I spent one glorious summer in Rio de Janeiro many years ago.  While still in graduate school, I was fortunate enough to have been awarded a scholarship to study Portuguese overseas.   Mine was the typical exchange program where you live with a host family and take classes at a local university.  Technically, I was there to conduct thesis research, and I did, as most of the summer was spent 'familiarizing myself' with Brazilian culture.

My timing could not have been more perfect.  The year was 1994 and the country was smack dab in the middle of World Cup fever.  As most of us know, Brazilians eat, sleep and breathe soccer.  The game is so ingrained into their culture that at certain times of the year, nothing else matters.  Not the economy, not poverty, not pollution.  Soccer unites their nation.

Packers, Eagles and Giants fans?  Do you think you're religious about your team?  Guess again.  You Gator, Sooner, Buckeye and Notre Dame fans out there think you hold a candle?  Nuh uh.  The entire nation of Brazil gathers together when World Cup rolls around.  I was lucky enough to experience that first hand.

One day I accosted a group of four beautiful Brazilian women chatting energetically while drinking beers at a beachside bar.  Consider it the Brazilian version of 'Sex and the City.'  The foursome was engaged in an in-depth conversation... about soccer.  Where in the United States would you ever see that?

To further put things into perspective, the Horseshoe in Columbus, OH fits 102,000 screaming fans.  Neyland Stadium in Knoxville seats 105,000.  Michigan Stadium holds 108,000.  While in Rio, I saw a regional soccer game at Estadio do Maracana.  Maximum capacity 200,000!  Brazil is scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup.  Think they'll have a home field advantage?

Prior to every World Cup game that summer, I was warned to have all beer, food and party accessories ready ahead of time for everything in Rio shut down at first kick.  I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.  During a match, there was not a storefront open or a vehicle on the street.  Good luck finding a taxi.

The entire country gathered in their living rooms with family and friends with ice cold Brahma and feijao aplenty, remaining glued to the set for the entire game.  These are not your fair-weather fans.  When Brazil scored a goal, the city erupted.  Shouts of pleasure echoed through the windows.  Celebration ensued with each victory.

The United States hosted the World Cup that year.  Ironically, Brazil played the U.S. on July 4^th.  I remember that date specifically because my host family threatened to kick me out of their apartment if the U.S. pulled off the upset.  Needless to say, I was rooting for Brazil.

That 1994 Brazil team featured all-time greats:  Romario, Bebeto, Taffarel and an 18-year old named Ronaldo.  Taffarel, the goalie, consistently received the harshest criticism from both media and fans.  That was until he blocked Italy's game-tying goal in penalty kicks to bring home the title.  He immediately became a national hero. 

When it comes to World Cup history, Brazil dominates nearly every statistic: championships won, games won, goals scored.  Every other country is a distant second.  Soccer in the U.S. can never reach the importance it garners in Brazil or in other areas of the world.  It's ingrained and generational.  Even though we all play soccer as children, most of us switch to another sport we're more interested in like baseball, basketball or football.

For whatever reason, most Americans don't have a passion for soccer.  Not enough scoring, no viable professional league, the inability to use one's hands, whatever the reason.  We just don't have the appetite for it no matter how hard US Soccer tries to encourage us to pay attention.

That was until last week when the U.S. almost pulled off an upset of international proportions.  In the final game of the FIFA Federations Cup, the US led Brazil 2-0 at halftime.  David was inconceivably about to slay Goliath.  Then the Brazilian juggernaut scored three goals in the second half to squash any hopes the US had for winning its first major international competition.

I found myself once again glued to the television as if it were 1994 revisited.  It was refreshing to see others interested in the match as well.  I watched the first half while exercising on an elliptical machine at my local YMCA.  When Landon Donovan scored the second goal of the game, I heard a few random shouts from within the gym over my blaring iPod.  Not bad.  Now just imagine how Brazil was rocking when they took the lead for good.

US Soccer put forth a valiant effort in their tune-up for next summer's World Cup.  They turned a lot of heads and more fans will assuredly be watching.  It's unreasonable to expect them to equal their recent success but at least now this team won't be overlooked.

