October 03, 2005

Now that Timbers season is over, painfully defeatedly over, there's a huge footy void in life. Sure, I can see soccer on tv, but even a fanatic like me will admit that soccer on tv isn't anywhere near as exciting as seeing it in person. Hell, sometimes watching soccer on tv is as exciting as watching paint dry. Its one of those sports that doesn't translate well to tv. The field is too big and the play too fast for the camera to show close up action, which lessens the excitement. That, and I'm not a fan of the teams they show on tv and watching teams you're only half interested in isn't as fun.

So there's a soccer void. For five months we spend our time obsessively going to Timbers game, and then there's nothing, and the withdrawl is hell. The end of the season is like suddenly losing my reason to live. And what's life without a reason to live? Well, technically that's called baseball and football season, but can generally be summed up as meaningless. Know soccer, know life. No soccer, no life. Yeah, I know that word play is supposed to apply to Jesus but, with Jesus being a god and all, he's a big fan of soccer and totally understands what I'm talking about.

So the soccer void must be filled, because I must have a reason to live, and filling the void with chocolate is killing my diet. But I have found the perfect thing to fill the void: more soccer! The University of Portland Pilots. I've always had a big ol' soft spot in my heart for the Pilots, because Clive Charles used to coach them, before he passed away, and I'm familiar with some of the players, since they also play on the Womens National Team, so what better way to fill the post Timbers void than with another Portland soccer team? Live soccer, Portland team, and one that actually wins!

So the soccer dilemma is solved, Portland Pilots to the rescue, and this will be so much fun. The Pilots are doing phenomenal, undefeated so far this season, and Christine Sinclair, their star player (also plays for Canada's national team), is really taking soccer to new heights. She's scored in every game so far this season, which is a rare feat for any player. That, and Stephanie Lopez and Lindsey Huie are both up and comers on the U.S. Women's National Team and have great pro careers ahead of them.

Now the only challenge will be adjusting to a team that actaully wins. But I think that's something I can get used to. And if the Timbers don't get their act together next season, maybe we can replace them with the University of Portland's womens soccer team. Granted, they'd have to play in a mens pro league, but somehow I don't think the guys would mind, especially on those slide tackles. ;)

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