SSR Interviews: USMNT Soccer Talk With Joshua Mayers

It’s been over 48 hours since the US’ 3-2 loss to Brazil in the FIFA Confederations Cup championship game. So I figured a good way to have someone else do the writing for me for a lazy post I should interview a good friend of this blog, Seattle Times writer, soccer aficionado, and fellow Seattle-area resident Josh (from The Beautiful Game) on several topics discussing the US Men’s National Team. Questions from me are in bold, and his answers are directly below….after the jump!

Best Damn Sports Show Period…..Canceled

Neil Best from Newsday as well as Deadspin are confirming that FSN’s Best Damn Sports Show Period, isn’t really the best anymore and is now canceled after an eight year run.

I actually liked the show a lot when Tom Arnold, Michael Irvin, and Bryan Cox were around. Instead they fiddled around with the format for far too long and had the likes of Rob Dibble on the show hosting.

Not much to add here, other than to say it’s the Best Damn Canceled Show Period!

That Was Quick: Pistons Fire Michael Curry

Trying to upstage Yao Ming’s career-threatening foot injury, eh Detroit? After a 39-43 season coupled with a 1st round destruction against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Pistons president for basketball operations Joe Dumars said head coach Michael Curry would be back next season. I guess he was right, but apparently it’s not going to be with his team. Curry was fired after a whopping 86 games in charge.

“This was a difficult decision to make,” Dumars said in a statement Tuesday. “I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change.”

Immediately after the season, Dumars defended Curry in the face of Detroit’s demise.

“It was an up-and-down season for him,” Dumars said. “And, an up-and down-season for us. … The fact that we made so many changes for a first-year coach, I had to step back and be a little more patient than I have been.”

“During the season I said to myself, ‘What effect is this having on him as a first-year coach.’ I tried to put myself in his shoes.”

The Pistons are in disarray. I guess firing Curry was not a big surprise but it’s not his fault that he has aging guys like Rasheed Wallace and Rip Hamilton to coach. Joe Dumars was not even willing to give up Rip and Tayshaun Prince to get Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo!

I think the core of their problems lies within management, and I’m not completely sure that Curry should’ve been fired.

Brazil vs. USA Thoughts

First off I want to say I’m proud of the US players for their effort and fight back with their backs against the wall in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Without further ado, thoughts on the game after watching it twice. Also, what are the expectations after this run? I’m thinking we’ve seen this story before.

VIDEO OF THE DAY: Brazil 3 USA 2

The US players have nothing to be ashamed of. Bob Bradley? A crap ton. But I’ll save that for a later post. All the goals of the Confederations Cup Final in several languages!

BREAKING NEWS: Michael Jackson Dead at 50

Unbelievable.

The King of Pop suffered a cardiac arrest at his home and was rushed to the hospital, where TMZ has confirmed him dead.

This comes on the same day that Farrah Fawcett succumbed to cancer at the age of 62.

I know this is a sports blog, but this is a big bombshell and Michael Jackson was a fantastic singer and dancer. Ignore his final years and skin color change, the man could sing.

Wow….what more can I say? We’ve had umpteen hoaxes and false reports that he died, and now it’s actually happened.

RIP Michael Jackson

1958-2009

USA 2 Spain 0 BBC Highlights

No….I won’t give you the likes of Harkes for highlights.

From the BBC, and actually IN South Africa, are Jonathan Pearce and Mark Bright. And while Bright is one of the most irritating pundits on the planet he doesn’t rank when it comes to Harkes.

Enjoy the commentary to compliment the win.

USA 2 Spain 0

What am I supposed to say?

It was a deserved win for us to snap Spain’s 35 game unbeaten streak and their 15 game winning streak.

Bob Bradley is still a terrible coach but will probably be staying forever, but even he gets to enjoy tonight’s win.

Ho-ly crap.

Oh yeah, Liverpool loses again (Riera, Torres, Xabi Alonso)…..blame RAFA!!!

BRING IT ON BRAZIL/SOUTH AFRICA!!!

The Turnaround Season: Week 2 @ San Francisco 49ers

Last year the Seattle Seahawks suffered one of their worst seasons in franchise history, finishing 4-12 in Mike Holmgren’s final season as head coach. Not a lot went right. Injuries, Holmgren’s inexplicable fullback draws on 3rd and 13, and inept defensive play destroyed all hopes of a storybook finish.

But through the NFL Draft and crucial free agent signings, the comeback trail is on.  Rebuilding is for pussies, and there is only one goal in the minds of coaches and players alike this year, and that is to win the Super Bowl.

Will they do it? Or will disappointment reign supreme once more in the Emerald City? Let’s take a look into the fictional season of the 2009 Seattle Seahawks.

Setanta UK’s Website Front Page

More confirmation that Setanta Sports UK has kicked the bucket.