A Beginning

As I sit here at my living room table, watching the Norwich City vs Arsenal game on FSC, I'm thinking to myself, if only Per Mertesacker's long lanky legs could give him that extra burst to catch up to the older, shorter Grant Holt. This is all besides the point of this post, just thought i'd share. I would like to talk about fanaticism. I think it's important to know at this point that I am a New York Red Bulls (Since the Metro), FC Barcelona (Before we all prayed to Messi), and Bolton Wanderers (Back when Jay-Jay was oh so nice, they named him twice) fan, respectively. I have proudly touted these teams on my back and in my soul, through the rough times and the glorious. However, growing up in country where there really isn't that older guard of soccer lovers, as compared to Europe or South America, our generation have been slowly building our own love for the beautiful game. 

And I dont want to dismiss the previous generation of being completely devoid of affection for the game. I recall those tens of thousands that went to Cosmos' games in the 70s, or even my more immediate examples of the ESC, who's been doing it loud and rowdy since 1995. Yet, as I see a half time commercial of the Norwich City - Arsenal game, showing Joe Hart making incredible saves in the City -Borussia Dortmund game on October 3rd. His work can be observed to the left. I begin to realize why this generation not only enjoys the game, but finds more and more reasons to love the game. 

Everyone in this country loves pure athletic ability and idolize those that exhibit it at its absolute greatest. I'm talking of moments like Jerome Simpson's touchdown

or even a historic moments like Johan Santana's no hitter back in July. The bottom line is that we are a people that appreciates athleticism and glory, regardless of sport. The commercial mentioned above demonstrates this so well. Joe Hart's saves, on October 3rd, portray the pinnacle of humanities reflexive capabilities. The Dortmund players could find no inch of that net unprotected by the Keeper at City's gate. Many of this generation, due mainly to the spread of Fifa, know and recognize Joe Hart as a rock solid goalie that consistently finds himself saving The Noisy Neighbours, with the help of an inconsistent back-line. A better example would obviously be the flair of Crisitano Ronaldo or the speed of Messi, regardless, they all help to demonstrate that many in this country are finding more reasons to really watch this game. As this country receives more exposure to, these players abilities, those glorious goals, and the simple enjoyment one gets from listening to a really loud soccer crowd, the perception of the game gets better. And as the Norwich City - Arsenal game enters the 86th minute the pressure of the stadium builds to a palpable, jittery excitement. Norwich tick closer and closer to a great three points against Arsenal and the game gives the American viewer something it adores similarly to athleticism, excitement.

The game is now entering stoppage time and I want to end by sharing something I think many people should watch, which is, a sports science done on Cristiano Ronaldo: