Sports Quote of the Day:
"Winning is only half of it. Having fun is the other half." ~ Bum Phillips, Retired NFL Football Coach
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks sign Khabibulin to replace Emery.
Veteran goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year deal, part of a busy Friday for the Stanley Cup champions that also included new contracts for defenseman Michal Rozsival and forward Michal Handzus.
Khabibulin, who played for Chicago for four seasons from 2005-09, replaces backup Ray Emery, who left the Blackhawks for a $1.65 million, one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Viktor Stalberg also left, agreeing to a $12 million, four-year deal from the Nashville Predators.
Rozsival and Handzus each played a role in Chicago's second championship in four seasons. Rozsival agreed to a two-year contract, and Handzus got a one-year deal.
Emery returns to Philly after teaming with Corey Crawford to win the William B. Jennings Trophy awarded to the team with the lowest goals-against average.
Emery, who played for the Flyers in the 2009-10 season, went 17-1 with a 1.94 GAA last season. He spent two years in Chicago and will now compete for the Philadelphia starting job with Steve Mason.
Khabibulin spent the past four seasons with Edmonton. He went 4-6-1 this past season with a shutout and a .908 save percentage in 12 appearances.
''I think he is able to be the tandem with Corey that's worked so well over the past couple of years,'' Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said. ''It was very appealing for both sides. We have a lot of familiarity with Nik.''
Bowman said the team had several conversations with Emery, but he thought the veteran wanted to go somewhere where he could be the No. 1 goalie.
The deal for the 40-year-old Khabibulin allows the Blackhawks to bring prospect Antti Raanta along slowly. Raanta agreed to a one-year contract last month.
''We had confidence in Ray this year and we'll have confidence in Nik next year,'' Bowman said.
In his first season with Chicago, Rozsival had 12 assists in 27 games and contributed four more in the playoffs. He has 64 goals and 208 assists in 783 games with Pittsburgh, the New York Rangers, Phoenix and Chicago from 1999-2013.
Handzus, acquired from San Jose on April 1, had two goals and six assists for the Sharks and Blackhawks during the regular season. He added three goals and eight assists in 23 playoff games for Chicago.
The speedy Stalberg showed some promise but struggled to earn playing time on a crowded roster. He had nine goals and 14 assists in 47 games, but was in and out of the lineup during the postseason. He had three assists in 19 playoff games.
The Predators are hoping a change of scenery will help after he struggled to fit on a team loaded with stars such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa.
Blackhawks turn eyes to the future.
By Cam Tucker
It wasn’t long ago that the Chicago Blackhawks were celebrating a Stanley Cup victory. It was less than a month ago.
But six days after the Blackhawks hoisted the silver chalice in improbable – also highly exciting – fashion, the NHL Draft was held. It’s the biggest of many continuous steps forward to the future for all NHL franchises.
Prospects camp, which NHL teams are hosting this week, is another step.
Those taken in the draft, as well as other undrafted prospects, either fresh from junior or in the young years of their professional careers, hit the ice and go through other activities, growing more accustomed to team systems, coaches, teammates and cities.
A total of 51 players have been invited take part in Chicago’s camp, which begins Monday, as per Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.
“You bring our young players in and sort of show them a glimpse of what the Blackhawks are all about,” Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman told the Chicago Tribune.
“Some of these guys have never been to a camp before. You can’t cover too much ground in terms of instruction in a one-week camp, but we want to try to get them acclimated to how we do things in terms of preparation and training and nutrition and then skill development and positional work.”
As per Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald, Blackhawks 2013 first-round pick Ryan Hartman will not be on the ice at prospects camp this week, as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Blackhawks turn eyes to the future.
By Cam Tucker
It wasn’t long ago that the Chicago Blackhawks were celebrating a Stanley Cup victory. It was less than a month ago.
But six days after the Blackhawks hoisted the silver chalice in improbable – also highly exciting – fashion, the NHL Draft was held. It’s the biggest of many continuous steps forward to the future for all NHL franchises.
Prospects camp, which NHL teams are hosting this week, is another step.
Those taken in the draft, as well as other undrafted prospects, either fresh from junior or in the young years of their professional careers, hit the ice and go through other activities, growing more accustomed to team systems, coaches, teammates and cities.
A total of 51 players have been invited take part in Chicago’s camp, which begins Monday, as per Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.
“You bring our young players in and sort of show them a glimpse of what the Blackhawks are all about,” Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman told the Chicago Tribune.
“Some of these guys have never been to a camp before. You can’t cover too much ground in terms of instruction in a one-week camp, but we want to try to get them acclimated to how we do things in terms of preparation and training and nutrition and then skill development and positional work.”
As per Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald, Blackhawks 2013 first-round pick Ryan Hartman will not be on the ice at prospects camp this week, as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Baseball-Rosters for Major League Baseball All-Star game.
Reuters; Compiled by Larry Fine, Editing by Gene Cherry
Following are the rosters for Major League Baseball's All-Star game to be played on July 16 at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, as announced on Saturday.
American League
Starters
Catcher: Joe Mauer, Twins; first base: Chris Davis, Orioles; second base: Robinson Cano, Yankees; shortstop: J.J. Hardy, Orioles; third base: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers;
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels; Adam Jones, Orioles; Jose Bautista, Blue Jays; designated hitter: David Ortiz, Red Sox.
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels; Adam Jones, Orioles; Jose Bautista, Blue Jays; designated hitter: David Ortiz, Red Sox.
Pitchers
Clay Buchholz, Red Sox; Brett Cecil, Blue Jays; Bartolo Colon, A's; Jesse Crain, White Sox; Yu Darvish, Rangers; Felix Hernandez, Mariners; Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners; Justin Masterson, Indians; Joe Nathan, Rangers' Glen Perkins, Twins; Mariano Rivera, Yankees; Chris Sale, White Sox; Max Scherzer, Tigers; Justin Verlander, Tigers
Reserves
Catcher: Jason Castro, Astros; Salvador Perez, Royals. First base: Prince Fielder, Tigers. Second base: Jason Kipnis, Indians; Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox; Ben Zobrist, Rays. Shortstop: Jhonny Peralta: Tigers. Third base: Manny Machado, Orioles. Outfield: Nelson Cruz, Rangers; Alex Gordon, Royals, Torii Hunter, Tigers. Designated hitter: Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Starters
Catcher: Yadier Molina, Cardinals; first base: Joey Votto, Reds; second base: Brandon Phillips, Reds; shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies; third base: David Wright, Mets; outfield: Carlos Beltran, Cardinals; Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies; Bryce Harper, Nationals.
