Soccer! Nottingham Forest!

before I get started, let me point out that in my last post, I misspelled the word 'sexually.' So for a so-called 'sports' blog, I'm batting around, um, .000. sorry 'bout that. on we go!

Soccer - first: Let's all agree to call the global game "soccer" and the American game "football." Many people, in America and Europe, imagine that soccer is an American term invented to distinguish the game from gridiron. Indeed, anti-American Europeans often frown upon the use of the word, like it's part of American imperialism or something...or that were trying to "Americanize" the game. Or that we're just plain stupid and will never matter in the global game.

This is silly.

In fact, "Soccer" was the most common name for the game in Britain from the 1890s until around 1970, when tha North American Soccer League came over here. In America, we easily adopted the English word, while the British decided to be smug and switched to the term "football."

Also, in fact, there are so many types of "football" games, it's a little ridiculous for one to simply be called "football" For example, under the umbrella of FOOTBALL are soccer, american gridiron, Canadian football, Rugby, Gaelic football, Australian rules football, etc... so which one is which?

Another in fact, the word "soccer" comes from the official name of the game: Assocation Football. Back in 1890s, when many clubs were being formed across Britain, the game was simply called "association," shorted to "assoc" which, in time, turned into "soccer."

So for the purpose of me, myself, and this blog, the global game shall be called "Soccer" while the American game shall be called "football."


NEXT!

To be quite honest, I didn't give a rip about anything soccer-related until 2006. yes, that's right, i've been a fan for exactly 4 years. lame, i know. But I could never really get into the game, until World Cup 06 when a buddy of mine (who was really into the game) was able to explain things as we watched all the matches. My living conditions at the time were awesome for sports-watching. Three TVs and two couches set up grandstand style in the living room. Oh yes.

Shortly thereafter, another friend of mine bought me a FIFA 06 computer game, and I was HOOKED. line and sinker and all that. Now, the trick was what team should I support? It's in my nature to root for the underdog when I have no attachment to a team in any sporting contest, so I was not drawn to any of the European giants (Man Utd, Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, etc...).

The first team I was drawn to was Blackburn Rovers simply because they had that cool half-and-half kit design, and they were the only team other than the big 4 to win the Premier League since 1990. Also, the city of Blackburn is mentioned in my favorite Beatles song! However, it didn't take long to realize the club was run by idiots, they let all their cool players and coaches go. Whatever.

So dumped them and decided to do some research on some of the big English leagues and teams and just see which one popped out to me. I figured if I kept and open mind, a club will find ME and it will be a natural and easy fit. What team did I hook up with? Nottingham Forest!

Honestly, there wasn't much in the decision. After a little research I realized this was a team I could easily pull for. Relative underdogs for most of their long existence (2nd or 3rd oldest club in the midlands, depending on your source), they had an occasional decade of success. Most notably, they won two straight European Chamionships in 1979 and 1980 under the brilliant mastermind, Brian Clough. They have an extremely rabid and vocal fan base across the world, and even in America.

They were a founding club in the Premier League in 1992, but were as low as England's third tier in 2006. Even when relegated to League Two, they could still draw a crowd at City Ground that rivaled half of the Premier League clubs. Since then, they have improved under some good coaching and and even better player acquisitions, and are on the brink of promotion to the top-flight next year.

So things are looking up for Forest in the coming years. so hooray!

Other soccer teams I like include Liverpool ( a good buddy of mine loves these guys, so I'll root for 'em too), Barcelona (just because they're so freaking good, and have a tendency to have the world's best player, i.e Ronaldinho a few years back, or Messi this year), and if I had to pick an MLS team, I'd go for FC Dallas. why not? they play about 15 minutes from my house and tickets are cheapy cheap.

Internationally, I'll pull for the US, though it will be a while yet before we're one of the elite nations. Brazil is also fun to watch, as is Italy.

For most matches I'll catch on TV, i won't have an emotional interest, so I'll find myself pulling for the underdog or something.

I realized the other day that I'm actually going to be in Africa when the World Cup starts. Different end of Africa though, but it will be interesting to see what kind of impact it has, even in the little country I'll be in.

okay...next: BASEBALL!!