Author: David Shama

TCF Bank Stadium and the Metrodome are possible sites for World Cup soccer in 2018 and 2022.  A Minneapolis bid is among a long list of American cities interested in bringing matches here.

Gophers’ athletic director Joel Maturi said TCF Bank Stadium is also a possible location for soccer if Chicago receives the 2016 Olympics.

Maturi said the athletic department hasn’t lost any previously committed purchasers of premium seating at TCF Bank Stadium because of the new policy not to provide alcohol anywhere in the facility.  “It’s been far more positive than we expected,” he said.

There are five suites in the new stadium that haven’t been sold and about 150 indoor club seats remaining, according to Maturi.  He also said demand for seating during the first season could result in temporary bleachers being set up along the sidelines, accommodating a few hundred fans.

Last spring the state enacted legislation requiring that alcohol be made available to the general public at the stadium, not just in premium seating areas as had been University policy.  The legislature deserves criticism for micro-managing on this issue when there are so many more important problems to address.  Thumbs down, too, for the legislature’s silly approval of making hockey the official state sport.  Effective public policy encourages and celebrates diversity including for all sports and participants.

Bill Lester, executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, didn’t have an announcement date or cost but said sometime this fall details will be released on a proposed “reconstructed” Metrodome.  He said the proposal details will include a retractable roof on the facility.

Lester said the Metrodome will remain a multipurpose facility and sightlines for football will be similar to what they are.  A redesign would place emphasis on making the stadium a better home for the Vikings while accommodating NCAA basketball tournaments and amateur baseball.

Seating capacity for football is expected to be about 65,000, a slight increase from now, according to Lester.  He also said that while a funding partner hasn’t been officially determined to pay for a reconstructed stadium it’s clear to him that the state is the “primary beneficiary” of such a facility that keeps the Vikings here and continues to host other major events that generate tax dollars.

It was a nice gesture of Brad Childress to participate in Matt Birk’s charity event at Minnetonka High School on Sunday.  The two had some differences when Birk was the Vikings center and now he’s playing for Baltimore.  Childress didn’t have to appear along with other celebrities at the event to benefit at-risk children.

Timberwolves’ alums Flip Saunders, Randy Wittman and Sam Cassell could be celebrating a lot of wins in Washington next season.  Saunders as head coach, with Wittman and Cassell as assistants, will have a team that was 19-63 last year, but is expected to be among the most improved in the NBA next season.

Timberwovles’ president of basketball operations David Kahn told WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle show on Sunday that he was leaving this week for Spain and conversations with No. 1 draft choice Ricky Rubio and the management of Rubio’s Spanish team.   Unless Rubio can buy out his contract in Spain he won’t be joining the Wolves any time soon.  Kahn said Rubio, a 6-5 point guard, has “incredible charisma” on and off the court.  “He’s our Brett Favre, maybe,” Kahn said.

Dylan Williams, 18, is not only one of the youngest jockeys to ride at Canterbury Park, he’s also unusually tall at 5-foot-10.  Williams was featured on Fox 9 sports Saturday night.

Claiming Crown, an annual event that draws national horseracing attention, will be held at Canterbury on Saturday.  There will be five races on dirt and two on turf with purses totaling $600,000.

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) will hold its 2009 Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday, July 31, at the Best Western Kelly Inn in St. Paul.  Being honored are Lee Ahlbrecht, Bemidji State University; Linda Larson, University of Minnesota Duluth; Dean Bowyer, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Frank Mosier, Minnesota State University Moorhead; Henry Schneider, Northern State University; Jeff Loots, Southwest Minnesota State University and David Ludy, Winona State University.

With his left knee apparently functional, Tiger Woods is the easy choice to win the PGA Championship coming to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska August 10-16.  Chip Beck, who had 20 second place finishes on the PGA tour during his career and is now on the Champions Tour, told Sports Headliners he believes Woods is recovered from the reconstructive surgery on his left knee that sidelined him for much of 2008.

“It sure looks like it,” Beck said. “And I know one thing.  That knee is not jamming off the ground and his foot is staying on the ground… a smoother transition into that leg.  He should have a long career. …”

Woods hasn’t been dominant since returning in 2009 but he has won some events including the Memorial Tournament.  He started slow at yesterday’s British Open with an opening round 71.

With 14 major titles, he could move within three of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 by winning the PGA here.  Beck was asked what’s required to win a major like the PGA.

“I think it takes all of a person,” he said.  “Clearly you have to have a great short game.  But most importantly you have to really believe that you can actually win.  And to set up and handle all the anxious thoughts and feelings, and coming there and direct your mind like Tiger Woods does.  Hitting the fairways (and ) hitting the greens.  Hitting it and making those putts basically is what it comes down to.

“But you don’t have to be perfect.  I think you just have to manage your game well. And clearly the guy that wins is the best putter.”

Beck describes Woods as a once in a lifetime player who can be “unstoppable” because of his mental control.  While some consider Phil Mickelson a rival, Beck isn’t so sure.

“I don’t know that there’s much rivalry, really,” he said.  “Other than the fact Phil is probably his best competition.  Phil is just a tremendously gifted player. …At another time he would be the Tiger Woods.  I think fortunately for Phil he’s got a guy to push him like Tiger Woods. …”

Beck once shot a remarkable 59 at the Las Vegas Invitational in 1991.  There won’t be any 59’s at Hazeltine, a course that’s been playing head games with the pros since the first major was held there in 1970 (U.S. Open).  That was the year Dave Hill quipped that developers ruined a good farm when they built the Chaska course which was only missing “80 acres of corn and a few cows.”

The course has been lengthened since the PGA was held here in 2002.