Starters
Catcher: Yadier Molina, Cardinals; first base: Joey Votto, Reds; second base: Brandon Phillips, Reds; shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies; third base: David Wright, Mets; outfield: Carlos Beltran, Cardinals; Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies; Bryce Harper, Nationals.
Pitchers
Madison Bumgarner, Giants; Aroldis Chapman, Reds; Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks; Jose Fernandez, Marlins; Jason Grilli, Pirates; Matt Harvey, Mets; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Craig Kimbrel, Braves; Cliff Lee, Phillies; Jeff Locke, Pirates; Adam Wainwright, Cardinals; Travis Wood, Cubs; Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals.
Reserves
Reserves
Catcher: Buster Posey, Giants. First base: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks; Allen Craig, Cardinals. Second base: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals; Marco Scutaro, Giants. Shortstop: Everth Cabrera, Padres; Jean Segura, Brewers. Third base: Pedro Alvarez, Pirates. Outfield: Domonic Brown, Phillies; Michael Cuddyer, Rockies; Carlos Gomez, Brewers; Andrew McCutchen, Pirates.
Today’s politicians could finish what Nixon started in 1972.
By Mike Florio
Getty Images
At a time when some politicians want to end blackouts for any stadiums built or maintained with public money, Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press looks back more than 40 years, at a time when all games, sold out or not, were still blacked out in the local market, and when the U.S. Commander-in-Chief despised that policy.
Murphy dusts off transcripts of the recorded conversations at the Nixon White House, quoting the late former president regarding his disagreement with the concept of blackouts.
“I think that’s terrible,” Nixon said. ”I think I might call them up and say, ‘Put it on TV or I’ll sue them all.’ I’m all for it. I’ve said that several times.”
Nixon particularly was miffed in December 1972 because the Redskins would soon be playing a postseason game at sold-out RFK Stadium — but no one in D.C. would be able to watch it.
“I think it’s a bad policy,” Nixon said at the time. ”Listen, get the whole bunch, get the whole country riled up. That’s my point. Why just make it a Washington story?”
Not long after that, Attorney General Richard Kleindienst met with Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The offer was simple. Lift blackouts for playoff games, and Congress won’t require that regular-season games be televised in home markets. Rozelle declined, and by 1973 all games sold out within 72 hours before kickoff were televised in the home team’s market.
Renewed attacks on the current policy come at a time when the NFL desperately wants more people to choose to attend games. If the government ever takes away the stick of a blackout, the league will would have to come up with even better carrots to ensure that the stadiums will be full.
Only so many bells and whistles can be added to the experience. At some point, the league needs to find ways to reduce the cost of the experience. Or, possibly, to shrink the size of the stadiums.
Murphy dusts off transcripts of the recorded conversations at the Nixon White House, quoting the late former president regarding his disagreement with the concept of blackouts.
“I think that’s terrible,” Nixon said. ”I think I might call them up and say, ‘Put it on TV or I’ll sue them all.’ I’m all for it. I’ve said that several times.”
Nixon particularly was miffed in December 1972 because the Redskins would soon be playing a postseason game at sold-out RFK Stadium — but no one in D.C. would be able to watch it.
“I think it’s a bad policy,” Nixon said at the time. ”Listen, get the whole bunch, get the whole country riled up. That’s my point. Why just make it a Washington story?”
Not long after that, Attorney General Richard Kleindienst met with Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The offer was simple. Lift blackouts for playoff games, and Congress won’t require that regular-season games be televised in home markets. Rozelle declined, and by 1973 all games sold out within 72 hours before kickoff were televised in the home team’s market.
Renewed attacks on the current policy come at a time when the NFL desperately wants more people to choose to attend games. If the government ever takes away the stick of a blackout, the league will would have to come up with even better carrots to ensure that the stadiums will be full.
Only so many bells and whistles can be added to the experience. At some point, the league needs to find ways to reduce the cost of the experience. Or, possibly, to shrink the size of the stadiums.
Rockets give Dwight Howard what Lakers, Kobe wouldn't: unconditional love.
By Adrian Wojnarowski
Within the Los Angeles Lakers, there had been a belief that a late January team meeting in Memphis could've been the beginning of Dwight Howard's future with the franchise, or merely the beginning of the end. No restraints, no mercy, no holding back. Kobe Bryant had climbed into Howard in a way that was startling, sobering, a moment of penetrating and unpleasant truths.
Every time you trash me to teammates, it gets back to me, witnesses said Bryant told Howard in the visiting locker room of the FedEx Forum. Every time you do one of your impersonations when I walk out of the room, I find out. Everything tumbled out of Bryant, one grievance after another, and the Lakers coaches and players sat watching the two biggest personas in the room push closer together, or irreconcilably apart.
Bryant had come to rage against the idea that Howard's clownish disposition could overtake the locker room, the Lakers' culture, and had warned Howard that he would never, ever let it happen. He hated it with Shaquille O'Neal, but Shaq performed on a championship plane for the Lakers and delivered a disposition to dominate on the floor.
"Kobe talked to Dwight in a way that I don't think anyone one had ever talked to him – not in Orlando, not here, not in his life, I'm betting," one witness in the room told Yahoo! Sports. "He's been coddled, and Kobe wasn't going to coddle him."
Despite Howard's recuperation from his back injury, few believed he had been playing with the proper passion and purpose – not the coaches, not the players, not opponents – and those within the Lakers understood Howard's most rebellious weapon was never confrontation, but holding back on the court.
There were bigger issues than Bryant and Howard in the room, but everyone understood that this meeting – first reported in the Los Angeles Times – had been about the two superstars, about the tension that had been building with the losing, about the push and pull between selling Howard on staying a Laker, or begging him.
In the end, Kobe Bryant didn't chase Dwight Howard out of Los Angeles, nor did Mike D'Antoni, nor did anyone in the employ of the franchise. The Lakers weren't for Howard, and Howard wasn't for the Lakers. Every executive and coach who has ever worked with Howard will tell you: He needs to be the face of the franchise and he needs unconditional love. Those weren't immediately available to him with the Lakers, and they'll be showered upon him in Houston now.
"If he missed two big free throws in Orlando, it was forgotten in 30 minutes," one league official with ties to Howard's past says. "If he missed them in L.A., they talked about it for a week. With Dwight, he has to be the face of the franchise. Anything less than that, and it would be difficult for him to function at his highest level."
