Do you feel that? No, its not a late aftershock from that earthquake a few weeks ago. No my friends, there is a bit of a shake up happening in the world of sports.
Certainly no shake ups this past weekend in Blacksburg, where the Hokies decimated the App State mountaineers. Frank Beamer, always the gentleman, called off the dogs once the Hokies were up 50 something to nothing. The Hokies won. By a lot. And that's really all I have to say about that, becuase I didn't get to watch the game.
No, the really big thing is that I heard on Rich Eisen's NFL podcast that the Fox network is going to be airing some English Premier League soccer matches this year on Sundays, between the early afternoon and evening NFL games. The first three will be tape delays (Manchester United v. Chelsea on Sep. 18th, Tottenham Hotspur v. Arsenal on Oct. 2nd and Chelsea v. Liverpool on November 20th).
But then, on Super Bowl Sunday: Live soccer in the morning. On Fox. Chelsea v. Manchester United.
It will be, apparently, the first live broadcast of an EPL match on network television. And the fact that is happening on Super Bowl Sunday, that most Holy of Holies?
Wow. That means that the people on Fox are going to have to stop talking about the Super Bowl for two hours ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY so that they can show a soccer game. A SOCCER GAME. And its not like they are going to have to stop talking at 7AM or 8AM. No, this game will probably be at 11AM, just about the time many of you will be thinking about getting your drink on.That's a big deal America, and it should leave the nation shaken to its core.
I'll let Glenn Beck and Jim Rome worry about that. Me? Couldn't be happier. For the past several years they have shown the Champions League final on the network, and now they are taking another step towards putting soccer more into the mainstream. This is a comforting sign that the game is gathering more traction in this country, and that I will be able to watch soccer (possibly on more channels) for a very, very long time. Soccer will probably never be on par with football or baseball or even basketball, but more and more it's here to stay. That's good enough to me.
The matches they picked are based on name recognition of the squads, but they should be good games. Most people, even the un-initiated, have heard of Manchester United. They are looking extremely good after the first three matches of the season. Fox will show them against Chelsea twice (in the EPL, you play every team in the league twice). A word of warning: traditionally, these two teams are vying for first and second in the league and becuase you get points in the standings for a draw sometimes they have ended up as tentative (and dull) affairs. It's hard to say what will happen this time, becuase Chelsea probably will not be competing with Manchester United for the title this year; more likely Man U will be competing against Manchester CITY for the top spot.
Arsenal and Tottenham could be a good match; both are clubs that have had rocky starts to the season, so they should be evenly matched and desperate for victory. Chelsea v. Liverpool could also be a good game. Liverpool is resurgent so far after a couple of tough seasons (though we'll see if that lasts). Liverpool may be shooting for fourth place if their form holds up, and they have Suarez who is a very exciting player. Chelsea's Torres is less so...
What's more, these are all classic clashes, so the atmosphere in the stadiums should be electric. United and Chelsea are long time rivals, Tottenham and Arsenal are cross London antagonists, and there is even some bad blood between Chelsea and Liverpool that has developed in recent years (or maybe its always been there, and I have only noticed it recently). Those of you who watch will not fail to note, I am sure, that a soccer crowd, well lubricated with bitters and singing in full voice, puts the comparatively sedated NFL fan to shame. There is just nothing like it.
One last note for non-soccer people: Take a chance on watching these games, and do so with an open mind. The EPL presents some of the finest football in the world (arguably better than even the World Cup, which many Americans watch). Don't be afraid if you enjoy it. These are different times with different social mores: it's okay if you like soccer. I won't think any less of you.
Also, pray for an early goal. In Fever Pitch, Nick Hornby noted that for the spectator a soccer game hasn't really started until the first goal is scored, and it's a maxim I take to heart (and I take very few maxims to heart). If it's scored, early, that will force the other team to respond by chasing the game, taking risks with its players which will open things up and make things more interesting.
I just hope they don't get Terry Bradshaw to do match commentary or something stupid like that....
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