The Fans: An MLS Fan Has His Say

By: Inara | September 12th, 2007

Eurosnobs tend not to appreciate football outside the Old Continent, especially when it’s called soccer. Still, those of us who sit down to watch American soccer can appreciate the strides the sport has made in the United States. A young league, the MLS faces some of the same problems as L1 and is similar in that they are both restricted in terms of wages (L1 because of taxes, MLS because of the salary cap). They are also struggling for more recognition from players, as football stars don’t want play in these leagues unless they want to ease into retirement. But despite these common points, there are many differences between L1 and MLS, and it is rare to find people who support teams in both leagues.

Dan is one of the few. A fan of DC United, he is a fellow blogger who also became a Lyon fan. When I found out, I was curious, because it’s rare to meet fans of American soccer supporting what is still a relatively obscure team in the US. Even though he’s busy with college, he kindly agreed to answer a few of my questions.

Tell us a little about yourself. You’re an American, living in a country where football (soccer) may not even be one of the top five most popular sports. So how did your interest in soccer grow? Was it always there or was it something you discovered?

Just like every other American kid, I played house league when I was little. Thing is, even when other kids started discovering other sports, I stuck with it. What’s more, I’ve always subscribed to the principle that one should know what they’re playing. Some kids played basketball and followed the Wizards, other kids played football and followed the Redskins – I played soccer, so I followed DC United. Nowadays I still play soccer, and I still follow DC United, and also Chelsea, and Barca, and Rangers, and Lyon… It’s a wonderful world out there. Soccer is an international sport. Living in a college setting, I often find soccer is not only a commonality, but even a connecting language between me and someone who doesn’t know much English yet. And was there something I discovered? Yes: there’s nothing like a good ol’ nutmeg to boost (or curb) the ego.

You mentioned that you are a follower of Major League Soccer (MLS), in particular DC United. Most Europeans (including those of us who watch Ligue 1) tend to look down on the MLS for being a subpar league. How would you respond to that?

I might agree that the MLS is a ’subpar’ league, though I would use a less derogatory term. The MLS is a young league with a lot of momentum and marketing opportunity, not unlike most Asian/Oceanic leagues today. I think the DP rule [Designated Player Rule], along with growing marketing schemes, will attract bigger names and world-class talent, growing not only the league but the attractiveness of soccer in North America as a whole. Then again, this is the big picture. It will take decades of hard work to realize it.

How did you end up becoming a Lyon fan? Have you met any other Americans who are followers of Lyon?

Couldn’t tell you how I became a fan. When I started learning about the EPL, I realized I was checking in on Chelsea more than any other team. I liked watching them play and I liked the personalities on the team. Same thing happened with Lyon, I guess. My cousin from Quebec is a PSG fan; we have friendly arguments whenever we meet.

I haven’t met too many other Lyon fans around here, near Wash. DC. Chelsea fans are also rather hard to come by. There’s a significant Latino community where I come from; Barca, Real Madrid, Boca Juniors and Club America are huge. Other than that, Manchester United, Arsenal, and the occasional Liverpool nut are standard fare.

Currently, there aren’t any American footballers in France, yet in Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Britain, they are present in numbers (last winter, Lyon were linked with Oguchi Onyewu, who would have been the first American at Lyon, but he ended up Newcastle, and Brian Carroll was recently on trial at Marseille, but it didn’t work out). Why do you think that is?

Ligue 1 is the next frontier, in my opinion. Jeremiah White was blazing the trail in Ligue 2 for awhile, but from what I understand, he didn’t see much playing time. Same thing happened with Quentin Westberg, who just left Troyes in search for more minutes. It’s my impression that the French don’t appreciate American soccer talent very well. The first American in France will not only have to possess outstanding work ethic and physicality, but exhibit the kind of flair and personality that attracts the Ligue 1 community. It’s a complex formula. That said, Danny Szetela just cracked La Liga in Spain; it’s only a matter of time before an American finds his way into a top-flight French side.

You are also a fan of Barcelona and Rangers. How did you feel to see three of the teams you follow drawn into the same Champions League group? What is your prediction about the outcome of this group?

Let’s see, if I remember correctly, that’s Group E and from the outset it looks like this:

Barcelona
Lyon
Stuttgart
Rangers

And that’s about how I estimate it to come out.

DaMarcus Beasley is a ‘Ger, so I’m rather partial to the Old Firm side. Rangers truly are the dark horses here: they’re capable of some major upsets. Problem is, though they’re enjoying some stunning form in the domestic league, they haven’t yet come up with a formula for European play. They struggled past Red Star Belgrade to qualify for the CL.

Barcelona is frighteningly good, inside Spain and out. Once Henry figures out how to play with his new outfit, I don’t think there’s a side in Europe which could stop them (sorry Blues).

Lyon are almost literally crippled. That said, it will be the kids like Kallstrom and Benzema who will lift the side to glory. If they can manage the minor miracle of qualifying for the knockouts, I think they’ll gain momentum. In other words, the longer they last, the better they’ll get.

Don’t know much about Stuttgart, but I do know that they’re a force to be reckoned with in the Bundesliga. They’re no Munich, but I think a third-place finish in this group of death sounds about right.

My predictions regardless, this group will without a doubt be one of the most exciting. I can’t wait.

Who is your favorite Lyon player? Which player do you think has/had the most impact at OL?

Damn. Couldn’t say. I’m partial to goalkeepers, and Coupet is a world-class netminder, but his reaction to Domenech’s preferences during the WC were pretty juvenile. I admire Cris: he’s a defensive stalwart and a perennial class act. I guess I’m just waiting for someone else to impress me. Kallstrom and Benzema are doing well in that regard. I can tell you who my least favorite Gone is, though: Fred. He’s bollocks.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

College is hard, but soccer helps. You stay classy, Lyon fans.