New England Revolution Vs New York Red Bulls

Having missed the 5-0 thrashing of LA Galaxy the previous week, Evan and I made it our mission to get to a game before I left. Luckily New England Revolution were playing New York Red Bulls in the 4th round of the US Open Cup. Despite the game being played at Harvard rather than the Gillette Stadium, we set off to Boston as tickets were only $10.

The Revs' Starting Line Up

When I arrived in America I decided to pick a team. Now I have always been taught to support your local side yet the distance between New York and the Rev's stadia was relatively similar. At this point my second lesson of life kicked in; support the underdog, don't be a glory supporter. Now looking at the previous season it was very noticeable how poor the Revs were as they sat second from bottom with a gulf of points between them and the team above them. Looks like I found my team.

You Can Just About See Evan & I Next To The Lady In
White. I Have My Hands To My Face

However this season there have been some vast improvements. The defence is looking solid with no last minute goals conceded like usual, and with some big wins against the better opposition, this looks like the Revs' season. As we made our way behind one of the goals with 'The Fort' (the name given to the core supporters after the Revolutionary forts used against the British) I noticed how the fans were passionate for their team. Well the few there were. They all arrived in shirts, flags, and banners, holding their scarves up similar to how they do in the Kop End at Anfield, just imagine a few dozen rather than a few thousand.

Foxy - Revs Original Stadium Was In
Foxbury

The songs throughout the game were carbon copies of songs I've heard around the grounds back home although they may have been adapted for American audiences. It was still funny to hear the little kids f-ing and blinding along with the older generation as they hurled abuse at the Red Bulls. My favourite original song was:

He's old, 
He's French,
He's sitting on the bench,
It's Henry,
It's Henry.

The Fort

Turns out he wasn't even on the bench. As with the English cup competitions I don't think either team played their first eleven with a few noticeable players missing from each side.

Some may think I shouldn't support the New England Revolution as it is very Anti-British. What with The Fort (previously explained), and their nickname is the Midnight Riders after the man who rode into town at midnight shouting "the British are coming" as we tried to launch a surprise attack. Personally I don't give a toss about the revolutionary war. I consider it a war between the British Settlers in America, and the British. Whoever won would be British at heart one way or another.

Cheers Of Celebration. Where Is Evan & His Cowboy Hat?
Once You Found Him, Where Am I?

The game was very good as goals flew in the back of the net in the favour of the Revs, with the Red Bulls pulling a couple back completely against the run of play. The goalkeeping was a little suspect, and I noticed that in the MLS players are reluctant to play the ball backwards and would sooner run at the crowd of defenders. Also there was only one slide tackle in the whole game and despite it being fair, The Fort were not happy.

Full Game - May Want To Fast Forward 20 Mins Or So, NYRB Wouldn't Come Out

For some reason I cannot find the highlights. I'll hopefully update this when I do.

Intro To Broadcast - First Package

In my Introduction To Broadcast News class we have been given the task of coming up with a short news package. I decided to do it on the CCSU Soccer Club (it kills me everytime I have to use that word - it's football dammit). It's not due until the 9th, but we have to use the school's computers to do it and I'm not going to be here in time to put it all together so I've done it early. Are you proud of me Mum & Dad? I haven't left my school work until the last minute. It only took me 25 years. 

New Year - New Football Season

At the back end of 2012, I had been persuaded by Jon to go and take part in CCSU's Soccer Club. I initially didn't want to go due to the poor standard I experienced during the inter-mural league, and expected the same here. Apparently the ex-captain of the College team (now graduated) is managing the club and Jon is his coach as they played together in the past, and they were in need of a defender who knows how to play the position. 

Only One Nutter In T-Shirt & Shorts

I turn up in trainers, shorts, and t-shirt to looks of shock and horror as everyone else was dressed as if they were about to go on an expedition to the arctic. The fact that I didn't have any moulded boots for the fake turf resulted in comments of, 'you won't be able to stand up in those, you'll be sliding everywhere.' 

