Soccer and the Sporting Calendar
Football, Major Sports, Soccer
Posted by Obiora, May 20, 2008 - 10:34 pm
Every four years, the World Cup invades homes across this third rock from the sun. And most of the United States yawns. I watched the World Cup in 1994, 1998 and 2002. Each time, I thought that this might be a fun game to follow after the World Cup was over. Then Steelers training camp would start and my attention would be dutifully drawn away.
One of the things that used to annoy me about soccer is that its promoters (at least in the USA) would try to point up its supposed superiority to American football. Yes fool, we realize that American football isn’t played primarily with the foot. It’s called a misnomer and a rose by any other name would still be able to tackle your stank arse into the ground.
In the winter of 2006, following a thoroughly engrossing summer World Cup, I took a short-term work assignment in London and decided to really get into the beautiful game. After all, England is futbol-mad and the Steelers were languishing in mediocrity after having won Superbowl XL. I needed something positive in my sports life. The English did prove to be as futbol-mad as advertised but they didn’t care about American football; they just love their own game. Not having to defend the game I already loved, it was easy for me to begin to get into the other football.
The great thing about world futbol is that it’s played practically year-round. If there’s a hole in your American sports calendar, following an Argentine, Brasilian, English or Spanish club team can help fill the void. I’m a Pirates fan so naturally, baseball season is the winter of my American sports discontent.
Thankfully, spring/summer brings for me the close of the English Premier League and the English FA cup, as well as the UEFA Champions League, the Argentine Clausura, the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup. Last summer, there was the Copa America. This spring, the African Cup of Nations.
Such a huge variety of leagues and tournaments brings with it an great abundance of coverage. Prior to picking up futbol and not wanting to become a message board denizen, I could exhaust US sports coverage within a morning. But after picking up allegiances to Liverpool FC in England and Boca Juniors in Argentina as well as occasional coverage of the Argentine and Nigerian national teams, there’s more than enough new material to read and new opponents to hate.
I’ve only been in to this game for a year and a half and I’m still learning the subtleties of the positions, different team formations and the playing styles of the various national leagues. For instance, in England’s Premier League, it’s a more physical, straight-ahead game. In Italy’s Serie A, it’s deliberate and tactical. In Spain’s La Liga, the game is more patient. In Brazil and Argentina, it’s more fluid. I think; I’m still learning it all. Then consider a Spanish footballer moving to the English Premier League or an Argentine playing in Italy. There’s also a different financial structure to world futbol.
You don’t have to start hating American football in order to like soccer. You don’t have to choose a specific team but I find that being partisan is half the fun of sports.
For starters, check out the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United on ESPN2 (2:00 PM ET) on May 21st. I actually hate both teams! But I’ll still follow the action. Also, stay tuned for the culmination of the Copa Liberatadores and then tune in to Euro 2008 in June. And if you find the right fan base, as they say at Anfield, you’ll never walk alone.
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