. https://x.com/xgphilosophy/status/2029291323597996087?s=46&t=n0pUj667cv_3J7Wi5_-vLA
2 Likes
When I was looking to get into soccer, I looked at all the Prem teams and read a little of their history. I’m very much a gatekeeping anti-bandwagon type of person when it comes to sports fandom. Basically came down to Aston Villa and Wolves for me - both industrial cities that fell on hard times and the region is a bit of a joke over there - much like the Rust Belt cities in the states. Then I watched a press conference with Wolves’ manager at the time, Mick McCarthy, and he was funny and a Irish blue collar type of guy. So I was sold. I got very lucky that they got promoted the very next year.
I’m not too broken up about relegation because the Championship is an awesome league to follow. I’ve been following Wolves in the Prem, Championship and even when they were down in League One for a season and then all the way back up.
1 Like
see my first season paying attention was the blessed year they qualified for the europa league so I got to see them be a frisky upstart from the jump.
Mexico is playing in Chicago vs. Belgium in a few weeks, and I am considered going to watch Raul, who is still one of my favorites.
I’ll always root for him. Glad he has regained some form. We were so good up the middle when we first got back to the Prem. Haven’t come close since
I’m an Arsenal fan because my best friend in college is the one who got me into European football and he was an Arsenal fan. As a native of St. Louis he now hates the Kroenkes and doesn’t really root for Arsenal. But I’m stuck with them.
You can never guarantee not ending up on a bandwagon. I picked City specifically from a 2006 Bill Simmons Page 2 column where it was suggested not to pick them.
20 years later and it’s probably the largest bandwagon since, but I am in too deep despite the constant noise around the club and not making a switch. I adored the Mancini/Aguero/Balotelli era, soccer was pushing hard as my favorite sport at that time. I’ve kind of cooled since, still keep up, but not like I used to.
2 Likes
I once played a flash game around 2012 and randomly picked man united as my team, been a casual fan ever since
1 Like
I blame Tim Howard for my Everton fandom. If hadn’t been so awesome in 2014 against Belgium, I probably would have picked a team who didn’t consistently try my patience every match.
2 Likes
I find it funny that Newcastle had the best performance out of all the Premier League teams in the champions league 1st leg (Just pretend Arsenal doesn’t exist)
I love when Pep tries out new weird lineups in huge matches. So fun.
yep Hornby + Beane references clinched Arsenal for me. have barely paid attn to this season but will watch when they’re on.
2 Likes
This is kind of the season to watch!
newcastle 
Watching the league cup final!
Also lol Spurs
1 Like
Slow sports night, but the USMNT is playing Portugal with a weird lineup on TNT here shortly. Last match we got rolled by a Belgium squad that isn’t as tough as they have been recently. Watching Ream and Weah try to mark Doku was high comedy though.
Poch trying some extra weird Pep style lineup so we’ll see. I’d be thrilled if we don’t get completely cooked again at this point.
italy
3 Likes
The Last game Italy played in the World Cup, Suarez was biting one of their players
6 Likes
Even crazier is that Italy has won a Euro during this drought.
4 Likes
Sweet marking in the box again tonight. My pessimism about this WC is hitting an all time high. If we don’t take 3 from Paraguay in the opener, it could be a wrap because Turkey is going to slice and dice us again.
1 Like
My Italian grandmother is rolling in her grave. Last time they played a knockout game was 2006, when I was in HS and the summer I got into soccer
1 Like