Magnificent Time for Tampa Bay Sports Fans

 

It has been a very difficult year for many during this pandemic. Florida is no exception but, if there has been a silver lining for the sports fans in Tampa Bay thanks to a historic showing by their professional teams. For local fans such as myself, the Lightning, Rays, Rowdies and the Bucs have given the local fans a great period to be a sports fan.

Being a sports fan in Tampa Bay (City of Tampa and its neighbor across the bay, Saint Petersburg) is not the same as say, being a sports fan in Los Angeles or New York. Those cities have seen their share of champions over the years by their teams. Meanwhile, fans in this area can count on one hand the number of titles won by their teams prior to the pandemic. The Buccaneers (2002) and Lightning (2004) each won once in their respective leagues while the Tampa Bay Rowdies have won the championship twice (1975 & 2012). The Rays came close in 2008 but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. An honorable mention for the defunct Arena Football team, Tampa Bay Storm who won five Arena Football titles in their history, before the league went bust. Although Arena Football is not up there with the NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL, it was an enjoyable niche sport for us football fans down here.

TAMPA BAY SPORTS FOR THE WIN! 🙌

🏈 @Buccaneers
🏒 @TBLightning
⚾ @RaysBaseball
⚽ @TampaBayRowdies @SportsTampaBay #TampaBayLV @TampaBayLV pic.twitter.com/Idndlp2vrE

— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) January 24, 2021

Ever since the area was awarded professional sports franchises in the late 70s, this area has not enjoyed a history of successful winning teams. It always felt that one team was doing well while the others were struggling. That narrative changed this year when the Lightning finally got over the hump and won their second Stanley Cup. The Rays and Rowdies, who share the same owner, both managed to make it to their respective finals. The Rays came up short against the L.A. Dodgers in the World Series but their run to the World Series will never be forgotten by the fans. The Rowdies made it all the way to the USL Final, to be played in Saint Petersburg, but a day before the Final, the USL canceled the Final after some Rowdies players and staff tested positive for COVID-19. The reality of the pandemic, especially in Florida, reared its ugly head and snapped us back to reality, but Rowdies fans can only hope for more positive results from their beloved club.

The Buccaneers recently joined the party after defeating the Green Bay Packers to play in the Super Bowl. It would be quite an achievement to watch the cycle culminate with the Bucs winning the Super Bowl, in their own stadium, and give us two titles from four. Los Angeles already saw the Dodgers and Lakers win championships and it would be nice to rub elbows with the big boys if Tampa Bay can claim to boast two champions of their own. Though it will not replace the pain and losses we have suffered during these tough times, it has been a positive distraction for the sports fans of this area.

Barça’s new problem is Koeman.

 

Well, the honeymoon period for Koeman ended last month and it doesn’t appear that the relationship between Koeman and the fans is going to improve anytime soon. The Blaugrana faithful have watched Barça stumble out of the gate thanks to poor performance, results and poor decision making from Koeman. Barça find themselves nine points behind Atletico Madrid with no optimism for a quick turnaround and a season going down the drain.

Yesterday’s loss to Atletico Madrid was Barça’s third loss from their opening eight league matches under Koeman. This equaled the Blaugrana’s their worst start to a league campaign since 1991-1992 season. That Barça team went on to win the league title by only losing three more games the rest of the campaign. Yet, it’s hard to see this current Barça team avoiding more losses under Koeman.

Koeman’s lineups and substitutions have not worked, with his tactics quite predictable and his adjustments are nonexistent. Koeman unjustifiably overlooks 21-year-old Riqui Puig while consistently playing the 17-year-old Pedri and 20-year-old Trincão. Koeman wanted Dest signed, only to keep dropping him for Sergi Roberto. With injuries piling up, it is a concern of what lies ahead. Of course, Koeman is not solely to blame for Barça’s demise. Watching Barça’s expensive signings of Dembele, Coutinho and Griezmann all on the pitch at once is a sad reminder of how Bartomeu has mismanaged the club’s finances and left the club in financial ruins.

