Am I Becoming A Hooligan?
There's one good thing about the World Cup, it's gives me something to write about not related to the shitty graveyard job. I find working nights conducive to watching the matches which are played several time zones away. Johannesburg to Phoenix is nine hours. The games start early in the morning here, when I get home from work.
Today I was happy to get a match of two superpowers, Brazil vs Portugal. This pairing will surley hold my attention.
I'll confess to dozing off during a match or two. It's close to my bed time and the non-scoring-almost-action works better than melatonin. While I appreciate the game of football, the player's stamina, precise teamwork, impressive skills, and global wide futbol fervor ..... watching these contests occasionally reminds me of why I, and other Americans, may never become part of the soccer loving universe.
There are great things about this game. I'm truly trying to like it. For the sake of this tournament I overlook the obvious reasons I'm not a big footy fan, few scoring chances, the drama of diving, terrible officiating, a lame offsides rule, and the killer for me ..... the notorious knotted contest.
I like the nationalism of the World Cup. I think people taking pride or pain in the fate of their countrymen competing on an international stage is awesome. We disagree so often it's nice to have something to band us together. Occasionally the world unites and while we don't set rivalry aside, we channel the passion into a worthy endeavor.
I've learned a few things in the past two weeks. I never understood the offsides rule until now. It seems ill designed. I've become more familiar with soccer terminology. I look forward to the set plays but there aren't enough. This is the one moment in soccer when I'm glued to the action. Someone might actually get a shot on goal. Yay.
I enyoy seeing the pride of the African people hosting their first World Cup but I loathe those vuvuzela horns they blow throughout the game. I turn my television volume to low. This cup is good for all Africa, not just the RSA.
Turning my volume down has one advantage. I don't hear the former players who cannot contain their bias. One Dutchman was like a tape recorder saying the same thing over and over. We got it the fourth time buddy. You don't like that national team's style of play. I get it. Move on.
Without a lifelong love for the game, for now I have to settle for the things I appreciate. I'll tolerate not enough scoring chances and divas pretending they were knived in the back right under the official's nose. I'll never accept the draw.
Portugal and Brazil ended in the worst of all level matches. I can barely tolerate a 1-1 draw but 0-0 is just plain stupid. Because the nations speak the same language I wonder if the fix was in. "Hey Diego, we're both advancing, there's no need to waste good goals in this meaningless match."
Will I watch football after the World Cup? I honestly don't know. I am really trying to embrace futbol, 50 million hooligans can't be wrong. Maybe I need a favorite club. I could accept applications.