Finally

I must be the worst blogger out there.  I created this blog a while ago.  Not only have I not posted anything since, but I also forgot how to get in here to actually write something.  I had to go through the exercise of admitting that I forgot my password and then wait for an email. . . .


Anyway, now that I am here, let's talk football shall we.  Yes my Chicago Bears are 6-3, but let's stick to the other football - The Beautiful Game.  In terms of what I will watch my preferences are as follows:  Barcelona, Real Madrid (even though I hate them), then I will watch almost any EPL game, then Bundesliga.  The other European leagues, not so much.  MLS - almost not at all.  Why though?  I think if I was younger I would sit through the growing pains of the MLS more patiently.  I tend to bash the MLS a lot, but If you compare  where the league was at inception and today, it has come a long way.

Back in 1996, the league started with 10 teams and D.C. United was our first champion.  The league kind of struggled to find its place on the American sports circuit, but it eventually found its way.  Most of the original teams are still in place and the league now has 16 teams.  There is a nice balance of West coast, Midwest, and East coast teams.  Most of the teams play in soccer-specific stadiums now, which makes going to the games (or watching on TV) more enjoyable.  There is much greater star power now compared to the early years with guys like Beckham, Donovan, Juan Pablo Angel, and probably a bunch of good young players that I cannot name.  When I say I cannot name it's because I don't know who they are.  That is not bad for 14 years of existence.

I guess this blog's purpose is to admit to myself, and to the loyal readers of The Beautiful Game, that I am not a good MLS fan and I need to be.  If you look at this league from a larger scope, it is still in its infancy stage experimenting and growing slowly.  The NFL was not always like it is today.  George Halas funded almost all the teams when the league started.  MLS had Anschutz and Hunt to guide the ship.  BTW, if you don't know who Anschutz and Hunt are, you are a worse fan than me!

I am writing here to make my pledge.  I will be a better MLS fan and Chicago Fire fan.  I am going to grow with this league instead of complain about the poor quality of play and lack of creativity by the coaches and the players.  I am going to see it through until it is as popular as the big 4 American sports.  I want it to be the Big 5 American sports.  I promise to do all this, but not until next season.  I am very busy with fantasy football and fantasy basketball.  But come spring time I am getting on this train and I am not getting off until the MLS is compared to the EPL or La Liga!

Who's with me!??!?!