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It’s been said before by many, but almost doesn’t count.
Just as the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team looked to advance into the round of 16 in the World Cup on Sunday, it came to a crushing halt. It was a great effort following halftime when they were down 1-0 to come back and take the lead in the 80th minute at 2-1.
I think all of us are shocked that Team USA was forced to a 2-2 draw at the very last possible second against Portugal. The Portuguese goal in the 94th minute will forever be remembered by U.S. soccer fans, especially if they fail to make the round of 16 after Thursday. The U.S. should have won, but two mistakes cost them.
Defensively, they have played well, coached fairly well and have been smart for most of the World Cup. They may have to play a little more aggressive offensively against a German team on Thursday that hasn’t seen any problem in finding the back of net so far in World Cup action.
And I know it’s a far fetching thing, but the United States I do believe should have placed Landon Donovan on the team. So he is 32, but Donovan has scored the most goals in U.S. World Cup history to date. This would probably have been his last World Cup, but it is what it is.
For the United States to advance into the round of 16, they will have to either win, draw or hope that the Portugal/Ghana match ends in a draw. A Portugal win would also be okay as long as there are not many goals scored in that contest.
As for legion baseball, Rutherford County will have to take a big swing this week if they wish to be apart of the Area IV playoffs. Post 423 plays five games this week and just one at home. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday they play away games with Asheville, Caldwell and Cherryville. However, they do sit in the playoff spot in the Western Division of Area IV. Depending on the outcomes, they could finish anywhere between fourth and ninth in the West. To make the playoffs, they have to finish eighth or better in the West.
Pitching is starting to show well over at McNair Field. The Forest City Owls are riding a four-game win streak and haven’t allowed more than four runs a game in the last 14 contest.
At the time of this column, the Owls sat third in the West standings just before the halfway mark and just a couple of games out of first in the division. For those who want to see the Owls play, they have home games on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and this upcoming Monday.
Last week, the San Antonio Spurs went onto win the NBA title. I felt before the playoffs started that the Spurs were the best team in the NBA. They proved it. And what a career for former Wake Forest great Tim Duncan. Duncan spent 17 years in the league, started 1252 games of the 1254 he took part in and averaged 20 points per game in his career. Duncan was an instrumental part in this season, perhaps being involved with the best Spurs team in franchise history in winning his fifth title with the team.
Finally, it’s tough to deal with losing a young life. Jaharri Miller, a former student athlete at R-S Central was killed this past weekend. Two years ago, Miller came up with maybe the two biggest plays of the season for the R-S Central Hilltoppers, intercepting two passes that sealed a 22-15 upset win over Polk County. It would be the only win for the football program that season. Miller, played basketball as well in his time as a Hilltopper. I also remember a thunderous dunk he had against East Rutherford in his senior year at Central in a losing effort.
My deepest sympathies go out to Jaharri’s family and friends who are dealing with such a tragic end to a young life.