Late one night back in 1994, the Brazilian team announced they would host a parade. The Cariocan (those from Rio) players would be bringing the trophy around for all to see.  We stayed up all night celebrating the victory as fans played a variety of percussive instruments.  The beats were infectious.  Fans rushed the parading buses with players waving from atop as the parade route ran through Copacabana and Ipanema.

It'll be a long time coming before the United States ever brings one of those home.  Do you think we'll even notice?

 After a rain-delayed tournament, Lucas Glover of Clemson University held on to win golf's U.S. Open Monday afternoon.  It was the first major victory of his career.  Glover, who landed a $1,350,000 paycheck, had only one previous tour win since turning pro in 2005.  Phil Mickelson, and the resurgent David Duval, both placed second while Tiger Woods ended up tied for sixth.  Only five golfers finished under par for the tournament.

 

 

After getting beaten soundly by both Brazil and Italy, US Soccer miraculously advanced to the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals by beating Egypt 3-0.  In order to advance, an unlikely series of events needed to occur, including beating Egypt by 3 goals, outscoring Italy by 3 on Sunday, having Brazil beat Italy by 3, and then beating Italy in a goals scored tie-breaker which they did 4-3.  The U.S. will play top-ranked Spain on Wednesday.

 

Donald Fehr is stepping down as Executive Director of Major League Baseball Player's Association.  Fehr, the players' chief negotiator, held this position since 1985.  He represented the players union during the World Series cancellation in 1994 and was largely responsible for average annual salaries increasing tenfold over the past twenty-five.  Buster Olney called it correctly when saying Fehr leaves behind a "mixed legacy."

 

17th ranked American James Blake lost in the opening round of Wimbledon, marking the second straight major in which he was eliminated in the first round.  An American male has not won a major tournament since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open in 2003.  Defending champion Rafael Nadal had pulled out of Wimbledon due to injury, leaving five-time champion Roger Federer as a significant favorite to win it all.  On the women's side, both Venus and Serena Williams, who have combined to win seven of the last nine Wimbledon singles titles, are still in contention.

 

Wladimir Klitschko (53-3, 47 KO's) successfully defended his WBO, IBF and IBO titles this weekend in a ten-round TKO victory over Ruslan Chagaev in front of 61,000 fans at the Schalke 04 stadium in Germany.  It was the largest crowd to view a boxing event at that venue since Max Schmeling fought there in 1939, which coincidentally might have been the last time anyone paid attention to the heavyweight division.

  

The NBA Draft is Wednesday night.  While Oklahoma power forward, Blake Griffin, is likely the Los Angeles Clippers' number one pick, after him things get a little dicey.  Talented Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has publicly stated he would not play for the Memphis Grizzlies, which means the Grizz may opt for 7-foot-3 former UConn center Hasheem Thabeet with their second pick.

 

Football fans nationwide continue to wager on whether legally troubled Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress or Donte Stallworth will return to play in the NFL first.

 

 

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I was in a deep slumber last week when my phone rang.  It was about 10 am and I was resting comfortably on my couch, trying to pretend the Orlando Magic meltdown the night before never happened.

 

The Commish was on the other end of the phone.  He had landed tickets to a special Buccaneers function and invited me to attend.  New head coach Raheem Morris would be speaking and the event would certainly be worth writing about.  Little did I know there would also be cheerleaders there.

 

Chalk Talk with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is an annual luncheon held by the team which gives fans a chance to meet players and personnel.  It's kind of like the team's State of the Union address.  This year's function was held at the Hyatt Downtown.

 

With all the off-season moves and acquisitions, a buzz surrounds these Buccaneers, as evidenced by the turnout.  There were several hundred media members, fans, businesspeople and elected officials in attendance.  Oh, and did I mention there were cheerleaders?

 

As eager fans filtered into the room, the Commish tried to take some pictures of yours truly engulfed by four Swashbucklers.  Of course, neither photo came out due to a glare in the hallway.  Fortunately, a passerby who we knew happened to take a picture from the backside.  As you can see, Swashbucklers look good from all angles. 

 

The luncheon began after a brief autograph and meet-and-greet session.  To the right of the podium in front of the room sat Bucs G.M. Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris.  To the left, DT Chris Hovan and rookie QB Josh Freeman.  They all met a rousing ovation, after which they fielded questions from the audience.