Shooting Practice - Not A Specialty Of Mine

As per training back home, we started with some light stretches and a jog. By the time the jog was over with I was plenty warm, regretting that I wore long shorts rather than normal ones; meanwhile the rest of the team were still complaining about the cold. We then got into teams and did the old 'run to cone A, back, cone B, back, etc.' My team back home call me a poor asthmatic slug due to my slow speed and even worse acceleration. Here this was emphasised by the fact that I couldn't get any grip by wearing trainers. Then onto ball work, running and taking it around the cones, turning and doing the same on the return; again, not something I've ever been particularly good at. As a centre half, if I ever tried to go around someone back home the manager would have my guts for garters. Get rid of the damn thing, if it's in the opposition's half they can't score. The funny thing was, another of the coaches was watching me and asked Jon what this idiot is doing here? 

On to passing which I surprised myself with. Due to the surface the ball is not going to bobble over your foot, or onto the wrong part of your foot at the last minute. Therefore I was able to control and pass the ball a lot better than back home on the weird and wonderful pitches that I've been exposed to. I couldn't really say the same for everyone else. After completing numerous little possession games we moved onto a full sized 11v11 game. The first thing I noticed was that communication is minimal at best, and although this was my first session, it wasn't everyone else's. I also noticed that no one likes to play in midfield; when the opposition broke they walked straight through where our midfield should be. It wasn't long until they got a rollocking from the defence (me); didn't seem to work though. Heading is an art that America is yet to master, as is tackling which made me stand out as I ducked to head a ball which the opposition attempted to control with his foot. 

Why We Couldn't Use The Real Football Pitch Rather Than
American Football Is Beyond Me.

Since the New Year, the team has been cut down to a reasonable number and training has begun indoors playing 5-a-side. Again, no-one wants to chase the ball back or mark their man. No-one passes the ball backwards preferring to take on 2 men and lose it to the 3rd. Apparently that is better to do than a simple 5 yard pass, who knew? When in possession in front of my own goal, everyone will run up field (we're playing on a tennis court) and want me to masterfully knock the ball over and around everyone so that it can land precisely at my team's feet. If I could do that I don't think I'd be playing amateur football. 

With more and more practices on the horizon and the potential of playing other Universities in the near future, hopefully I can teach those here how to play the game like an Englishman! 

P.S. I was nicknamed Crouchy on the first day!

I'm An Alien, I'm A Legal Alien, I'm An Englishman In New York

Alejandra's Birthday Night

The best thing about New York is leaving New York; it's horrible. Things didn't start off on the best foot when I was awoken on Friday morning by Erik with a horrible hangover after celebrating Alejandra's birthday the night before. Sitting at the back of the bus for two and a half hours, I was glad that it was empty so that I could curl up in the seat. When we arrived at our hostel/hotel, we dumped our bags and made off into the city.

Still A Little Tender

Erik, Stefanie, and Hongi had already spent some time in New York and had done most of the touristy things so first off we went into Chelsea. This is where I got my first taste of New York. We went into this market style building that was full of tat yet was absolutely heaving. I spent all of my time trying not to be in someone's way whilst we waited for Stef to finish looking around. It also didn't help that it was ridiculously hot. Once we left we began to walk along the pier which is probably the nicest part of the city. We made our way towards fifth avenue and walked towards the Rockefeller Centre to see the Christmas tree. The closer we got the more horrendous it became. All you could hear was the sound of sirens and car horns, I don't understand why they beep their horn when they can see there is no where for the car in front to go? The streets are very dirty with rubbish bags littering the streets, the smell of car fumes and sewage follows you wherever you go, and for some reason there is scaffolding everywhere. It's not even as if the buildings are nice to look at. Being a country boy from Lancashire, I did spend most of my time looking up at the sheer size of these buildings but they are so ugly. It's not like Edinburgh or York where the architecture is stunning and full of character. It's just plain ugly. 

I No Longer Like Crowds

Zzzzz

I love the idea of living in a city, after living in a small town all my life where everyone knows you, the idea of anonymity is appealing. However, the idea of being crushed to death in the crowds of New York does not. As I walked along the street you have to be aware of people cutting across your path, stepping on your feet, stopping randomly in front of you. Meanwhile the people behind you keep moving forward and pushing past you. Then every 100 yards you come across yet another level crossing that is always on red. This results in everyone crammed together on the side of the road waiting to cross. Once the light changes you then have to fight not only with the crowd going in the same direction as you, but the crowd coming straight for you in the opposite direction.

Is This The Tree Off Home Alone 2?

