I’m not sure how often everyone in the twitter/facebook world actually watches soccer. For most, in America, I would say the average is probably once a week, if that. For me? I can say most weeks, I catch at least 5-7. This month? I will say I might catch 15-20.

We have the Gold Cup, Women’s World Cup, The US U-20 “Baby Yanks”, Open Cup Fourth Round this month. It is like soccer heaven for a soul like me who was raised on soccer.

I started playing at age 3-4 and I can still kick a ball around. I was born in 1987. My world changed for the better once my parents entered me into Pepperell’s flourishing soccer program. I continued in that same town program for the next 14 years and met some of the greatest people who loved soccer as well.

When World Cup 1994 hit, the US went into a soccer craze and sure enough by 1996, we had professional/semi-pro teams popping up everywhere between the USISL, MLS and other odd leagues around the United States. My father was a great contributor to my soccer obsession. He made sure we went to as many games possible every year between going to see the Boston Bulldogs, Boston Renegades and the Revolution during my pre-teen years.

The overload of soccer was amazing, between going to Revs games and watching all the available games to watch on TV. My father also helped to further my love by getting me into refereeing games when I was 9. I reffed games from then until I was around 24 years old. It allowed me to see the difference in leagues and different styles of play. I need to return to reffing.

Around that same time, I also got into a relationship with someone who didn’t share the same love I had with soccer. She couldn’t even see the great passion I had and love my enthusiasm. I fell out of touch with the game and it honestly was sort of symbolic to my entire being. My family, the people who have cared and loved me for who I am and who I will always be are the people I have come to know from Revolution games.

I grew up as a member of the Midnight Riders. I had a good portion of most of my teenage year birthdays with the Riders. Never a dull birthday ever again! I don’t think my butt has ever recovered from birthday spankings. I couldn’t be prouder of the group that the Riders have become as a whole. They have become an amazing philanthropic force. I will speak more on them next time. Right now, I’m being pulled to break at work, which means I’m throwing on the US Women’s National Team’s first game in the Women’s World Cup in France. Go US!