Starting Today, We Take the Next Step

by Richard Farley on Nov 19, 2009 2:01 PM EST Comment 28 comments

You have to love the internet.

Not only is it allowing us to communicate from distance (hello, nice to meet you), but the Webernets has also shrunk the soccer world, allowing insatiable fanatics like myself to follow as many players, leagues, and nations as our time permits. As anybody who knows me can attest, I spend an impermissible amount of time following The Beautiful Game. Just last night, my housemate came into my recording studio to request an appointment to play pool with me this weekend.

I had to think about it.

So that's not healthy, but I wouldn't change a thing. In our own little ways - whether we're writing about it, talking about it, or watching it - we are all part of what is a watershed time in United States soccer history. We're in on the ground floor, the same ground floor that stood in the wake of the North American Soccer League's demise. Between now and next July, when the World Cup in South Africa ends, we will rebuild this sport in the United States.

From now, through World Cup 2010 and beyond, World Soccer Digest will be dedicated to growing the sport of association football, futbol, futebol, fussball, soccer - The Beautiful Game.

The best way to grow the sport in this country? By coming together, talking about it, showing our passion and our intellect, and letting this country's mainstream sporting culture know that sports fans watch soccer.

Hello, I'm Richard, and the reason I write about soccer is to talk to other people about the game. Leave comments, email me, ask for my other contact information. We're going to come together to build this game, and my part of the project starts now.

If this message resonates with you, then you either already follow The Game or have tried doing so. What would you be looking for in a soccer-watching community? Where do we start?

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Look forward to the WSD

I can’t really answer either of your questions except to avoid the pimp hand of Henry. It is truly strong. What is your vision for the community?

You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.

by 3k on Nov 19, 2009 2:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My Vision

I watch way, way too much soccer, 3k. The only way I can justify that existence is to synthesize the information, give you my thoughts, and then engage you so each of us can have as much fun as possible with this game.

But I will also be tailoring a lot of my content around these comments. If I see somebody mention the Argentine domestic league, you’re likely to see a post shortly after detailing why all the storied clubs in that country are failing. If you see comments speculating about Kenny Cooper jumping to 1. Bundesliga (the official name of the top German league), you will see me go through the league’s 18 teams describing how he’ll fit.

When healthy.

What people want to hear about, I will provide, and if there’s something I think it important – that people are missing – I’ll highlight that.

Both mostly, I’ll be having conversations with this. I’m excited.

by Richard Farley on Nov 19, 2009 2:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good stuff

I’ll be around. Here’s the drop on me:
I write over at Turf Show Times, the SBN community for the St. Louis Rams. As for soccer, I started playing when I was 3. Actually, that’s not entirely true. I was on a soccer team, but I don’t think I was playing any soccer. In any case, I started really watching the sport after the 94 World Cup here in the US. I quickly developed affinities for the US, but was amazed at the skills of the country of my ancestors – France. That took me to Arsenal and that was that.
My coolest soccer experiences – being in France in ‘98. I was an exchange student and didn’t have anywhere near the paper to go to a game, but I didn’t have to. I watched the final with about 100,000 people on a pier in Cannes. A+.
- Seeing Arsenal at the Emirates in the 4th row. Granted, it was the game against Hull last season when we lost, but it was a dream day for me.
- Seeing France-Netherlands in Euro2008. Somehow my teams always lose when I’m in attendance…

I’ll be around, bro.

by 3k on Nov 19, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now I'm Jealous ...

… of all those experiences, but it’s good to know we already have people who are going to be talking footy. I’m stoked.

by Richard Farley on Nov 19, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What a great time to start a World Cup blog

Thierry Henry, the stubborn suits at FIFA and about 4.25 million people on a little island just West of England would like to know how the rest of the world (including Richard Farley, global soccer scribe) feels about handballs, resistance to modern technology and an individual’s responsibility to cop to the truth at the critical moment? Henry, in all fairness, had about three seconds to calculate “the right thing to do” and all its global consequences. Richard? What’d’ya think, man?

by Steve Davis on Nov 19, 2009 2:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The pimp hand of Henry claims another victim!

by 3k on Nov 19, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

THE MATCH MUST BE REPLAYED

I remain steadfastly OUTRAGED at that travesty of a call.

I do realize that the game will not be replayed, but still, terrible call. Just terrible.

"It was almost like if Harry didn't call it, it wasn't real." - Jayson Stark

by Chris Haines on Nov 19, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't blame you at all

The referee should not be given another match of similar stature.

by Richard Farley on Nov 19, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Henry seems contrite ...

… and has admitted his “cheatingness” (?). But he also has a responsibility to his teammates. There may be a lot of Les Blues who would take that goal, no questions asked. Henry is the captain, and he needs to consider these things.

It would be nice if something like this could be arranged:

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ars-ne-wenger-offers-fa-cup-rematch

It can’t. International breaks being what they are.

by Richard Farley on Nov 19, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I certainly don't blame Henry at all

I would want my team doing anything it can to win the game. I am all for that. The whole situation just sucks though.

"It was almost like if Harry didn't call it, it wasn't real." - Jayson Stark

by Chris Haines on Nov 19, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, Chris

Certainly wish we were talking about well-taken goals or stalwart defensive play than outlying behaviors. I suppose that informs my willingness to move on, but that may be undo bias on my part.

by Richard Farley on Nov 19, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ask and you shall receive

I wasn’t kidding when I said I would be responsive to comments.