In every way, the Houston Rockets are perfectly suited for Howard. He's 27 years old and needs to start competing for championships. He wants to be the biggest star in the franchise, and he gets it. He wants to be the biggest personality in the room, and he becomes it. He wants to play for a Hall of Fame big man, he says, and he has been afforded that with Kevin McHale.
"The conditions need to be lined up perfectly to get the most out of Dwight," one team official who has history with Howard told Yahoo! Sports. "When he's engaged, he can carry a team like few else in the league. Houston is suited for him."
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey conceived and executed an impeccable plan, gutting his roster, drafting undervalued prospects with low picks (Chandler Parsons), signing undervalued players (Patrick Beverley), snagging restricted free agents with toxic offer sheets (Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin) and assembling the assets to make a trade for a star guard (James Harden).
One year ago, Howard wanted no part of the Rockets. When the Magic were considering trades, Howard's reps warned Houston that it shouldn't trade for Howard. He'd never stay there, the Rockets were told. Only, Morey and his assistant general managers, Gersson Rosas, Arturas Karnisovas and Sam Hinkie – now the Philadelphia 76ers' top executive – kept constructing a case, kept monitoring a miserable experience that offered hope for Houston.
For Howard, the Rockets deliver him an adoring market with a rich history of great teams and franchise centers. From Moses Malone to Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson to Yao Ming, Houston has a legacy and legitimacy. Harden made the Rockets relevant again, and Howard makes them contenders.
In the final weeks and days and hours leading into Howard's decision, the most consistent negative recruiting pitch rivals made to him about Houston centered on Harden. In presentations and private conversations to Howard, Harden had been sold as a bad teammate and selfish player, multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports.
"He was told [Harden] would be another Kobe in his life," one source closely involved in the free-agent process told Yahoo! Sports. "It came from a lot of people, but never once from Dwight's mouth."
Houston was aware it was happening and worked to diffuse the campaign late in the process. "It was obviously competitive for Dwight's services, and maybe we were looking like the lead team," Morey told Y! Sports. "But not only were teams advocating for their own position, they tried to tear us down, too. I didn't have any issue with it, unless it became personal."
In the end, the Rockets had been exhaustive in their research, and manufactured a roster, a coach, a pitch and a co-star that made Howard want them. To walk out on the Lakers changes Howard's standing in history, but only if he never wins a championship with Houston.
After that meeting in Memphis, the Lakers played inspired basketball for the rest of the regular season, and Howard slowly, surely started to resemble his old self. Bryant tore his Achilles near the end of the regular season and left the locker room on crutches to join the bench in Game 4 of the playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs – leaving the locker room as an ejected Howard marched into it.
As it turned out, this was goodbye for Howard and Bryant, goodbye for Howard and the Lakers. For everything that Dwight Howard believed he could clutch out of Los Angeles, out of the bright lights and big city, he made the right decision for himself with the Houston Rockets. Kobe Bryant is out of his life now, and perhaps so is the confrontation that Howard loathes in his life.
When Howard called Morey on Friday night to tell him he planned to play for the Rockets, he promised nothing but hard work and championship drive. No more free agency, no more drama, no more excuses. Howard chose Houston for himself, and there's no more blaming Kobe Bryant and Mike D'Antoni, Otis Smith and Stan Van Gundy.
Once again, he has a franchise and a city and a chance to lord over it all. Once and for all, Dwight Howard needs to honor his word and chase a championship.
Johnson 1st driver to sweep Daytona since 1982.
By
A flawless race gave Jimmie Johnson a perfect year at Daytona International Speedway and put him on another exclusive list.
Johnson became the first driver in 31 years to sweep Daytona International Speedway, accomplishing the feat with a dominating run Saturday night for his fourth win of the season. The Daytona 500 winner is the first driver since Bobby Allison in 1982, and the fifth overall, to win both races in a season at Daytona.
''I don't think I made a bad move tonight. I'm pretty proud of that,'' Johnson said. ''Gosh, growing up in Southern California and watching Bobby Allison ... to do anything Bobby has done is pretty special.''
The five-time NASCAR champion was the leader on the restart for a two-lap sprint to the finish in overtime Saturday night. He held off Kevin Harvick on the restart, and then pulled out front to a sizeable lead. Tony Stewart moved into second and may have been timing his attempt to make a pass for the lead when a caution in the middle of the pack froze the field.
''We knew it was coming,'' Johnson said of the late accident. ''Getting down to the end of these things, we knew it was going to get exciting.''
Stewart was second, followed by Kevin Harvick in a Chevrolet sweep. Both thought Johnson's fast car, once able to get out front, was untouchable. He led 94 of the 161 laps.
''These things are such a crapshoot ... all 43 guys have a shot at winning the race,'' Stewart said. ''They definitely had a fast car. I mean, they had a fast car at the 500, they had a fast car here, so it makes sense.''
Harvick thought the outcome would have been different if anyone had been able to get a push past Johnson.
''I think we could have done the same thing in clean air,'' Harvick said. ''I think the front car is in a lot better control.''
Clint Bowyer was fourth and team co-owner Michael Waltrip fifth in a pair of Toyotas. Then came Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as Chevrolets took six of the top eight spots and seven of the top 10.
Casey Mears was ninth in a Ford, followed by Ryan Newman. But NASCAR was reviewing the finishing order long after the race ended.
The race was stopped for almost nine minutes for a six-car accident with 11 laps remaining that included yet another vicious hit for Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin's car inexplicably turned right and spun hard into the frontstretch wall. It then turned back into traffic and Hamlin was tagged hard by AJ Allmendinger in a hit that caused his car to lift off the ground.
Both he and Allmendinger had to collect themselves after climbing from their wrecked cars, but both were evaluated and released from the infield care center. Hamlin missed four races earlier this season with a compression fracture in a vertebra in his lower back, and took a hard hit last Sunday at Kentucky.
He tested Monday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but had to be evaluated by a doctor on site before he got in the car. And his race-ending accident came after he had climbed back from a lap down from an earlier incident involving fellow Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr.
Also involved in the late accident with Hamlin and Allmendinger were Matt Kenseth, Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, and Jeff Gordon.
''I saw the wreck and tried to slow down and miss it, but just not much I could do,'' Kenseth said.
