Football

Like most kids in the US, I played park district soccer and when I stopped, I lost all interest in soccer. Most Americans, or so I think, don't really watch professional soccer. Sure, some go to games, an maybe even more tune in every 4 years to watch the World Cup but we have so many OTHER sports, let the rest of the world have soccer, we'll keep real football.

To all of those non-believers out there, take it from an American abroad - soccer rocks! I'm now a fan of the foot! Before I give you my reasons, let me first say the bi-annual African Cup of Nations is going on (Senegal did not qualify). Now,

A Few Reasons, in no particular order, I Love Football (yes, I now call it football - mostly because that's the French word):
- All you need is a ball and an open space to play so almost anyone, no matter how "underdeveloped" can play the game
- You don't really need anything to "train" for it (most people here run to "train") and so you can hang on to the dream of being a pro for a little bit longer than with other sports
- There actually are successful professional players from around the world
- Africa Cup games are on every night so, even though I'm missing my favorite soap opera, I'm also missing all of the bad ones
- I think it's fun how into the games everyone in my host family gets
- It gives me something to talk about with my host family (you might be able to understand how difficult it is sometimes to have small talk because we're from such different backgrounds... except when it comes to football)
- It gives Youssou and I something to talk about
- Today Youssou asked me if, when he was a profession player, I would come back and watch his games

Now that I've professed my love for the sport, I'll end with two different thoughts: #1. The US is bidding for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. #2. The main thing I DO NOT like about soccer is that, in the streets, only men/boys play and watch - women aren't involved.

So, World Cup games start around June 12th I think, get ready to cheer on the US (Senegal, again, didn't qualify) or whatever team you want!

KO