Today's SPORTS ????. please answer and comment, "Who will win the NBA Championship in 2013 and why?"
Thank you, Greg Crawford, CSNNW.com
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Portland Soccer, April 23, 2013
Sunday marked the first home game in the history of the Portland Thorns FC, and for Thorns fans the day did not disappoint. Portland defeated Seattle Reign FC 2-1 in front of 16,479. A huge crowd was expected but I don't think many fans of women's soccer would have dreamed of that large an attendance when the current league was created. This is a wonderful show of support for women's soccer. The city of Portland has once again shown that they appreciate soccer at every level, men's and women's, and I am happy and proud to have been a small part of it.
The Thorns supporters group, the Rose City Riveters, unveiled a wonderful tifo display just before kickoff, which covered most of the general admission sections at the north end of the stadium. They also were loud and involved throughout the match. After many Timbers supporters wondered how the Thorns supporters group would turn out I think they showed they're off to a strong start.
As for the game itself Portland was the better team throughout, though Seattle had some chances as well. After a first half spent trying to break through the Seattle defense Portland opened the scoring just before the clock hit 45:00. Nikki Washington sent a free kick into the penalty area and Marian Dougherty flicked the ball back with a very nice header to give the Thorns their first goal. Portland came out even better in the second half, with Christine Sinclair finding Alex Morgan running at the goal. Morgan, one of the best players in the world, finished her shot easily for a 2-0 lead after 52 minutes. The Reign did get a goal back on a nice play from Jessica Fishlock in the 76th, but otherwise Portland played better than Seattle and sent their fans home very happy. It's only one game but it was a very good sign for women's professional soccer in America.
Watching live I was impressed with the improvement from last week's opening match in Kansas City. Sinclair and Morgan are two of the best players in the world and they were much more involved Sunday. Sinclair played more as a midfielder and thus had the ball much more than in the first game. From this position she was much more dangerous as she was able to pass or keep the ball herself, and she can score goals doing both. Morgan showed why she is a player you can't help but watch whenever she gets near the ball. She's quick, athletic, and can take shots out of seemingly impossible angles. Aside from her goal Dougherty also contributed to a good day from the Portland defense. Washington's speed was very impressive to see in person and Allie Long had an excellent work rate, doing the important job of winning the ball in midfield. The more the team plays together the better they're going to be, and they're already looking good.
craw's corner: Today's SPORTS ????/ 4/23/2013
craw's corner: Today's SPORTS ????/ 4/23/2013: What sport has the best playoff system and why? Please discuss below in the comment section. Thank you----Greg Crawford, CSNNW.com
Today's SPORTS ????/ 4/23/2013
What sport has the best playoff system and why? Please discuss below in the comment section. Thank you----Greg Crawford, CSNNW.com
Sunday, April 21, 2013
craw's corner: Today's SPORTS ?????? 4/21/2013
craw's corner: Today's SPORTS ?????? 4/21/2013: Starting today, April 21st and everyday of the week except Monday, CSNNW.com's Greg Crawford and creator of this blog, will bring you th...
Today's SPORTS ?????? 4/21/2013
Starting today, April 21st and everyday of the week except Monday, CSNNW.com's Greg Crawford and creator of this blog, will bring you the sports question of the day. It is your chance to sound off and comment, love the opinion of sports fans. So here we go with our first ever question.
Who is your favorite athlete of all time and why?
Thanks in advance for commenting, Greg Crawford, College Basketball and Golf Insider for CSNNW.com
Who is your favorite athlete of all time and why?
Thanks in advance for commenting, Greg Crawford, College Basketball and Golf Insider for CSNNW.com
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Portland Soccer, April 16, 2013
It was a busy weekend for Portland soccer teams as both the Thorns and Timbers played.
First, on Saturday, the Thorns and FC Kansas City played to a 1-1 draw in the first ever game in NWSL history. The attendance at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kansas was 6,784, an excellent show of support for women's soccer.
Kansas City scored the first goal of the game, and the first in NWSL history, in the third minute. After a defensive mistake by Portland Renae Cuellar picked up a through ball and shot past Thorns keeper Karine LeBlanc. The remainder of the half was somewhat even, with both teams having stretches of control. In the second half, Danielle Foxhoven came on as a sub in the 64th and two minutes later was fouled in the penalty area (it appeared to be a foul on the replay). Another Pilot, Christine Sinclair, made the penalty kick for the 1-1 final score.