The race resumed with seven laps remaining and Johnson leading teammate Kasey Kahne. Johnson then made a strange move to the high line to block Marcos Ambrose and it might have cost him the race as it put Kahne out front in the bottom lane of traffic.
But as the two Hendrick drivers drag-raced around Daytona, Ambrose clipped the side of Johnson as he attempted a sudden lane change. He slammed into the side of Kahne, causing Kahne to spin and hit an inside retaining wall for another caution with five laps remaining.
''Jimmie got a little loose or he just didn't see my move coming, and I split him coming off of (turn) two,'' Ambrose said. ''He came down to check the spot and I was already there and he just bounced us straight into (Kahne).''
Kahne angrily tossed his head-and-neck restraint into his car after climbing from the wreckage.
The race resumed in overtime with Johnson leading Harvick, Bowyer, Stewart and McMurray. He wasn't challenged as neither Stewart nor Harvick could make a move before the race-ending caution.
''Jimmie just was good,'' Stewart said. ''Jimmie was just really, really good. We were just a little bit off of him.''
Added Harvick: ''I really thought we were in the right spot. ... Our line just never developed. I'm a little disappointed because I really thought we were in the right spot.''
Blixt wins rain-delayed Greenbrier Classic by 2.
By
Jonas Blixt shot a 3-under 67 on Sunday to win the rain-delayed Greenbrier Classic by two strokes.
The Swede emerged from a five-player chase over the final five holes to pick up the $1.1 million winner's check. He also gets a spot in the upcoming British Open and next year's Masters for the victory.
Blixt overcame a four-shot deficit at the start of the final round and finished at 13 under. Third-round leader Johnson Wagner (73), Australians Steven Bowditch (68) and Matt Jones (68), and Jimmy Walker (71) tied for second.
Blixt went ahead with a 9-foot birdie putt on No. 16 and wrapped up his second tour win with two pars.
Play on the Old White TPC course was halted for three hours due to thunderstorms.
Murray ends Britain's 77-year wait at Wimbledon.
By
Andy Murray of Britain poses with the trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Men's singles final match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Sunday, July 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Andy Murray needed one more point, one solitary point, to win Wimbledon - a title he yearned to earn for himself, of course, and also for his country.
Britain had endured 77 years since one of its own claimed the men's trophy at the revered tournament referred to simply as The Championships, and now here was Murray, on the brink of triumph after 3 hours of grueling tennis against top-seeded Novak Djokovic under a vibrant sun at Centre Court.
Up 40-love, Murray failed to convert his first match point. And his second. And then, yes, his third, too. On and on the contest, and accompanying tension, stretched, Murray unable to close it, Djokovic unwilling to yield, the minutes certainly feeling like hours to those playing and those watching. Along came three break points for Djokovic, all erased. Finally, on Murray's fourth chance to end it, Djokovic dumped a backhand into the net.
The final was over.
The wait was over.
A year after coming oh-so-close by losing in the title match at the All England Club, the No. 2-ranked Murray beat No. 1 Djokovic of Serbia 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 Sunday to become Wimbledon's champion in a test of will and skill between a pair of men with mirror-image defensive styles that created lengthy points brimming with superb shots.
''That last game will be the toughest game I'll play in my career. Ever,'' said Murray, who was born in Dunblane, Scotland, and is the first British man to win the grass-court Grand Slam tournament since Fred Perry in 1936. ''Winning Wimbledon - I still can't believe it. Can't get my head around that. I can't believe it.''
For several seasons, Murray was the outsider looking in, while Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic collected 29 out of 30 Grand Slam titles. But now Murray has clearly and completely turned the Big 3 into a Big 4, having reached the finals at the last four major tournaments he entered (he withdrew from the French Open in May because of a bad back). And he's now a two-time Slam champion, having defeated Djokovic in five sets at the U.S. Open in September.
All this from a guy who lost his first four major finals, including against Federer at Wimbledon in 2012. After that defeat, Murray's voice cracked and tears rolled as he told the crowd, ''I'm getting closer.''
How prescient. Four weeks later, on the same court, he beat Federer for a gold medal at the London Olympics, a transformative victory if ever there was one. And 52 weeks later, on the same court, he beat Djokovic for the Wimbledon championship.
''You need that self-belief in the important moments,'' observed Djokovic, a six-time major champion, ''and he's got it now.''
Murray's mother, Judy, who is Britain's Fed Cup captain, agreed that the setback 12 months ago ''was a turning point in some ways.''
''Every time you have a really tough loss, a loss that really hurts you,'' she said, ''I think you learn a lot about how to handle the occasions better going forward.''
Murray trailed 4-1 in the second set Sunday, and 4-2 in the third, before wiggling his way back in front each time.
He won the last four games, breaking for a 5-4 lead when Djokovic flubbed a forehand, setting off a standing ovation and applause that lasted more than a full minute. When he got out of his changeover chair, preparing to serve for the title, an earsplitting roar accompanied his trek to the baseline.
Djokovic missed a backhand, Murray smacked a backhand winner and added a 131 mph (211 kph) service winner, and suddenly one point was all that remained between him and history. That's where things got a tad complicated.
On match point No. 1, Djokovic capped a 12-stroke exchange with a forehand volley winner. On No. 2, Djokovic hit a backhand return winner off an 84 mph (135 kph) second serve. On No. 3, Murray sailed a backhand long on the ninth shot.
Now it was deuce.
''I started to feel nervous and started thinking about what just happened,'' Murray said. ''There's a lot of things you're thinking of at that moment.''
The match continued for eight additional points.
Seemed to take an eternity.
''Just how that last game went, my head was kind of everywhere. I mean, some of the shots he came up with were unbelievable,'' Murray said. ''At the end of the match, I didn't quite know what was going on. Just a lot of different emotions.''
Any of Djokovic's break points in that game would have made it 5-all, and who knows what toll that would have taken on Murray's mind? But Murray erased the first two chances with a 116 mph service winner, then a forehand winner on the 21st stroke.
At deuce for a third time, Djokovic conjured up a forehand passing winner to get his third break point. Murray dropped his head and placed his hands on his knees. The crowd clapped rhythmically and shouted, ''Andy! Andy!'' They couldn't know it, but their man wouldn't lose another point.