When we arrived at the tree, is was chaotic. So many people pushing and shoving trying to get the best photograph. It isn't even the nicest tree in the world, just big. To try and escape the crowds and entertain ourselves on the cheap, Hongi suggested that we go to the museum of contemporary art as it was free. After being in there five minutes, I think I'd sooner have been fighting the crowds outside. Some may call me uncultured or uncouth but I cannot possibly see why two hoovers, one above the other in a box is considered art. Or a pair of tights filled with sand, tied in a knot and stretched. Or a group of picture frames all with scribbles on the paper within them that look as if a toddler got hold of a pencil. It's pathetic. I was so happy when I found a chair and drifted into the land of nod for half an hour. 

Huge Portions - The Way I Like It

We left the museum and went to a Vietnamese restaurant for Hongi's birthday. One thing I still find rude in America is how they rush you in a restaurant. As soon as you finish your plate they take it away, not like England where they wait for everyone to finish. As soon as you're done they force the bill upon you, no time to chat and wait for the food to settle before deciding upon desert. Being German, Swedish, and English we left a $5 tip which we think turned out as more of an insult. The waiter came back with our change to which Erik told him, 'It's ok.' The waiter looked at him and said, 'a tip?' Erik nodded and told him that it was for him. The waiter looked down at the money in his hand and stormed off. We should have taken it back if he didn't want it. 

The Closest I'll Be Getting To An Ice Rink

The day after we took a walk through Central Park. This was what I looked forward to but yet again couldn't help but feel disappointed. It may be because it is winter but it just didn't seem very pretty, also the path was fenced off from the park with shoddy plastic making it look cheap and reminding you that you were in a city. That is if you were deaf and couldn't hear the constant sirens from the road. Once out of the park we went into a couple of shops for Erik and Stef, as I again hid from the crowds in a nice little corner that kept me out of the way. In the evening Stef and Hongi went to watch a modern dance performance whilst Erik and I wandered around the city. We went back to the big tree so that Erik could get a picture of him holding up a sign in Swedish for his girlfriend. We went into times square in a search for cheap food but quickly left after getting frustrated with the crowds. Without the girls it was a lot easier to navigate as Erik and I can find each other easily amongst a crowd as we stand head and shoulders above everyone. 

I Realised It's Not The Best Time Of Year
To Shave My Head

Should my degree not work out I have found a job I can do. Throughout the touristy places people dress up as Smurfs, Puss In Boots, Elmo etc so that people can have their picture taken with them for a tip. I did wonder if there are mascot wars in a battle for the best territory as I saw a dejected Mario walk with his head down from Elmo and the Cookie Monster. In the city that never sleeps Erik and I decided to get a couple of cans each and go back to the room to watch TV. I must be getting old.

Entertaining Myself In A Shop. The Sales
Assistant Gave Me A Nasty Look As I
Crept Round The Store Like This

On our final day I left the others in the room as I woke at 6am, showered and hopped on the subway to the centre in search of the Football Factory pub to watch Blackburn Rovers play the enemy. Arriving at 7am I was the first one in and set up stall at the bar donned in my blue and white halves. It turns out unfortunately that the game wasn't being shown on TV and so he couldn't get it up. Dejected I settled for Sky Sports News as I tucked into an English Fry-Up and a pint of Magners. AFC Wimbledon fans began to filter in to watch the game against MK Dons and a Chelsea fan was knocking about. I've never felt more at home since I arrived here. Watching Sky Sports News is more nerve racking than watching the game as things didn't sound too promising in the first half. Once we went 1-0 up things seemed to calm down although a late equaliser left a bad taste in my mouth. Look on the bright side though, we're not playing well at the moment and yet it is still 33 years since the Dingles last beat us. Happy days!

New World Trade Centre

I was now meant to meet Hongi and Stef by the south pier so set out walking south. I navigated my way through China Town and was horrified at how dirty the place is. It makes the parts of New York I saw previously look spotless. Using my phone for navigation I told Hongi that I should be there in 20 minutes once I was roughly in the right place but my phone is about to die. I arrived 25 minutes late and saw no sign of them. Waiting for a further hour I came to the conclusion that they had left and I had no way of finding them. I decided to walk to Ground Zero and see the new towers but once I got close the huge crowds made me desert the idea of walking through the city and I made my way to the west coast of Manhattan and start walking north back to the hotel/hostel. This was probably my best time in New York as there was no one here but runners, cyclists, dog walkers, and the occasional walker. The sun came out and the walk was nice as I looked out to the sea. What I did find funny is that there are so called parks all along the pier, despite how small they are. At home it would just be classed as a patch of grass, not a park. All the while the highway runs along the side of said parks. No matter how much you try to get away from the city, you can always hear or smell it. Finally getting back after a 15 mile walk, I bought biscuits, crisps, and coke for tea whilst I sat in the hostel/hotel watching films as I waited for the others. 

