LITTLE ROCK — Own goal in overtime ‘ surreal’
The Colorado Rapids beat FC Dallas 2-1 Sunday night to win the MLS Cup after a Dallas defender deflected the ball into his own net.
George John, 23, deflected the ball past his own goalie in overtime after a Colorado substitute, Macoumba Kandji, sent an errant shot across the goal. It was only the third own goal in the league’s 15-year history, and the first to decide a game - let alone a championship.
Several FC Dallas defenders, including John, fell to the turf after the ball hit the back of the net.
“I take full responsibility for it,” John told ESPN. “Kind of a surreal moment. I tried to compose myself as well as I could, get back on the field and help my team out.”
The satirical website The Onion advised FC Dallas before the game: “If you get nervous, just remember that nobody’s watching.”Other football
Following the Minnesota Vikings’ dismissal of former coach Brad Childress on Monday, www.sportspickle.com noted in a survey of which NFL coaches should be on the hot seat now: “Norv Turner - I’ve voted for him in polls like this since the mid-90s and I’m not going to stop now” and “Jim Schwartz - His 4-22 start may seem magical in Detroit, but maybe someone else out there can do even better.”Jersey misspelled
Successful teams pay attention to detail.
The 3-7 Minnesota Vikings have struggled even with the small details, such as correct spelling.
The Associated Press reported that in Sunday’s 31-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers, five-time Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Kevin Williams had his name incorrectly spelled W-I-L-L-A-I-M-S on his jersey.
Reebok printed the jerseys for teammates Pat Williams and safety Madieu Williams correctly.
Two out of three is still a better record than former coach Brad Childress had this season.
Good context
ESPN noted that some NFL statistics are worth keeping in perspective:
Through week 11, Michael Vick has more rushing touchdowns (five) than former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has run for in the last four years combined.
Dallas Cowboys rookie Dez Bryant has scored eight total touchdowns, more than Michael Irvin did his first two NFL seasons.
They said it
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams to ESPN on his 104-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 35-19 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday: “It was probably my best memorable game that I can remember.”
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald on Jimmie Johnson’s fifth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup title: “In past years, Johnson’s lead made it so anticlimactic he could have entered a Hertz rental car and still cruised to victory.”Quote of the day “I just think he has stepped up and continues to call himself to a higher level.” LSU Coach Les Miles on quarterback Jordan Jefferson
Sports, Pages 18 on 11/23/2010