Cup continues near Chicago. The course took a lot of rain this week - and is playing soft. Max Homa is setting the pace at the halfway point - and the Top 30 move on to the Tour Championship next week.
Halfway around the world, the Women’s World Cup comes to close - the final is early Sunday morning (US time) with Spain and England squaring off.
Anything you’ll be following or are hoping to see?
August 19th, 2023 at 11:42 AM ^
Kinda bummed that Australia didn't get another win. They got to the semis, but ended up 4th.
Sort of rooting for Spain, but wouldn't be surprised if England wins.
US Soccer GM Kate Markgraf is leaving at the end of the month when her contract expires [ESPN]. They talked about a contract extension prior to the World Cup, but it didn't happen. Can't say I'm sorry to see her go.
In an interview with ESPN prior to the World Cup, Markgraf said that, while she didn't explicitly tell Andonovski which players to take to the tournament, she had a part in shaping the roster. Andonovski confirmed that was the case.
Not sure what she did for lower levels of US soccer, but extremely disappointing results for the senior team.
August 19th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
When you lose, heads roll. But the U.S. just can't assume that it deserves championships any more than five or six other teams at this stage, and it's likely to stay that way--that is healthy for the sport, IMO.
Andronovski looked scared and coached timidly toward the end, but he was the players' choice for coach, and we outplayed Sweden. I part with people who see the result as so surprising or disastrous.
August 19th, 2023 at 11:53 AM ^
The US Women have had great success historically. I wonder if both the women’s and men’s sides have had “too old” of a roster to compete most effectively. Many fans know the names of stronger players from the last 15+ years. Experience plays a factor in every field - but, too much age - results in a step or two slower - and, that’s significant at this level.
We head back to A2 to drop off the kids tomorrow morning - and, I’ll be cooking breakfast as the Final’s being played.
I don’t have a horse in the race - it should be interesting. I wonder how well Spain will be able to control possession.
August 19th, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^
The USMNT had an average age of 25 yrs, 175 dys at the start of the 2022 World Cup, our 2nd youngest roster. Explain how that's "too old."
August 19th, 2023 at 8:13 PM ^
My specific thought is about a few older players… and, I may stand corrected. I view it similarly to sports contracts when older players are on the downside of a play / performance curve.
There have been players on the USMNT in the past who were more visible, and a bit older.
August 19th, 2023 at 1:50 PM ^
Kate hired Vlatko. That was her first job when she started. Time for her to go.
Vlatko was hired because the players liked him. He wasn’t on anyone’s coaching list after Ellis. Some players didn’t like Ellis.
August 19th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
I guess we'll see whether the replacement brings better results. It may be that this was going to be a difficult transitionary period for any coach. By the next World Cup that generational turnover may be complete. But if some new coach is going to work magic with the squad, there could be some positives now in that team's failure to achieve. Might have been more difficult to dislodge Margraf and Andronovski if they'd won out against Sweden. And several flubbed penalties were the difference.
August 19th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
Ole, ole, ole, ole! Accents over all the e's!
August 19th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
¡Olé, olé, olé, olé, olé!
August 19th, 2023 at 12:00 PM ^
On the golf scene, Olympia Fields is set up for a quick start. It opens with a par 5, and five of the first six holes are among the nine easiest on the course.
Some of the early tee times are going low in the third round. I wonder if Homa can put in another spectacular round.
Weather won’t be a factor - dry conditions today - temps in the mid 80’s.
August 19th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
I read this as "WCW Final" and imagined Golddust flying through the air in a unitard
August 19th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^
Time for the LOINS to play the Jacksonville Jag-u-Rs in a very meaningful preseason game!
Devin Gardner on color man duty.
August 19th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
Watching Manchester City v Newcastle United
Go Magpies!
August 19th, 2023 at 8:19 PM ^
DCFC leading Las Vegas 1 nil in Hamtramck. Game is on ESPN2