Leaving to catch the bus I have never been so happy to be back in New Britain and the oven that is Carroll. My friend Art says that he'll take me next semester and show me the real New York so I change my mind. We'll have to wait and see

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from America! With five days off University to celebrate my first Thanksgiving, Evan invited me to his house to join in the festivities.

On the Wednesday we travelled east to Columbia, which is next to Lebanon, which is next to Scotland, you'd have thought the Americans would have thought up some original names for their towns. I was introduced to his Mother - Eva, brother – Nathan, their 3 cats, one of which has seven toes on each foot, his two dogs, the sheep, and a horse that they adopted to save it from being put down. The poor guy is 40+ and loves to just stand in the sun eating grass, despite having no teeth left.

Strongbow improves steadiness

Born hunter

 After being told when and where to meet for Thanksgiving, we moved on to his Dad - Michael and Step-mum – Chris’ house in Lebanon and was introduced to them. Unfortunately there were no animals to pamper, but I did meet his half-brother, James, who has the joy of being bullied by his two older brothers. The day was filled out shooting targets in the back yard with a pellet rifle and beer. Despite only ever holding a paintball gun, I managed to hit every target.

Thursday, the day of Thanksgiving, Evan and I awoke to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade that was being held in New York on the T.V. America makes me laugh. The camera was stationary on the section outside of Macy's and the commentators commented on whatever float was in that section. The funny bit is how each float, and whatever popstar that was singing/miming on it, was advertising something. Now I'm not naive enough to think that there would be another reason, but they weren't even being subtle about it. The commentators would tell us about an upcoming album, DVD release dates, tour dates etc for every float. In addition to this there are adverts every 5 minutes advertising what we had just seen on the floats in case we went to the toilet and missed it. 

Later on we made our way to Evan’s Grandparent’s house. A little confusing but as Eva grew up, her Parents and Grandparents all lived under one roof. All being Latvian the Grandparents were known as Vetsamom and Vetsapop, and the Parents (Evan’s Grandparents) were known as Oma and Opa, which is German as they spent time there growing up. Despite both living in Latvia and spending part of their lives in Germany, they didn't actually meet until they both got to America. Having spent time working in England, Opa told me how he worked for a company in Sheffield that did work for the Government. He found it amusing how laid back the workers were, having a brew in the morning before they started then going to the pub early for dinner and coming back late and having more brews; especially as it was Government work. As we sat Oma presented us with a lovely Turkey whilst Opa presented us with a cupboard full of spirits. Evan was selected to cut the turkey whilst Opa told me of his time working in Sheffield, laughing at our laid back nature and love of the pub. 

Evan - Master Carver

Oma - Master Chef

The day after was Thanksgiving at Michael and Chris’ house. Now one Thanksgiving meal is good, two is fantastic and I felt it rude not to go up for seconds each time. People sure can cook a turkey in America.

On Saturday, Evan and I woke to watch Toy Story 3, then it was back to Oma and Opa’s to bake Latvian cookies. With Oma and Eva in control of the dough and oven, Opa, Evan, Nathan, and I were in charge of shape cutting. If Opa ever offers to get you a vodka coke, be prepared for a proper measure. Basically vodka with some colouring; he’s a good man. With Christmas music on in the background, beers at hand, and Opa trying to convince us that he wore the trousers in the house, we were in for a fun afternoon. For tea we had Chinese takeaway, now this is when Oma proved her role as trouser wearer in the house. As the list was passed around, Opa asked if anyone was having the Peking Duck? Before anyone could answer, Oma told him that he wasn't getting any, she would cook duck another day. Now according to Evan, Opa always wants to have Peking Duck but is never allowed as Oma says that it will take too long. The poor man just wants some duck. Then again the 2 have been married for 60 odd years, just goes to prove that a happy wife is the key to a successful marriage. Happy wife - happy home. 

Thanksgiving Meal

The Master & The Apprentice

With Evan and me returning to University the next day I said my goodbyes to Oma and Opa. I was told that I am welcome back any time, and I will always have my very own Oma and Opa here in America.

