Thursday Three

I know this is a little late, but I wanted to get three quick thoughts in today

1. The US beat Panama 1-0 last night to clinch a berth in the Gold Cup Final on Sunday. I didn't get to see the entire game, but was able to take one important thing from it: the team is not down on itself. Yes the earlier matches in the tournament should have been easier, but at the end of the day, the goal was to not only make the final, but win it. It doesn't ultimately matter that we lost to Panama in pool play - we beat them when it mattered and are one step closer to winning the tournament. I don't feel all that good about Sunday, but another US win on home soil would not be shocking. After all, this team never stopped believing and appear to be certainly unified. The indelible image from the game was Dempsey's reaction after he scored in the 78th minute. He did everything he could do to let everyone know that Donovan was the man. It was great to see because for over a year now I have questioned the pecking order on the team. The pink elephant for the past year was that Dempsey should actually be the alpha male on the team. He is not only playing in the top league in the world, but he can certainly be considered for Best XI honors in it. I'm not trying to take anything away from Landycakes - he is certainly a great player and maybe the most important to the team, but currently he is not the BEST player on the team. It would easy for Clint to be resentful, but by pointing all the attention onto Donovan, he showed me that he and Donovan are on the same page. I'm not sure they are best friends, but they certainly appear to recognize each others worth to the team. That to me is the most important thing moving forward.
   
   Speaking of Dempsey, at the age of 28, he now has 78 caps and 22 goals in the National Team uniform. Since 2006 he has averaged about 10 games a year meaning he will hit the 100 cap mark by the 2014 World Cup. This would put him in company with only 11 other American greats. If he then stays in the mix for National team minutes until the 2018 WC when he will be 36, he could be 3rd on the list behind only Donovan (135 and counting) and Cobi Jones (164) when he retires. As for goals, he is currently 5th on the list behind only Joe Max Moore (24), brian McBride (30), Eric Wynalda (34) and Donovan (45). At his current pace he will connect on #34 in 2014 meaning that he will retire as the second leading goal scorer in team history. Simply put, Clint Dempsey is on his way to become the 2nd best American field player in history. Not too shabby for a kid from podunk Texas (and someone who I meet in an airport before he became the player he is today).
   
   
2. So the Mets won Wednesday night on a 13th inning bases loaded Hit By Pitch. It was the team's first walkoff win of the year and it showed - the team actually came out and celebrated with Justin Turner like he had gotten a hit. Look I get it - Justin Turner should be commended for taking one for the team. He didn't jump out of the way - no, he stood his ground, got plunked (ok, he didn't really get plunked- it caught his jersey) and won the game. It was a great play....but to celebrate it by slapping him on the head and jumping up and down is certainly silly and overblown.
   
   
3. Rumors are circulating that UW Coach Lorenzo Romar is a potential candidate for the Minnesota T'wolves job. I know I speak for everyone in Seattle when I say: "LoRo, don't do it!" I know we are all a little biased because we are invested in his decision, but how can any rational thinking person think this is a good choice. I know we are talking about the NBA. I know most coaches never get that opportunity, but LoRo's situation isn't like others. He is no Rick Pitino or John Calipari. They don't have ties to their community - LoRo does. He is loved at UW not just for being successful, but because he is a Husky. He graduated from UW and now is leading them during their most successful era. Leaving UW at the current time before he becomes 'old' and 'stale' is a bad decision...leaving it for the T'wolves is even worse. This franchise is a mess and it's a job where he will get fired from in 3 years - not because of LoRo but because it's the T'wolves. If he could go to Portland or Phoenix or a California team, then maybe he would need to consider it...but Minnesota. NO - terrible decision.
   

Sounders-Red Bulls tonight. 45-50k expected in attendance. Nationally televised audience. NY missing Marquez, Ream, Agudelo due to Gold Cup and Henry due to Red Card suspension - we have to get the job done.