On a 16-shot exchange, Djokovic delivered an overhead that was retrieved, then tried a drop shot that Murray got back. Djokovic put the ball in the net, and Murray was at match point No. 4. When that one went Murray's way, the ball on Djokovic's side of the court, Murray dropped his neon-red racket, yanked his white hat off and pumped both fists overhead, screaming, ''Yes! Yes!'' He was looking directly at the corner of the stadium with benches for members of the press, a group that he used to worry helped fuel the intense pressure and only-one-way-to-satisfy-them expectations on Murray's shoulders.
''It's hard. It's really hard. You know, for the last four or five years, it's been very, very tough, very stressful,'' Murray said. ''It's just kind of everywhere you go. It's so hard to avoid everything because of how big this event is, but also because of the history and no Brit having won.''
When a Brit did win, 15,000 or so spectators around the arena rose and yelled right back at him, some waving Union Jacks or blue-and-white Scottish flags. Soon, Murray was climbing into the guest box for hugs with his girlfriend, his mother and his coach, Ivan Lendl, who won eight major titles as a player but never fared better than the runner-up at Wimbledon.
''I didn't always feel it was going to happen,'' said Murray, who fumbled with his gold trophy after the ceremony, dropping the lid. ''It's incredibly difficult to win these events. I don't think that's that well-understood sometimes. It takes so much hard work, mental toughness, to win these sort of tournaments.''
At the end, across the grounds, thousands responded with cheers while watching on a giant videoboard at the picnic lawn known as Murray Mount. And, surely, millions more following along on TV across Britain stood up from their sofas. British Prime Minister David Cameron was in the Royal Box, a sign of the day's significance, and Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Elizabeth II sent Murray a private message afterward.
''The end of the match, that was incredibly loud, very noisy,'' Murray said. ''It does make a difference. It really helps when the crowd's like that, the atmosphere is like that. Especially in a match as tough as that one, where it's extremely hot, brutal, long rallies, tough games - they help you get through it.''
Said Djokovic, who famously ate blades of grass after winning Wimbledon in 2011: ''The atmosphere was incredible for him. For me, not so much. But that's what I expected.''
The fans were active participants throughout, lamenting ''awwww'' when Murray missed a serve; cheering rowdily when he hit one of his 36 winners, five more than Djokovic; shushing in unison when someone called out in premature agony or delight while a point was in progress.
That was understandable. Points rarely are over when they appear to be if Murray and Djokovic are involved. The elastic Djokovic's sliding carries him to so many shots, while Murray is more of a powerful scrambler. It took a half-hour to get through the opening five games, in part because 10 of 32 points lasted at least 10 strokes apiece.
And this all happened with the temperature above 80 degrees (27 Celsius), with only the occasional puff of cloud interrupting the blue sky.
Born a week apart in May 1987, Murray and Djokovic have known each other since they were 11, and they grasp the ins and outs of each other's games so well.
''You've got to fight so hard to get past Novak, because he's such an incredible competitor, an amazing athlete, and it's never over 'til it's over,'' Judy Murray said.
This was their 19th meeting on tour (Djokovic leads 11-8), and their fourth in a Grand Slam final, including three in the past year. Both are fantastic returners, and Murray broke seven times Sunday, once more than Djokovic lost his serve in the preceding six matches combined.
In the late going, Djokovic was taking some shortcuts, repeatedly trying drop shots or rushing to the net to shorten points, but neither strategy tended to work.
''He was getting some incredible shots on the stretch and running down the drop shots,'' Djokovic said. ''He was all over the court.''
Britain had endured 77 years since one of its own claimed the men's trophy at the revered tournament referred to simply as The Championships, and now here was Murray, on the brink of triumph after 3 hours of grueling tennis against top-seeded Novak Djokovic under a vibrant sun at Centre Court.
Up 40-love, Murray failed to convert his first match point. And his second. And then, yes, his third, too. On and on the contest, and accompanying tension, stretched, Murray unable to close it, Djokovic unwilling to yield, the minutes certainly feeling like hours to those playing and those watching. Along came three break points for Djokovic, all erased. Finally, on Murray's fourth chance to end it, Djokovic dumped a backhand into the net.
The final was over.
The wait was over.
A year after coming oh-so-close by losing in the title match at the All England Club, the No. 2-ranked Murray beat No. 1 Djokovic of Serbia 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 Sunday to become Wimbledon's champion in a test of will and skill between a pair of men with mirror-image defensive styles that created lengthy points brimming with superb shots.
''That last game will be the toughest game I'll play in my career. Ever,'' said Murray, who was born in Dunblane, Scotland, and is the first British man to win the grass-court Grand Slam tournament since Fred Perry in 1936. ''Winning Wimbledon - I still can't believe it. Can't get my head around that. I can't believe it.''
For several seasons, Murray was the outsider looking in, while Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic collected 29 out of 30 Grand Slam titles. But now Murray has clearly and completely turned the Big 3 into a Big 4, having reached the finals at the last four major tournaments he entered (he withdrew from the French Open in May because of a bad back). And he's now a two-time Slam champion, having defeated Djokovic in five sets at the U.S. Open in September.
All this from a guy who lost his first four major finals, including against Federer at Wimbledon in 2012. After that defeat, Murray's voice cracked and tears rolled as he told the crowd, ''I'm getting closer.''
How prescient. Four weeks later, on the same court, he beat Federer for a gold medal at the London Olympics, a transformative victory if ever there was one. And 52 weeks later, on the same court, he beat Djokovic for the Wimbledon championship.
''You need that self-belief in the important moments,'' observed Djokovic, a six-time major champion, ''and he's got it now.''
Murray's mother, Judy, who is Britain's Fed Cup captain, agreed that the setback 12 months ago ''was a turning point in some ways.''
''Every time you have a really tough loss, a loss that really hurts you,'' she said, ''I think you learn a lot about how to handle the occasions better going forward.''
Murray trailed 4-1 in the second set Sunday, and 4-2 in the third, before wiggling his way back in front each time.
He won the last four games, breaking for a 5-4 lead when Djokovic flubbed a forehand, setting off a standing ovation and applause that lasted more than a full minute. When he got out of his changeover chair, preparing to serve for the title, an earsplitting roar accompanied his trek to the baseline.
Djokovic missed a backhand, Murray smacked a backhand winner and added a 131 mph (211 kph) service winner, and suddenly one point was all that remained between him and history. That's where things got a tad complicated.
On match point No. 1, Djokovic capped a 12-stroke exchange with a forehand volley winner. On No. 2, Djokovic hit a backhand return winner off an 84 mph (135 kph) second serve. On No. 3, Murray sailed a backhand long on the ninth shot.
