Taking The World By Storm

It’s Monday. Take the world by storm and show them how it’s done.

By impressing them with sports talk of course,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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World Cup

When you’re amped to start a new week. The first weekend in World Cup soccer had all the feels. From the historic tie for Iceland against Argentina that sent the country into happy hysterics while doing the Viking clap (aka the Thunderclap), to the celebration of the game winning goal for Mexico against defending champion Germany that mimicked an earthquake with fans causing seismic activity in Mexico City. In case you feel left out, don’t worry, there are still three weeks left. AND THE CROWD GOES WILD

Overtime

Unlike most interviews with Oprah, this one didn’t end up in tears or with the interviewee jumping on the couch. In her conversation with quarterback Tom Brady (NFL – National Football League), which aired yesterday on OWN Network, he opened up. Brady talked about retirement, how his children have changed his perspective on the game - especially when it comes to losing and why he respects players who kneel for the anthem but hates being called the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). No word if they discussed their food empires over carrots and hummus. WATCH

Sideline stat

Coming off a prolonged absence after wrist surgery, golfer Brooks Koepka won his second straight U.S. Open. Not only is he the first back-to-back winner in 29 years but he was rewarded with a nice little winner’s check for $2.19 million. That’ll work.

Not having a great tournament? Birthday boy Phil Mickelson. All hell broke loose on the course after he hit his moving ball before it rolled down a hill. That’s against the rules and the USGA (United States Golf Association) threatened to disqualify him from the tournament. Although his golf partner Andrew “Beef” Johnson found it hilarious (Beef was also using an Arby’s bacon beef and cheddar golf towel during the tournament so there’s that), many golf purists had their panties in a bunch over his troubling move. AGHAST  

Coaches’ corner

It’s the 25th anniversary of the movie The Sandlot and the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB – Major League Baseball) honored the cult classic during “Sandlot Night." They recognized the actors from the movie, did a sweet t-shirt giveaway and showed the flick after the game. There have been no reports on how many times “you’re killing me smalls” was said throughout the celebration. FLASHBACK

What to watch

Confused on why a tie in World Cup soccer is a good thing? Stay tuned to our social media channels tomorrow afternoon for that answer in our Sports Curious Question of the Week. Have a burning sports question you’d like to know the answer to? Send us a note on social media (buttons below) or at theteam@lastnightsgame.com.

Talk That Talk

Sports talk = preventing awkward silences all weekend long. It’s the least we can do since we can’t help your dance moves.

Don't break a hip,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – In honor of this weekend’s game in Mexico City, today’s Tailgate Treat will quench your thirst.

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NFL (National Football League)

Mile high club. Tom Brady and his New England Patriots head to Mexico City to play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. The toughest part for these two teams isn’t all of the tequila they’ll drink, it’s that Azteca Stadium sits at 7,280 feet above sea level. To train for the game the Patriots opted to stay in Denver after playing the Broncos to adjust their elevation (approx. 5,280 feet). The Raiders opted to train in Oakland.

NASCAR (National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing)

Wrapping it up. The NASCAR season comes to a close this Sunday. If you’re ever going to watch a race, this is it. There will be a field full of drivers but only four of them will be eligible for the championship title. The highest-ranking finisher of those four will take home the trophy. This will also be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s final race before he cruises into retirement.  

Overtime

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. A UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter has been charged with assault after throwing a boomerang at another fighter while in Australia. The incident stemmed from one fighter insulting the other’s heritage. Right back at ya.

Sideline stat

MLB’s (Major League Baseball) MVPs come in all shapes and sizes. Yesterday 6’6” Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, who smashed the home run record, won the National League honor. The small but mighty, 5’6” Jose Altuve from the World Series Champion Houston Astros took home the American League MVP title.

Coaches’ corner

Head coach Nick Saban and his Alabama team are back at the top of the College Football Playoff rankings this week. Besides his team, what else is top of mind for Saban this week? His distaste for distressed jeans. See his passionate yet funny rant here. 

Problem Solver

Nothing is more uncomfortable than an awkward silence. Solve that this today’s weekend preview.

Party on,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Today's Tailgate Treat will make you feel like fall even if it's 100 degrees in your neck of the woods. Halloween turtleneck not included. 

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MLB (Major League Baseball)

Next episode. The road to a World Series championship runs through L.A. The Los Angeles Dodgers knocked last year’s World Series champion Chicago Cubs out of the playoffs. The Dodgers, who haven’t been to a World Series since 1988, will play the winner of the Astros/Yankees in the World Series.

College Football

We go way back. One of the most storied rivalries in college football is USC (University of Southern California) vs. Notre Dame. Their 89th meeting on Saturday carries some weight this time as both schools are actually ranked in the top 25 for the first time in eight years.

NFL (National Football League)

Look kids…big ben. This week brings us games from across the pond. The Arizona Cardinals and the “home team” Los Angeles Rams will play in London. The NFL is continuing their effort to broaden the international fan base for American football, playing games in London and Mexico City.

Overtime

From the file of “well, that’s awkward.” An Italian soccer player was penalized for urinating toward the away fans’ section. Apparently, that’s frowned upon. He’s now out for five games.  

Sideline stat

Tonight, it’s all in for the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. If the Yankees win, they move on to take on the Dodgers in the World Series.  To reach that goal they’ll have to do the unthinkable and beat Justin Verlander (model Kate Upton’s fiancé), who has won all eight games he’s started since being traded to Astros.

Coaches’ corner

Since 1979, the University of Iowa's visiting locker room has been donning a pink paint job. Intended to intimidate the most manly opposing team, they gave it an extra feminine touch adding pink toilets, sinks and lockers a little over 10 years ago. Barbie would be so jealous.