New Mexico Free-Kick

For our final day, we had some left over Thanksgiving meal for dinner at Michael and Chris’ (3rd of the break) then went on to watch the University of Connecticut (Uconn) play New Mexico University at football. With 4300 on the terraces it was packed, which in hindsight was good as the temperature was just above freezing, and the cold wind made it feel well below. The game wasn’t the best and the supporters that surrounded us were very annoying with their opinions that screamed out that they had never played the game. 

After a Uconn midfielder jibbed out on a header in his own half, New Mexico broke and scored after the goalkeeper parried out. New Mexico dominated the game, finding their players in acres of space due to Uconn's zonal marking, something I've never agreed with. Unfortunately they couldn't capitalise on this dominance. In the second half Uconn equalised after the New Mexico goalkeeper stuck to his line. The first cross should have been a simple punch, the second was trickier but still should have been claimed and then the ball was headed in at close range. As the game neared the final whistle, New Mexico won a free kick that the attacking player controlled beautifully as the ball came in leaving the Uconn players wrong footed. Unfortunately however, he failed to tap into an open net. With the scores level at half time, the game went into golden goal.  but Uconn managed daylight robbery to win the game by golden goal after a defensive mistake. The full back dilly-dallied on the ball and was caught by the Uconn striker who squared it to his strike partner who finished well to send them into the quarter finals. 

All in all, Thanksgiving was a huge success and I would like to thank Evan, Eva, Michael, Chris, Opa & Oma for their wonderful hospitality. I've never felt more welcome.

Football & Drinking - I Should Feel At Home

I'm slowly but surely getting up to scratch with the American way of life, although I don't understand it whatsoever. To begin with drinking is very different over here to at home. Apparently, if you go to the pub regularly for a couple, it is considered that you are drinking away problems. If that's the case, then my football team back home are repressing more problems than the Greek economy.

I've befriended an Australian who has lived here for the past 10 years and in doing so, have found a drinking buddy! This is both good, and bad. Good that I have someone to drink with, bad in that he drinks like me and we tend to have to carry each other home. For example, going for a couple at 3pm, resulted in us both staying until closing at 2am. Then returning the following day at 8pm until closing once again. On this day however, we got cut off for being there too long. Not that we were staggering or slurring our words (which we weren't) but simply for being sat in the same place at the bar for too long. This baffled me more than anything I've ever come across before. Jeez, I've seen someone throw up on the bar back home and still get served. I am persevering with the American beer, but I do miss Strongbow. Even to the point of dreaming that I found a shop here that sold a 75 crate for $100. Sad yes, but I do miss it. Until I find it, I'm just going to have to stick with Bud and Miller. There is only 1 pub in walking distance from campus and we are already friends with the bar staff (who attempt to speak in an English accent when I get served) and no longer get asked for ID at the door. Probably a bad sign, especially as I've only been here a month.

$9 Every Saturday

I recently joined a 7-a-side football team that the University set up. The season only lasts one month and you must have 2 girls on the pitch at all times. Originally I set up to play in the competitive league, but for some reason, the team that I play in got moved into the inter-mural league. When our first game arrived, I was slightly embarrassed. I don't think these people had ever played before, or if they had, not very much. Jon (the Aussi) has played at a decent level in the past and scored at will before subbing himself. I ended up clearing some poor lad out going up for a header and they didn't have a shot on goal for the entirety of the match. I could say that it's down to my perfect defending, but I think it's more to do with how poor they were. I think we finally won 7-0 but I would have sooner played in a game where it was tight and competitive. They couldn't even take a throw-in properly. Each time someone committed a foul throw, a part of me died. I even felt that I couldn't commit to the tackle properly. 

I went to watch the University play today in their first home game of the season. Very strange. They are very good technically, their touches are very good and their control, but there is no tempo to the game at all. Players are very rarely put under pressure and I think there was 1 slide tackle in the entire match, also dominant defending headers were a no show. The pitch is that 3G fake grass stuff and perfectly flat, probably why controlling the ball is so much easier. Also both sets of defenders seem to play extremely deep and, apart from the goalkeeper, talking was minimal. The game is so different compared to back home, if I played I would probably get sent off early doors for being too physical.

I'm getting on OK over here and I'm enjoying every minute, but if that barmaid cuts me off again I will not be held responsible for my actions.