Sports Ball
Organized Sports
Sports is interesting. The ability for certain people to have a particular skill set and perform at the highest level consistently compared to the rest of the population. The primal tribalism that emerges from a person's consciousness by affiliating with a particular team. A particular group-think. The way it can build and seep into a community and its culture. With that said, I'm fond of a particular sports ball, football, or soccer. I will just call it football from here on out.
Chelsea and the Billion-Dollar Bottle Job
There's no doubt that Chelsea has been in complete disarray, turmoil, [insert adjective here]. An example of how to not run a club. The sale of the club to Clearlake Capital and the amount of money invested into transfers has been shambolic. Compounded by the fact fans are conditioned to think money = instant success, especially with the Abramovic era. The club has been completely gutted and rebuilt in a short time.
Anyway, I'm not here to write or vent about the sale and what the new board has done. There are enough hit pieces on the fact. Gary Neville calling us the Billion Dollar Bottle Job just destroyed my mental. Even though he is somewhat right. (Fucking hell, he's right isn't he?)
I've seen Chelsea lose finals before.
"Six straight domestic finals lost, you'll never sing that!"
The one that hurt the most was the 2008 Champions League Final against Manchester United. Partially because it was the trophy Chelsea had been chasing, partially because it was penalties, and partially because I was younger and a naive football fan. Fast-forward to 2024 and this final loss was somewhat on that level of devastation.
It was a smaller stab of devastation compared to 08, but perhaps just as poignant. This is a completely different era of football. This is a completely different Chelsea. I think it hurts more than the other 5 finals in recent memory because I had that same naivety that I had in 2008. Even though they were completely different eras, I argue it's what the club and fans desperately wanted in both moments. Of course, the trophy and title is what every fan wants. I got that feeling that this transcended the trophy. There was that intangible sensation that this could be it. This was a moment to start something. That's why the loss stings the same way, not as deep as 08, but just enough.
Onwards and upwards. I'm still coping.
Support Your Local Club
Austin FC is my local club. This is its fourth year in existence! I've been lucky enough to been to many matches and this is my third year as a season ticket holder. This past weekend was the opening weekend for MLS and we had a home opener against Minnesota United. (Yes, I know MLS names are corny.)
To give some context about Austin FC:
Year 1 - bad
Year 2 - phenomenal (went to a final)
Year 3 - bad
Year 4 - ???
Austin FC lost 2-1 to Minnesota. Did I have any expectations of a win? To be honest, no. Was I disappointed? Yeah, a bit I would say. The first 45 minutes was some of the worst football I've seen the club play. I think year 3 has got me numb. I will still be there for every game.
Maybe next time I'll have a more formal write-up about it.
Is it football or soccer?
Whatever you call it it doesn't change the fact it's 22 people chasing a ball with their feet for 90 minutes.
I love it.