My second post on this blog addressed the Thierry Henry situation. I hope everybody provides feedback, because I would love to talk about it.

by Richard Farley on Nov 19, 2009 4:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good to have you on Richard

As someone who also watches far too much soccer, it’s great to have someone writing on here about everything we see. Will you be in South Africa next summer?

Formerly ryebreadraz

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 19, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's still a possibility

… but I honestly like the idea of staying here this time, for a lot of reasons, not the least of which that I have enough writing responsibilities of varying demands that watching as many matches as possible and quickly getting thoughts (on a number of matches) out will be important.

Stuff like that’s difficult when you’re on a bus. I’m just NOT that good at iPhone writing. Yet.

I plan to watch every match in detail and be doing a lot of audio content. I just don’t know how possible all that is while trying to meet the demands of getting to-and-from matches.

It’s hard to say “No” if somebody asks you to go, though, so we’ll see.

by Richard Farley on Nov 20, 2009 4:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome!

I’ve always tried to follow soccer more than I already do (re: not too well), but with SBN building a soccer community I think things will change for me.

NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Nov 19, 2009 9:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Use Us

… liberally. Just ask any questions you need to get you up-to-date. As you know, if you’re asking, somebody else is probably wondering, too.

And it will undoubtedly lead to an actual article, at some point.

by Richard Farley on Nov 20, 2009 4:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You are going to be doing other international competitions?

Gold Cup?
African Cup of Nations
etc

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Sounder At Heart on Nov 20, 2009 1:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Definitely

I’m very much looking forward to the ACN, especially given what happened to Egypt this week. I wanted Ahmed Hassan to get to a World Cup, but instead, he has this last ACN (which could be his fourth title) and then that’s probably it for him. In fact, I should check to see what the status is of a lot of those veteran players for the Pharoahs, as I imagine some of them might retire either immediately or right after the tournament.

But I will certainly be covering that. In fact, Dave, I might write a post on that very soon because there is some information to spread in order to get people up-to-date on the tournament (before it starts).

BTW, how’s everything up in the Emerald City this week. I’ve been talking to people who were at the MLS Works project, and they said it was fun. And, of course, our own Steve Davis is there.

by Richard Farley on Nov 20, 2009 4:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm wearing too many hats

With the Supporter Summit events and trying to get some player recaps done before the Expansion Draft.

But with Garber doing half hour hits on both sports radio stations, a huge sub-site at the Seattle Times, this city is continuing its embrace of the game. When Steve and I get together we’ll each have a beer on you, I mean for you.

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Sounder At Heart on Nov 20, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome!

This idea is long overdue. We’ve got a pretty good footy following over on SBNation’s Cincinnati Reds site (even have our own Fantasy EPL league!), so it’ll be nice to have another outlet to talk about it.

"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san

by BK on Nov 20, 2009 12:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

BK

This is the second soccer blog added within a month. And third in the last 3 months.

Dailysoccerfix.com (US General, MLS, USMNT, Americans Abroad)
SounderAtHeart.com (Seattle Sounders, MLS, other Cascadia soccer and rare Arab Soccer)
WorldSoccerDigest.com (International competitions primarily this World Cup thing)

I know Steve is targeting much more.

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Sounder At Heart on Nov 20, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DSF is great too

I was referring to the international competition specific blog, I think it’s a great idea to have, especially with the WC around the corner. Now if we can work the EPL in (and get a Columbus Crew specific blog), I’ll be all set!

"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san

by BK on Nov 20, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Expect ...

… lots of talk on the domestic leagues on this blog, too.

by Richard Farley on Nov 23, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do people really call it Cascadia?

I’m from Eastern Washington and we always used to joke that the state should split into east and west, with one half keeping the name Washington and the other could be Cascadia. Neat.

by johnnycougar on Nov 23, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm all for a new soccer blog!

i’m a young soccer fan in college fresh off the experience of traveling to england this past summer and seeing all the big 4 of the premiership play in a 10-day span, at emirates, old trafford and anfield, capped by the community shield at wembley. let’s just say i’m on a bit of a soccer high right now…
if you’re looking for topics:

a) the state of usa soccer 5, 10, 15 years down the road. a look at possible rising stars, or lack thereof, compared to that of the rest of concacaf and the world.

b) some type of upkeep with usmnt players playing overseas, like dempsey, altidore, feilhaber, howard, etc.

c)anything liverpool.

capital letters suck.

by soccerfreak on Nov 21, 2009 1:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the suggestions!

I’m always looking f or input on what to write.

by Richard Farley on Nov 23, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice....

looking forward to World Cup coverage. I’ll be pulling for the German’s although we have had some terrible news lately with our probable starting keeper Robert Enke committing suicide. Of course I also will be pulling for the American side. Welcome to SBNation and I look forward to the articles.

by 1newplayer on Nov 21, 2009 8:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea how big soccer is in the US, but as an Australian, I think we’re probably on the same level. Just that you guys have David Beckham and we have, well, Robbie Fowler in the local leagues. Who would one want? Our crowd levels are putrid though.

by skipkirk on Nov 22, 2009 7:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs