Japan Wins Women's World Cup

Who knew women's soccer could have so much drama?

As the favorites against the underdog Japanese in Frankfurt this afternoon, the United States came out and dominated the game in the first half, having many clear chances to go on top, but could not capitalize on them, allowing the team from the nation that has had so much devastation from the tsunami/earthquake/nuclear disaster earlier this year to settle in.

So into the second half they went when Alex Morgan, halftime substitute for the U.S., got behind the Japanese defense to put the USA up 1-0 in the 69th minute. And it looked like it would be enough, as attack after attack fell apart for the Japanese. However, confusion in the backline of the Americans would cost them as Rachel Buehler and Allie Kreiger failed to clear a ball inside their own penalty area, allowing Japan's Aya Miyama to equalize in the 80th.

In extra time, the United States, through an Alex Morgan-to-Abby Wambach (who else) header, regained the lead in the 104th minute. But it just wasn't meant to be for the Americans today.
Off a corner kick in the 117th minute, Japanese sensation Homare Sawa flicked in a golazo to send the final to a penalty kick shootout.

That's where the USA imploded, missing three straight to go down 2-1, before Saki Kumagai won it for Japan.

Full match highlights available on FIFA.com

So, heartbreak for the United States, but extreme congratulations goes out to a Japan side that deserved the victory, and played an outstanding match.

Darren Clarke Wins British Open

What a run it's been for Northern Ireland golfers. Graeme McDowell at last year's U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy at this year's U.S. Open, and now 42-year old Darren Clarke makes it back to back major championships for his country, by winning his first career major today at the Open Championship at Royal St. Georges.

Clarke, whose previous highest finish in a major was second at the 1997 Open Championship, beat a pair of Americans, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, by three strokes, finishing at 6-under par after an even par final round after triumphantly battling the elements successfully with consistent putting and a little bit of luck (several shots into the wind bounced over bunkers).

"Pretty amazing right now," Clarke said. "It's been a dream since I've been a kid to win the Open, like any kid's dream is, and I'm able to do it, which just feels incredible."

Robinson Cano Wins Home Run Derby

In one of the better Home Run Derby in recent years, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano edged Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez 12-11 in the final round to win the Derby, the first time a Yankee had won since 2002.

Cano, who was pitched to by his father, a former Houston Astro, hit 20 homeruns in the first two rounds, before putting up a record 12 in the finals to beat Gonzalez. Earlier in the competition, captains Prince Fielder and David Ortiz were eliminated in the second round, after each hitting only 9 in the first two rounds. First round eliminees were the Dodgers' Matt Kemp, Cardinals' Matt Holiday, the Brewers' Rickie Weeks, and the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista.

Meanwhile, tonight's starting lineups for the actual All-Star game have been posted.
American League

Curtis Granderson, Yankees, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox, 1B
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays, RF
Josh Hamilton, Rangers, LF
Adrian Beltre, Rangers, 3B
David Ortiz, Red Sox, DH
Robinson Cano, Yankees, 2B
Alex Avila, Tigers, C

Jered Weaver, Angels, P

National League

Rickie Weeks, Brewers, 2B
Carlos Beltran, Mets, DH
Matt Kemp, Dodgers, CF
Prince Fielder, Brewers, 1B
Brian McCann, Braves, C
Lance Berkman, Cardinals, RF
Matt Holliday, Cardinals, LF
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies, SS
Scott Rolen, Reds, 3B

Roy Halladay, Phillies, P

It's really a shame so many all-stars are missing due to injury or just because they didn't feel like it (cough, Derek Jeter), but hopefully it's still a great game. In the end, I think the American League will use their superior bats to recapture home field advantage in the World Series for their side.

2011 MLB Home Run Derby

Yesterday was the Futures Game at the All-Star festivities in Phoenix, Arizona. And tonight is the State Farm Home Run Derby.

This year's derby is different in that in addition to the individual nature of the competition, each league will be competing against each other to decide which side's charity receives $150,000.

The contestants this year are:
American League
DH David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, captain
1B Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox
OF Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
2B Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
National League
1B Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers, captain
OF Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers
2B Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers
OF Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals

Watch tonight on ESPN starting at 8 PM ET.

USA Women Fight Back, Stun Brazil

In one of the most incredible games I have ever witnessed, the United States women overcame ridiculous odds to defeat Brazil today in Germany to advance to the Women's World Cup semifinals.

Up 1-0 thanks to an early Brazil own goal, the United States held the lead until the 65th minute when Brazilian sensation Marta got behind the U.S. defense. In an awful sequence of refereeing by the head official Jacqui Melksham, a penalty was awarded even though no clear foul was committed. Not only did the referee give the PK, but she also assesses a red card to Rachel Buehler. What happened next was even more ridiculous. U.S. keeper Hope Solo saves the penalty taken by Brazil's Christiane, but for some insane reason, the referee orders it retaken again. Marta would bury the retake, and the game went on to extra time, even though the Brazilians have the man advantage for the final 20 minutes of regulation.

In the extra time, Brazil's Marta showed off her brilliance with an amazing volley in the 92nd minute. It was all done for the United States, as a game marred by horrible refereeing and Brazilian time wasting was coming to an end. That is until the latest goal in Women's World Cup history occured (below).




Absolutely incredible. The goal sent the game to penalties, where the US would eventually prevail 5-3, and move on to face France Wednesday in the semifinals.

Happy Independence Day

HAPPY JULY FOURTH everyone. Today, our country is 235 years old. I hope everyone will enjoy the fireworks tonight and stay cool.

Earlier today, Joey Chestnut successful defended his title to win his fifth Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, downing 62 hotdogs in 10 minutes.

Also, if you're in front of a TV tonight, check out an MLS Fourth of July double header with the New England Revolution @ Real Salt Lake at 7:30 PM CT and Seattle Sounders @ Los Angeles Galaxy at 9:30 PM CT. Both games are on ESPN2.

Novak Djokovic Wins Wimbledon

Tennis, we have a new king. 24-year old Serb Novak Djokovic continued his magical ascent to the top of men's tennis by thoroughly outplaying defending champion Rafael Nadal today to win his first Wimbledon championship and third major in his career. Now with an incredible 48-1 record on the season, Djokovic will become the new #1 when the new tennis rankings come out tomorrow, becoming the first person not named Roger Federer or Nadal to hold that ranking in nearly seven years.

And well deserved. Djokovic took apart Nadal by winning a majority of the longer rallies that Rafa has been used to winning over the years. After breaking Nadal in the first set to win 6-4, Djokovic took control in the second set, breaking Nadal twice on the way to a 6-1 two set lead. Nadal rallied in the third, returning the favor 6-1 to draw close, but in the fourth set, after trading early breaks, Nadal finally faltered again, getting broken to go down 5-3 before Djokovic served for the title. In the end, it was a magnificent performance (with especially outstanding serving by Djokovic) to validate a new #1.

"It's really hard to describe this with any words except the best day of my life, most special day of my life," said Djokovic.