IN THE 98TH MINUTE AFTER 100+ YEARS OF HISTORY
I’m out of breath
You guys have to believe me when I say that I love watching soccer on TV. I don’t know shit about the technical side of the sport, or really anything about the players. But I understand the leagues and the club dynamics and enough to tell you that James Tarkowski from the fucking parking lot here is a massive deal.
That’s the last match between Liverpool and Everton at Goodison Park, home of Everton for 100 something years. And really just about the closest rivalry in terms of proximity:
Not even one mile separates the two stadiums.
Zooming out to all of Liverpool:
Which would be like if the White Sox played their games at the corner of Belmont/Ashland. Possibly even closer and that’s kinda bananas to think about.
Liverpool is probably the best team in the world right now. They swept their Champions League group play at 8-0-0 and are destroying the Premiere League with a commanding 1st place lead.
My personal interest has been limited by an inability to pick a team. In a sense, I feel like Rob Lowe wearing the NFL hat and just cheering for good and healthy competition. I’ll watch any game at any time with an equal amount of interest.
Sooner or later though I need to pick an EPL team so I can follow more closely and get sucked into the drama. There’s only so much you can really absorb at the league level. Deep down I know the next step in the journey is growing balls and settling on a team.
I had hoped to make a pilgrimage first so I could see a couple stadiums and interact with some lads. But now I just don’t think that’s possible for a number of different life reasons, like not having $10,000 to spend on a budding soccer fandom.
Woe is me
Me
That said, I have to make a decision soon and that decision will come down to:
- Everton
- Man City
- Fulham
- Crystal Palace
- Brentford
- Chelsea
I will eliminate one team each week for the next 5 weeks until I get to a Premier(e) League team from this list.
Some considerations:
- I don’t care about winning the Champions League and actually see that more of a burden. Following the action and having expectations but knowing you’ll never be good enough has to be really taxing. So I don’t want to weigh Champions League considerations too much
- I am aware that 30% of the EPL is represented with that list
- I am very nervous to make a decision because I think I’ll instantly regret it and then spend the next decade following the other teams I didn’t pick just as closely as the one I do
- This decision would be a lot easier if the rest of my fandom wasn’t a rotting pile of mule shit
- I could use some input if you know anything about picking a team. Please send me your opinion Carl@CarlsBlogs.com
Please stay tuned to this developing situation.
PS – Probably picking Everton if we’re being honest
PPS – listening to a couple of the lads talk about Goodison Park really gives you the chills knowing that was the last night game in the history of the park. The last time Everton plays Liverpool there. So many LAST Memories made today and they’re going to LAST a lifetime. That’s good shit.
PPPS – Full walking tour of Goodison if you guys want to join me for a nice stroll