Elections can’t come soon enough. The longer Koeman stays in charge, the more hopeless this season feels for the fans, and for the players. A fresh start is needed with a new board and a new manager because the results are not there to save Koeman. Koeman was presented as the solution, but he’s become part of the problem.

Thank You, Lightning.

 

Rejoice Lightning fans, your Tampa Bay Lightning are champions once again. Following many years of frustration and disappointment, the Lightning have reached the pinnacle for the second time in their history. This current Lightning team had dealt with comparisons with the 2004 team ever since they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015 Stanley Cup Finals. Last year’s shocking and humiliating sweep in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets was on the back of the minds of many Lighting fans when the puck dropped for the 2019-2020 NHL season. It was Stanley Cup or Bust for this team that were consistent in disappointing their fans for the last 6 years. Thankfully, the pain is over as fans and the team can celebrate being the champions.

 Lightning fans can celebrate the team’s second Stanley Cup as a coronation of their many years of great results. There was talk that perhaps this team seemed destined to never get over the hump. Yet, the Lightning are the 2019-2020 Stanley Cup Champions. Some have alluded that this title should come with an asterisk, and somewhat lessen the achievement because it was won in a bubble. I beg to differ and would counter that the Bolts winning the Stanley Cup in the bubble was the most difficult grueling way to win the Stanley Cup. They absolutely deserve the recognition they deserve as worthy champions.

Speaking of recognition, many deserve praise and thanks for bringing home the second Stanley Cup.

Thank you, Jeffrey Vinik for being a great owner. Mr. Vinik bought the team from the ownership group headed by Oren Koules, the producer of the Saw horror franchise, and Len Barrie, who truly were a horror show. Thankfully, Mr. Vinik came in and changed the culture by surrounding himself with the right people and has done a magnificent job in giving back to the community and honoring others through the team's Lightning Community Heroes.

Thank you, Julien BriseBois, the General Manager who made the right moves in the offseason and during the season. Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Kevin Shattenkirk, Patrick Maroon, and Zach Bogosian were new additions to the team via free agency and trades. All these acquisitions helped snap the team from the doldrums following last season’s shock exit in the playoffs.

Thank you, players for a great historic season. Alex Barre-Boulet, Anthony Cirelli, Tyler Johnson, Cedric Paquette, Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, Blake Coleman, Yanni Gourde, Mathieu Joseph, Alex Killorn, Pat Maroon, Ondrej Palat, Gemel Smith, Alexander Volkov, Carter Verhaeghe, Barclay Goodrow, Nikita Kucherov, Mitchell Stephens, Luke Witkowski, Braydon Coburn, Cal Foote, Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Mikhail Sergachev, Zach Bogosian, Erik Cernak, Luke Schenn, Kevin Shattenkirk, Jan Rutta, Spencer Martin, Curtis McElhinney, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Scott Wedgewood. They were hitting on all cylinders from January until the lockdown. Once the playoffs started, they were dominant and lost only four lost games in all four rounds. Special mention to Steven Stamkos whose only shift in the entire playoffs was one for the ages. The captain had been  struggling with his recovery from hernia surgery, but that one shift where he scored was inspirational to the team. It had to be difficult for the captain to not be able to be on the ice and deal with all the talk about his whereabouts, but the face of the franchise can now celebrate being a Stanley Cup champion.

Thank you, Jon Cooper for assembling a great staff of coaches and getting this team over the hump. An awesome coach who tolerated so much doubt from many, including from me, after so many disappointments these last few years. The comparisons with Tony Dungy are no more and he can celebrate joining Jon Gruden, and John Tortorella on the Mount Rushmore of Tampa Bay coaches. Anyone else notice a pattern regarding the coaches?

Thank you, Rick Peckham for being the voice of the Lightning on the TV since my arrival to this country in 1995, which coincidentally is when Peckham was hired by the Lightning. Lightning games will be different without Peckham's voice, and he missed by many. The Bolts winning the cup is the perfect sendoff for him and I wish him a happy retirement.

Thank you, Canada, for hosting these games. 

