Wednesday, May 14, 2008
How the little boy that cried explains what's wrong with American soccer
For my full story on Fulham's great escape, and why this little boy was so upset - see this article on Potomac Soccer Wire
As news of Fulham’s win on the final day came over the air, it devastated Reading fans who’s team had just won convincingly 4-0. Several TV sports news program showed the hear breaking images of a boy no more than five years old crying and thrashing about uncontrollably in his father’s arms, both wearing Reading jerseys. The news had obviously just set in that Fulham had won and their team had crashed to the 2nd tier of soccer in England after just two short seasons in the Promised Land. For much of the lifetime of that boy, Reading had been in the Premier League. To him, it was his world.
As heart wrenching as it is, the image of that little boy crying really speaks to the emotional power that is inherent to the structure of soccer leagues in most of the rest of the world. From despair, as though there has been a death in the family, to unbounded joy and cheering like you’ve just been reborn and won the lottery on the same day, the emotions felt by fans epitomizes the cliché of “life and death” in sports.
It must seem like a cruel, cruel world to that little boy, but the rest of us can take away the greatness of what Fulham had just achieved, even if you’re not a Fulham fan. I personally can’t imagine caring quite that much about my favorite team winning or losing a Super Bowl, because “at least we were there, and we won our division championship anyway”. Chelsea fans of a similar age could not possibly feel their world had ended, when on the same day they learned their team would finish 2nd in the league behind this year’s EPL Champion Manchester United.
Only the reality that is relegation creates this much caring deep within fans. And although American sports marketers continue to say that “playoffs are the American way”, I firmly believe MLS will never be one of the best leagues in the world, let alone truly challenge for the hearts of serious NBA, MLB, or NFL fans until it too offers such a structure. In it’s current state, every team – no matter how bad – is safe, with the only drama outside of an MLS Cup final being whether or not a team will get a lower pick of some unproven college prospects in that winter’s “draft”.
It all reminds me of an anonymous quote I’ve seen as a signature line of many online soccer fans’ profiles, on t-shirts, and used all the time in loose conversation amongst regular fans - “Some say soccer is a matter of life and death. But I assure you, it’s way more important than that.” Indeed. And until that is the MLS marketing tag line, backed up with action, our soccer will always be 2nd class.Labels: Fulham, MLS, Reading FC
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Convey's frustration at Reading
So, if you're like me, our weekend (or holiday in this case) soccer viewing schedule consists of watching any team with Americans in the line up. It's taken a year, but finally, Fox Soccer Channel is carrying Fulham and Reading games on a regular basis.
Yesterday's Reading v Portsmouth match was just such an occasion, but most of my motivation for watching was basically over in the first 10 minutes however. Thank whoever for DVRs and their fast forward feature.
Bobby Convey got another start on the left wing, but in the 3rd minute a defender with Reading (Sonko) clipped the heals of the Portsmouth forward in the box, and not only conceded a penalty, but was red carded. Fortunately the PK struck the post, although GK Marcus Hahnemann (the other American international with Reading) dove the right way, he didn't have the kick covered. The rebound was cleared for a throw in, providing a great example to the youth players out there as to why you never give up, and always be first to the spot when a PK is struck.
The problem is, what do you do when you lose your central defender in the 3rd minute? Apparently you sub the American. Bobby was sacrificed to allow a 4th defender back on the field for Reading, while Steven Hunt moved to left and they went with a single forward. This despite Bobby nearly scoring his first EPL goal in the play immediately before his sub. The telling part about this move, was that the TV cameras caught Bobby's reaction when he realized he was the one being subbed. His reaction was more than that of surprise, followed by understanding. It was more like "sonnofa b****, the **** Manager is an idiot".
A teammate smartly grabbed him by the shoulders and shook the look off his face, as he accepted his role and jogged off. But the look was unmistakable. Convey clearly wants out of Reading.
All was not lost, the match was still 0-0 - at least for a little while. Portsmouth scored on what should have been a routine set play when Hahnemann let a basic cross slip through his fingers, where Sol Cambel bundled it home for the 1-0 Portsmouth lead.
Drama, yes. Reason for watching the rest, not much. Gotta love the FF button on the DVR!Labels: Bobby Convey, EPL, Marcus Hahnemann, Reading FC
As news of Fulham’s win on the final day came over the air, it devastated Reading fans who’s team had just won convincingly 4-0. Several TV sports news program showed the hear breaking images of a boy no more than five years old crying and thrashing about uncontrollably in his father’s arms, both wearing Reading jerseys. The news had obviously just set in that Fulham had won and their team had crashed to the 2nd tier of soccer in England after just two short seasons in the Promised Land. For much of the lifetime of that boy, Reading had been in the Premier League. To him, it was his world.
As heart wrenching as it is, the image of that little boy crying really speaks to the emotional power that is inherent to the structure of soccer leagues in most of the rest of the world. From despair, as though there has been a death in the family, to unbounded joy and cheering like you’ve just been reborn and won the lottery on the same day, the emotions felt by fans epitomizes the cliché of “life and death” in sports.
