When a Beautiful Game Turns Ugly, Turn Head Away.

As many of you know, I am an avid supporter of the Beautiful Game, or soccer, or football, whatever you like to call it. I sing songs, chant for my team, wear my colors, hold up my scarf and I get caught up in the passion of the game. There is nothing in the world quite like English football. Hearing the chants in the stadiums, the fans singing in unison gives me chills and thrills, and a rush of excitement. What I don't like, however, is the racism and violence involved in the game. I cannot call a fan who charges the field, yells out racial slurs, or picks fights a real fan. A fan of the team and of the game is one who respects the grounds and the players. The scene at Upton Park during the West Ham/ Millwall match was nothing short of abysmal and disturbing. Fans inside stormed the pitch and tore the seats out of the stands. Fans outside threw bottles, fought each other, and taunted the police. One man even was stabbed in the chaos as the police found themselves nearly unable to stop the madness. These people ruin the sport for many, and events such as the Hillsborough Disaster in the 80s leave a black eye on the game and the reputation of English football. England has many fantastic clubs and a brilliant national team, and some great fans, and they deserve to be in the international spotlight, playing in the World Cup, and their clubs in the prestigious UEFA Champions League, but the hooliganism must be rid of from the game before consequences like the English ban following the Hillsborough tragedy happens again.
I hope to never see this plague of bad fanship enter the USA. I believe that soccer/football has a bright future in this country and I want to see the MLS clubs and the US national team to soar to new heights. With players like Ljunberg and Beckham and Donovan in the MLS; the roaring support of DC United, Seattle Sounders, and other fans; ESPN picking up Premier League and Spanish Premiera matches; the exhibitions with world class teams; and the rising success of the USA Mens National Team, perhaps one day the world will look to us, and more Americans will find the game as beautiful as I do, despite certain groups of fans trying to destroy the game.