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Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 BleacherReport As of last November the United States Men's National Team seemed lost. Hopelessly adrift in the Hex world cup qualifiers after having their heart strings snapped from a 89th minute winner from Mexican legend Rafa Marquez and the 4-0 dismantling they were dealt at the hands of Costa Rica. That brought Jurgen Klinsmann's competitive record in 2016 to six wins and six losses which was enough to send the German packing. Then USA soccer announced that Bruce was back. Arena's history of success along with his familiarity with USA soccer made him the perfect candidate to help steer the USMNT back on the right path. The Brooklyn born native has three MLS Cups to his name and also led the US to its best ever finish in the World Cup which was a trip to the quarter finals in 2002. In comparison to Klinsmann who often voiced his displeasure with Americans playing domestically, Arena's connections to MLS where a heavy chunk of t

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 The Undefeated This NBA off-season has been nothing short of spectacular. While its balance of power for play on the court can often be questioned, no one can challenge the ability of the NBA to churn out headlines for the action off of the hardwood. That notion is no different with reports stemming from ESPN that Kyrie Irving has asked Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert to trade him. This off-season has been a bit of a mess for the reigning eastern conference champions and with this shock request, it may be well on its way to becoming a lot worse. General Manager David Griffin was let go over a contract dispute much to the dismay of LeBron James. James has also been heavily linked to an exit next summer when he hits free agency with Los Angeles to be his rumored destination(because who wouldn't want to play with Josh Hart?). And while all of this has gone on, the Cavs biggest challenge in the east added Gordon Hayward and the Warriors aren'

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 Southsideshowdown.com Brian Cashman is one of the best general managers in all of baseball. He might even be one of the best general managers in all of professional sports. With some great moves in his back pocket, Cashman was out to make a deal that would help spark a sputtering Yankees team that has the worst record in the MLB since mid June. Last night the Yankees acquired David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle as well as Todd Frazier from the White Sox for Blake Rutherford, Tyler Clippard and two other solid prospects, but don't expect it to be season saving. The Yankees biggest needs have been well publicized at this point in the season. They need a first baseman as well as starting pitching over anything else. The bullpen additions are going to be really good for New York. Robertson helps to give more support to a struggling duo of Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances and gives Joe Girardi another option in the seventh or eight inning. Kahnle cou

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 : River Ave Blues Normally this time of year is completely lifeless in the world of sports. With Major League Baseball on its All Star break, NBA and NHL free agency's having already reached their climax and NFL training camps a few weeks away, this time can be absolutely brutal. But luckily the two teams from the Windy City decided to break some very important news late this morning. Jose Quintana was traded from the White Sox to the Cubs as Theo Epstein looks to save the Cubs from their incredibly disappointing season. The Cubs have been without a doubt the most disappointing team in baseball this season. Stumbling into the All Star break at 43-45, 5.5 games behind the Brewers is nothing short of shocking for the north siders. Coming off of their curse shattering championship run last season, talks were only focused around how dominant of a dynasty they could be. The struggles that they have had this year were not even remotely discussed. Th

Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 📸: Business Insider                                                                                       The most hyped up Home Run Derby ever did not disappoint last night. Some of MLB's best sluggers put on an absolute show last night, destroying balls into the Miami night. This Derby was everything that Rob Manfred could have hoped for and more so than just an exhibition of some of baseball's brightest stars, it also outlines a stark difference. Baseball's all star festivities are the best of the core 4 leagues(I'd lump in MLS as a fifth for comparison too) and it's not even close. ESPN reported that their Home Run Derby numbers were up 38% and oh man were those numbers warranted. The Derby matchups were close, compelling and really fun. And it all ended with baseball's newest phenom taking his rightful place at the summit of home run hitters with an absolute laser show in which he made Miguel Sano's 10 home runs

By Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 📸: Sports On Earth Wow time flies. We are already past the midway point in the MLB season with the Home Run Derby and the All Star game taking place over the next few days. And that means it's mid season awards time as we look back on an exciting and action packed first half of baseball and as we ramp up for what should be an incredibly compelling end to the season. NL MVP- Paul Goldschmidt It's finally time for Goldy to get his recognition. The five time All Star has his finger prints all over the Diamondbacks 53-35 record, good for second in baseball's most competitive division and for the first NL wildcard. Goldschmidt is hitting .313 with a .430 on base, 20 home runs, 67 RBIs and has even added 13 stolen bases to his stat line. Bryce Harper, Charlie Blackmon and the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger are all decent shouts, but Goldy is a beast and right now he should be on track to take home his first NL MVP. NL CY Young- Max Scher

By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 📸: Daily Express For years cries at the Emirates have fallen on deaf years as they call out for a prolific striker. The line being led by Oliver Giroud and Theo Walcott just simply hasn't been good enough for a team that before this past season, had found themselves in the Champions League every season since 1998. Alexis Sanchez added some flair to the attack but even he is more suited as a winger rather than a clear cut #9. But with a splash of the cash, the London based Gunners have their man to fire them back into the Champions League. Enter Alexandre Lacazette. The 26 year old Frenchman has been lighting the French league on fire since his introduction into the Lyon squad in 2010. He has banged in 129 goals in 275 appearances for Lyon and in the 2014-2015 season, Lacazette took home the honor of top scorer with 27 goals. He has long been linked with a move away from France, and this summer it finally came to fruition when Arsenal and

By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891   📸: MLB.com Fan voting is usually one of the most hotly debated topics when the all star game rolls around each summer. Shouts of bias and wrongful selections usually fill radio waves and twitter feeds and on most cases, these complaints are usually true. But for this year's 88th MLB All Star game, the fans got it right. Both with their selection of starters and the two winners of the "final vote".  Starting in the National League, the fans selected Buster Posey, Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Murphy, Zack Cozart, Nolan Arenado, Marcel Ozuna, Charlie Blackmon and Bryce Harper. All of these players thoroughly deserve their spots as all star starters with only Zimmerman getting the nod over Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt as a point of possible contention. This year there was no gaping poor choice such as Addison Russell starting the game last year despite sporting an average in the .220 range(Cubs fans though did try again with Jay

By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 📸: CelticsHub For the third consecutive year, a major domino has fallen in NBA free agency on the Fourth of July. Following in the footsteps of LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant before him, Gordon Hayward made his highly anticipated free agent decision to reject the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat to go join the Boston Celtics via the playerstribune . However this signing has much more behind it than an incredibly gifted player choosing to strengthen the team that claimed the #1 seed in the eastern conference this past season. Hayward's leap from Utah to Boston also acts as a homecoming of sorts as he will be reunited with his college coach Brad Stevens. Stevens has been with the Celtics since 2013, establishing a reputation as one of the better coaches in the NBA. Haywards time with Stevens ranged from 2008-2010 before becoming a first round pick of the Jazz. Stevens' and Hayward's time together culminated with the 2010 national champi

By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891  📸: Bleacher Report With the draft having happened and NBA free agency being in full swing, a few Villanova Wildcats have been in the news of late. Having already discussed Josh Hart's arrival to Hollywood( Here ), it's time to take a look at what's happened to fellow Nova alums so far this summer. The man that hit possibly the most iconic shot in college basketball history is heading home. Kris Jenkins, a product of Gonzaga high school in the nation's capital, signed with the Washington Wizards last week as an undrafted free agent. Jenkins is coming off a season where he didn't quite hit expectations for the Cats after his unbelievable play in the 2016 postseason tournaments. Jenkins averaged 13.1 ppg and 4.1 rpg as well as 36% from three during his senior season. He'll have an outside chance at making the roster along with fellow 2016 national champion Daniel Ochefu with a strong showing in the summer league. Jenkin