Well, it has arrived. As I sit here with March Madness (go Zags) on in the background I write to all of you (the few or none you may be) and I wonder what may become of all this. First, a little background. I hated soccer (football, footie, futbol, etc.). HATED it. Didn’t understand it. Didn’t want to. I played baseball. I was ‘merican. Then, after hanging up the glove once I started college (university to you europe types) I had an experience. I don’t remember why or how it all happened but it started with the 2006 World Cup. Something about the games, the emotion, the dedication, the loyalty… it all grabbed me. I didn’t understand what was happening and things like an offside trap, hell offsides in general, were outside my scope of understanding but I liked it. I wanted more. Slowly, after watching the U.S. get eliminated, I watched the other games. Seriously. I was getting up at the crack of darkness on the west coast to watch the remaining games. I remember the brilliance of the way other teams played, how they moved, the art form of how soccer could be played. I was done for. Hooked.  I wanted more. But, so many leagues, it was overwhelming. Where to start? I didn’t. I watched when I could.

That was, until I watched a single movie that for some reason emotionally grabbed me: Green Street Hooligans. Say what you will about movies but this one really fueled my love for the game (drama, emotion, dedication, loyalty). I know, completely corny but there is a saying in the church, whatever brings ’em through the door, and I pretty much busted it open after that. I started following the giants of La Liga, caught a few Fulham games because of their love of Yanks and then it happened. I saw beauty. Finesse. History. A place where dedication and loyalty mean more than the name on the back. I was disheartened with the player moves. The lack of loyalty. That’s it. That is my team. Players seem to move away, but not me. I am going to stay with them. I made the choice. The Arsenal.

My relationship started with choice. I was going to be, and am, a Gooner for life. With the advent of technology, Fox soccer, DVR, and my wife’s patience, I began consuming every game they played that I could watch. I bought gear, for myself and for my little one due in May 2013 (has to match if he is going to watch the games with me). Then I found arseblog.com. Another inlet of all things Arsenal. To quote, “It’s fuckin’ excellent”. I became inspired. I also needed another outlet for my growing love of all things Arsenal. My joy in following and my sorrow in their losses. And so now, here I am and here is my blog. I am going to try to post pre and post game thoughts intermixed with some USMNT if I get around to it. My only hope is that you will enjoy this as much as I enjoy Arsenal.