Well, here it is. This post, that you have so fortunately stumbled upon, is the first actionable step I have taken to help grow the game of soccer in America. (See why you are so fortunate now?) Why am I doing this? Because I have recently been reunited with this sport that I once played and loved, and it has provided a spark in my life that cannot be compared to anything else.

I grew up playing soccer, but I grew distant from the game once I stopped playing after high school. Admittedly, I was one of those “MLS is a joke” kind of people and never really gave it a fair shot because I never thought the game would grow to be popular in America. Until 12 years later, when I moved to Columbus, Ohio, and went to my first Columbus Crew game on March 4th, 2023 against D.C United. I grew up west of Cleveland, so I was familiar with the Crew’s existence, but didn’t really know much more than that. After my first match day experience, I immediately fell back in love with the sport and had the feeling that I had found what I had always been looking for. Ever since then, I’ve had a desire to somehow, someway contribute to the growth of this incredible game. So what is it about soccer that provides such passion and enthusiasm? There’s a few things:

The Beautiful Game

Let’s start with the game itself. It’s a beautiful sport to watch (and play). The shapes and formations created by the players on the field, the interpretation of space, the off-the-ball running, the eloquent passing, the fancy footwork, and, of course, the absolute screamers from outside the box. It’s the perfect recipe for a fast-paced and aesthetically pleasing game to watch. But do you know what keeps me coming back? The continuous mental stimulation. For 90 minutes, you get end-to-end action that keeps you engaged and entertained through the game’s beauty. No timeouts, no huddles, and no TV breaks. Just a short halftime, and a few stoppages for injuries and subs here and there. From the moment the ball is first played in, to the final whistle, you are locked in to an adrenaline-filled contest between two teams who leave everything they have out on the pitch. Yeah, let’s get more of that here in America.

The Culture

I have always known the game was beautiful, but what has surprised me the most is the culture. Soccer culture has arrived in America, and it is here to stay. Going back to that cold day in March of 2023, I had no idea what to expect going to my first Columbus Crew game. I was with my father, my brother-in-law, and my nephew, and we were all filled with excitement and curiosity. We were bundled up in our new Crew hats and scarves we bought at the team shop before the match started, and we headed up to find our seats in section 240. We located our seats in a sold-out stadium and admired the atmosphere beneath us while we waited for the match to begin. To our surprise, the entire stadium simultaneously stood on their feet, put their arms around one another, and serenaded the team with a homemade rendition of “Can’t help but falling in love with you” as the players walked out on the pitch. I mean WOW! What a moment. 20+ thousand people, singing in unison, in support of their soccer team. I’m hooked and the game hasn’t even started! The whistle blows, the ball is played in, and we are off to the races. The supporters section, also know as the Nordecke, filled the stadium with organized chants from start to finish, the drum line kept a steady beat throughout the entire match, and the fans were into the game as much as the players were. At this point, I’m sold and I’m thinking to myself, “how can this get any better?” Well, it did. When the Crew scored their first goal. Lucas Zelarayan received a ball from Cucho Hernandez at the top of the box, he turns and spins off the defender behind him, and buries it in the bottom right corner of the net. The Nordecke erupts. Flags are flying, people are jumping up and down while high-fiving each other and screaming at the top of their lungs. The sound of vuvuzelas ring throughout the air. Smoke machines went off and filled the stadium with yellow colored smoke while the players embraced each other and pumped up the crowd even more. It was pure elation. Where am I? What is this? Is this what MLS is really like? The answer is yes, and it’s only going to get better.

The Community

One thing that I have learned since becoming a born-again soccer fan is that a soccer club is more than just a team that you support. They’re a part of your community. You can’t drive through a neighborhood in Columbus without seeing a Crew flag flying on a front porch, a yard sign in a front yard, or a decal on the back of a car. But it’s more than just the fans; it’s also the local businesses. The Crew is as much a part of the community as the local printer or baker. The city of Columbus loves the Crew, and the Crew loves the city of Columbus. Whether the Crew are visiting a local elementary school or holding a meet and greet and COSI, they seem to always be involved with the community. And the community always supports their involvement. It’s a partnership. One that you just don’t see with other sports teams, and it’s one that I am extremely grateful to be a part of.

With all that being said, I am extremely excited to continue to spread the word and advocate for this incredible game. If you have made it this far in the post, I thank you. I have a ton of content ideas that I am eager to start working on, and I hope to gain your continued support throughout this journey. Although I have declared my fandom of the Columbus Crew, my goal for this page is to remain unbiased and provide content for all soccer fans. This includes all MLS clubs, USMNT, USWNT, and all USL clubs. My passion and desire is to grow the game of soccer and its popularity in America, and that’s what this page is all about. So, if you like anything that I post, go ahead and share it with someone you know. And if you don’t like what I post, share it anyway.

Cheers,

Tommy