Kritik und Lob » the Super Bowl trophies in the locker r

SAO PAULO -- It was the 100th minute of a physical and tense game in the quarterfinals of the womens Olympic soccer tournament. Sweden was moving the ball dangerously down the right flank when, out of nowhere, a Brazilian player came sprinting to make a perfectly timed sliding tackle.The player was 38-year-old Miraildes Maciel Mota, known simply as Formiga, or `ant in Portuguese, a nickname that she picked up because of her tireless and hard-working style of play.It was another typical piece of defense from the veteran midfielder, who was all over the field on Friday to help Brazil defeat Sweden on penalties and stay on track to win its first gold medal in womens soccer.Formiga is one of a kind at the Olympics.She is the only player to have participated in all six editions of the womens Olympic tournament. She is also the Brazilian women athlete with the most Olympic appearances, and is level with a few other athletes in team sports with the most ever Olympic appearances.A 20-year veteran with the national team, Formiga played her 151st game with Brazil in the opener at the Rio Games, surpassing mens defender Cafu as the nations most-capped soccer player.Wow, I never imagined this could happen, Formiga said in a post-match interview with Brazilian media. It had gone through my mind the fact that I was the older player to score a goal, to have the most Olympic appearances and other things like that, but not something like that.Formiga is not as recognizable as five-time world player of the year Marta, but her record numbers at the home Olympics have put her in the spotlight, with many local media outlets doing television pieces and interviews with her. Shy and soft-spoken, she doesnt enjoy the attention, but is taking it for the team.Im happy because what we want is to attract visibility to womens soccer, Formiga said. And the more we can do to help the sport, the better it is.Womens soccer is virtually non-existent in Brazil, especially at club level, so Formiga played abroad for many years, including in Sweden and in the United States. Despite her incredible numbers, she never achieved the stardom that a mens soccer player would have achieved in her position.But she remains a key player for the Brazilian team trying to finally break through with Olympic gold, in charge of protecting the defense and keeping Marta and the other forwards free to attack. She plays box-to-box as well as any other player in the womens game, although she is mostly known for her intensity as a defensive midfielder, which is what helped her get the `ant nickname when she was a kid playing in the streets of the northeastern city of Salvador.Formiga helped Brazil win two silver medals at the Olympics, in 2004 in Athens and in 2008 in Beijing. She won three gold medals and a silver at the Pan American Games, including the gold at home at the Maracana Stadium in 2007.She has already said that this is the last time she is playing at the Olympics, and that returning to the Maracana for the final and winning the gold for the first time would be the perfect ending to her career.There would be nothing better for me, she said.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoniSteve Pearce Red Sox Jersey . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Luis Tiant Red Sox Jersey . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. https://www.cheapredsox.com/1691z-clay-buchholz-jersey-red-sox.html . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. Tzu-Wei Lin Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Pablo Sandoval Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos got a not-so-subtle reminder of what the next two months are all about Wednesday when they found the franchises three Super Bowl trophies gleaming in a newly installed trophy case in the middle of their locker room.Not that we need a reminder, but its cool to see them in there, quarterback Trevor Siemian said. And thats the goal, right? Thats what were all working for.Oh, and Peyton Manning dropped by practice with his toddler twins to say hi.It was good to see him, Siemian said. I told him, `I know youve got some shorts on under there. Come join us. But he wasnt having it.Its up to Siemian this time around to run the Broncos ball-control offense that complements Denvers dazzling defense. Hes going to need a lift, though, to comply with coach Gary Kubiaks plea to play big down the stretch .Ty Sambrailo, Andy Janovich, A.J. Derby and Marlon Brown all aim to give him just such a boost.In advance of the Sunday night showdown between the Broncos (7-3) and Chiefs (7-3), Sambrailo, an oft-injured second-year pro, has replaced Donald Stephenson at right tackle. Kubiak said hes willing to rotate guards, too, as he tries to fortify his porous O-line.Janovich has ditched the cumbersome club he wore since breaking his right hand against Houston on Oct. 24. With it, defenses didnt have to cover the rookie fullback in the flat, although he did make a sensational one-handed grab at New Orleans.Opponents will have to once again respect Janovichs versatility, and hell be better able to block for Devontae Booker and Kapri Bibbs, who have struggled to get Denvers ground game going in C.J. Andersons absence.The Broncos put in a claim for Ronnie Hillman, whom they cut in August, after he was waived by the Vikings this week. But the San Diego Chargers got him instead.Ronnie knew all our stuff, Kubiak said, so we thought it was worth a shot.The Broncos did add Brown, whose 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame could give them the presence they sorely need in the middle of the field. Brown, a fourth-year pro who played in 40 games with the Ravens, was waived by the Broncos in August so he could get take care of his bad back. Now healthy, hes expected to contribute both on special teams and from scrimmage.He was super imprressive when he was here in camp, I remember that, Siemian said.dddddddddddd Its good to get him in here.The Broncos have been unable to clear the safety out of the box all season, with their tight ends either staying in and helping protect Siemian or dropping passes when they do go out on routes. Derby, acquired from New England in a trade last month, is primed for a bigger role over the final six weeks.Siemian might get his biggest boost from Denvers dominant defense returning to full strength .Cornerback Aqib Talib (back) and run stuffer Derek Wolfe (right elbow) are back, giving the Broncos their healthiest lineup since DeMarcus Ware broke his right forearm in Week 2.Denvers defense carried the Broncos down the stretch last year when Manning and Brock Osweiler were running the wheezing offense. Its also what has kept them in the playoff hunt this season.Siemian has been dealing with a sprained left shoulder ever since he was driven into the turf in Tampa in Week 4. He received another cortisone shot last week.The break was really good physically, but mentally it was good to step back, get a breather, Siemian said.Kubiak has praised Siemians toughness, but his passer rating of 85.0 ranks 12th in the AFC, and Kubiak said its time for the first-year starter to step up his game.Oddly, Kubiak was unaware of the team putting the Super Bowl trophies in the locker room. Reporters informed him players had been sharing snapshots of the Lombardi trophies on social media before practice.Well, its good that theres some in this building, Kubiak said. Those things dont do you any good right now. Its a new year, new battle. I think this teams really excited, coaches, organization, everybody. Were there. Six weeks to play, a lot of big football games to play in.Wolfe, however, said the shiny trophies were a stark reminder that hit home for plenty of players.Everybody gets caught up in their own (business) day to day, Wolfe said. Thats the main goal.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton ' ' '