And finally, thank you, Steve Yzerman for building this. As I eluded to earlier, when Mr. Vinik bought the team, he surrounded himself with the right people, and one of those people was Yzerman, who as the General Manager until he stepped down during the offseason, played a significant part in the turning the team’s fortune around. He is responsible for a majority of the names that will be engraved on the Stanley Cup. Lightning fans owe him a huge debt of gratitude that will d never be forgotten.

In Frank We Trust?

The Frank de Boer era is underway. Ronald Koeman’s departure befuddled many and the choices to replace the now Barcelona boss were even more befuddling. Ultimately, the KNVB opted for Frank de Boer much to the chagrin of many. Was the hiring of de Boer the best option going forward?

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Frankly speaking, KNVB had their work cut out for them when Koeman suddenly resigned to become FC Barcelona’s manager. Dwight Lodeweges stepped in as the caretaker till the KNVB found someone on a permanent basis and the less said about how the Oranje played in those friendlies, the better. Their coaching search though left much to be desired when Frank Rijkaard’s name came out of nowhere as if we weren’t living in the Twilight Zone already. Surely, they can do better than Rijkaard who last managed in 2013. I am just glad we didn’t get a third go with either Dick Advocaat or Louis van Gaal as Oranje managers, especially the latter who went pragmatic in World Cup 2014 knock out stages and squandered a good chance at reaching the Final.

To be frank, de Boer’s availability made it an easy choice for the KNVB. It wasn’t the best option, but it was a safe option. There were no other options unless we want to give others a try as caretakers. Imagine Co Adriaanse being in charge for a couple of games. Marco van Basten can do it for a couple of games if he wants. But seriously, de Boer had success with Ajax and is familiar with some of the current Oranje players (Joël Veltman, Daley Blind Jasper Cillessen, and Ryan Babel). Just hope he doesn’t call up and try to shoehorn Davy Klaassen into the starting eleven with Kevin Strootman.  

Today’s dull 1-0 loss to Mexico was disappointing but it was a friendly to give some players their debut while Matthijs de Ligt is recovering from an injury and Luuk and Frenkie de Jong were on the bench. Premature to think of doom and gloom after one game and let’s wait till he has all the players at his full disposal. However, the Oranje hotseat could be warm for Ronald Koeman when he’s most likely to be out of a job in Barcelona before Euro 2020 kicks off. That’s when we will know if the KNVB truly trust Frank.

Wrong Time for Koeman to coach Barça.

Barcelona and Netherlands fan Ibrahim Ayyub gives his opinion on the news that Ronald Koeman will be leaving his post as Oranje boss to take over at the Catalan giants.

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The news that Ronald Koeman was going to become FC Barcelona’s new manager was surprising and disappointing. Koeman ended the Oranje’s ordeal of mediocrity when they qualified for an international tournament for the first time since 2014. This summer was supposed to be the pinnacle of his time with the Oranje, with him stepping down upon the conclusion of Euro 2020 and seeking new challenges. However, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his plans, and everyone else’s, and his international competition debut as a manager was put on hold for another year. Furthermore, Koeman suffered a scare when he was recently hospitalized with heart problems, which made 2020 an unusual year for the manager.

For those who were not aware, Ronald Koeman’s nickname during his playing days was Tintin. The popular character from The Adventures of Tintin has been on many adventures, but none will be as daring as Koeman’s new adventure as Barça’s manager for the upcoming season; Tintin in the land of Dumpster Fires. It pains me that Koeman would abandon his post as the Oranje manager to join FC Barcelona, especially when this is the worst time to join Barça.

It seems that Koeman is following his heart, and not his brain in making this decision. It has always been Koeman’s dream to become Barça’s manager. The former Barça player is a legend who was always linked to the Barça job, following his successful tenure as the Oranje manager. However, this is the worst time to join FC Barcelona who is in the midst of a crisis. Koeman is accepting to take over Barça with hardly any time for a proper preseason; the Spanish league kicks off on September 12. He is inheriting an awful squad and because of Barça’s dire financial situation, it is rather doubtful they’ll be making any good signings. Oh, and the team’s starting goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, will be undergoing knee surgery and could be out three to four months.

