What you may have missed this weekend: 08/01 -08/04

Before we get into what all we missed this weekend, I just want to say welcome back football. It’s been too long and yet still too far.

“-Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez” by Jack Kurzenknabe is licensed for Public Domain

This weekend had a lot of cheerful moments like the Hall of Fame game between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. It was the start of the Hall of Fame weekend that welcomed in the Class of 2019. But let’s see what else we missed this weekend with more NFL news. There’s even news about the NBA and MLB along with a big weekend in Soccer and Cricket by Aman.

NFL:

Hall of Fame Game:

This is an extra preseason game for the two teams involved and it’s all about the Hall of Famers that get inducted the Saturday after. On Thursday, we got our first look at the 2019 NFL season as the Atlanta Falcons give up a touchdown to the Denver Broncos and loss 14-10. Of course, all the big name players weren’t playing in the game, but it was still a pretty good watch.

Hall of Fame Ceremony:

The Hall of Fame Ceremony was the better watch for the NFL. We got to see some of the best players and contributors become Hall of Famers in Canton, Ohio. Players like Chiefs’ safety Johnny Robinson, tight end Tony Gonzalez, Broncos’ corner back Champ Bailey and owner Pat Bowlen, Ravens’ safety Ed Reed, Patriots’ corner back Ty Law, Jets’ center Kevin Mawae, and Cowboys’ contributor Gil Brandt.

Chargers’ Gordon wants out:

In other NFL news, Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon likely wants out. With him currently holding out, there’s been a lot of rumors of a possible trade for Gordon. No team has emerged in talks yet, but let’s keep our eyes and ears open as we get closer to the opening weekend.

Brady gets Extension:

The six time Super Bowl winning champion doesn’t plan on going anywhere any time soon as he and the New England Patriots finalize a contract extension. It’s a two-year extension that will keep Brady under contract through the 2021 season and will get paid $23 million this year, a $8 million increase which makes Brady the sixth-highest-paid QB in the league. It looks like 2019 Draft pick, Jarrett Stidham, will have a few more years to learn behind the “G.O.A.T.”

NBA:

“Melo” times in the NBA:

There hasn’t been much news on the NBA now that the free agency period has been “melo” lately. The only real question is if Carmelo Anthony will play for an NBA team this season? He opens up about his few games with Houston, but says that he is ready for the bigger task at hand. Melo has been a great shooter all throughout his career, but still no defense. But can he stay on a team’s bench?

Christmas schedule released:

We have also been given the five Christmas Day games that we’ll be watching while we eat some of Mama’s delicious pies.

These are the games, but the times are not given yet.

Zion Williamson’s takes his chance at guarding Nikola Jokic as the New Orleans Pelicans face the Denver Nuggets.
There’s also the classic Eastern Conference showdowns between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks. How will Giannis Antetokounmpo do against both Al Horford and Joel Embiid?
The other Eastern Conference game is the reigning champions, Toronto Raptors against the new look Boston Celtics with the likes of Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter.
Then there’s the two guys that haven’t been able to beat the Warriors in the playoffs in the past five years teaming up with hopes of doing it again. Those two guys are James Harden and Russell Westbrook as they look to carry the Houston Rockets to a nice win over Steph Curry and the Warriors.
Then there’s the game everyone wants to see: Lakers-Clippers 2.0. After their opening night game, we’ll have to wait until Christmas to see it again and seeing how each roster is, this will be a great game to watch.

Opening Day roster:

We will also see the battle of Los Angeles on Oct. 22 as LeBron James and the Lakers take on Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. That will be the second of a back-to-back as we get our first real look at the No. 1 overall pick. Zion Williamson (No. 1) will take his New Orleans Pelicans north to take on the defending NBA champions, Toronto Raptors.

MLB:

The biggest news in the MLB this weekend was the Trade deadline. Of course, most of these were done before the weekend, but all of them are taking place and being finalized. So let’s see some of the players who got trade and where.

Houston Astros traded five minor leagues players to the Arizona Diamondbacks for P Zack Greinke
Astros also traded OF Derek Fisher (NOT the Basketball star) to the Toronto Blue Jays for P Joe Biagini, P Aaron Sanchez, and minor league OF Cal Stevenson
The Milwaukee Brewers traded minor league infielder to the San Francisco Giants for a pair of pitchers, Drew Pomeranz and Ray Black.
The Minnesota Twins continue to surprise us with a good season and they trade minor leagues to San Francisco for P Sam Dyson.
Los Angeles Dodgers look to add insurance with the asquistion of infielder Jedd Gyorko from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals get P Tony Cingrani and minor league P Jeffry Abreu
The Philadelphia Phillies get OF Corey Dickerson from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cincinnati Reds received a minor league OF from the Oakland Athletics in the Tanner Roark. Roark was the top starting pitcher traded on deadline day.
Chicago Cubs receive OF Nicholas Castellanos and cash from the Detroit Tigers who get a pair of minor league pitchers.
The Atlanta Braves boosted their bullpen in two different trades. They get pitcher Shane Greene from Detroit and Mark Melancon from San Francisco. They traded a pair of minor leaguers and and P Dan Winkler.
The biggest trade was between the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds that included the San Diego Padres. The trade was big for the Indians who traded P Trevor Bauer to the Reds. The Indians received OF Yasiel Puig and minor league pitcher from the Reds. They also received OF Franmil Reyes, P Logan Allen, and minor league infielder from the Padres. The Padres would receive minor league outfielder from the Reds.

