Maybe you don’t watch it because you don’t understand it. Maybe you have a preconceived notion that it’s boring. Maybe it’s because you don’t follow the teams, the players or the standings. Maybe it’s because as an American the only futbol you are watching is played in pads and a helmet. Whatever the reason is you have banished soccer from your sporting enjoyment, it’s time to stop.
Start small. You don’t have to become a World Cup guru overnight. Start locally, in good ol’ ‘Murica.
Sunday the MLS Finals (Major League Soccer for those of you unaware) will take place in Los Angeles, Calif. The Los Angeles Galaxy will be taking on the New England Revolution aka the Revs.
The MLS cup is the Super Bowl of American soccer. In other words, it’s sort of a big deal.
The Galaxy have a lot going for them in their 14-1-4 season and have been favored to win the finals.
The Revs despite their impressive 11-1-2 season are going in with an underhand.
The competitive and higher ranked western conference came down to the Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders, both teams thought of to be superior to the Revs.
Galaxy veteran Landon Donovan, currently all-time leader in MLS scoring, is in his final days having claimed retirement after the season. Soccer fans both galaxy fans and others alike are pulling for Donovan to collect his fourth and final championship before the superstars hangs up his cleats for good.
I could go on and on about the accomplishments of Landon Donovan and why you should watch his final games, I really could. I could tell you he is the leading American player to score in the World Cup, I could tell you he is not only the all time leading scorer but also all time leader in assists. Let me put it this way, Donovan is the Michael Jordan of American soccer.
Speculate all you want that there will be no fairy tale ending for Donovan and the Galaxy, but let’s be honest, the Revs are the underdogs and ultimately will fall into second place. The Galaxy have allowed one goal all of the post season.
This is the game you want to watch to introduce you into your newfound love of Major league soccer. Revolution midfielder Jermaine Jones is hoping to assert his dominance over Donovan as his presence to the Rev’s roster has convincingly improved their record.
Seeing as the Revs are stepping to bat for the fifth time for the MLS cup, all previous tries being unsuccessful, it is an understatement to say the Revs have been here before.
In 2002 the Revs saw this very game against the Galaxy in a 1-0 game. The setting is all too familiar and defeat is often the outcome for the Revs.
Regardless, this weekend is the time to become a soccer fan, preferably a Galaxy fan. Expand your palate, witness history; the next World Cup is four years out, better get to learning your futbol.
