Kaylen May Gerkey

International:

Manchester United Get First Win of the Season (In Four Games)


Summary:
As of Sunday August 26th Manchester United attained their first win of the Premier League season. In pre-season Manchester United seemed to be in spotless form with big wins in Europe and a big win over Chelsea in the Community Shield, after the number one keeper Edwin van der Sar saved all three Chelsea pk's (Lampard, Pizarro and Wright-Phillips). Going into game four Manchester United sat at the bottom of the table in 19th place just above Derby County, with 2 points (2 draws and a loss). Manchester United had been plagued by injuries since the start of the season with Saha, Neville, Rooney and newcomer Anderson to sit the bench for the beginning of the season. Portuguese winger Ronaldo was there to start the season but in game two was booked for a lunging tackle and received a straight send off (equivalent to a three match band). So by game four, after a previous loss to Manchester City, Sir Alex Fergusson, the clubs manager, had to make a big decision. The team was facing one of the worst starts to a premier league season since the 80’s and Fergie needed to come up with a win fast and no better than to face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford since they haven’t won there in over five years. The game started out quite slow and a bit nerve racking. The possession was very erratic and it was obvious no club wanted to make a mistake. Tottenham had many chances as well as the home team. Robbie Keane had a shot that just clipped the bar in the opening seconds and Carrick answered back later with a 25 yard shot that just went over the bar with United’s best effort of the half. The start of the second half was quite similar to the first. Tottenham came out strong and tested United several times. One mistake by Ferdinand in the second put Tottenham winger Gareth Bale in running at the United defender then a pass to the striker Berbatov who would have been in if it weren’t for the clumsy run of he and United defender Vidic and a heart wrenching save off the line by Ferdinand. It was the closest call of the whole game. Then just a few minutes later Tottenham were down in the United half again and after Berbatov snuck in behind Vidic, Wes Brown made a diving save and cleared the ball off the line. It could have easily been given a PK but the ref said he did not use his hands. Then in the 68th minute Portuguese winger Nani stole the ball in the middle of the midfielder turned around and shot a rocket form about 35 yards out clipping United striker Tevez on the way through. Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson was too far off his line to make a save. United was able to hold off Tottenham till the final whistle and win a much needed game. With the big win over Tottenham this week United now have 5 points (5 behind the leaders Chelsea) and in 10th place in the table.


Opinion:

Well I saw the whole game on Fox Soccer and I will admit United looked pretty shaky, but I would be too if our star form last season was benched for a stupid red card and half our team had injury. The same thing happened to Chelsea last year and that’s why they were runners – up off by like 5 points. Another thing is it is still too early in the season to predict who will win and what will happen. All I know is Man U will not get relegated, to those crazies who think they will. They haven’t been relegated since they got promoted so it’s not going to happen. And Fergie has been one of the best managers that ever happened to United and he’s been there 21 years and counting so he ain’t going anywhere, trust me. Another thing to remember is United are known round the world and one of the best things they have to lift them up is there fans. Watching that game one of the things I remember most was the loudness of the fans and the seeing of the songs. They spurred their team to victory and that’s why Man U won. They have one of the largest fan bases in Europe and they are a glory to watch. That’s why everyone says “Glory Glory Man United.”


National
Georgia Wins Little League World Series Third Straight Time

Summary:
In Williamsport, PA this past weekend Georgia defeated Japan in a 3-2 stunner in the bottom of the 8th. Junsho Kiuchi's 2-1 pitch to Georgia’s Dalton Carricker who was 0-2 that game, was unlucky said the Japanese manager. He told his pitcher to not worry and to keep his head up. Georgia came back in the middle of the game after being down 0-2 with a two run double. Heading into the bottom of the 8th Georgia pitcher had pitched 10 strike outs and the Japanese pitcher just as good. Dalton Carricker was the first Georgia batter in the bottom of the eight and with the count 2-0 hit a walk off home run to end the game and Georgia claimed the title for the third year in a row.


Opinion:
Well I am just amazed. These are twelve, some thirteen, year old kids and they are hitting 70 mph pitches and just a bunch of studs. It’s fun to watch these kids play and I’m proud that our country has won the past three. It makes me proud to be an American, especially when you got to play a team like Japan who is amazingly good at baseball. Lastly, I like the idea of the Little League World Series because just like soccer and the world cup it brings teams and countries from around the world together. It gives countries a chance to get to know each other and understand what they are about. It’s been good for our country and good for our kids.