Roger Federer won his fifth consecutive U.S Open yesterday as he beat Andy Murray in straight sets. They  squared off in an ATP event in March with Murray defeating  Federer in the opening round 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-4. However yesterdays outcome was different, as Federer became the first man to win five titles in a row at Arthur Ashe and Wimbledom Stadium (2002-2007). The Swiss born player also became the first man to win five straight U.S championships in the Open era. Bill Tilden won the event six straight times in the 1920’s.

Federer defeated the 21-year old Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. Murray was seeking to become the first Brit to win a Grand Slam title since 1936. The number fourth ranked player in the world challenged Federer but produced 20 less winners. Federer came to the net 44 times and was wearing out Murray during the 1-hour 51-minute match. He also converted 70% of his break points and net approaches.

Federer won his 13^th Grand Slam and is within one of tying Pete Sampras’ record of 14.  Sampras won three majors after the age of 27, with the last coming in Flushing, NY at the US Open at age 31.  Federer became one of nine players 27 years or older to win a U.S. title since 1968. The last time he did not win at least one major in a year was in 2002. Before winning the U.S. Open he lost in the semis in the Australian Open. He was defeated in the finals by Rafael Nadal in both Wimbledon and the French Open. Nadal also ended Federer’s four-and-a-half-year stay at the No, 1 ranked player in the world last month. However, he finished the year strong by capturing another U.S. title and winning doubles gold for Switzerland in the Beijing Olympics.

Dream Team 4.0 redeemed themselves in the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing by defeating Spain 118-107 for the gold medal. It marked the 13th gold medal for USA men’s basketball. The U.S has not won a gold medal or a major international title in the last eight years. They finished Olympic play with an 8-0 record and averaged 106.3 points per game. Their margin of victory in those games was over 28 points with 40% shooting beyond the arc.

Spain, the reigning World Champions, did not have starting point guard, Jose Calderon in the lineup due to injury. However, they played U.S tough staying within reach most of the game. Spain’s zone and man-to-man defense was much more aggressive in this game than their previous match against the U.S. in these Beijing Games, which they lost by 37 points.  Spain hit seven of their first nine shots and were leading throughout a majority of the first quarter. In their previous loss to the United States, their stars struggled.  However, NBA players Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez and Juan Carlos Navarro played well in the Gold Medal game as Spain only trailed by 8 at the half.

Dwayne Wade led the U.S. with 27 points(4-7 from downtown) and throughout international play was the team’s most consistent scorer. Kobe Bryant was the second highest scorer with 20 points (13 coming in the final quarter). Spain narrowed the lead to two points with eight minutes to go.  The reigning NBA MVP then asserted himself as the go-to offensive weapon for the U.S. and stepped up his game in the final period highlighted by a back-breaking 4-point play. LeBron James finished with 14 points, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul each chipped in with 13 points a piece.

The Americans were fantastic from downtown draining 13 three-pointers at a 46% clip. They also shot an outstanding 60% from the floor. Winning a Bronze Medal during the 2004 Athens Games was one of the lowest points in USA Basketball history.  However, four years later, the “Redeem Team” has landed the U.S. back on top.

The “Redeem Team” routed Australia, today 116-85 and are just two wins away from the elusive gold medal. Team USA has not won a gold medal since the 2000 games in Sydney. The Americans are guaranteed to play for a medal, but anything less than gold will be a disappointment. The Aussies played the Americans tough early, trailing by only one point after the first quarter. Australia was poised to build on the success they had against the Americans in an exhibition game on August 5th. They were missing center Andrew Bogut (sore ankle) that game and only lost by 11 points. The American team has been going on big runs early in the second quarter, overwhelming other teams with their athleticism and depth.  There is almost no drop-off when the bench rotates in and their swarming defense has created numerous transition baskets.

Two weeks later, with Bogut in the lineup, the Aussies were significantly outrebounded and poorly defended the Americans perimeter game. Bogut would finish with only four points and left early in the third quarter due to re-aggravating his sore ankle. The Americans are playing with much more confidence now and are on a mission to show the world they are the best team

They increased their lead to 12 going into halftime by scoring 30 points in the second quarter. The U.S. also out-rebounded Australia by 18 in the first half. LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony led the way with 12 first half points each, Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant chipped in with 8 points a piece.

