Before last night, if you asked me if I knew any professional soccer players I would have said “I can name only three and one hasn’t played in years.” Want the list? Beckham, Donovan and Pele. But if you catch me today and ask, “Don, do you know any soccer players?” I would say, while yes. There’s Robbie Russell the Real player who hit the winning goal in last night’s MLS Championship game. Then there is the MVP – goal keeper Nick Rimando (I would, of course, say his name by rolling my r’s - Rrrrrimando though). I could then tell you how impressed I was with the entire team’s play against the big bad, star laden team from Los Angeles.
I don’t want to look like a soccer fan that just jumped on the band wagon because in the past two weeks Real beat Chicago and Los Angeles after winning a mere 11 games all season long. But, that's exactly why I count myself a fan today. Way in the back - behind the real and long time fans, but a fan nevertheless.
Let’s face it – people like to associate with winners. Or they want to cheer for the underdog. Of course, there are fans who never waiver – like me with the Red Sox, Celtics and Mariners. And then there are those who decide to become fans because they watched people play and never give up. I’m a sucker for hard play and hustle. Guys like Bird, Jordan and Ray Lewis. They never quit. Since I never had the ‘skills to pay the bills’ as some would say, I relied and still rely on extra effort to compete at basketball or football. I wish golf worked that way, but even when I hustle I still hook or slice balls out of play – or into the water – I’m an equal opportunity golfer. I hustle to find the balls I loose, but my swing is still my handicap and golf courses around the city, state and country can lay claim to several balls that once resided in my bag. PS: If you find any that have a capital ‘R’ and a number 2 below it – that would be me.
In case you missed the actual game – Rimando made a great saving shot during the shoot out and then Robbie Russell scored to end the game. He was all alone on the field and it took nearly 5 seconds for his teammates to reach him to celebrate. Once they did it was a dog pile of pure joy and elation. No one tour their shirt off or did one of those slides across the grass. It was a team hug – soccer style.
My name is Don and last night I became a Real soccer fan.
