The World Cup is different. Of course, we were all rooting for the United States - but that alone doesn't mean people love soccer. They more likely love the spectacle. Who watches the bobsled any time other than when the USA is in the Olympics? Exactly. Two weeks ago I would have said with great certainty given my minimal soccer knowledge there is no chance the USA would advance in this edition of the "group of death." I stand corrected.
I also did not anticipate really wanting to learn more about the game. Soccer detractors will say "nothing happens", "no one scores", "they just run back and forth and whine about injuries". Well, as a fan of most major sports, I've got to say - none are perfect. Each has its flaws from a viewing standpoint. Baseball takes forever. Football has too many long delays for replays. Basketball's last two minutes can last 30 with all the intentional fouling. Hockey has nothing but lucky bounce goals in a lot of cases. I'll continue watching them all.
During the round of 16 game against Belgium, I stood at a local bar next to some legitimately knowledgeable soccer fans. Apparently, Team USA goalie Tim Howard, the sole reason they had any chance again Belgium, is not widely considered to be among the top five goalies in the game. However, these two self-identified Everton FC (of the English Premier League) fans, disagreed with that notion. After watching the remainder of the game, and listening to Howard's emotional post game comments after he stood on his head in what may have been his last World Cup game (he's 35 and apparently his Team USA backup is also excellent), I decided to look further into Everton. Everton is the smaller of the two teams in Liverpool. They are generally considered likable because they aren't among the top tier of spenders and don't always win. I can get behind that. And their nickname is the "Toffees." I like candy - good enough.
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| Standing room only for the USA vs Belgium game |
I also did not anticipate really wanting to learn more about the game. Soccer detractors will say "nothing happens", "no one scores", "they just run back and forth and whine about injuries". Well, as a fan of most major sports, I've got to say - none are perfect. Each has its flaws from a viewing standpoint. Baseball takes forever. Football has too many long delays for replays. Basketball's last two minutes can last 30 with all the intentional fouling. Hockey has nothing but lucky bounce goals in a lot of cases. I'll continue watching them all.
During the round of 16 game against Belgium, I stood at a local bar next to some legitimately knowledgeable soccer fans. Apparently, Team USA goalie Tim Howard, the sole reason they had any chance again Belgium, is not widely considered to be among the top five goalies in the game. However, these two self-identified Everton FC (of the English Premier League) fans, disagreed with that notion. After watching the remainder of the game, and listening to Howard's emotional post game comments after he stood on his head in what may have been his last World Cup game (he's 35 and apparently his Team USA backup is also excellent), I decided to look further into Everton. Everton is the smaller of the two teams in Liverpool. They are generally considered likable because they aren't among the top tier of spenders and don't always win. I can get behind that. And their nickname is the "Toffees." I like candy - good enough.
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| Buffalo was not happy about the Portugal tying goal. |
So I've decided to test out being a true soccer fan. With apologies to Ann Coulter, if this means I am joining America's state of "moral decay", so be it. I'll jump aboard with Everton. I'm not sure if it will stick - but I'll try. After all, they've got this guy on the team. If nothing else, maybe in 2018 I can share some soccer knowledge with a newbie at a bar.
