Welcome back, as we continue the opening round of the Football Bracket:
(4) Rams v (7) Celtic FC
Rams-
Why they should win: Wow. My Ramies are flat out bad. Here are their records from most recent season to furthest away- 1-15, 2-14, 3-13, 8-8, 6-10, 8-8. That is a prett bad 6 season run. And the last three years has been almost laughable. Mix into that the history of being taken away from Los Angeles by the widow of our loving owner, her eventual death, and now the mystery of being sans ownership, and you have a nice long path of suffering.
Why the shouldn't win: It wasn't that long ago that the Rams were good, real good. In 2004, STL were 12-4 and lost in double OT to the Carolina Panthers in the divisonal playoffs. In '02, they went 14-2 and went all the way to the Super Bowl where they lost on my birthday to the fecking Pats. 10-6 the year before and then 13-3 in their Super Bowl season in 1999, and you have some great years for "The Greatest Show on Turf."
Celtic-
Why the should win: Champions League. Need I say more. The Hoops qualified for the Champions League to the delight of their estimated 9 million fans (1 million in North America, including me). Sadly, they played like a joke in the tournament of professional tournaments. FC Barcelona completely demolished my Bhoys in the knockout round, not to mention earlier crushings at the hands of AC Milan. Now, we have ben denied a SPL title by the Protties from Rangers, and the pain is being felt.
Why they shouldn't win: We finished second in the SPL the last two years, and while Celtic fans don't find that acceptable, it's still pretty darn good. We won the SPL title in '08 and have won it on 42 occasions. We were even the first Scottish team to ever win the European Cup in 1967. We're good, man.
And the winner is... The Rams. Was there any other option than a team with just 6 wins in 3 seasons?
(5) Ravens v (6) Chivas USA:
Ravens-
Why they should win: No Conference our Super Bowl titles for 10 years is a disappointment to Raven fans. It all started with a long logo controversy and law suit regarding the team stealing their design. Since then, the Ravens have been an up and down team that should be supported by real Browns fans. In '07 they went 5-11, in '05 they went 6-10, and in '02 they went 7-9. Add to that the fact that their most notable player is a knife wheeling murderer. What a team.
Why they shouldn't win: Come on, the Ravens are good. They made the playoffs thre out of the last four years, and six out of their thirteen seasons as a franchise in Maryland. They run the show in B'more.
Chivas USA-
Why they should win: In 2004, the franchise started with a 1-8-1 record. The Goats of the MLS have either been mising the playoffs or getting bounced out by the Wizards and Dynamo. We've just never been able to put it together, even when finishing first in the West in 2007. This season, Chivas have started out 3-6-1 and last place in the West. Disappointment even today, when Sacha Kljestan got cut from the World Cup roster.
Why they shouldn't win: We've had some success up there in Carson, winning the West just 3 years ago. Brad Guzan, our magical former goalie, is pioliting the US team in South African this year, along with former coach Bob Bradley. In addition, current Chivas back Jonathan Bornstein is going to be in the starting XI for the US. We're having fun!
And the winner is... Chivas USA with the first upset of the tournament! Just being in the MLS qualifies them for some serious suffering!
What a great first round to this tournament! Here are the second round matchups for the Football Bracket:
(1) Newcastle United (bye)
(2) Everton v (6) Chivas USA
(3) 49'ers v (4) St. Louis Rams
We move onward in the tournament to the Alumni Bracket's first round.
(1) Wake Forest v (10) Servite HS
Wake Forest-
Why they should win: Originally they were called the Fighting Baptists, which should be reason enough! While 4 of the school's 8 total national championships have come recently, their football is a baren wasteland. Started in 1888, the all time winning percentage is .412. They have won zero national titles and only 2 conference championships since 1888.
Why they shouldn't win: They won the ACC title in 2006, and are the smallest school to ever compete in the BCS, earning a trip to the Orange Bowl in that season. Their head coach is in his 9th season, a nice mark nowadays, and they have a respectable .536 winning mark since he took over.
Servite-
Why they should win: I'm easily the least certified writer on this blog to be talking Servite football. Servite has won just 2 State Championships since the start of the program, and theirs was a 27 year drought in between. We all know their history with Matre Dei, the most hated team in Orange County, and clearly that has led to a great deal of suffering for the alumni of the Friars.
Why they shouldn't win: Come on, you guys are good right now. You guys just won! A 2009 title, a thrilling season, and you think you are going to win the first round of the suffering tournament? You should be proud that you won't.
And the winner is... The Deacons! Conrgats and apologies J. Wake Forest moves on in the tournament.
That's it for today. The next post will hopefully wrap up the opening round of the Alumni Bracket. We'll see Rice v Gauchos, Providence against Johns Hopkins, the Fighting Irish against the Fighting Trojans, and FVHS going head to head with UCLA. Fun stuff.
Don't forget to drop a post or comment about why a team should win or lose, or blast me with comments if you think I've been wrong so far (you might just win an overturn!).
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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