Dream Team 4.0 turned it up in the second half with a 14-0 run to start the third quarter. They erupted for 34 points in the period (nine from Kobe) and continued to show their ability to go on massive scoring binges. The U.S. would go into the final quarter with a commanding 28 point lead. It took Australia six minutes to finally score in the third quarter.  Australia shot just 42% from the field and were outrebounded 58-28. The U.S. shot an impressive 57% and recorded 10 steals. Team USA also hit 9 shots from beyond the arc in the second half.

Bryant  had a big second half and finished the game with 25 points in 26 minutes (4-7 from downtown), Lebron had 16 points and nine rebounds and Anthony chipped in 15 points. Deron Williams and Chris Bosh each scored 10 points. The U.S. will face Argentina in the semi-finals.

The “Redeem Team” continued their dominating play by crushing Germany 105-57 today. After beating Angola by 29 in their opener, Germany has lost four straight games. Team USA is 5-0 and has won their games by average of 32.2 points. They already clinched the top seed in Group B and only need three more victories in claim the coveted gold medal. It was important for the U.S. to build on their success against Spain and continue to increase chemistry as a team going into the single elimination medal round.

The U.S. started their scoring binge three seconds into the game with a Carmelo Anthony layup. That kicked off eight straight points to start the quarter. Germany managed only 29 first half points. The U.S scored 31 points in the first quarter. Germany missed nine of its first 10 shots as the Americans opened the game up with an 18-3 lead. The U.S. was scoring with ease again off fast break dunks and converting points off turnovers.

Germany struggled in the second half only scoring 28 points. The Americans scored 30 points in the third quarter alone and held a commanding 41-point lead with two minutes left in the quarter. Their outside shooting improved once again knocking down 42% (11-24) from beyond the arc.. They also shot 54% from the field and recorded 14 steals. Their aggressive defense caused Germany to shoot 30% for the game and 23% from downtown. They committed 18 turnovers and only went to the foul line nine times. NBA players Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman combined for 20 points on 7-19 shooting. 

Dwight Howard led Dream Team 4.0 with 22 points (9-10 from the field) and 10 rebounds, LeBron James scored 18 with 16 of those points coming in the first half (4-5 from downtown), Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and Chris Paul each chipped in 10 points.

Two weeks ago, the Americans received their toughest test only beating Australia by eleven in an exhibition game in Shanghai. Australia was missing starter center, Andrew Bogut that game who since has recovered from his ankle injury. The U.S plays Australia in a quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday.

Team USA is 13-0 in international play since getting upset by Greece in the 2006 World Championships. What was supposed to be the Americans toughest test to date resulted in a 92-69 victory for the Americans over Greece this morning. For the third straight game in Group B play, the U.S. was played tough in first quarter and only had a four point lead after one. However, they went on a 24-10 run with six minutes left in the first half. Team USA outscored Greece 31-16 in the second quarter, which set the tone for the rest of the game. The Americans’ superior athleticism and long-armed defenders are setting the tone by blocking shots and getting steals.  In their two previous victories against China and Angola they only managed a combined 36% shoooting. These facets of the game are giving the U.S. numerous fast breaks, where they are head and shoulders above their competition. Against Greece, the Americans had a comfortable 51-32 lead at the half. As a team they recorded eight steals and shot 54% from the field in the two quarters. Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh all scored in double-digits. Bosh also contributed four rebounds and a block in 11 minutes and has been adapting well to the pace and tempo of the international game. Greece struggled from downtown missing all seven of their attempts while committing 13 turnovers.

Bryant and Bosh led Dream Team 4.0 with 18 points each, while Wade finished with 17 points and 6 steals, and LeBron James chipped in with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and three blocks. Greece finished the game with 25 turnovers and shot 4/18(22%) from downtown, and 41% overall. In 2006, Greece ran 42 pick-and-rolls, which the Americans had trouble stopping, while shooting a superb, 62% from the field. 

The U.S. was able to hit outside shots when Greece played zone defense, as they improved on their outside shooting by hitting 35% of their three point attempts. Team USA paired that with solid perimeter defense which led to 15 steals. The Americans will be tested again this Saturday at 10:15AM(EST), as they play the reigning world champion, Spain. The winner of the game will be the top seed in the quaterfinals.

