THOUGHTS WHILE THINKING

Their fans are getting restless … and the Richmond Kickers 

are talking about long-term sustainability? Whatever that 

means, especially when you’ve gone from having the best 

regular-season record in the USL League One to failing the 

make the playoffs a year ago … and appear likely to do it 

again … Clearly, Kickers’ management doesn’t blame coach

 DARREN SAWATSKY ... who, this week, had his contract 

extended for an undisclosed number of years for an 

undisclosed amount of money ... even if the fans do.

Only in America (Soccer) … MAURICIO POCHETTINO

 was named coach of the United States Men’s National Team 

this week … except he only agreed to replace GREGG 

BERHALTER contingent on a number of things … like he 

still must work out his contract as he exits EPL Chelsea, 

which may not be (cliché alert) as easy as it sounds … 

like terms of his USMNT agreement remain under 

discussion 

… like he reportedly wants to hire his own staff, which 

won’t come cheap … If the U.S. Soccer Federation is able to 

overcome all obstacles, it will have a manager who is widely 

appreciated and known for developing young players. 

Becoming more unwatchable than ever before … ESPN 

Thursday (Aug. 15) fired ROBERT GRIFFIN III and

 SAMANTHA PONDER … The reason given was to save 

money, or something equally spurious … RGIII had been 

replaced by retired Eagles center JASON KELCE on NFL 

coverage but still was an analyst on the cable network’s 

coverage of college football (or so we’re told) … Ponder, 

meanwhile, was host of “Sunday NFL 

Countdown.”… but had the audacity to criticize men playing 

women’s sports.

Wow! It sure sounds like all systems are go for a new, $110 

million baseball park … Wonder what the actual cost will 

be? The Flying Squirrels got their way and (cliché alert) 

made out like bandits … All it will take to throw a 

roadblock is a law suit which is always possible, given the 

shenanigans that Richmond can’t seem to avoid. And, any 

delay will keep the facility from being completed on time 

for the 2026 season … as mandated by Major League 

Baseball after originally setting a 2025 deadline.

You want dumb? Then tune in to TruTV’s coverage of the 

Savannah Bananas’ exhibition baseball team … We saw 

parts of two games with the Party Animals … and if all 

this silly stuff is the future of the game, well … you can 

have it.

Until next time ...