At the risk of sounding unpatriotic, I have to admit I was almost glad Ghana beat the United States in World Cup soccer Thursday. For one thing, the U.S. team just wasn't that good. It didn't deserve to advance to the next round. For another, soccer is just a blip on the sports screen in this country. In Ghana, it means so much more to people. That's the best part of the World Cup - how much it means to most of the countries involved. It's bigger than the Olympics to most of them. Here, it just rates a passing mention. That is, of course, unless the U.S. squad gets on some sort of roll like in 2002. Even then, it didn’t mean that much. Good for Ghana. Perhaps it will become the Cinderella of this year's tournament.

Random thoughts

- Forget goaltending. The Red Wings biggest need is scoring punch. They score so little during the playoffs, it puts an inordinate amount of pressure on their defense and goalie. There just is no margin for error during the postseason. The Wings' top priority this off season should be a rugged winger, and then a goalie.

- It'll be an event Tuesday when Roger Clemens takes the mound for the Houston Astros against the Tigers at Comerica Park. After his first start of the season Thursday, he talked about the need to back hitters off the plate. Hmmm. That should be interesting, seems he is trying to rent space in the heads of the Tigers' hitters.

- Enough of the Shaquille O'Neal-Dwyane Wade lovefest. It's getting disgusting.

- What's the big deal about Larry Brown being canned by the New York Knicks? Who didn't expect that to happen? He was a horrible fit for the Knick. But the "Drama King" would be a perfect fit in Charlotte. He could make the Bobcats winners. Don't be surprised if that happens, either. And no, it wasn't his "dream job."