Team USA had another easy win as they routed Angola 97-76 this morning. Angola has not faired well against the U.S in the past, losing by 68 (in 1992), 33 (1996), and 26 (2004). Once again, ”The Redeem Team” started off slow in the first half, and they were only up seven, with four minutes left in the second quarter. Their outside shooting woes continued by missing eight of their first 12 shots from behind the shortened international three-point line. However, almost anything would be an improvement from the previous game where they missed 14 of its first 15 three-pointers.

Just like the game against China on Sunday, the Americans turned it up before the close of the first half by converting easy baskets in transition to stretch their lead. Angola trailed 55-37 at the half with LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony combining for a remarkable 18-of-18 from the field. Angola does not have a player taller than 6″7″ on the roster, which resulted in the U.S. outscoring them 64-26 in the paint.

The U.S dominated the game with runs of 12-0 and 10-0, showing they can score in bunches. Once again, Wade led the team in scoring again with 19 points. Howard chipped in with 14, and James and Anthony each had 12. Kobe Bryant struggled from downtown, missing all of his eight attempts. However, Bryant provided the highlight of the game when his stellar defense, which resulted in a steal and a 360-spin dunk in the third quarter.

With the game seemingly in hand, Coach Mike Krzyzweski rested Bryant and James for most of the second half. The U.S. had a comfortable 33-point lead in the fourth quarter. Coach K went with a smaller lineup playing point guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams together. Team USA is 2-0 in Group B winning by a combined 52 points. They have been relying on their superior depth and athleticism, but need to shoot more efficiently from distance if they want to win the gold. With the three point line being only 20 feet, and 6 inches, look for Coach K to give three-point specialist, Michael Redd more playing time in the coming games. The Americans are set to face Greece on Thursday which will be their toughest game to date.

To say I’ve been watching the Olympics would be a lie. It’s more like I’ve been absorbing them. While I’m not in China, I do have two high definition televisions depicting Olympic splendor pretty much 24-7 and two roommates glued to them.

The Games kicked off on Friday night (or thursday depending on how you look at it) and it was an amazing display of technology and man power. There really is no way to describe what the Chinese put together for the opening ceremony. I found the epic scope of the production frightening to be brutally honest. Check out the first ten minutes (this thing lasted hours and it was all fantastic). The ceremony was straight up Cold War propaganda as much as it was a welcoming party… right there on display were thousands of people beating drums, reconstructing the printing press (which China reminds us they invented), even defying gravity. All of it was performed flawlessly and it seemed to carry the message, “Look at what we’ve done with a few thousand people. Imagine what 1.3 billion can do.” Even the folks at NBC found them somewhat frightening. Regardless, it was an amazing display of beauty and when the giant LCD screens made their entrance I had to pick my jaw back up off the floor so I could drop it again. My jaw and the floor were good buddies by the time it was over.

The events kicked off for me with beach volleyball. Dancing Chinese cheerleaders. Punk Rock. Dudes wearing sunglasses. Two guys from Latvia stepped up and confidently handed our heavily favored team their butts. While it wasn’t for a medal and Rogers and Dalhausser still have a chance to win it all, it was frustrating to watch. Phil Dalhausser is 6′9″ and jumps so high it seems his knees are sometimes above the net. I hope they play Latvia for a medal and make them eat the ball courtesy of a good ol’ American Stuff Sandwich.

The US Basketball team showed up and played with class (hard to believe I know). Yao Ming’s opening three will be a Chinese highlight for the ages. I’ve never watched a basketball game that ended with two winners until Sunday. I want to see China win the silver now. Yao’s my hero.

In case you haven’t heard, there’s swimming in these Olympics and Michael Phelps swims so differently than everyone else I can’t help but wonder how he wins anything at all. The dude takes fewer strokes, spends more time underwater, and he is destroying the competition thus far. The hype around this guy is for real and I’ll even admit that he’s been fun to watch. Yesterday his relay team added their names to the very long list of people who have made the French look stupid. The Frenchies had been talking tons of smack leading up to the race. While this isn’t the first time in history the French have been caught talking out their asses, it was still great to watch.

The US soccer team played excruciatingly early Sunday morning. Setting my alarm to watch sports is just wrong. As a fan of Freedom though, I did what I had to do. Apparently that meant I had to watch us blow our 1 point lead in the last seconds of injury time. Painful. I was grumpy a full three hours before I should have even opened my eyes. If you missed it, you’re smarter than I am, what can I say? We play Nigeria Wednesday and I’m expecting redemption. Prediction; our offense goes nuclear and we remind everyone why we’re still a world power. Final score US-4 Nigeria-0.

