Weather or Not

Supporters from the New York City Blues

Here in the United States, those who are used to playing Football with their hands are gearing up for the Super Bowl. The championship, the title-decider, the big game, there are so many ways of saying how monumental those four quarters are to both sides. Thirty-two teams play all season long for the right to lift that one trophy, but what if it wasn't the only one? What if there were more? What if there was more than one tournament? More than one trophy to win. And more than just one Super Bowl to worry about...

New York City braced for what will be remembered as "The Blizzard of 2015." Schools were closed, driving became illegal, and everyone was forced to stay inside overnight. But the next day some very brave Chelsea Football Club supporters bundled up and headed to The Football Factory at Legend's on West 33rd Street for the second leg of the Capital One League Cup Semi Final. The Football Factory at Legend's has been home to over thirty different supporters groups from around the world (so I'll be hanging out there a lot) since 2011. No matter who you support you can rest easy that the Football Factory will have the match. On this day it was filled with hopeful supporters of Chelsea who were dreaming of a spot in the final. They knew it wouldn't be an easy match though--facing a sturdy Liverpool squad who wanted a chance at some silverware of their own.

But what about the Premier League? Did it finish? Where did the League Cup come from? In most popular American sports there is only one trophy (The Lombardi Trophy in the NFL, The Commissioner’s Trophy in Baseball, and The Larry O'Brien Trophy in the NBA). Although there are individual awards to be won, every team plays in the same tournament with only one winner and one trophy. In Football there are multiple tournaments going on at the same time. In addition to the Premier League there is also The Capital One League Cup (or simply "The League Cup") which consists of Ninety-two English or Welsh clubs playing a single elimination tournament. The semi-final matches are two legs, each club playing at home once. The club with the most goals over both games wins. This is known as an Aggregate Score. For example if Chelsea had won the first game 3-0 and Liverpool won the second game 2-0 then the Aggregate Score would be 3-2 in favor of Chelsea. After extra time (or overtime as we know it), the tie breaker used for these games is the number of goals score away from home. So for example, say Chelsea had won 1-0 at home and then lost 2-1 in the away match. The aggregate score is 2-2 but since Chelsea scored one goal away from home they would be the winner.

This is usually a very intense time in the Football calendar. Players are having to adjust to playing more, which means more likely hood of injuries. Supporters have high hopes in all competitions and any clubs who aren't doing well in the Premier League can aim higher in The League Cup. There is also the Football Association Cup (which I will talk about in the coming weeks) but for now all eyes are on the League Cup Final. After a thrilling 1-1 in Liverpool, Chelsea were able to secure their spot in the Final with a 1-0 at home. The day after, Tottenham Hotspur were able to book their place in the final by beating Sheffield United. So we are set for the 2015 Capital One League Cup Final between Tottenham Hotspur (of North London) and Chelsea F.C. (of West London). The date for the final is March 1st. Both clubs have many supporters in New York City so London will not be the only place with bragging rights on the line. One thing is for certain--the New York Blues are ready. No matter what the weather they are confident of supporting their beloved Chelsea. The cold never bothered them anyway.  

Larry and Liverpool

©Morgan Paar/Nomadic Frames

My goal for this blog is simple: I want you to spend a weekend watching Football with real supporters. I don't care what team or what time--that's up to you. But in addition to showing you how devoted people are to their club, I want to teach you more about "The Beautiful Game" of Football. 

Larry is watching his favorite club, Liverpool Football Club, with the New York City Liverpool supporters. He is new to Football and this is his first time venturing out to the 11th Street Bar (where the supporters group has been meeting since 2003). Seeing the walls decorated with vintage Liverpool jerseys, everyone covered in red, and the large television in the back showing the match against Aston Villa gives Larry an exhilarating feeling. Liverpool have been attacking since the start of the game. A goal is imminent, the supporters can feel it. In an instant, with grace and flawless finishing, Liverpool's Fabio Borini gets his boot on the end of a cross and the ball flies into the Aston Villa net. Liverpool 1. Aston Villa 0. 

There is a loud roar of approval from the supporters inside the 11th Street Bar. Somewhere people are just starting their Saturday--it's not even 11 o'clock--but Larry and his fellow supporters are already having a memorable day. Suddenly Larry feels a tap on his shoulder from someone next to him. "Nothing like watching the Reds keep a clean sheet aye?" Larry is startled. What's a "clean sheet?" He wonders. Larry panics and simply agrees with the man, but he feels lost. 

It's okay to feel lost Larry, but for the future, here are 10 definitions for terms you might hear while watching a Football match:

1) Clean Sheet = When one team prevents another team from scoring. Also known as a “Shutout” in other sports. It is important to remember that since a game can end scoreless, both sides can record a clean sheet. For example, if a game ends 0-0, both sides have earned a clean sheet.

2) Tackle = Don't get too excited NFL fans, a tackle is the act of taking the ball away from an opponent. The ball can be taken away by engaging an opponent and knocking the ball away or sliding on the ground to move the ball away (better known as a “Slide Tackle”). A player challenging for the ball must always target the ball. If a player challenging for the ball hits the player in possession first it may result in a foul.

3) Booking = A player is "booked" when they receive a penalty card. The two types of penalty cards in Football are Yellow cards (which represent a caution or warning) and Red cards (automatic ejection). When a player receives a card the referee makes note of it in his black book. Thus, the player has been booked. 

