NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Happy Monday, folks! I usually stick to my usual New York Knicks, Rangers, and whatever football thing I can dig up – because let’s be real – it’s very easy to talk about football. But today I’m mixing it up. I’ve got three topics on my mind, and I’m tossing them out there like I am trying to make pancakes on a Sunday morning—some will stick, some might flop. So, let’s dive into March Madness, US Soccer Faceplants, MLB Opening Day.
March Madness
It’s here, folks, and let me tell you – it’s just not the same when you’re not part of a bracket pool. Sure, I could join some random group of strangers on ESPN or CBS, but it’s just not the same. The real magic happens when you’re in a pool with friends or co-workers, with a little cash on the line. Let’s be honest, it’s not about the money—it’s about the bragging rights. Nothing feels better than gloating for a full year because you somehow picked the 12-seed upset no one saw coming.
Fan favorite, McNeese State, won their first game (which was awesome) and then lost their second (which was less awesome), but hey, they gained a ton of fans along the way. So, in a way, they still won. The SEC? Well, let’s just say they’re not exactly lighting the world on fire, despite squeezing in a bunch of teams. Meanwhile, the Big Ten is looking strong—shockingly strong, actually. And don’t even get me started on the West Coast conference. They’re basketball schools, which allows them to recruit better, I believe.
On the women’s side, things are going smooth. The gap between teams is closing, which is awesome to see, but it still takes until the Sweet 16 for things to really heat up. So far, the biggest upset we’ve seen is No. 5 Kansas State taking down No. 4 Kentucky. Other than that, it’s been pretty chalky. I don’t see any massive upsets happening until we get deeper into the tournament—maybe around the Sweet 16. But hey, that’s why they call it Madness, right?
US Soccer Faceplants
The American futbol team is in a tough spot right now, and honestly, I haven’t been this frustrated since I was building my daughters crib 8 years ago. They’re creating chances, taking shots, but finishing? Take that Panama game, for example. If you haven’t seen the highlights, do yourself a favor and watch it. The Panamanian player scored a very good goal late in the game, and then—plot twist—he sprinted over to hug Thierry Henry, the French football legend and CBS Sports Analyst as Henry was his childhood idol. I mean, the guy was so hyped to score, he basically turned into a fanboy mid-celebration. It was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking if you’re a U.S. fan.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—that loss was ugly. The U.S. had more chances but couldn’t finish, and then they followed it up with another poor performance against Canada. Look, I’ve been a U.S. soccer fan for a long time, and I’ve got to say, something feels off. Yeah, we’ve got more players in Europe now, which is great, but it feels like this team has lost that grit and hunger we used to have back when nobody even knew what a “Euro league” was. Back then, we played with a chip on our shoulder, like we had something to prove. Now? It feels like they’re waiting for things to just fall into place instead of fighting for it.
Panama bunkered-down like they were defending a slice of cake at a kids birthday party and the U.S. had no answer. Then, against Canada, half the team looked like they’d rather be anywhere else—like, maybe at home binge-watching *Ted Lasso* instead of playing in it. And don’t even get me started on the stadium situation. Look, I get why they do it, but playing these games in NFL stadiums with half-empty crowds isn’t helping. SoFi field was supposed to be a neutral site for the semi-finals, but it ended up feeling more like a library than a home-field advantage. If you want energy, you’ve got to put these games in soccer-specific stadiums where the fans can actually bring the noise. Otherwise, it’s just a bunch of guys running around in an echo chamber.
MLB Opening Day
I can’t believe Opening Day is already here this week. I mean, it feels earlier every yea. Like, didn’t we just finish shoveling snow? But hey, spring training has dragged on long enough, so I guess it’s time to get this thing started.
As for my Mets, well, let’s just say I’m cautiously optimistic. They finished strong last year, but this is a new season, and we’ve got a long road ahead. But they got Soto and kept Alonso and almost all the key guys. Will they get enough pitching to go along with this hitting? We live in hope. Let’s go, Mets! (And please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t break my heart again.)
Thanks for reading and please comment below. Come back tomorrow to hear from Ben Whitney, on how March Madness was better when it was just on one channel.