It’s hard to admit it, but I did indeed watch some gymnastics. It’s kind of like Nascar I guess. I’m watching these 16 year old girls run full speed into the vault and all I’m thinking is, “one of them’s going to slip up and do a header into the pommel horse.” Horrible I know. At least I’m honest. What are you thinking about when you’re watching gymnastics? “Great form. I love the dance elements of her routine.” You sound like my girlfriend. I just don’t get some of these events.

Do you remember when you were a kid and you used to try to invent new sports? I came up with all kinds of crap but my games never made it to the Olympics. Well I don’t know if you’ve seen handball yet, but it most certainly appears to have backyard beginnings(enjoy the Euro-trash techno). I’ve only got two questions. Where can I play? Is it ok if I join? It looks fun as hell and I’ve got my sights set on London for 2012. I’m totally serious.

Speaking of strange games that appear in the Olympics (curling anyone?) I’m feeling the Olympic Whiffle fever. Baseball? out. Softball? out. Cricket? not so much. Don’t you think in 2012 there needs to be at least one event that involves a pitcher, a batter, and some type of round object that can be crushed for a home run? Me too. Whiffle ball is kind of a mix between softball and baseball. Think I’m alone on this? Think again my friend.

Two years ago, the Americans crushed China 121-90 in the world championships in Japan. Yesterday, it was a similar result with United States men’s basketball team beginning their gold medal quest with a 101-70 victory over host China. The last time the Americans captured the gold medal was in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Chinese center, Yao Ming hit the first shot of a game, which happened to be a three-pointer that set the tone for Chinas proficient outside shooting in the first half.  Yao’s three pointer caused the 11,083 to erupt in Beijing’s Wukesong Indoor Stadium.

China played the Americans tough, and only trailed the heavily favored US by four after the first quarter. China soon tied the game at 29 all on a three pointer. Dream 4.0 responded by going on a 16-3 run capped off by thunderous dunks by LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Chris Bosh. The Americans would take the lead a 49-37 at halftime and did not look back the rest of the game. However, they had outside shooting woes going 1-12 behind the arc in the first half while the Chinese hit eight of their first 12 shots from downtown.

In the second half, the Americans showed their superior depth and defense prowess. They outscored China 52-33 and forced China into multiple turnovers while tightening up their perimeter defense forcing the Chinese to take more contested three-pointers in the second half.  In the last two quarters, the U.S. shot better from downtown, making six three-pointers. Good outlet passes off long rebounds, along with their 14 steals, led to many easy fastbreak points for the Americans.  The U.S. limited an already hobbled, Yao Ming, as the 7′5″ big man finished with 13 points on 3-of-9 shooting.

Dwayne Wade led the U.S with 19 points making all of his seven shooting attempts off the bench. He was 5-5 from the free throw line and continues to play like the teams most consistent scoring option.  Lebron James finished with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and three outstanding blocks. Yi Jianlian, Chinas second best player was held to 4-13 shooting (0-8 with the game still in question) due to Jame’s aggressive man-to-man defense. Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant scored 13 points, Chris Bosh and Michael Redd each contributed with nine points coming in the second half.

Team USA came out with a chip on their shoulder after a disappointing bronze medal in Athens in 2004.  They dominated the home country of China with suffocating defense and a transition game that is one for the ages.  However, the U.S. needs to shoot better from downtown against zone defenses and play more consistent perimeter defense throughout an entire 40 minute game to get through the likes of Spain and Greece.  The next U.S. game will be tomorrow against Angola at 8am EST.

Most definitely not David Zhuang.

So, the Olympics are almost upon us and what with the Games being held in Beijing and all I can’t help but obsess about the Ping Pong event. I’m expecting the Chinese to pull out all the stops for this one. Table Tennis has never been my sport, actually I think I enjoy it more now than I ever did as a kid. I love smacking the balls as hard as I can right at my opponent’s face. I was never as organized about it as these kids.

From what I’ve read the Chinese are heavily favored to kick global butt in Ping Pong this month. We are the underdogs by a mile and there’s nothing I like more than rooting for the underdog.

