TrueBlueYankWhen I hear the term “Yank,” referring to us soccer fans “across the pond,” it has special meaning for me. A product of modest upbringing and excellent schooling in New England within an hour’s drive to Beantown, I can “Pahk the cah in Hahvud Yahd,” order “chowdah,” or simply proclaim, “That’s a wicked riot!” I was born the year the United Soccer Association and the North American Soccer League merged to form the modern (but now defunct) NASL.
Eight years later in 1976 (yes, the patriotic Bicentennial year . . . do you remember the special “Spirit of 76” flags?), I began cultivating my passion for the Beautiful Game in the Nashua Youth Soccer League sponsored by the local YMCA. Yes, thanks to my parents, I was also was exposed to sports Americana with tee-ball, town recreational basketball, but never Pop Warner (Hey! My parents were not stupid!). I guess soccer was and still is literally in my blood . . . so is patriotism, and I am not ashamed of that!
To make a long story less long, after several relocations around the East coast, a knee injury, basking in the glow of the 1994 World Cup (and 1998, 2002, and 2006), and even spending some time on the other side of the whistle as a USSF referee, I now find myself south of the Mason-Dixon in Virginia STILL playing competitively . . . and effectively (Thanks to God!). Interestingly, despite my barely detectable dialect now, I am referred to as a “Damn Yank” around these parts, because I am here to stay. So be it! As the saying goes, “ Virginia is for Lovers,” and I love Virginia ! J
I am not some All-American with a glittering soccer resume, BUT I still buy two full season-tickets to the New York Red Bulls (f.k.a. Metrostars). Beginning in 2001, I had a 5-year stint in northern New Jersey . I get up to as many matches as I can, and if I cannot, I try to encourage others to attend, compliments of me. I have been doing this since the 2001 MLS season, but had been following MLS since its inaugural season in 1996. Not to mention, in 2005, I was one of the founding “Charter Citizens” of MetroNation, a supporters club for the Metrostars, who were acquired by Red Bull in 2006. Consequently, we morphed to RagingBullNation (www.RagingBullNation.net), where I contribute as “Chief Toro” in my “BULLog.”
You might be asking yourself, “Why are you so dedicated?” To reference a post by “bmgsouthcity” in this blog forum, there is no other sport in the world that can unite and divide us like soccer. We take the good with the bad, but I for one focus on the positive aspects of the World’s Game. I get chills when I see the starting eleven parade out to midfield, SINGING our national anthem, the camaraderie, the celebration and fanfare, the passion, THE PATRIOTISM. I also respect such elements when respectfully personified by fans of other national teams. I am not ashamed to say I am an American, and I stand and will fight for those spiritual and secular ideals that make this country so great . . . but not perfect. I apologize for digressing. This is my bio, not my presidential speech.
In some ways, I view my generation of players and enthusiasts today’s pioneers and ambassadors of The Beautiful Game. Tony Meola, Jeff Agoos, Eddie Pope, Alexi Lalas, John Harkes, Claudio Reyna, Hugo Perez, and Eric Wynalda et al are all approaching their 40s, now. SHEESH! Through the decades of my involvement in soccer at various levels and in various roles (have never coached, and I am not sure I have the patience to do so), my passion for the Beautiful Game (in all its shapes, sizes, and colors) grew exponentially with my increasing understanding, awareness, and appreciation for soccer worldwide.
While this “growth” has arguably culminated in my unequivocal allegiance to the Boys of the Stars and Stripes, I believe that this forum is perfect for sharing what I have learned and what I do not know with other sports enthusiasts worldwide, with the hopes of continually cultivating my understanding, awareness, and appreciation; and subsequently my passion for The Beautiful Game; and recruiting NEW fans for the Home of the Free, Land of the Brave, and Pitch of the Outlaws! >:-)
Eight years later in 1976 (yes, the patriotic Bicentennial year . . . do you remember the special “Spirit of 76” flags?), I began cultivating my passion for the Beautiful Game in the Nashua Youth Soccer League sponsored by the local YMCA. Yes, thanks to my parents, I was also was exposed to sports Americana with tee-ball, town recreational basketball, but never Pop Warner (Hey! My parents were not stupid!). I guess soccer was and still is literally in my blood . . . so is patriotism, and I am not ashamed of that!