Lastly, the club will be having elections in March 2021 for a new president, so his stay in Barcelona could be short-lived if a new president opts to hire his own manager. Koeman’s heart scare probably made him realize that life is too short and he should not pass up the chance to manage his former club. However, this job is not for the weak of heart and perhaps Koeman should think twice before accepting Barça’s offer and keep his word that he will see out his contract with the Oranje. Then again, he may be out of a job before Euro 2020 kicks off next summer and who knows, maybe the Oranje would take him back.

Time for Bartomeu to Resign and Call for New Elections.

 

Mission Accomplished. Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu have reached their goal of creating their own legacy apart from Joan Laporta’s legacy. They inherited one of the greatest teams to ever set foot on a pitch and set about on changing the club’s identity that of success to that of farcical failure, all in the pursuit of making the club profitable. This is the end. The masterminds behind the downfall of FC Barcelona must leave now so that the members can elect someone more competent to run this club.

Yesterday’s embarrassing defeat should bring down the curtains on Bartomeu and his stooges. Pique spoke to the media following that demoralizing loss and had this to say, “We can’t be in Europe like this. The club needs changes, structural ones, not players or managers. I’m the first to leave if new blood is needed, because now, we’ve hit rock bottom. We can’t keep covering it up any longer.” Barto also spoke to the media, calling the loss a disaster and that “we have not been the team we are, or the club we represent. We are very sorry for that.” It was great to see him squirm in front of the cameras, after the Barça players and Setién were a public humiliation for the whole world to see.

Nonetheless, it's too late for apologies from Barto. This president and his board have become experts in incompetence, and the idea of allowing Barto and his board from making more decisions that shape Barça's future would be grossly negligent. For far too long, they have been allowed to run this club to the ground with their poor decisions not just how they ran the football team, but with La Masia, the basketball team and the other professional teams. The time has come for them to leave now.

Barça continue to regress, with every Champions League exit worse than the last one. Last year, Jordi Alba responded to criticism from fans after their 4-0 loss to Liverpool by saying that Barcelona have spoiled people by winning so many titles. Yes, we have been spoiled. We have one of the greatest footballers in history and the club surrounded him with mediocre players and coaches. Barto’s blueprint for success resembles a house of cards next to an open window during a tornado. The time has come to for someone else to run the club.

Barça Clause delivering gifts.

You better watch out.
You better not cry.
You better not pout.
I'm telling you why.
Barça Clause is coming to town.

Barça, the club that keeps on gifting to other clubs. Over the years, Barça have become jolly old Saint Nick, by sending gifts in terms of money, blown leads, and points. Three straight seasons where Barça fans felt like they only got coal in their stockings.

Year one of Mister Valverde, Barça almost went unbeaten in league. Paid Liverpool about €160 million for Coutinho, and enjoyed a three-goal aggregate lead against Roma, only to squander it in Rome. It felt like a fluke, but the worst was yet to come.

Year two of Mister Valverde, Barça win the league again. Semi-Finalists once more in Champions League Football. Defeated Liverpool 3-0 at the Camp Nou, only for them to gift that lead and lose 4-0 at Anfield. Coutinho was a non-factor, while Liverpool used the €160 million to sign Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to go on and win their 6^th Champions League title. Proceeded to lose the Copa del Rey Final to Valencia which allowed them to celebrate their first domestic achievement in a decade.

Year three of Mister Valverde, he didn’t make it past January. Setién was now the man, although were dumped out of Copa del Rey by Athletic, and lost El Clasico in Madrid, Barça enjoyed a two-point lead before the pandemic break.  Barça gifted the lead back to Madrid and finished five points behind Los Blancos as runners-up. Champions League is all that’s left with Barça an away goal advantage following their 1-1 draw in Naples. Will they overcome Napoli or gift them a spot in the Quarter-Finals?

Messi sees what the board has been doing.
It’s unsure how much more he can take.
He’s seen the board do more bad than good.
So please Barça, be good for goodness sake!