In the men’s bracket our hopes for the gold rest in the hands of David Zhuang. He’s been playing Ping Pong professionally since he was twelve (which was in 1975). That’s right, he’s forty-five and he’s all alone representing America, Freedom, and all things Red, White and Blue. Forty-Five in Table Tennis is not the big deal we all think it is. Zhuang won the National Championships in 2006 and Sports Illustrated has him ranked #4. Seems like table tennis has been a way of life for this guy. He grew up in China and was put in one of those freaky Olympic training centers that China has – you know: the ones on TV where you see little kids training night and day with crazy intensity because somehow the Chinese government has determined that this little child is destined to represent the Chinese Empire. How would you feel if you spent your entire childhood working on Synchronized Swimming? Destined for therapy I would think. Anyway, Zhuang went to one of those schools/prisons for Ping Pong and hasn’t put down the paddle since. Now, he makes his third appearance representing democracy on the Olympic Table Tennis… er… table. The last two times things didn’t go so well. I’m hoping the third time’s the charm and Zhuang shocks the world. It would be like the Miracle on Ice except much warmer and hopefully this time the coverage on TV won’t switch to another event right before the end.

In the women’s bracket, Gao Jun brings some much needed muscle to the table. She’s the only American to ever make it out of the Table Tennis prelim’s in the Olympics (2004). I’m hoping she builds upon her past success and takes it to the next level. By the next level I mean the highest level, the one with a gold medal around it’s neck and a huge smile on its face as it basks in Olympic glory. Gao Jun also grew up playing Ping Pong in a Chinese Ping Pong training institution since a very early age. As a representative of China, she’s already won a gold medal for doubles in the World Championships (1991). Now, wrapped in a cloak of Red, White and Blue she’s got to at least give the Chinese some butterflies.

The Chinese love Table Tennis. Their athletes are under intense pressure to win the Gold. Will they rise to the occasion and smack a 120 mph top spin forehand to win? Or, will one of our Chinese-trained Americans foil the Chinese plan for Nationalism through sport? The balls drop August 15th.

Soccer fans are crazy. They’re nuts. They riot. They burn things and get arrested. They hooliganize all over the world. They get words like “Everton” tattooed on their faces. They throw flares, they sing, they chant, they travel to distant lands in support of their team and then they sing and chant there (they also riot in said distant land). When they die, they have their ashes spread over the pitch of their beloved team (for real). It’s a passion for sport that many folks over here just can’t comprehend and until you go to a big time match, you’ll never be able to understand it. It’s cultish almost. It’s also a ton of fun.

Look at how the entire stadium is singing their hearts out.

The Turks. This could be two hours before kick off.

Yes… our Korean friends are in on it too.

The chants add to the atmosphere of the game. Here in the US, we refer to “home court advantage” and how teams have a “sixth man.” I love a good J-E-T-S chant but these people are lunatics when it comes to fandom.

The fans might actually get the assist on this one.

They’re creative. They’re also relentless. My granddad killed your granddad? Dudes are begging for trouble.

This is the norm everywhere in the world. When big teams clash, fans go bananas. The players on the teams hear it and they push on. We don’t need no water let the mother….

Our US soccer team is in need of some real support. We’ve got a good squad and the fanaticism is growing. What we need now is something to chant besides “U-S-A! U-S-A!” over and over again. That’s really all we’ve brought to the table as a fanbase. With the 4th of July just around the corner I feel that it’s the perfect time to channel our inner patriot. We need to put our heads together and come up with some classic songs laced in Americana to cheer on the Red, White, and Blue. The songs shouldn’t be too complicated or long. They need to be well known and above all they need to be fun.

That being said there’s a new forum dedicated to our new mission. In the meantime I have some suggestions to kick things off.

My first suggestion comes with a warning- The following song will be stuck in your head all day- Remember this? Of course you do and so does everybody else. We would just sing the chorus (about 30 seconds in).

This next suggestion is a gimme… every time someone plays it in a juke box a sing-a-long is sure to follow. We might as well use it to our advantage. Think about the part that goes, “Ba, Ba, Baaahh!!!”

I feel like with us being American and all we should have a rock n’ roll edge. So here we are. Imagine the makeup in red white and blue.

So there’s the beginning of what I hope to be a long and productive discussion. Hate these? Think they won’t work in a sports arena? Lets talk it up in the forums…