To make a long story less long, after several relocations around the East coast, a knee injury, basking in the glow of the 1994 World Cup (and 1998, 2002, and 2006), and even spending some time on the other side of the whistle as a USSF referee, I now find myself south of the Mason-Dixon in Virginia STILL playing competitively . . . and effectively (Thanks to God!). Interestingly, despite my barely detectable dialect now, I am referred to as a “Damn Yank” around these parts, because I am here to stay. So be it! As the saying goes, “ Virginia is for Lovers,” and I love Virginia ! J
I am not some All-American with a glittering soccer resume, BUT I still buy two full season-tickets to the New York Red Bulls (f.k.a. Metrostars). Beginning in 2001, I had a 5-year stint in northern New Jersey . I get up to as many matches as I can, and if I cannot, I try to encourage others to attend, compliments of me. I have been doing this since the 2001 MLS season, but had been following MLS since its inaugural season in 1996. Not to mention, in 2005, I was one of the founding “Charter Citizens” of MetroNation, a supporters club for the Metrostars, who were acquired by Red Bull in 2006. Consequently, we morphed to RagingBullNation (www.RagingBullNation.net), where I contribute as “Chief Toro” in my “BULLog.”
You might be asking yourself, “Why are you so dedicated?” To reference a post by “bmgsouthcity” in this blog forum, there is no other sport in the world that can unite and divide us like soccer. We take the good with the bad, but I for one focus on the positive aspects of the World’s Game. I get chills when I see the starting eleven parade out to midfield, SINGING our national anthem, the camaraderie, the celebration and fanfare, the passion, THE PATRIOTISM. I also respect such elements when respectfully personified by fans of other national teams. I am not ashamed to say I am an American, and I stand and will fight for those spiritual and secular ideals that make this country so great . . . but not perfect. I apologize for digressing. This is my bio, not my presidential speech.
In some ways, I view my generation of players and enthusiasts today’s pioneers and ambassadors of The Beautiful Game. Tony Meola, Jeff Agoos, Eddie Pope, Alexi Lalas, John Harkes, Claudio Reyna, Hugo Perez, and Eric Wynalda et al are all approaching their 40s, now. SHEESH! Through the decades of my involvement in soccer at various levels and in various roles (have never coached, and I am not sure I have the patience to do so), my passion for the Beautiful Game (in all its shapes, sizes, and colors) grew exponentially with my increasing understanding, awareness, and appreciation for soccer worldwide.
While this “growth” has arguably culminated in my unequivocal allegiance to the Boys of the Stars and Stripes, I believe that this forum is perfect for sharing what I have learned and what I do not know with other sports enthusiasts worldwide, with the hopes of continually cultivating my understanding, awareness, and appreciation; and subsequently my passion for The Beautiful Game; and recruiting NEW fans for the Home of the Free, Land of the Brave, and Pitch of the Outlaws! >:-)
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2 comments:
I joined AO a few weeks back, and I'd really like to join you guys for the 6/8 game in NY. However, the USSF scheduled the only game in the Northeast all year on the same day the Revs play at home (the only MLS game that day).
I wrote about it here:
http://bluebloodedjourno.com/?p=243
I can't believe they are going to do that to us.
Chowda, this is TrueBlueYank, one of the Outlaw Gang members. As a Red Bull fan, I know EXACTLY what you mean. Your case is not the first I have heard of, and it has happended on several occasions! I remember buying a portable TV, and sneaking it into the Giants Stadium to watch the USA-MEX match during the METROSTARS match that evening. MLS and US Soccer gotta get their scheduling acts together. However, I am sure we are not aware of other constraints that each may face. Regardless, it still stinks!
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