Real Football

CAUTION: PASSIONATE SPORTS STATEMENT

Of all the facts and truths that are well known world wide, passed down from generation to generation, from epoch to epoch, a few have managed to change the way the world works. God created man, Jesus is God, salvation is only in Christ, and football is God's game.

Nothing beats taking a ball with a bunch of friends out to a field or street or alleyway or basketball court, breaking into two teams, setting up a garbage can on both sides, and calling the game on. What other sport is there that you can play anytime, anywhere, and the only thing you need is a round object to kick (and being round is really only a preference)?

No other sport will test you physically like real football (aka soccer to Americans) will. No other sport, when played with the skills usually only developed and found in the streets, will toy with your mind and self-esteem like real football. No other sport is capable of uniting the entire world, bringing every eye and ear to one green field of civilized, pacifist-esque battle. No other sport's premier championship, the World Cup, can legitimately stake claim to the title, "The pure alternative to World War III."

That is football: poetry in motion. That is football: passion without fear.

Ronaldo, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Owen, Zidane, Henry, van Nistelrooy, Shevchenko, Adriano, Carlos, Figo, Raul, Khan, Del Piero, Rooney. All of them modern day legends. The name Beckham brings more awe world wide than that of Jordan and Woods combined.

In the United States, we have the still young Major League Soccer (MLS). While not on par talentwise with England's Premiership, Spain's Primera, Germany's Bundesliga or Italy's Serie A, MLS is becoming more exciting as the years progress (especially with last year's addition of the teen phenom Freddy Adu). Football in the US still needs to develop. The fan base is heavily sided toward baseball and American football at the moment. Rumors are stirring that Beckham may come and play in the MLS in near future.

Next year, the World Cup will be held in Germany. My hope is that England finally breaks through their choking habits with their absolutely stacked-with-talent starting 11 and takes the cup. Brazil may yet again be the victors and rightfully keep their place as the single world super power. Either way, next summer will be more exciting than all other sports events combined. On 9 July for about 2 hours, the world will stop.