The International Rugby Board (IRB) have confirmed that the United States are among 8 nations who have expressed interest in hosting the biggest event in sevens rugby, joining Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia & Scotland. The 2009 World Cup was held in Dubai with Wales claiming the cup.

The above mentioned unions have until December 15th to formally confirm their interest. The host will be selected in May of 2010. The United States currently hosts one of the legs of the annual IRB Sevens World Series. The USA Sevens will be hosted in Las Vegas this season.

LeBron James put together a triple-double, so there’s reason to belive things are going just fine in Cleveland.  Early in the opener against the Celtics, Cleveland looked dominant.  At one point mid-way through the first quarter they were up 13-2, and maintained a decent lead for much of the first half.  It wasn’t until late in the second quarter that the Celtics took the lead and never looked back.

If Cleveland has one major issue so far this season, it’s their inability to catch up after a run.  As is often said on Sportscenter: “It’s the NBA.  Everybody makes a run.”  The Cavs need to find a way to respond faster and avoid things getting out of hand.  As the team adjusts to its new style of play with Shaq, that will happen.  With all the talent the Cavs have, it shouldn’t take too long.

The highest profile inductee in this year’s class is Ian McGeechan. The Scottish rugby legend is best known for his exploits as a coach,  spending several years with the London Wasps as well as leading the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa this past summer.

Previous inductees include: William Webb Ellis (2006), Gareth Edwards (2007) & Philippe Sella (2008).

IRB Hall of Fame- Class of 2009

William E. Maclagan (Scotland and British)
Barry H. Heatlie (South Africa)
Benjamin L. Osler (South Africa)
Clifford I. Morgan (Wales and Lions)
Sir Anthony J.F. O’Reilly A.O (Ireland and Lions)
Frederick C.H. du Preez (South Africa)
Dr Sydney Millar CBE (Ireland and Lions)
William J. McBride (Ireland and Lions)
Ian R. McGeechan (Scotland and Lions)

“We’ve got a very solid pool of players selected for these matches. Almost all of the players have been involved through the summer schedule. This will make it easier to for the team to gel given the limited preparation time before the first Test.” -Eddie O’Sullivan

The player pool features professional players  Todd Clever (Golden Lions), JJ Gaganio (FC Roma), Hayden Smith (Saracens), John Van Der Giessen (Sporting Club Albigeois), Paul Emerick (Parma), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic), Tim Usasz (Nottingham) & Chris Wyles (Saracens). This will be the most professional players on a USA Eagle roster, which is a step in the right direction.

The squad also features Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach), who became a breakout star during last season’s IRB Sevens World Series & former Captain Mike Hercus, who previously played professionally in Europe and now plays semi-pro rugby in Australia.

The U.S. will enter next month’s series ranked 18th in the world while Uruguay are ranked 21st. The Eagles hold a 9-1 record over Uruguay, including a meeting 4 years ago with 2007 World Cup qualification on the line. The Eagles won that series 75-20 on aggregate.

The first leg will be held in Montevideo on November 14th & the return leg will be held at Broward County Regional Park in Lauderhill, FL on November 17th.

USA EAGLES PLAYER POOL Vs URUGUAY

Forwards:
Todd Clever (Golden Lions), Pat Danahy (Life University), JJ Gaganio (FC Roma), Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians), Will Johnson (Oxford University), Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), Mate Moeakiola (Pearl City), Alec Parker (Aspen), Shawn Pittman (Bayside), Hayden Smith (Saracens), Jacob Sprague (Mystic River), Louis Stanfill (NYAC), Phil Thiel (Life University), John Van Der Giessen (Sporting Club Albigeois)

Backs:
Cory Blair (Huntington Beach), Paul Emerick (Parma) Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays), Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic), Mike Petri (NYAC), Junior Sifa (Midleton), Roland Suniula (Pearl City), Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach), Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers), Tim Usasz (Nottingham), Chris Wyles (Saracens)

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The World Series begins on October 28th.  The series begins in New York as a result of the American League’s win in the 2009 All-Star Game.  Beginning with game 3, the series shifts to Philadelphia.  If necessary, it will end in New York with games 6 and 7.

The World Series looks to be more balanced than last year’s Rays/Phillies series.  Both teams have the combination of power and pitching, and are ultimately evenly matched.  If Alex Rodriguez can keep up his playoff form, the Yankees will be tough to beat.  Still, don’t count the Phillies out.  They’ve managed to win their series on the strength of several different heroes.  Not having to rely on any specific player makes Charlie Manuel’s squad a very frightening opponent.

Prediction

I see this game going to at least six games, if not seven.  Home field advantage won’t make much of a difference as both stadiums are hitter friendly to say the least.  Expect to see lots of home runs.  The close proximity of Philadelphia to New York City also negates some of the home fan advantage as true fans will make the relatively short trip.

The Phillies have the edge on starting pitching, and that may very well make the difference in the series.  The longer they can keep Brad Lidge off the field, the better chance they have.  Lidge has done well in the playoffs, but you can never be sure when his demons will return.  If the Yankees go into the late innings with a lead, its lights out in Philly.  The trick is they have to get there first.

I’m taking the Phillies in seven.

Eastern Conference

(1) Columbus Crew v. (4) Real Salt Lake

(2) Chicago Fire v. (3) New England Revolution

Western Conference

(1) LA Galaxy v. (4) Chivas USA

(2) Houston Dynamo v. (3) Seattle Sounders FC

Predictions

The Eastern Conference is pretty straight forward.  There’s no way Columbus loses to Real Salt Lake.  They are too good of a team to fall apart when it matters most.  Chicago and New England have history in the playoffs, but the Fire are the better team in this match-up.  McBride and Blanco know that this is their last chance at a title, and will play accordingly.

