MLS Kickoff

I'll be the first to admit that I am a baby footie fan. Ever since I caught the fever, though, during the last World Cup I've been devouring football like a crazed madman. The EPL, UEFA Champions League, and CONCACAF Champions League has had me enthralled in front of the TV. In two days, the MLS 2007 season begins. I'm glad that I got on board the soccer train during this time period, because it is looking like the MLS is getting things right this season. My fingers are crossed that the U.S. will finally join the rest of the world's love with the sport.

There has been a lot of positive hype other than Beckham coming. SuperLiga will start in the Summer. DCU made it to the semis of the CONCACAF Champions cup (lost this week. Damn) Houston still has a chance to win a finals spot, tonight against Pachuca. Reyna & Mathis to the Redbulls. Blanco to Fire and Fred & Emilio to DCU (Fred just goes by "Fred," which cracks me up. Those crazy Brazilians). The EPL leagues are making professional associations with a few MLS teams, which hopefully will create a Big Brother/Little Brother relationship.

And that's what it is really. At least for now. We're the little, tag-a-long brother in the football world. I'm excited that there is even recognition of the potential of greatness. There was a NY Times article about what the MLS is doing right. It sounds hopeful:

But we don’t believe any one thing will make soccer or M.L.S. one of the dominant sports in this country in the short term. A lot of individual things are happening at a slow, steady pace. Over the next 5, 10, 20 years, we have no doubt that this will be a dominant league in this country. It is not a matter of if, but when.

This weekend will be filled with football love. MLS Fantasy Football also just started. My team will be full of random and arbitrary picks. But who cares? Anyone care to join me?