 

As expected, this Bucs regime will be big on character.  Both Morris and Dominik stressed the importance of giving back to the community and filling their roster with mentally tough players, responsible guys who "play above the neck."  Coach Morris promptly rejected the 'rebuilding' label, saying it was disrespectful to men like Hovan, Gaines Adams and others the team had already built around.

 

When asked whether he had selected his starting quarterback, Coach Morris said that answer will be determined on the playing field.  Nobody has been ruled out which means Josh Freeman might actually have a chance to edge out the veterans he's competing against in Byron Leftwich, Josh Johnson and Luke McCown.

 

Morris' faith in Freeman as their QB of the future is robust.  Freeman, the 17th pick of this year's draft, has found invaluable advice from another famous 17th pick for the Bucs back in 1978: Doug Williams.  Freeman could find a worse mentor.  The Bucs hold lofty expectations for the rookie, mentioning him in the same breath as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.  That might be a little premature, but it shows the belief they have in their top prospect.  Freeman remained humble throughout and looked like a kid in a library for the first time, continuously soaking up all the knowledge he can.

 

Coach Morris looks forward to implementing a three-back system (Williams, Graham, Ward) and has promised the new look Bucs will "bash, bash and bash some more" in 2009.  For a Buccaneer team that ranked near the middle of the NFL in rushing yards and yards per attempt last year, a successful ground game will make things easier for whomever they decide to put behind center.

 

There was also the inevitable mention of Derrick Brooks.  Morris reiterated that his most difficult day on the job came when he had to release the Buccaneer legend.  He stated there would always be a home for Brooks within the organization.  It is still unclear whether Brooks will retire as he hasn't signed with another team yet.  Brooks was drafted back in 1995 and played all fourteen years for the Bucs, never missing a game.  He was selected to eleven Pro Bowls.

 

To a chorus of hisses, one spectator asked whether the Bucs had any interest in signing Michael Vick.  Dominik fielded the question professionally, answering that the Bucs will always do their due diligence when it comes to any acquisition that has the potential to improve the team.  He concluded the Bucs had no interest in Vick and that Josh Freeman is their quarterback of the future.  His response was followed by a roomful of applause.

 

The future looks bright for this Buccaneers franchise but of course they're still in honeymoon mode.  They haven't lost any games yet.  Coach Morris' smile is infectious and so is his work ethic.  The Bucs will look to win and win now with no excuses.  Early reports from training camp indicate the revamped roster is buying into Morris' philosophy.  We'll see if that translates into wins on the gridiron.

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SAY IT AIN'T SOSA  - The New York Times recently reported that former National League MVP Sammy Sosa failed a drug test in 2003.  Surprise!  I've never failed a drug test before... but I'm pretty sure my employer wouldn't wait six years to tell me that I had.  Sosa's name was on the same infamous, and supposedly anonymous, list of 104 names that also outed Alex Rodriguez.  Sosa allegedly told reporters in perfect English that he still looks forward to his Hall of Fame induction. 

 

FAVRE FROM RETIRED - In an HBO interview, Brett Favre once again graced viewers with a "Maybe" when asked whether he would play next season.  ESPN reported that the Minnesota Vikings sent a team trainer to Mississippi to check on Favre's health after recent shoulder surgery.  What's a little plane fare when compared to the future of your franchise?  Vikings fans are probably more excited about screwing over Packer faithful than they are looking forward to winning a Super Bowl.

 

DONTE PUT AWAY (FOR A MONTH) -  Donte Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter stemming from an horrific incident where he struck and killed a pedestrian earlier this year.  Stallworth faces a lifetime drivers license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service.  An undisclosed financial settlement was reached with the family of the deceased.  Anyone else in the room think he got off light?

 

FREE HEDO - One day after the Orlando Magic lost the NBA Finals, small forward Hedo Turkoglu announced he would test the free agent market.  This move was as surprising as the failed Sosa drug test and another Favre comeback.  The most surprising news came when the Magic announced they were willing to pay the luxury tax to keep Turkoglu on their roster.