For the first time, we have a Superclassico in the playoffs.  As much as Chivas has surged lately, they’ve laid two straight eggs this week.  The Galaxy are riding high on reaching the playoffs for the first time in the David Beckham era.  With Landon Donovan likely on his way out of MLS after this season ends, I can’t in my right mind pick against him.  The Dynamo/Sounders matchup has some backstory as well, but it is much more recent.  The two teams played a controversial US Open Cup semifinal, one Dynamo supporters are still angry about.  The Sounders have a chance at playing the MLS Cup final at home, so expect them to give the extra effort.  Still, I think the Dynamo take the series.

Between Chicago and Columbus, the Crew are still the better team.  Chicago is a great road team, and will give Columbus everything they can handle, but just like last year I expect the Crew to prevail.  The Dynamo may be the power team in MLS over the last few years, but nothing can stop the Donovan/Beckham juggurnaut.  MLS and SUM (Soccer United Marketing) need this Galaxy team in the final.  Don’t be surprised if the officials make a few questionable calls to ensure that happens

With the way the CONCACAF Champions League berths are set up, who wins the MLS Cup makes little difference.  Still, winning a championship means everything to the teams involved.  It is ultimately why the season is played.  This year’s final could be one of the best in history so far.  Expect Landon Donovan to take his game to another level and lead the Galaxy to the title as he rides off to Europe in the sunset.

October 23rd, 2009 – Winter Springs, FL

The inaugural Tuskawilla Tussle was a ground war that  favored host Winter Springs (3-5, 3-0 in 5A-3) as they defeated Lake Howell (2-5, 1-1 in 5A-3), 13-0. The Bears’ win virtually guarantees them a spot in the 5A playoffs.

The game was dominated so much by the run that only seven passes were attempted.    Two of those passes were intercepted (one by each team), two were completed (both by Lake Howell for a total of ten yards), and one drew a pass interference penalty and technically doesn’t count.

RB Ryan Petro led the way for the Bears with 92 yards. FB Joe Bonura added 45 yards and two touchdowns. The Silver Hawks were led by RB Kyle Glaze’s 66 rushing yards.

After the game, the discussion on local radio focused more on the defense, but I wasn’t impressed.  When you run the ball every down, usually to the same player, the running game is easy to stop.  You can stack the box.  Despite knowing what was coming, both teams were frequently getting three yard gains.  The problem with three yard gains is that three of them add up to nine yards, not ten.

This game would have had more scoring but both the Bears and Silver Hawks struggled in the kicking game.  All three attempted field goals were missed, as was one of the two extra points.  How those field goals, especially Lake Howell’s miss, would have affected the game remains to be seen.  Given how both teams were playing, I wouldn’t expect much to change.

Winter Springs 13, Lake Howell 0

FIRST - WS: Bonura 4 run (Avery kick); FOURTH - WS: Bonura 2 run (Avery miss);

Just as the Goats’ loss was more than just a loss, Chicago’s win was more than a win.  A playoff spot was almost assured already, but by winning tonight, the Fire no longer have to worry about being a wildcard team.  This gives them home field advantage until the Eastern Conference final.  If Columbus is knocked out early, the Fire’s only road game before the MLS Cup Final will be in the first round.  Despite the Fire’s struggles at home all season, having playoff games in the rough Chicago weather plays into their hands, especially against the warm weather Western Conference teams.  The Fire have made the playoffs in all but one of their 12 seasons in MLS.

The Crew’s Supporters’ Shield gives them an automatic spot in the 2010-2011 CONCACAF Champions League.  The berth is more than a chance in the tournament, it is a direct path to the group stage.  In the past two tournaments, MLS teams have struggled in the preliminary round.  By not having to play, the Crew have the chance to conserve their roster a little more and position themselves for a deeper run.  The Crew are currently competing in this season’s edition of the tournament.  They are the only MLS team to qualify for the knockout round, beginning in March of 2010.

No matter what the result, the Fire are all but guaranteed a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs.  Two of the three teams trailing the Fire (DC and Toronto) have relatively easy games against teams with no shot at the playoffs.  New England has the toughest road because they face MLS’ best team, the Columbus Crew.  Normally the Crew would have little to play for, but with a win they lock up the Supporters’ Shield and the requisite CONCACAF Champions League berth. 

Chasing the Crew for the Supporters’ Shield are the Fire’s opponent tonight, Chivas USA.  As long as Chicago Fire get a point from tonight’s match against Chivas USA, they are in.  The Goats won’t make thigns easy.  To have any shot at the regular season championship trophy, Chivas needs to win.  Anything else hands the title to Columbus.

All this adds up to a very tough match tonight for the Chicago Fire.  Playing at home should provide a boost, but the Fire have been terrible all season long at Toyota Park.  The only thing the Fire have going for them is a two game winning streak against Chivas.  In a controversial game at the end of May, the Fire won 3-2 on the road at the Home Depot Center.  During this summer’s Superliga competition, the Fire also earned a 1-0 victory against the Goats en route to the Superliga final.

Despite everything being against them, the Fire should be able to earn a draw.  They’ve only done it 12 times this year already.  One more shouldn’t be too much to ask when the playoffs are on the line.