Flagrant 2: Memo Saves Mexico in the World Cup
It’s Flagrant 2 time once again. So chug that coffee and get up to speed on the two biggest sports stories that everyone will be talking about today.
Flagrant 2: U.S. Wins World Cup Thriller, Nation Freaks Out
Brazil Gets The Memo
Before the World Cup began, most thought host nation Brazil would roll over all opponents en route to its sixth championship. We’re guessing Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa didn’t read those pre-tournament predictions.
El Tri’s goalkeeper had the match of his life, making save after miraculous save to help his team earn a 0-0 draw with the high-powered Brazilians. He twice turned away star Neymar from close distance – including a sprawling stop for the ages on a blistering header in the 26th minute – denied Paulinho following a loose ball in the box, and held firm while defender Thiago Silva came thundering down with another point-blank header.
The man known as Memo later called it “the match of my life,” and we’d have to agree with him. Brazil came into the match having won the three previous World Cup meetings between the nations (the last of which came in 1962) and had beaten the Mexicans 2-0 in last year’s Confederations Cup. But no matter how hard they tried, on this day, they couldn’t beat Ochoa.
Too bad they didn’t play Russia. Their keeper sucks.
Kneel Before … The Royals?!?
It’s been a while – like 11 years – but the Kansas City Royals reign once again.
After last night’s 11-4 win over the Detroit Tigers, KC sits alone atop the AL Central, the first time they’ve been in first this late in the season since 2003. Rookie Yordano Ventura pitched seven innings, and Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas each smashed a two-run homer in a seven-run second inning against Tigers’ ace Max Scherzer, who is on our fantasy team (thanks, dicks).
It’s the Royals ninth-straight win, their longest streak since last summer, when they were miles away from first place. The win was also KC’s second-straight domination of Detroit, the team that’s owned this division since 2011. On Monday, the Royals hammered former AL MVP Justin Verlander, who has seemingly forgotten how to pitch, for seven runs. Though he could take solace in Kate Upton.
Kansas City now holds a half-game lead over the Tigers in the Central. We’d like extend congratulations to our friend Biff, who is the only Royals fan we know.
Quickly …
Ryan Fitzpatrick named Texans starting quarterback. It’s never too early for your team to waive the white flag. … Brock Holt with the catch of the day! …. Missing: Raul Ibanez‘s foul ball.