It must seem like a cruel, cruel world to that little boy, but the rest of us can take away the greatness of what Fulham had just achieved, even if you’re not a Fulham fan. I personally can’t imagine caring quite that much about my favorite team winning or losing a Super Bowl, because “at least we were there, and we won our division championship anyway”. Chelsea fans of a similar age could not possibly feel their world had ended, when on the same day they learned their team would finish 2nd in the league behind this year’s EPL Champion Manchester United.
Only the reality that is relegation creates this much caring deep within fans. And although American sports marketers continue to say that “playoffs are the American way”, I firmly believe MLS will never be one of the best leagues in the world, let alone truly challenge for the hearts of serious NBA, MLB, or NFL fans until it too offers such a structure. In it’s current state, every team – no matter how bad – is safe, with the only drama outside of an MLS Cup final being whether or not a team will get a lower pick of some unproven college prospects in that winter’s “draft”.
It all reminds me of an anonymous quote I’ve seen as a signature line of many online soccer fans’ profiles, on t-shirts, and used all the time in loose conversation amongst regular fans - “Some say soccer is a matter of life and death. But I assure you, it’s way more important than that.” Indeed. And until that is the MLS marketing tag line, backed up with action, our soccer will always be 2nd class.
Labels: Fulham, MLS, Reading FC
So, if you're like me, our weekend (or holiday in this case) soccer viewing schedule consists of watching any team with Americans in the line up. It's taken a year, but finally, Fox Soccer Channel is carrying Fulham and Reading games on a regular basis.
Yesterday's Reading v Portsmouth match was just such an occasion, but most of my motivation for watching was basically over in the first 10 minutes however. Thank whoever for DVRs and their fast forward feature.
Bobby Convey got another start on the left wing, but in the 3rd minute a defender with Reading (Sonko) clipped the heals of the Portsmouth forward in the box, and not only conceded a penalty, but was red carded. Fortunately the PK struck the post, although GK Marcus Hahnemann (the other American international with Reading) dove the right way, he didn't have the kick covered. The rebound was cleared for a throw in, providing a great example to the youth players out there as to why you never give up, and always be first to the spot when a PK is struck.
The problem is, what do you do when you lose your central defender in the 3rd minute? Apparently you sub the American. Bobby was sacrificed to allow a 4th defender back on the field for Reading, while Steven Hunt moved to left and they went with a single forward. This despite Bobby nearly scoring his first EPL goal in the play immediately before his sub. The telling part about this move, was that the TV cameras caught Bobby's reaction when he realized he was the one being subbed. His reaction was more than that of surprise, followed by understanding. It was more like "sonnofa b****, the **** Manager is an idiot".
A teammate smartly grabbed him by the shoulders and shook the look off his face, as he accepted his role and jogged off. But the look was unmistakable. Convey clearly wants out of Reading.
All was not lost, the match was still 0-0 - at least for a little while. Portsmouth scored on what should have been a routine set play when Hahnemann let a basic cross slip through his fingers, where Sol Cambel bundled it home for the 1-0 Portsmouth lead.
Drama, yes. Reason for watching the rest, not much. Gotta love the FF button on the DVR!
Yesterday's Reading v Portsmouth match was just such an occasion, but most of my motivation for watching was basically over in the first 10 minutes however. Thank whoever for DVRs and their fast forward feature.
Bobby Convey got another start on the left wing, but in the 3rd minute a defender with Reading (Sonko) clipped the heals of the Portsmouth forward in the box, and not only conceded a penalty, but was red carded. Fortunately the PK struck the post, although GK Marcus Hahnemann (the other American international with Reading) dove the right way, he didn't have the kick covered. The rebound was cleared for a throw in, providing a great example to the youth players out there as to why you never give up, and always be first to the spot when a PK is struck.
The problem is, what do you do when you lose your central defender in the 3rd minute? Apparently you sub the American. Bobby was sacrificed to allow a 4th defender back on the field for Reading, while Steven Hunt moved to left and they went with a single forward. This despite Bobby nearly scoring his first EPL goal in the play immediately before his sub. The telling part about this move, was that the TV cameras caught Bobby's reaction when he realized he was the one being subbed. His reaction was more than that of surprise, followed by understanding. It was more like "sonnofa b****, the **** Manager is an idiot".
A teammate smartly grabbed him by the shoulders and shook the look off his face, as he accepted his role and jogged off. But the look was unmistakable. Convey clearly wants out of Reading.
All was not lost, the match was still 0-0 - at least for a little while. Portsmouth scored on what should have been a routine set play when Hahnemann let a basic cross slip through his fingers, where Sol Cambel bundled it home for the 1-0 Portsmouth lead.
Drama, yes. Reason for watching the rest, not much. Gotta love the FF button on the DVR!
Labels: Bobby Convey, EPL, Marcus Hahnemann, Reading FC
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]