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{I Love} Manchester City

It started when I was in high school. Many of may favorite bands, including the Stone Roses, Oasis, Charlatans, Teenage Fanclub, and Blur -  were always going on about English soccer teams. Manchester was the heart of both the music scene AND Premiere League football at that time- so my interest was peaked, and I found myself loosely following the exploits of English soccer teams - especially in Manchester.

As a lifelong Wake Forest fan - I have a soft spot for teams that just can not quite seem to get it together. So, over time, my support veered towards Manchester City - who were the obvious underdog club in that city - with Manchester United grabbing the championships and headlines in those days.  (And they really are the "Wake Forest of England,"  I mean here is how Wikipedia puts it: Supporters refer to inconsistent results and unexpected events as "Typical City", or "City-itis" ......I rest my case).
But my support was from a far, and without much passion.  Watching a match was near impossible in the US, and media coverage was scant.  And I did not pay attention, or try very hard.

Oasis' Liam Gallagher supporting Manchester City 
But last year was the turning point. NBC started showing EVERY English Premiere league game in the US. In addition, Men in Blazers started their podcast and TV show here as well (covering all things soccer and pop culture) - and the World Cup built the intensity.  So I was excited when I noticed Manchester City playing a weekly live game on my screen.

I started paying attention.

And now I can not stop paying attention to English Premier League soccer...especially City.

We bought Fifa '15 for our Wii, and the kids and I have spent many hours matching up amazing teams - with Avery becoming a big Barcelona fan - and Noah preferring to support Crystal Palace.  And now we are hooked, and I love to cheer for City.
Avery: Representin'

I also geek out on the globalization element of it all.  How an American family can come to watch, follow, and love a soccer team from the industrial city of Manchester England.

And it connects me to that time in my life when the center of my musical world was in Manchester - a time when all things England seem to hold promise for me.

And so a few weeks ago, when City defeated Leicester City while playing at home - and the stadium blasted a celebratory Oasis song over the PA - I knew that things had come full circle.








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