 

SMOLTZY TAKES THE MOUND - The Boston Red Sox announced that former Atlanta Brave and Cy Young Award winner, John Smoltz, is ready to pitch and will take the mound on June 25.  He is poised to join an already dominant staff.  Smoltz told management he'd either start or come out of the bullpen, whatever the team needed.  Refreshing, huh?

 

STREAKIES - The Colorado Rockies have just run off an eleven-game winning streak, besting Houston, St Louis, Milwaukee and Seattle over that stretch.  Then they invited the Tampa Bay Rays to Colorado.    Apparently the skiing in Denver is as fine as the thin air as the Rays knocked in 12 runs on 17 hits to end the Rockies winning streak. 

 

TIGA WOO- The US Open begins this Thursday at BethPage Black in Farmingdale, NY.  Not only is Tiger Woods the defending champion but he also won the Open the last time it was played on this course (2002).  He is a significant favorite to win at just under 2:1.  Phil Mickelson is a distant second at 14:1.  Tiger hit 18 of 18 fairways two weeks ago, but at those skewed odds, if you're a gambling man, it might be wise to pick someone else in the field if you're looking to make any money.

 

FUTURE MUPPETS? - Rumors abound that the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to trade for Shaquille O'Neal in the off-season.  Cleveland is reportedly offering Sasha Pavlovic and the possibly retiring Ben Wallace in exchange for the Big Cactus, but the Cavs are more interested in acquiring Delonte West.  Any disagreement could cause a snag in the trade although Phoenix GM Steve Kerr has been known to make bad decisions in the past.

 

A.L. BEAST - For those of you interested in the best division in baseball, the Red Sox currently lead the New York Yankees by two games, with the Rays and Jays closely sniffing their behinds.  All four teams are over .500.

 

 

 

 

 

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Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers on their 15th NBA championship.  They remain the winningest professional sports franchise by percentage over the last forty years.  If you don't believe me, look it up.

 

Despite what might be remembered as a competitive series, the Lakers were simply better than Orlando.  In the end, inconsistent shooting and a lack of experience sealed the Magic fate.  One factor cannot be overlooked: the ineffective play of Dwight Howard.

 

Phil Jackson and his coaching staff had a brilliant game plan for the Magic big man.  Throughout the series, they threw a number of different looks that the 23-year old phenom was unable to figure out.  The Lakers guarded Howard with Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and a combination of double-teams to render him ineffective for the series.

 

It's easy to point to Dwight's two missed free throws in Game Four as a major reason the Magic lost in five games, but there is one glaring statistic that led to Orlando's demise: their post presence was counter-productive. 

 

 

For the series, Dwight Howard had nearly as many turnovers (20) as he had field goals (21).  By no means is that championship caliber.  Far from it.  On the flip side, Pau Gasol had 36 field goals and only five turnovers and he's not even their best player.  That is taking care of the basketball and making every possession count which the Magic in large part were unable to do.

 

As expected, the series boiled down to who could best exploit mismatches.  In the end, it was Los Angeles.  The Lakers converted Dwight turnovers into fastbreak points and major shifts in momentum. 

 

Dwight, the face of the Orlando franchise, needs to bear the burden for this loss.  He needs to stand up and be held accountable.  In no game did he score more than five field goals.  Gina Marie Incandela was a more effective weapon for the Magic.  On the flipside, Gasol never had less than six.  The word unacceptable comes to mind.

 

At 23 years of age, it might be unfair to blame the entire loss on Howard's broad shoulders but an effective post presence would have meant a different series.  While the long, seven-foot Gasol rarely brought the ball below his waist, Dwight regularly brought the ball down low where smaller guards could rip it from his hands.  Fundamentals.

 

While optimists might argue the Magic were a missed layup and a missed free throw away from being up in this series, the game within the game tells a different story... and the numbers don't lie.  The Lakers had several different, established scoring options when they desperately needed a basket.  The Magic not so much.

 

So once again, congratulations to the Lakers and their fans for a fabulous season.  For Dwight Howard and Orlando, it's back to the drawing board.  If he's determined to become one of the all-time greats, that must start with fundamentals which the young big man clearly lacks.  Dwight's future is bright and his faith is strong but he'll have to strengthen his hands if they ever hope to hoist an NBA trophy.

 

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