The Friday 5: July 5th

The U.S. Defeats England – Part Deux

The United States celebrated victory over England twice this week. Before the July 4^th fireworks marking when the world turned upside down, our favorite women’s soccer team beat England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, 2-1.

Megan Rapinoe did not start, but it turns out the U.S. had a secret – well not so secret, but we’ve got a Hamilton thing going here – weapon in Alex Morgan, who scored the go-ahead goal on her 30^th birthday. Happy Birthday Alex! Happy Birthday America!

The Finals are Sunday, July 7^th at 11 am ET/8 am PT. USA! USA! (American flag emoji)

Where in the NBA Will Kawhi Land? 

NBA free agency had its own set of fireworks. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are going to Brooklyn. Klay Thompson is staying with the Warriors. Jimmy Butler is saying goodbye Philly and hello Miami, while Al Horford is now with the Sixers.

The main question on everyone’s mind now is…where in the world will Kawhi Leonard play? ESPN’s (and Michigan Wolverine) Jalen Rose says Leonard is staying in Toronto. Fox Sports’ Cris Carter says Lakers. Time will tell. Hopefully Kawhi will tell us today.

Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie

Fangirls, we have hit the midway point of Major League Baseball. Before the pennant races heat up and these games actually start to matter, it’s time for the All-Star game. The game takes place in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio at Progressive Field on Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT.

A few Fun Facts to make you an All-Star of knowledge:

• The managers are World Series managers Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox. Last fall, the good friends and former Dodgers’ teammates made history as the 2018 World Series was the first with two minority managers.
• The American League has won the last six All-Star games.
• This is Los Angeles Angels’ centerfielder Mike Trout’s eighth All-Star appearance. 

Going, Going, Goooooone

In the contest before the contest, the MLB All-Star Homerun Derby will take place Monday night at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. The winner will get a cool million, with the total pool this year being $2.5 million (last year it was $525,000). 

Your 2019 bracket is as follows:

• • Christian Yelich, MIL (1) vs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., TOR (8)
  • Alex Bregman, HOU (4) vs. Joc Pederson, LAD (5)
  • Pete Alonso, NYM (2) vs. Carlos Santana, CLE (7)
  • Josh Bell, PIT (3) vs. Ronald Acuña, Jr. ATL (6)

Thoughts and Prayers

For all of the excitement of this week, we were reminded that life is fragile. 

Former Patriots’ linebacker and current ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke on July 4^th. Bruschi recognized the signs and is recovering well from medical attention.

On Wednesday night, Dolphins’ DT Kendrick Norton was in a car accident. He suffered a number of injuries and had to have his arm amputated. 

Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher Tyler Skaggs passed away. The 27 year-old was found unresponsive at his hotel in North Texas during the Angels series with the Rangers.

Former NFL quarterback Jared Lorenzen passed away on Wednesday at the age of 38.

We are sending thoughts and prayers to all those affected.