Blog Background

I doubt anyone will read this blog, but I am doing it to keep up my writing skills and work ethic during a period of self-imposed unemployment. I am first and foremost a fan of global soccer; so first thing I will do is state who I support so that my prejudices are out in the open and anyone unlucky enough to read this can blast me appropriately.

I have been a Real Madrid supporter since 1996. I cannot be called a front runner since the 95-96 season was one of the worst in team history. I have been to only a couple games, but catch them on TV every weekend. For national teams, I of course support the United States. In the MLS, I support my home team, DC United

Though Madrid are my one and only favorite team, I enjoy certain teams from other leagues, and for reasons I usually cannot describe. I would like to say it is because I enjoy beautiful, fluid soccer, and outstanding players, but why would I like Chelsea. Objectively, they are a cynical, boring team to watch, and they feature one of the most hated cheaters in the world in Didier Drogba, but I find myself rooting for them more often then not. Other teams I currently enjoy include Liverpool, Getafe, Lyon, Palermo, Schalke.

As important as the teams you love in football are the teams that we love to hate. Strangely enough, Barcelona is not one of those teams. I have an uneasy admiration for Barça that is not easily explained. However when they play Madrid, all of those feelings are on hold. Currently, teams I hate include Manchester United, Sunderland, Real Betis, almost all Italian teams [especially Roma and AC Milan], the Houston Dynamo, and any team that allows racist chants and signs or spectator violence to go unpunished.