Top 10: 6-10
As a sports fan, we will always have those moments that we will never forget, be they happy or sad, fulfilling or utterly depressing. And unless you are a Laker, Yankee or SEC fan, those championship moments can be far and few between. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t special moments along the way that will have us yelling into the streets and out into the rooftops. Here are some of mine.
10. Goleada 5-0
Mexico vs. U.S.A. 2009 Gold Cup Final
As mentioned in one of the Bottom 10 posts, moments of celebration are few and far between for aficionados of El Tri. This, however, had to easily be one of the top 5 moment of any Mexican’s life (up there with crossing the border successfully and having children graduate from college). The match was downplayed to an extent because neither team fielded their A-squad for the Gold Cup final (The U.S. team might as well have played all subs). This edition of the Copa Oro didn’t have a berth in the Confederations Cup on the line, and both teams had their eyes on the much more important World Cup qualifier match to be played in a month down Mexico way. Regardless, you still don’t want to get pantsed by your border rival. Unfortunately for the Yanks, that is exactly what happened. Despite a close first half, the Mexico squad absolutely blew the doors, windows and roof off in the second half, raining goal after goal on the U.S. until the final score read 5-0. The game drew heavy partisan support for the Mexican squad even though it was played in New Jersey. There are few feelings in the world quite like trouncing the rival, regardless of the stakes.
(Video note: Fast forward to 1:30 to watch all five Mexican beauties)
9. I told you
Game 5 WCSF 2006 Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers
There was something mystical about the 2005-06 Suns. A team that at first seemed championship-caliber, the media immediately lowered their expectations once Amare Stoudemire had knee surgery. Despite this monumental loss, the Suns (behind a career year from Shawn Marion, a breakthrough performance by Boris Diaw and another MVP season from the Big Nashty) won 54 games and earned the second seed in the Western Conference. That playoff run was about as magical as it gets (with the exception of, you know, not winning the title) and each series would prove extremely tantalizing. The Clippers series came as a bit of a surprise, since I’m sure not many people realized that the Clippers were even capable of producing a winning record. Furthermore, my band of friends were confident that there was no way the Suns should or would suffer the ignominy of losing to the ugliest team in NBA history (need proof? Just take a look at Elton Brand, Sam Cassell, Mike Dunleavy [the coach] and Chris ‘Caveman’ Kaman. *Shudder). Nevertheless, the series was very close. Game 5 was pretty much a microcosm of the series, with the teams going to two overtimes to decide the winner. In the first overtime, the Suns found themselves down 3 and needing a, well, 3 to tie the game. With less than three seconds left, D’Antoni draws up a play that is designed to get off a high percentage shot. Cue Raja Bell (he of the infamous Kobe takedown), who runs out to the corner out of the timeout, takes the ball, and without hesitation, nails a three right in Daniel Ewing’s face!! As he races down the court, you can see him say “I told you!” to no one in particular. Later it is revealed that Raja had asked to that momentous shot, something I am sure all Suns fans are grateful for. The Suns would go on to win the game and the series in 7, once again annihilating an L.A. team in Phoenix.
8. Sale Gio
Mexico vs. U.S.A. 2011 Gold Cup Final
I got all kinds of pumped up for this game. I had the usual Mexican flag draped around me, and to pregame I went down to the local raspado place and ordered 3 tacos and a Mexican Coca Cola (yeah). Then I sat down to watch one of the most maddening, infuriating, awesome and rewarding experiences I have had watching futbol. I could feel the TV throwing rage building up inside of me as I watched that damn Landon Donovan give the U.S. a 2-0 lead early on. The Tri of yesteryear would have fallen apart after facing such an obstacle, but not this team. They quickly responded with a gol to cut the lead and then hit the equalizer to go into half time tied 2-2. Pablo Barrera hit his second goal in the second half to give Mexico its first lead, and with the U.S. threatening to tie, Gio Dos Santos comes up with a majesty of the goal, the prettiest thing I have seen this side of Zooey Deschanel. After leaving Tim Howard flopping on the pit like a fish out of water, victory was assured and a spot in the Confederations Cup secured. Yup, you can bet those damn Yankees will have a sour taste in their mouth for years to come. To quote Chad Ochocinco: Viva Mexico cabrones!!
7. Why not us?
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees 2004 ALCS
I am by no means a Red Sox fan, and I was not about to jump on any bandwagon just because of some championship. But I am a Yankee hater, and I was not prepared to watch them play in the World Series again. So yes, I did believe. While they were down in the bottom of the 9th in Game 4, I kept thinking how Kevin Kennedy (on the Fox pregame show) had predicted a 7 game series and that it was still possible for the Red Sox to take them to the limit. I did not lose hope; hell, what kind of a Cubs fan would I be if I did? So I watched, hoping for the miraculous. And it happened. 4 games in 4 nights, 2 going to extra innings (walked off by Big Papi himself), a bloody sock and a couple of grand slams later, the Idiots had done what no team in baseball history had ever accomplished. It seemed destiny then that they would win it all. They had just broken the Curse of the Bambino, in the House that Ruth Built against the very team that one year earlier had taken them out. I wrote “I Believe!” on the board in my English class and it stayed there all week. The teacher ridiculed me for it, but come the day of Game 7 he turned to me and said “They’re gonna freaking do it aren’t they?!” Yes, Mr. Butler, they are. And they did.
6. The Rental
Phoenix Suns vs. LA Lakers
Game 6 Western Conference playoffs 1st round 2006
There are some moments that you know, just as you have watched them unravel, you will be telling generations of youngsters about. This was one such moment. This was, I think, the second toughest postseason series the Nash Era Suns played (right behind the scam in 2007 vs. the Spurs) and one of the most excruciating to watch. After all, the Suns had angled for this match up during the regular season and had overcome the loss of Amare to take the 2 seed in the West. There was no way they were going to let a punk ass Laker team that just sneaked into the playoffs ruin this party right? Well, as it turns out, it almost happened. The Lakers, behind a physical Game 3 and controversial Game 4, had taken a 3-1 series lead on Phoenix. Game 5 was a blow out, although it cost the Suns Raja Bell thanks to his clothesline of Kobe for Game 6 in LA. The Suns hung tough and kept the game close, but found themselves down 3 in the final minute. Cue Nash for the tie! Nope. Shawn Marion, who had played a typical Matrix game that day, pulled down yet another rebound and found an open Tim Thomas on the top of the three point arc for another attempt. After pump faking Kwame Brown out of the way, the Rental hit the shot that sent the game into overtime, mocking Kobe during the ensuing timeout. I had been sitting with legs crossed during that possession and somehow found myself on the other side of the room after Thomas’ 3. Of course, I have to mention the fact that not only did Marion rebound and assist on that shot, but he also played solid D on Kobe, preventing Bryant from hitting yet another game winning shot in the closing seconds (one that would have ended the series). In overtime, the Suns rode out the momentum to a win, and never stopped scoring, obliterating the Lakers in Game 7 and causing Kobe Bryant to lash out at his teammates and almost pout his way out of town. Suns advancing and Kobe bitching? A win win for this Suns fan.