4) Free Kick = A Free Kick is awarded to a team after a foul. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul and a team member can kick it back into play.

5) Through Ball = Playing a pass to a player through the opposing team's Defensive Line. A Through Balls works best when a player is already in full stride. This allows them to continue running at full speed and catch up to the ball. Through Balls are also very effective on counter attacks.

6) Nutmeg = Is the act of playing the ball through an opponent’s legs. It is most commonly a means of getting passed a defender, but it can be a pass or a shot on goal as well. It is not fun being nutmegged, believe me I know.  

7) Equalizer = An equalizer is a goal scored that ties the game. For example, if Team A is beating Team B 1-0 and Team B scores it is now 1-1. The goal scored by Team B is an equalizer. 

8) Added Time = As a way to make up for any wasted time during the game (substitutions, injuries, etc.) additional minutes can be added on by the referee at the end of each half. All the same rules and regulations apply in added time.  

9) "In Touch" = When the ball crosses the Touch Line and goes out of play it is sometimes referred to as being "in touch." To bring the ball back into play it must be thrown in (called a Throw-in) by a player of the possessing team. This is the only time players besides the goalie can handle the ball. 

10) Fixture = In my first post I encouraged you to "look up a fixture list." If you were left stumped, here is the answer. A fixture is another way of saying a game. A fixture list is a list of all the games to be played in a week or competition depending how long the list is.

            Liverpool have won their fixture against Aston Villa and Larry could not be happier. The 11^th Street Bar is beginning to feel like home for him. Listening to everyone celebrate and sing puts Larry in a happy place—especially now that he understands a lot of Football terminologies. If you ever find yourself in a tight spot like Larry was, never be afraid to ask someone what something means. Some supporters might seem loud and intimidating, but they all want you to learn and love the club the way they do. Even when you are just starting out remember that once you have a team in your heart You'll Never Walk Alone (especially if you’re a Liverpool supporter).

Time Makes No Difference

Photo credit: Morgan Paar/Nomadic Frames 2014

            It’s hard to explain loving something that you can’t control. The loyalty and passion that come with being a fan of any sport isn't for everyone. Sometimes no matter how much you believe, how much you pray, hope, and the extent of your crazy pregame rituals—you just don’t win. As a sports fan you live it, you love it, and sometimes, you completely lose it. In times of triumph it’s easy to support a good team, but it’s those who stand by their clubs no matter how many wins, points, or trophies who really believe in what they stand for. Soccer, or Football as it is known to the rest of the world, has some of the most passionate fans on the planet. Many of us often say “I’ll do anything for my club,” and every game we feel like we get to prove it.

            It’s a very rainy night in London, but the five degree weather doesn't stop the football fans from gathering at the Emirates Stadium in Islington. Arsenal Football Club is preparing to take on cross town foes Queens Park Rangers. There is a buzz around the stadium of nervousness and excitement. Both sides are desperate for the win and the three valuable points added to their tally in the Barclays Premier League. Even with all the rain, there is something about seeing the pitch for the first time that evokes an adrenaline rush for many fans. As they pile in, Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, goes through final preparations for the game. The home crowd and away support combine for over 59,000, and they begin to sing as time ticks closer to kick off. Soon, the players take the pitch with the referees. They tighten their laces tight while the referees take their places, everything is set. There are first timers and regulars with hopes and dreams on the line; and they are proud of who they support. The game kicks off in London and Arsenal fans all over the world tune in, including New York City.

            Just like all the supporters in Islington, plenty of New Yorkers dress in their red Arsenal jerseys and perform their special game day rituals before kickoff. They have a few meeting places to choose from: The Blind Pig, O’Hanlon’s, both located on East 14th Street in Manhattan, or Woodwork, located in Brooklyn.  It’s not a common thing to do at a 12:45pm on a Saturday, but with the same excitement held around Islington, members of Arsenal NYC begin to cheer as the game kicks off on TV. Just as at the Emirates Stadium, there are new comers and familiar faces, friends from other Boroughs or friends from out of town. Whoever you are, you’re always welcome as long as you support Arsenal. Even though no one directly from the club asks us to wake up for games as early as 7:45am in New York (or 4:45am in California and 2:45am in Hawaii) we do it anyway, times makes no difference for us. We might have to put up with terrible refereeing, bad managerial decisions, and forgettable games, but we do it. We do it because we love it. We do it with loud voices and incredible atmosphere. They can hear us next door, they can hear us down 14th street, and we like to believe that they can hear us in Islington.

            Overall the United States population doesn't love Football the way many other countries do, but many people choose to get up for different clubs other than Arsenal. Various other clubs have supporter’s bars across New York City and while my allegiance remains forever with Arsenal; my motto is “I may not like your team, but I love our sport.” Between the World Cup, Major League Soccer, and the off-season friendlies of major European clubs in the summer, the wheels are turning and they don’t look likely to stop. When they have reached full speed we need to be able to look back and see what it was like to raise a culture of Football fans inside a country that didn't realize what the game was about. And that’s where I come in. From now, and every Thursday following, I want to show you what this sport means to myself and so many others in New York City. And if ever you should have some free time on a Saturday morning, I encourage you to look up a fixture list, or schedule as you might be more accustomed to hearing.