Now it was deuce.
''I started to feel nervous and started thinking about what just happened,'' Murray said. ''There's a lot of things you're thinking of at that moment.''
The match continued for eight additional points.
Seemed to take an eternity.
''Just how that last game went, my head was kind of everywhere. I mean, some of the shots he came up with were unbelievable,'' Murray said. ''At the end of the match, I didn't quite know what was going on. Just a lot of different emotions.''
Any of Djokovic's break points in that game would have made it 5-all, and who knows what toll that would have taken on Murray's mind? But Murray erased the first two chances with a 116 mph service winner, then a forehand winner on the 21st stroke.
At deuce for a third time, Djokovic conjured up a forehand passing winner to get his third break point. Murray dropped his head and placed his hands on his knees. The crowd clapped rhythmically and shouted, ''Andy! Andy!'' They couldn't know it, but their man wouldn't lose another point.
On a 16-shot exchange, Djokovic delivered an overhead that was retrieved, then tried a drop shot that Murray got back. Djokovic put the ball in the net, and Murray was at match point No. 4. When that one went Murray's way, the ball on Djokovic's side of the court, Murray dropped his neon-red racket, yanked his white hat off and pumped both fists overhead, screaming, ''Yes! Yes!'' He was looking directly at the corner of the stadium with benches for members of the press, a group that he used to worry helped fuel the intense pressure and only-one-way-to-satisfy-them expectations on Murray's shoulders.
''It's hard. It's really hard. You know, for the last four or five years, it's been very, very tough, very stressful,'' Murray said. ''It's just kind of everywhere you go. It's so hard to avoid everything because of how big this event is, but also because of the history and no Brit having won.''
When a Brit did win, 15,000 or so spectators around the arena rose and yelled right back at him, some waving Union Jacks or blue-and-white Scottish flags. Soon, Murray was climbing into the guest box for hugs with his girlfriend, his mother and his coach, Ivan Lendl, who won eight major titles as a player but never fared better than the runner-up at Wimbledon.
''I didn't always feel it was going to happen,'' said Murray, who fumbled with his gold trophy after the ceremony, dropping the lid. ''It's incredibly difficult to win these events. I don't think that's that well-understood sometimes. It takes so much hard work, mental toughness, to win these sort of tournaments.''
At the end, across the grounds, thousands responded with cheers while watching on a giant videoboard at the picnic lawn known as Murray Mount. And, surely, millions more following along on TV across Britain stood up from their sofas. British Prime Minister David Cameron was in the Royal Box, a sign of the day's significance, and Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Elizabeth II sent Murray a private message afterward.
''The end of the match, that was incredibly loud, very noisy,'' Murray said. ''It does make a difference. It really helps when the crowd's like that, the atmosphere is like that. Especially in a match as tough as that one, where it's extremely hot, brutal, long rallies, tough games - they help you get through it.''
Said Djokovic, who famously ate blades of grass after winning Wimbledon in 2011: ''The atmosphere was incredible for him. For me, not so much. But that's what I expected.''
The fans were active participants throughout, lamenting ''awwww'' when Murray missed a serve; cheering rowdily when he hit one of his 36 winners, five more than Djokovic; shushing in unison when someone called out in premature agony or delight while a point was in progress.
That was understandable. Points rarely are over when they appear to be if Murray and Djokovic are involved. The elastic Djokovic's sliding carries him to so many shots, while Murray is more of a powerful scrambler. It took a half-hour to get through the opening five games, in part because 10 of 32 points lasted at least 10 strokes apiece.
And this all happened with the temperature above 80 degrees (27 Celsius), with only the occasional puff of cloud interrupting the blue sky.
Born a week apart in May 1987, Murray and Djokovic have known each other since they were 11, and they grasp the ins and outs of each other's games so well.
''You've got to fight so hard to get past Novak, because he's such an incredible competitor, an amazing athlete, and it's never over 'til it's over,'' Judy Murray said.
This was their 19th meeting on tour (Djokovic leads 11-8), and their fourth in a Grand Slam final, including three in the past year. Both are fantastic returners, and Murray broke seven times Sunday, once more than Djokovic lost his serve in the preceding six matches combined.
In the late going, Djokovic was taking some shortcuts, repeatedly trying drop shots or rushing to the net to shorten points, but neither strategy tended to work.
''He was getting some incredible shots on the stretch and running down the drop shots,'' Djokovic said. ''He was all over the court.''
Admittedly feeling the effects of his five-setter Friday against Juan Martin del Potro - at 4 hours, 43 minutes, it's the longest semifinal in Wimbledon history - Djokovic was far more erratic than Murray, with particular problems on the backhand side. Djokovic wound up with 40 unforced errors, nearly double Murray's 21.
''I wasn't patient enough,'' Djokovic said.
Ah, patience. The British needed plenty when it comes to their precious, prestigious tennis tournament.
Thanks to Murray, the wait is over.
Dan Martin wins 9th stage of Tour de France.
By
Left alone and with his teammates far behind, Chris Froome held off repeated attacks to retain the Tour de France lead Sunday as the three-week race left the Pyrenees mountains.
Dan Martin of Ireland, a 26-year-old Garmin-Sharp rider, won Stage 9 following a two-man sprint against Denmark's Jakob Fuglsang after they escaped Froome and the other pre-race favorites on the last of five tough climbs along the 105-mile trek from Saint-Girons to Bagneres-de-Bigorre in southwest France.
As the race neared its first rest day Monday, Froome was relieved he was able to quash four attacks by Movistar's Nairo Quintana on the last climb - la Hourquette d'Ancizan - despite his Sky teammates lagging behind. They were worn out after a strong team effort to help him win the yellow jersey a day earlier.
''That was one of the hardest days I've ever had on a bike,'' Froome said. ''I'm really happy with how I came through today ... It's not easy to follow Quintana in the climbs.
He's a light little Colombian who can fly up hills - so to cover his attacks definitely wasn't easy.''
''But yeah, I was quite ready for more attacks, and I'm quite glad there weren't,'' he said, adding that it was ''quite understandable'' that his teammates weren't with him after Saturday's effort.
The Briton kept an eye on his top rivals to win the title in Paris on July 21, including Spaniard pair Alberto Contador, of the Saxo Bank team, and Alejandro Valverde - one of five Movistar riders in the front bunch of about two dozen riders.
