This blog is about the day I realized I was an asshole.

 

 

 

 

The day was September 9th 2007. The United States National Team was playing Brazil in an international friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago IL. I spent a fair amount of money on Row 1 seats at the half line. They were absolutely incredible seats for my national team game.

 

 

 

The Brazil Team's benches were directly in front of us it was unbelievable. The crowd was massive (the picture above was well before the start of the game). Most of the people around us were supporting Brazil. Now, as you can see above, I'm in a Brazil jersey. Let me give you some background on why I'm wearing a Brazil jersey and not a US jersey. The main reason is simply Arsenal. Gilberto Silva, a current Gunner and the Team Captain as well as former player (albeit on loan) Julio Baptista. Thats it. I went against my own country because of my love for my absolute favorite team - Arsenal. And not even the squad - 1 1/2 players!

 

Throughout the match I was SCREAMING at Landon Donovan. He was right in front of us almost the entire game. I said some very mean things about his forehead and him kissing his fingers.  He kept looking up at us and I could tell he was getting pissed. I mean getting heckled is part of any sport but in hindsight this was different. 

 

 

I'm an American. Soccer fan's in the US are a rare breed. While we tend to be passionate about the sport, we are definitely a minority. And here I was - making FUN of the US National Team and supporting a team I really had no real connection to.

 

In the months that followed I couldn't get this thought out of my head. I realized that what I did damn near was treason towards my country. And I didn't even get any nifty spy gadgets or offshore bank accounts for it.  

 

So, now that I've come to the realization of my atrocities  towards my country I can only ask you for your forgiveness fellow Americans. I have my US Jersey on order (away jersey thank you very much - the black is hot) and will post pictures soon. I have embraced my National Team even if one of our top scorers has a forehead that could be used as a weapon of mass destruction should the right amount of wax and sunlight be applied.

 

I promise, that if you elect to keep me as a soccer fan here in the states, I will never again cheer for another National Team. Unless of course it's a team playing against Italy. Then go them.  

 

 

So, I guess all that can be said is...

 

 

GO USA!!!