Kragthorpe - The Salt Lake Tribune

Kragthorpe: David Beckham forever connected to Real Salt Lake

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:07:37 MDT

Kragthorpe: David Beckham forever connected to Real Salt Lake

by Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 19, 2013 12:07AM MDT

Not far from the spot where he once stuck a gold shovel into the dirt, David Beckham joined Los Angeles Galaxy teammates Landon Donovan and Todd Dunivant in a big hug in the middle of Rio Tinto Stadium to celebrate a comeback victory over Real Salt Lake. That scene from last June stands as Beckham’s farewell appearance in the Salt Lake Valley now that he’s retiring from professional soccer after playing this season in France. In the end, his Major League Soccer career became intertwined with RS...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kragthorpe: RSL’s start OK, because finish is what counts

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:41:22 MDT

Kragthorpe: RSL’s start OK, because finish is what counts

by Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 17, 2013 03:41PM MDT

Sandy Becoming average once was a breakthrough for Real Salt Lake. When the team went 10-10-10 and made the Major League Soccer playoffs in 2008, that was an achievement for the franchise. Now that RSL is playing at that level again, it represents regression. RSL is 5-5-2 entering Sunday’s game against Chivas USA in Los Angeles, while still trying to find itself after a roster makeover. “We’re average right now, in the standings,” said veteran defender Nat Borchers. “I don’t think we’re an av...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kragthorpe: USC remains Pac-12 South’s flagship football program

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:51:49 MDT

Kragthorpe: USC remains Pac-12 South’s flagship football program

by Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 15, 2013 11:51PM MDT

Having competed in the Pac-12 South for two seasons, Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham knows what he’s up against. His Utes have lost once or twice to every team in the division, creating an impression of depth and balance. Yet when asked recently if a genuine flagship program exists in the South, Whittingham hardly hesitated to endorse USC — the very same Trojans who lost five of their last six games in 2012. “From a talent standpoint, SC is still the benchmark,” Whittingham said during the...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kragthorpe: Memphis Grizzlies the model for Jazz’s makeover

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:18:48 MDT

Kragthorpe: Memphis Grizzlies the model for Jazz’s makeover

by Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 13, 2013 05:18PM MDT

Here in Jazzland, amid the search for signs of hope that the hometown franchise can return to a competitive playoff level after three disappointing seasons, the makeup of the NBA’s conference semifinalists offers some encouragement. Memphis, Indiana, San Antonio and Oklahoma City represent four of the league’s six other smallest markets, and they’re all winning games in the second round of the playoffs. Another common thread: Earl Watson formerly played for three of those teams. That’s not nece...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kragthorpe: Chad Cordero hoping for homecoming with Angels

Sat, 11 May 2013 12:49:07 MDT

Kragthorpe: Chad Cordero hoping for homecoming with Angels

by Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 11, 2013 12:49PM MDT

Holding the baseball in his glove, preparing to deliver another pitch, Chad Cordero brings his arms together. His right arm once made him a National League All-Star. His left arm features the face of his infant daughter. They’re the arms of Angels. That’s how this story is designed to play out, anyway, with Cordero’s performance as a Salt Lake Bees reliever taking him to his hometown Los Angeles Angels. Cordero once tried to honor his daughter’s memory with a triumphant return to the major leag...

Kragthorpe: Derek Fisher’s quest another test for basketball gods

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:26:48 MDT

Kragthorpe: Derek Fisher’s quest another test for basketball gods

by Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 8, 2013 11:26PM MDT

The NBA playoffs already have become more compelling than ever, at this early stage of the proceedings. Even without the Jazz being involved — and let’s face it, they would be done by now, even if they had chosen to participate — I’m immersed in this postseason’s nightly drama. The NBA is delivering comebacks, meltdowns, clutch performances, major failures and great competition in all four conference semifinal series. The Oklahoma City-Memphis series intrigues me most of all, thanks to Russell ...

Kragthorpe: Soccer ref’s death should be sobering to fans

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:08:03 MDT

Kragthorpe: Soccer ref’s death should be sobering to fans

by Kurt Kragthorpe The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 7, 2013 09:08AM MDT

The 17-year-old goalkeeper whose punch allegedly killed referee Ricardo Portillo surely will be punished for his crime. Yet the impact of his actions during a recreational soccer game in Taylorsville will resonate throughout Utah and beyond, and should hit home to all of us. As extreme as this incident is, I can’t dismiss it as an aberration. Portillo’s death should be sobering to players, coaches and fans of sports at every level. This man should not have had to die for me to make the point th...