Though both teams obviously wanted to win the result looked like a fair one the way the teams played. Portland wasn't able to get their star forwards, Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair, very involved. The midfield tended to hit long balls to the forwards instead of giving them the ball at their feet. It was also apparent the first team hadn't been playing together very much in the preseason. Four of the starters (Morgan, Rachel Buehler, Sinclair, and LeBlanc) were away with their national teams for part of training camp. Passes missed their target and players made runs that their teammates weren't expecting. Coach Cindy Parlow Cone can now see all the things she needs to work on with the team this week as they prepare for the home opener with Seattle on April 21st.
The next night the Timbers faced the San Jose Earthquakes at home. San Jose won the Supporters Shield as the best team in the regular season last year and was expected to be strong again. They're also known as a strong, physical team and it showed Sunday. The Earthquakes' defense was strong enough to keep the Timbers from breaking through and scoring despite having numerous chances. San Jose's style finally caught up to them in the 69th minute as Alan Gordon was sent off for receiving his second caution of the night. Portland still needed a goal, though. In the 78th minute team captain Will Johnson provided it from an excellent free kick that he curled around the wall and past goalkeeper Jon Busch. The goal was enough for the Timbers' second straight win, which moved them into third place in the Western Conference.
The Timbers have improved with each game since their loss to Montreal the second week of the season. A big part of that is the improvement of the defense, especially Mikael Silvestre. He struggled early in the season but the past two games he has been excellent, always in position and making good passes to the midfield. The rest of the team has become tougher mentally and physically as well. It's still early but if the Timbers can go on the road to San Jose next Sunday and win or draw it would almost be time to say the Timbers are for real.
First, on Saturday, the Thorns and FC Kansas City played to a 1-1 draw in the first ever game in NWSL history. The attendance at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kansas was 6,784, an excellent show of support for women's soccer.
Kansas City scored the first goal of the game, and the first in NWSL history, in the third minute. After a defensive mistake by Portland Renae Cuellar picked up a through ball and shot past Thorns keeper Karine LeBlanc. The remainder of the half was somewhat even, with both teams having stretches of control. In the second half, Danielle Foxhoven came on as a sub in the 64th and two minutes later was fouled in the penalty area (it appeared to be a foul on the replay). Another Pilot, Christine Sinclair, made the penalty kick for the 1-1 final score.
Though both teams obviously wanted to win the result looked like a fair one the way the teams played. Portland wasn't able to get their star forwards, Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair, very involved. The midfield tended to hit long balls to the forwards instead of giving them the ball at their feet. It was also apparent the first team hadn't been playing together very much in the preseason. Four of the starters (Morgan, Rachel Buehler, Sinclair, and LeBlanc) were away with their national teams for part of training camp. Passes missed their target and players made runs that their teammates weren't expecting. Coach Cindy Parlow Cone can now see all the things she needs to work on with the team this week as they prepare for the home opener with Seattle on April 21st.
The next night the Timbers faced the San Jose Earthquakes at home. San Jose won the Supporters Shield as the best team in the regular season last year and was expected to be strong again. They're also known as a strong, physical team and it showed Sunday. The Earthquakes' defense was strong enough to keep the Timbers from breaking through and scoring despite having numerous chances. San Jose's style finally caught up to them in the 69th minute as Alan Gordon was sent off for receiving his second caution of the night. Portland still needed a goal, though. In the 78th minute team captain Will Johnson provided it from an excellent free kick that he curled around the wall and past goalkeeper Jon Busch. The goal was enough for the Timbers' second straight win, which moved them into third place in the Western Conference.
The Timbers have improved with each game since their loss to Montreal the second week of the season. A big part of that is the improvement of the defense, especially Mikael Silvestre. He struggled early in the season but the past two games he has been excellent, always in position and making good passes to the midfield. The rest of the team has become tougher mentally and physically as well. It's still early but if the Timbers can go on the road to San Jose next Sunday and win or draw it would almost be time to say the Timbers are for real.
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