Miami and Messi Ignite the Soc...

This past week has most definitely been a week of firsts around the world. First win, first goal, first game, this week had it all. Just when we all thought it was going to be a long, hot, sweltering 5 weeks until the start of football the sporting Gods slap us in the face to wake us up and remind us that there is more to life then football. It can be a hard lesson to learn but there’s alot more going on out in the sports world then most of us realize, at least for now.

Saying that it was a good start of a relationship between Lionel Messi and Inter Miami would be a bit of an understatement I believe. In his first game wearing a pink jersey Messi was able to connect in added time on one of his signature free kicks from outside the box. If you know Messi you know that this is his specialty. A blistering arch of the ball over the heads of the defenders wall directly into a spot that the goal keeper can’t reach. First game, first goal, first win. It doesn’t get much better then that. Messi scoring the winner in his debut for Inter Miami has added to the legend and once again shown the rest of the world that Miami is a Mecca for the sports world. It’s also going to probably triple ticket prices but hey it’s a business right?

Staying on a soccer theme and discussing firsts, it was a first win for Co Host Nation New Zealand in the opening round of the Woman’s World Cup. The girls of New Zealand have never, ever won a World Cup game although they’ve attended the tournament six times. I believe in that time frame they were 0-30 in World Cup games. Needless to say, a stunning upset over a highly rated team from Norway 1-0 sent not only the team and coaches but the crowd of 45,000 as well into emotional orbit. An additionally emotional win for Australia, the other Co Host nation, a few hours later on the same night set the tone for what will sure to be an exciting event over the next three weeks. If your brave and able enough to get up at 3 a.m to catch a game I would highly recommend it. The competition is excellent and the crowds are rambunctious and roaring. Of course, the U.S. Woman are favorites but to be honest I’ve stopped pulling for them ever since they went political. As everyone already knows, I’m always pulling for the underdog!

The Saga of the 2023 Tour de France has finally come to a close after 21 days of racing. For those of us who watch it every year it’s an amazing event that pits the worlds best bike riders over a grueling course thru Spain and France, often topping Europe’s highest mountains. This year was made even more difficult by the fact the Europe is suffering from a heat wave like no other much the same as The United States. For the second year in a row Jonas Vinnegaard of Denmark took home the Yellow Jersey, the symbol of the winning rider. Imagine a 21 day race in this heat? I’m not sure how they do it!

It’s not only the weather that’s heating up and staying hot these days. Football season is just over the horizon and it’s safe to say that before the next month is out we’ll be watching teams go from end zone to end zone. I’ll be glad to start focusing on sporting events that take place all over America instead of overseas. Figuring out the languages of international sports has me journalistically challenged sometimes and waking up at 3 a.m to watch an event is killing my sleep patterns.

No team and no individual player has more expectations riding on their shoulders then Arron Rogers and The New York Jets. They are the lead story on just about every NFL talk show and the lead article in just about every on line publication. Sometimes I think they should remind themselves that there are 31 other teams with aspirations just as high as the Jets and Rogers. Frankly I don’t see The Jets going very far this year. Their division is gonna be brutal this year with The Bills and Miami both smelling blood and going for the kill. I’m not a big believer in Arron Rogers I think his time has come and gone. For me, Josh Allen remains the top QB in the division but it time that the Bills go the distance. Miami is hungry and hopefully a healthy Tua can last the season without injury again which I feel may force him into early retirement. Only time will tell.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m expecting great things from Jacksonville this year. As I sit here today The Jaguars are my pre season Super Bowl pick. They have it all. Strong young Quarterback, solid established running game and a great defense. They also have a receiver corps that is downright scary. Add into the mix a Super Bowl winning coach and I believe you have a recipe for instant success. Let The Jets fans have their hopes, but put your money on Jacksonville! All we need now is a Jacksonville vs. Miami inter state game with Messi kicking the winning goal as a walk on! Play on I say!!!

Kev

Kev's Corner Our Staffs Weekly Sports perspective (click here to view past commentaries)