USA USA USA!! and Weekend Highlights

Abby Wambach Celebrates her 122nd minute goal (boston.cbsports.com)

That USA Women's World Cup Quarterfinal game against Brazil yesterday was one of the best sporting events I've ever watched live on TV. It was just amazing how even with all the bad calls and unlucky breaks going against the US they never gave up and broke through with the latest goal in the history of the Women's World Cup at 122 minutes (2 minutes into added time in the 2nd extra time period). Megan Rapinoe drilled a brilliant cross that just was passed Brazilian goaltender Andrea's reach that Abby Wambach headed home with authority to send it into penalty kicks. That is where every US player knew they would win the match and advance to play France in the Semifinal on Wednesday at 12 PM EST because of who they had between the pipes- Hope Solo, one of, if not the best, goaltenders in the game. Solo came through as they expected by stopping the 3rd Brazilian penalty kick leading to Ali Kreiger's clinching conversion that sent the entire nation into a tizzy. Twitter was on fire and every Sportscenter/news show featured something about women's soccer for the next full day... a real nice follow up to the amazing run the US Women had in 1999 after many disappointing years. Help cheer on our women on Wednesday on ESPN, coverage begins at 11:30 AM EST!

Joey Bats (Jose Bautista) Homers (minorleagueball.com)

A very good weekend in sports wrapped up and we have only 1 major sporting event that is going on tonight, the MLB Home Run Derby. I predict that Jose Bautista will defeat Prince Fielder in the contest.
Some highlights of the weekend:
-Obviously the stunning come from behind, down 1 woman USA victory over Brazil on Sunday 2-2 (5-3 on PKs) makes the top highlight.
-Derek Jeter would be number 1 on any other weekend but his 5 for 5 performance Saturday who collected his 3,000th career hit with his 3rd home run of the season. First Yankee believe it or not to get to the 3,000 milestone.
-The San Diego Padres almost made the New York Mets the only team in the MLB to never have a no-hitter thrown but instead gave up the first hit with 2 outs and 2 strikes in the bottom of the ninth to then allow another hit afterwards to lose 1-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
-Jose Bautista launches 2 more HRs over the weekend to make his All-Star Break numbers .334 AVG 31 HR 65 RBI.
-The Boston Red Sox swept the lowly Baltimore Orioles outscoring them 32-13 in 4 games whacking 11 home runs in the series.
-Josh Hamilton overcame a devastating tragedy to hit a walk-off HR in the next game for the Texas Rangers.
-The Nationals are .500 at 46-46 but are still 11.5 games behind the Phillies and 8 behind the Braves who lead the Wildcard Race. The Pirates are a surprising 47-43 and are just 1 game back from division leaders Cardinals and Brewers. Perennial bottom dwellers making some noise has really been a great story.

Check back tomorrow for a column on the Roger Clemens' Trial!