Seattle MLS debut is perfect!

I haven't been to all the websites and blogs yet but I did visit The Beautiful Game and get his take - he lives in Seattle. The Sounders kicked off their regular MLS season last night with a 3-nil thrashing of last year's runner-ups, the New York Red Bulls. The pundits have been trying to tamp down expectations in the Northwest - Seattle is, after all, an expansion team. Whether it was opening night, Cinderella good-fortune or whether the men in Rave Green are for real, only time will tell. But count me in... I live in Florida - I've been a Buccaneers fan all my life - the Tampa Bay and Seattle NFL expansion franchises came into NFL existence the same year - 1976 - so I've had no good reason to support Seattle sports. I remember being in Seattle, maybe around 1994, when the universities of Miami and Washington played in a big college football game - I can't remember now if it was a bowl game or not - I think it was. Suffice it to say, my friend and I were not the most popular guys in the tavern! But last night...last night was poetry. I could pick apart some sloppy play on the Sounders side but compared to New York, they played exquisite football. My son is begging for one of those Rave Green, long-sleeved jerseys - I might get one myself. Call it bandwagon hopping or whatever, but I think I've found a team to root for in MLS. I'll always root for Donovan - I just like that guy for some reason - but pulling for the LA Galaxy always seemed hollow. Even Beckham's return from AC Milan in July may not be able to quell the green wave from the Pacific Northwest - at least where football excitement in the USA is concerned. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, staff and owners in Seattle. And a special nod to Drew Carey, one of the minority owners who has really been a cheerleader for the team. Happy Friday! X

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