Realization of National Pride
Tuesday, 13 May 08, 07:27 PM · Comments(4)
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!!!
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its ok. i was psyched when Rosicky scored those amazing goals during the WC against the US. I find myself just getting upset about the US team because all you hear about is Donovan and Beasley, they are not god's gift to soccer. US fans need to realize that we are not the best, pretty far from it, and deal with it.
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Well, you picked the best club team anyway, tho' to expand on your sentiments you may want to look at Fulham. When it comes to Italy, always, always, always root against them. You'll never be disappointed, even when they win. Ha!
Cheers.
4 Comments · Add yours
noshit. i love brazil.
and yes, Italy ? why not France.
www.oleole.com/blogs/gooner
I'm an Indian. Im pretty fucked. But yes Id support them if they were in the world cup. which is easy to say because theyre not. the conundrum goes on eh? but bloody hell man, id work here and buy indian, so i think i should get to pick my own footie team. when it comes to cricket im fucked though.