The Briton was content to let Martin and Fuglsang go ahead, and fight for the stage win. After a brief cat-and-mouse game, Martin wheeled around the Dane before the final bend with about 150 meters to go and held on for his first Tour stage win. Martin is the nephew of 1987 Tour champion Stephen Roche and a cousin of fellow cyclist Nicolas Roche.
''I was confident in the final stretch because I know I have some speed,'' Martin said, adding he was lucky to have Astana's Fuglsang with him to share the work of holding off the favorites. ''I knew I had to be ahead in the last two corners and, when I saw that I was, I knew I could win.''
''Luckily I had the legs to finish the job.''
They crossed 20 seconds ahead of Froome, two-time Tour winner Contador, and 2011 champion Cadel Evans of Australia, among others. Overall, the top standings didn't change much, except that Sky rider Richie Porte of Australia tumbled from second place overall to 33rd after finishing nearly 18 minutes behind Martin.
Froome's closest challenger is Valverde, who is 1:25 behind. Contador is sixth overall and trails by 1:51. Martin is eighth, 2:28 back.
Froome captured the yellow jersey Saturday by launching a devastating attack in the final climb to win Stage 8, thanks in large part to a strong escort from Sky - including Porte, who was second in that stage.
But the fact there were none of his teammates around to help Froome will encourage the other teams that the seemingly unbeatable Sky team may have weaknesses. Tired from their efforts Saturday, the other Sky riders fell back early on and Froome was left to fend for himself.
As is required of the yellow jersey holder after each stage, Froome went straight to anti-doping control after the race. This is the first Tour since Lance Armstrong's fall from grace after he was stripped of his seven Tour titles from 1999-2005 for serial doping.
Froome vouched after his win Saturday that he was ''100 percent'' clean and was asked on French television after Sunday's stage if he has ever taken a performance-enhancing product.
''No,'' Froome said. ''I trained for many months to arrive here in this form.''
With temperatures once again well into the 30s Celsius (above 90 Fahrenheit), Froome found himself isolated on the day's first category 1 ascent up to Col de Mente, where Evans fell 40 seconds behind the yellow jersey group. Then, a breakaway group featuring Ryder Hesjedal, Tom Danielson and Pierre Rolland forged ahead.
Froome's chasing group included Contador, flanked by his Saxo-Tinkoff teammates, while Quintana sat behind Froome.
Once they got over Col de Mente, Valverde attacked on the descent and chased after the breakaway group, prompting Froome to go after him.
The second tough climb was the day's longest - about 8 miles up the famed Col de Peyresourde - and a new breakaway took the initiative.
Hesjedal, last year's Giro d'Italia winner, and climbing specialist Rolland were still there, joined by Romain Bardet of France and Belgian trio Bart De Clercq, Thomas De Gendt and Jan Bakelants. They were about 40 seconds ahead of Froome's group at the top of Peyresourde.
Quintana's Movistar teammates drove hard at the front of the 20-man yellow jersey group as they chugged toward the third climb in the blazing sun.
Australia's Simon Clarke joined the leaders as the seven-man breakaway started to up the tempo and then broke away on his own up the Col de Val Louron-Azet - a 4.5-mile ascent.
Clarke was 1:10 ahead of Froome's group before he sped down a sharp descent to La Hourquette d'Ancizan - 6 miles at 7.5 percent gradient.
Froome, meanwhile, tucked in behind four Movistar riders - with Quintana riding his wheel - for the last few kilometers until the last climb, where the breakaway riders were caught.
French President Francois Hollande was among the spectators, protected from the heat in Tour director Christian Prudhomme's car.
Tuesday is a flat stage for sprinters. Froome will be among the favorites to win Wednesday's time trial on Stage 11.
As the race neared its first rest day Monday, Froome was relieved he was able to quash four attacks by Movistar's Nairo Quintana on the last climb - la Hourquette d'Ancizan - despite his Sky teammates lagging behind. They were worn out after a strong team effort to help him win the yellow jersey a day earlier.
''That was one of the hardest days I've ever had on a bike,'' Froome said. ''I'm really happy with how I came through today ... It's not easy to follow Quintana in the climbs.
He's a light little Colombian who can fly up hills - so to cover his attacks definitely wasn't easy.''
''But yeah, I was quite ready for more attacks, and I'm quite glad there weren't,'' he said, adding that it was ''quite understandable'' that his teammates weren't with him after Saturday's effort.
The Briton kept an eye on his top rivals to win the title in Paris on July 21, including Spaniard pair Alberto Contador, of the Saxo Bank team, and Alejandro Valverde - one of five Movistar riders in the front bunch of about two dozen riders.
The Briton was content to let Martin and Fuglsang go ahead, and fight for the stage win. After a brief cat-and-mouse game, Martin wheeled around the Dane before the final bend with about 150 meters to go and held on for his first Tour stage win. Martin is the nephew of 1987 Tour champion Stephen Roche and a cousin of fellow cyclist Nicolas Roche.
''I was confident in the final stretch because I know I have some speed,'' Martin said, adding he was lucky to have Astana's Fuglsang with him to share the work of holding off the favorites. ''I knew I had to be ahead in the last two corners and, when I saw that I was, I knew I could win.''
''Luckily I had the legs to finish the job.''
They crossed 20 seconds ahead of Froome, two-time Tour winner Contador, and 2011 champion Cadel Evans of Australia, among others. Overall, the top standings didn't change much, except that Sky rider Richie Porte of Australia tumbled from second place overall to 33rd after finishing nearly 18 minutes behind Martin.
Froome's closest challenger is Valverde, who is 1:25 behind. Contador is sixth overall and trails by 1:51. Martin is eighth, 2:28 back.
Froome captured the yellow jersey Saturday by launching a devastating attack in the final climb to win Stage 8, thanks in large part to a strong escort from Sky - including Porte, who was second in that stage.
But the fact there were none of his teammates around to help Froome will encourage the other teams that the seemingly unbeatable Sky team may have weaknesses. Tired from their efforts Saturday, the other Sky riders fell back early on and Froome was left to fend for himself.
As is required of the yellow jersey holder after each stage, Froome went straight to anti-doping control after the race. This is the first Tour since Lance Armstrong's fall from grace after he was stripped of his seven Tour titles from 1999-2005 for serial doping.
Froome vouched after his win Saturday that he was ''100 percent'' clean and was asked on French television after Sunday's stage if he has ever taken a performance-enhancing product.
''No,'' Froome said. ''I trained for many months to arrive here in this form.''
