Seattle Sounders FC: Real Sound Football
Seattle steps up with some real football. Fußball, fútbol, foci, fotbal, or - as we Americans insist - soccer, it doesn't matter what you call it, "the world's game" has finally come local.
Actually, I lie. I do care what you call it. I hate calling it soccer. I think it should be "football" and "American football" or "US football". Are we the only country in the world that doesn't recognize it as just football? OK, never mind, that's another rant. I'll call it soccer so everyone will know what the hell I'm talking about, and so I won't look like a pissy, purse-lipped grammar-control-freak pain in the ass. Even though I pretty much am.
Soccer is here, and in the big leagues, too: a brand spanking new MLS expansion team. For you US football fans, that's Major League Soccer. Pretty much analogous to an NFL team. Yeah, baby. That's right.
So I'm pretty excited.
I remember the '06 World Cup, not so long after I moved here. I was using vacation hours to go home and watch those matches. And I didn't have that much vacation time saved up back then, either. I was stoked. I was also floored that no one seemed to know what the hell I was talking about! I got comments like, "World Cup, what is that, sailing?" or "Oh, I didn't know soccer was that popular." What? Sailing? Are you serious? You didn't know it was that popular? Um, the World Cup final is THE most watched sporting event ever! It's actually US football that's "not that popular", in the big scheme of things, people. Jeez. Some perspective, please. Don't get me wrong, I love American football too. Go 'Hawks.
In fact, what is it with this either-or thing with US football fans? The whole soccer v. American football thing? It's like you can only like one or the other. If you ask someone whether they like soccer, the reply is likely to be, "Nah, I like real football." Yeah? Me too. I like real football and American football. What does one have to do with the other? US football is not a replacement for soccer. It's not even similar. It's not like baseball and softball, for Pete's sake. You might as well say, no, I don't like golf, I'm a croquet man myself. Or, nah, I'm not much into tennis, ping pong is my game! Oh, that sounds silly? Yeah, well that's about how related soccer and US football are, people. You don't have to choose. I've always thought that was some kind of weird sports dichotomy.
Anyway. They won their first regular season game 3 - zip against the New York Red Bulls. Hell yeah.
They're apparently the first football club to have their own marching band, Sound Wave, which is pretty friggin' awesome.
They've already sold more season tickets than any other MLS club. New as they are, too! That's impressive. Apparently the fans did Qwest field proud, rivaling Seawhawks fans in noise level, and standing practically the whole time. Yeah, baby. Hoo-ah.
Anyway, MLS in Seattle, folks. Next game is this Saturday. Bring beer.
6 comments:
Seattle Sounders were the "soccer" team when I was growing up..and they were really good...I am glad they brought them back.
Sageweb -- apparently the Sounders were first a NASL (North American Soccer League) until the 80s, which I hadn't known, and then they were a USL team until last year, so Seattle has had a Sounders soccer team for a while, but the "new" team is part of Major League Soccer, aka the big time. Apparently they'd wanted to name the new team something else, but the fans did enough write-in votes to incorporate "Sounders" into the name, that they won, and the team became Seattle Sounders FC.
A lot of people from the old team carried forward into the new one, I guess. I have to admit, I didn't pay that close attention them when they were a USL team - it was never publicized or televised. I lived here for a year or two before I even knew they existed.
The new MSL team will be televised, which is good, because tickets are too expensive for this chick.
Did you know that what Americans call a 'burrito',Southern Mexicans call a 'taco'..and that taco roughly translates into what Americans call a sandwich?..
I don't watch futbol,or soccer,so I didn't know what else to say.
But I do this!..If you're happy,I'm happy. :)
In Australia there is Aussie Rules and something called AFL>>> and they are nurtured like gods...
my dad played it rough in the late thirties and forties and was so proud that their team from Aberdeen NSW was banned...because they were so rough..considering what a gentle dad he became it amuses me...its all so much theatre these days...then it was daggy big shorts and vests which were stained and ripped and faded. Aussies wear no helmets or protective gear still but then they had cheap sandshoes, and not too much tucker to play on with because of the depression and its aftermath...such a different world. They have become too precious for me.
Sling -- as always, it's all about my happiness.
MC -- yeah, Americans think we're badass with US football, but we wear all these pads for protection. I'll tell you what impresses me, is Rugby. Now that's badass.
I love the football, this is the best game of the world.i think we can not live without bootball game.
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