Soccer: (Aman)

MLS All-Stars unable to stand up to Atlético Madrid:

Atlético Madrid are famed for their defensive strength and it was exactly that which won them their preseason match against the MLS All-Stars in Orlando. Along with keeping a clean sheet, Atlético Madrid also managed to score thrice, all with just 41 percent possession.

However, in that 41 percent, Atlético Madrid outshot the MLS All-Stars 8-19, with the three goals coming from Marcos Llorente towards the end of the first half, new signing João Félix in the 85th minute and Diego Costa adding salt to the wounds in the 93rd minute.

Bad day for LA Galaxy:

After a bad loss to LAFC, most did not expect Atlanta United to even be able to compete with LA Galaxy. But things did not necessarily go to plan. Atlanta went up 2-0 in the first half but they didn’t score either of the two goals.

An unfortunate occurrence of two own goals from David Romney and Giancarlo González 20 minutes apart set the win for the home side. Atlanta then made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute when Josef Martínez converted yet another penalty.

Dortmund shock Bayern Munich to win DFL Supercup:

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund usually play in the DFL Supercup and Bayern Munich usually win. But this time, Jadon Sancho had a show to put on. Dortmund shockingly beat the giants 2-0 thanks to goals from Paco Alcácer in the 48th minute and Sancho in the 69th. Sancho had put on such a performance, Alex Witself said later on that “Even Bayern were scared of Sancho!”

Messi handed three-month international football ban by CONMEBOL:

After Argentina controversially lost to Brazil in the Copa América Semi-finals, Lionel Messi didn’t hesitate and claiming CONMEBOL officials were guilty of corruption after a crucial referee decision against Argentina wasn’t reviewed.

CONMEBOL have since responded by banning Messi for playing for Argentina for three months, but this, amongst other things prove Messi was not wrong. Along with the corruption cases against FIFA, the President of the Argentina Fútbol Asociación Luis Segura was charged with fraud.

Philadelphia regains No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference:

To wrap up a weekend full of Soccer news, we have to take a look at the Eastern Conference standings in MLS. Going into their match on Sunday, Philadelphia Union was tied for 1st with Atlanta United FC at 39 points. The Unions opponents, DC United, were sitting at 4th with 36 and were looking for their chance to be the top team. With a win, DC United would’ve been in a three-way tie for 1st. However, Philadelphia Union didn’t let that happen as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over Wayne Rooney and DC United. There’s still plenty of games left and we could see more movement amongst the top four teams in the East.

Cricket:

Steve Smith silences England:

The first Ashes test at the Edgbaston, Birmingham has been highlighted by one player: Steve Smith. In his first test for Australia in 16 months, Smith scored 144(219), helping Australia from 122-8 to a respectable total of 284.

He first had an 88-run partnership with Peter Siddle, who scored 44(85) himself, and then the 10th-wicket partnership lasted 74 runs with Nathan Lyon, who scored 12(26)*. The loss of Jimmy Anderson due to injury made bowling difficult for England, but Stuart Broad passed the 450 mark in his five-for by bowling Smith.
In the next innings, England found a hero as well in the name of the opener Rory Burns. When Jason Roy’s dismissal reinstated doubts around England’s opening batsmen, Burns batted till Day 3, scoring 133(312), being dismissed caught behind. The skipper Joe Root and in-form Ben Stokes also provided half-centuries, but the biggest frustration for Australia was the ninth-wicket partnership between Stuart Broad, 29(67), and Chris Woakes, 37(95)*, which lasted 65 runs and 24.1 overs.

In the next innings, England found a hero as well in the name of the opener Rory Burns. When Jason Roy’s dismissal reinstated doubts around England’s opening batsmen, Burns batted till Day 3, scoring 133(312), being dismissed caught behind. The skipper Joe Root and in-form Ben Stokes also provided half-centuries, but the biggest frustration for Australia was the ninth-wicket partnership between Stuart Broad, 29(67), and Chris Woakes, 37(95)*, which lasted 65 runs and 24.1 overs.

England had a considerable lead of 90 runs, but Smith wasn’t done talking. Smith completed a rare Ashes twin century, scoring 142(207) this time. Multiple, lengthy partnerships seemed to kill England’s spirit as Australia batted on. First, a 48-run stand with Usman Khawaja, in which Khawaja scored 40 off just 48. Then, the Vice Captain, Travis Head got to his fifty from 116 deliveries as his partnership with Smith was worth 130 runs.

Things got even worse for England when Matthew Wade stepped up to the crease as Smith wasn’t the only one to score a century. Smith and Wade batted together for 126 runs and Wade went on to score 110(143), before being caught at fine leg by Joe Denly.

Some lower order power proved deadly for England as quick runs came from the skipper Tim Paine 34(44), James Pattinson 47(48) and Pat Cummins 26(33), setting England a target of 398.