Morning.
Hope you enjoyed the Fourth and thanked a veteran.
From the "Talks too much" studios, U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A.
United States' Carli Lloyd holds the trophy after they defeated Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 5, 2015. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT It's Monday, so that means who won the weekend and who lost it.
This Monday, the only real question about winning the weekend, is who won the weekend the second-most behind the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, who blasted Japan 5-2 in the World Cup Final.
Hey, we're not the biggest soccer fan, but the lightning-fast start that generated a 4-0 lead and a hat trick for Carli Lloyd was cool. It was fun to watch, especially in public. Hey, that may be a big part of why the World Cup is so enjoyable - we all are rooting for the same side.
In a country that is becoming more and more divisive with each passing issue, the Women's World Cup gave us the perfect anecdote.
We were all on the same team. We were all so deeply invested that grown-ups gleefully dressed in superhero costumes and cried tears of passionate celebration. We high-fived strangers at restaurants and joined in as mini "U-S-A! U-S-A!" chants cascaded off the walls of places ranging from downtown bars to kids' rooms in the quietest neighborhoods.
The World Cup will be the only soccer we watch on TV until the next World Cup, but maybe that's what makes this even more special. Like a fine wine or a Daniel Day-Lewis movie, the elongated time between the next rendition only makes it more sweet.
United States fans cheer outside BC Place stadium in Vancouver before the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer final between the United States and Japan on Sunday.There's also the rarified place of Americans being the underdog, especially on the men's side. Sure the women are a legitimate world power, but it still had been 16 years since out last World Cup before Sunday's reverse Pearl Harbor.
Still, it's the group effect that joins us together, and when have we needed that more than right now?
So there's no doubt who the ultimate winners of the weekend were: The USWNT, and the ride they took all of America on. Thanks gang, and see you at Finley in six weeks.
Other weekend winners: Finley Stadium, which will host the World Cup champs Aug. 19; San Antonio, which landed LaMarcus Aldridge, the shiniest prize on the NBA free agent market (wow); NASCAR had a fun race with a popular winner in Dale Jr., but (there's always a but right?)
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Weekend losers
- NASCAR had some losses this weekend too. With attendance already lagging, fans getting injured - even slightly - by crashes into the retaining fence is not exactly the talking point the sport wants or needs after the biggest race of the summer. Plus, when the young gun face of the next generation of NASCAR calls for slower speeds - like Austin Dillon did Sunday night after his scary wreck - well, again, not the talking point you need. Oh yeah, this was after the weekend in which NASCAR announced its intention to disconnect from the Confederate Flag. Hey, maybe this could be the next commercial slogan: "We're not your Father's NASCAR - we're slower, more boring and completely dictated by corporate interests. See you at the track"
Brian Scott (33) goes under Carl Edwards (19) as they wreck in turn 2 during a NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, July 6, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Moore) - Rory McIlroy. The top-ranked golfer on the planet tore an ankle ligament playing soccer. He has withdrawn from the Scottish Open and his status for the British Open, which starts a week from Thursday, is unknown.
- The Lakers. The rebuilding project went from centering on LaMarcus Aldridge to now being about Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass. Egad. To make matters worse, the Lakers pursued Greg Monroe, who over the weekend picked the Milwaukee Bucks over the Lakers.
- Donald Trump. Hey, Donald, stop talking. Please. Here he tries to pay the New England Patriots a compliment by comparing them to a communist dictatorship. OK, Bill Belichick loves it but c'mon Trump, please stop the circus.
- Portland Trailblazers. OK, about four months ago, the Trailblazers were 20-games over .500 and sitting second in the West. This weekend, after Aldridge left, Portland has to replace four starters from last year's team, it fired an assistant for telling the truth, and it wonders what the next step is post-LaMarcus. Also, Aldridge's exit was coupled with this "Thank You" letter to the Blazers fans.
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Some of each
Yes, Rory McIlroy, the top-ranked player in golf may miss the British Open. That's bad news.
We were less sure where to classify Tiger Woods.
Yes, Woods had some notable hallmarks this weekend.
FILE - In this May 28, 2015, file photo, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy looks dejected after missing a putt on the ninth hole during the first round of the Irish Open Golf Championship at Royal County Down, Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Returning to the site of what McIlroy considers one of his breakthrough tournaments, the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, might give the world’s top-ranked golfer an extra confidence boost going into next week’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in Washington. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File) He played his first bogey-free round in 55 competitive tournaments. Win.
He played three rounds under par at the Greenbrier, a first in any tournament this year. Win.
He shot 67 Sunday that could have been just as easily been a 63 if a couple of makable putts fall. Win.
And all that said, we're talking about Tiger Woods having a good weekend after finishing 32nd in a tournament with a field just north of the Lupton Cup in terms of talent. There was one top-12 player in the world in the event, and that was Bubba Watson, who takes six-figures as a spokesman for the Greenbrier.
Woods was six shots behind Danny Lee, who joined Daniel Hearn, Robert Streb and Kevin Kisner in a playoff. Those four cats, while fine players in an ever-deepening golf world, are not going to be confused with Nicklaus, Palmer, Watson and Trevino any time soon.
So is Tiger trending upward two weeks shy of the British Open, which will be played at St. Andrews, a place that Woods has thrived.
But that was Tiger of days gone by. This is the Tiger we have.
At least those two Tigers looked somewhat familiar Sunday.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during their Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs on Friday, May 22, 2015, in Atlanta. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 94-82. ---
This and that
- Speaking of the Greenbrier, the most unbelievable story from Sunday was Streb carding a back-nine 32 while putting with his wedge. Yes, with his wedge. He broke his putter walking off No. 9 after tossing it to his caddie.
- This is interesting as ESPN asks what would LeBron James make if there was no salary cap. We'd start it at $40 million and see where it headed
- The All-Star game starters were announced over the weekend. Here they are.
- Here's a pretty solid NBA free agency ticker from CBSsports.com.
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Today's question
Feel free to offer any insight about who won or lost the weekend.
Also, with the Williams sisters playing this morning in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, are they far left on the Rushmore of best siblings sports duo ever?
Discuss.