With temperatures once again well into the 30s Celsius (above 90 Fahrenheit), Froome found himself isolated on the day's first category 1 ascent up to Col de Mente, where Evans fell 40 seconds behind the yellow jersey group. Then, a breakaway group featuring Ryder Hesjedal, Tom Danielson and Pierre Rolland forged ahead.
Froome's chasing group included Contador, flanked by his Saxo-Tinkoff teammates, while Quintana sat behind Froome.
Once they got over Col de Mente, Valverde attacked on the descent and chased after the breakaway group, prompting Froome to go after him.
The second tough climb was the day's longest - about 8 miles up the famed Col de Peyresourde - and a new breakaway took the initiative.
Hesjedal, last year's Giro d'Italia winner, and climbing specialist Rolland were still there, joined by Romain Bardet of France and Belgian trio Bart De Clercq, Thomas De Gendt and Jan Bakelants. They were about 40 seconds ahead of Froome's group at the top of Peyresourde.
Quintana's Movistar teammates drove hard at the front of the 20-man yellow jersey group as they chugged toward the third climb in the blazing sun.
Australia's Simon Clarke joined the leaders as the seven-man breakaway started to up the tempo and then broke away on his own up the Col de Val Louron-Azet - a 4.5-mile ascent.
Clarke was 1:10 ahead of Froome's group before he sped down a sharp descent to La Hourquette d'Ancizan - 6 miles at 7.5 percent gradient.
Froome, meanwhile, tucked in behind four Movistar riders - with Quintana riding his wheel - for the last few kilometers until the last climb, where the breakaway riders were caught.
French President Francois Hollande was among the spectators, protected from the heat in Tour director Christian Prudhomme's car.
Tuesday is a flat stage for sprinters. Froome will be among the favorites to win Wednesday's time trial on Stage 11.
Panama tops Mexico 2-1 in Gold Cup opener.
Gabriel Torres scored twice to lead Panama to a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the first round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at the Rose Bowl on Sunday.
''We have to analyze the situation and come back in better form and look to get to the next round,'' Mexico coach Jose Manuel De La Torre said. ''The main objective is to qualify for the World Cup. Of course, we also have this objective to try and get this Gold Cup title.''
Mexico, Panama, Canada and Martinique are competing in Group B. The top two teams will advance, along with two of three third-place finishers. Mexico has work to do to advance.
Mexico, an automatic qualifier in the Gold Cup tournament, lost its two prep matches prior to this tournament.
''All the teams in the world, teams like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have these types of situations,'' De La Torre said. ''We have to keep working to get back in the best circumstances possible.''
Panama showed Mexico how much work is needed.
Torres gave Panama a 1-0 lead with a penalty kick in the seventh minute, capitalizing on a foul that was committed by Mexico's Raul Jimenez on his teammate Alberto Quintero. Mexico goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco guessed right on the penalty, but Torres' shot was just out of his reach.
Mexico tied the score during first-half stoppage time. Israel Hernandez lofted a pass to Marco Fabian, who was charging toward the box. He used his chest to settle the ball down before firing a shot past goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.
Fabian came within a couple of feet of adding his second goal before the half ended.
Torres scored the go-ahead goal in the 48th minute after taking a pass from Quintero and threading the ball through the two-foot gap that was between Orozco and the near post. Torres one-timed the shot with the side of his right foot.
''It's important to start like this,'' Panama coach Julio Dely Valdes said. ''We have said that we needed to come in here and get results. We won.''
Panama was playing without Blas Perez, who was in the Los Angeles area but playing for his Major League Soccer team, FC Dallas. He should be available for Panama's next match.
Dely Valdes has a strategy that uses a lot of his younger players on the squad. Torres made it pay off.
''Players like Gabriel Torres have done a good job,'' he said. ''We have to keep giving young players minutes and opportunities. We have to keep giving them minutes to keep doing a good job.''
Mexico was thought to be a heavy favorite among Group B teams.
''We have to analyze the situation and come back in better form and look to get to the next round,'' Mexico coach Jose Manuel De La Torre said. ''The main objective is to qualify for the World Cup. Of course, we also have this objective to try and get this Gold Cup title.''
Mexico, Panama, Canada and Martinique are competing in Group B. The top two teams will advance, along with two of three third-place finishers. Mexico has work to do to advance.
Mexico, an automatic qualifier in the Gold Cup tournament, lost its two prep matches prior to this tournament.
''All the teams in the world, teams like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have these types of situations,'' De La Torre said. ''We have to keep working to get back in the best circumstances possible.''
Panama showed Mexico how much work is needed.
Torres gave Panama a 1-0 lead with a penalty kick in the seventh minute, capitalizing on a foul that was committed by Mexico's Raul Jimenez on his teammate Alberto Quintero. Mexico goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco guessed right on the penalty, but Torres' shot was just out of his reach.
Mexico tied the score during first-half stoppage time. Israel Hernandez lofted a pass to Marco Fabian, who was charging toward the box. He used his chest to settle the ball down before firing a shot past goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.
Fabian came within a couple of feet of adding his second goal before the half ended.
Torres scored the go-ahead goal in the 48th minute after taking a pass from Quintero and threading the ball through the two-foot gap that was between Orozco and the near post. Torres one-timed the shot with the side of his right foot.
''It's important to start like this,'' Panama coach Julio Dely Valdes said. ''We have said that we needed to come in here and get results. We won.''
Panama was playing without Blas Perez, who was in the Los Angeles area but playing for his Major League Soccer team, FC Dallas. He should be available for Panama's next match.
Dely Valdes has a strategy that uses a lot of his younger players on the squad. Torres made it pay off.
''Players like Gabriel Torres have done a good job,'' he said. ''We have to keep giving young players minutes and opportunities. We have to keep giving them minutes to keep doing a good job.''
Mexico was thought to be a heavy favorite among Group B teams.
Bad passes, missed shots and a strong defensive effort by Panama contributed to Mexico's downfall.
''I think that we have committed errors that have cost us a lot,'' De La Torre said. ''They have also cost us in moments where we had opportunities to score goals. We had two mistakes in the beginning of each half. We had opportunities to score and couldn't take advantage of them.''
Panama will play Martinique, a 1-0 winner over Canada on Thursday in Seattle. Mexico will play against Canada also in Seattle on Thursday.
***********************************************************
Please let us hear your opinion on the above articles and pass them on to any other diehard fans that you think might be interested. But most of all, remember, wants you!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment