Hacksaw Jim's nationalism was always a bit confused.
Hmm, some interesting feedback already. John calls me out for missing the point of supposedly "universalistic" world football fandom:
You know what I admire about football fandom in other countries? That they care about soccer because they actually care about their country winning...England doesn't want your snobbish, douchey support...
Fair enough, although Real Live English Person Cate disagrees (thank you dear!). I suppose I should say that I never meant to compare myself to a serious national side supporter of any kind. John, I know what you mean about the beauty and joy of an absolutely tribal commitment to one team at the expense of all others -- the submersion of the self in a community of shared passion and dedication. That IS what I admire about other national fans, and I know it's what I lack. Not just for team USA, but for England, or any other team. I wouldn't quite put myself in the company of David Wallace Wells's Messi-praising douchebag, if only because I'm not even that knowledgable -- more like a once-every-two year fan, at best.
You know what I admire about football fandom in other countries? That they care about soccer because they actually care about their country winning...England doesn't want your snobbish, douchey support...
Fair enough, although Real Live English Person Cate disagrees (thank you dear!). I suppose I should say that I never meant to compare myself to a serious national side supporter of any kind. John, I know what you mean about the beauty and joy of an absolutely tribal commitment to one team at the expense of all others -- the submersion of the self in a community of shared passion and dedication. That IS what I admire about other national fans, and I know it's what I lack. Not just for team USA, but for England, or any other team. I wouldn't quite put myself in the company of David Wallace Wells's Messi-praising douchebag, if only because I'm not even that knowledgable -- more like a once-every-two year fan, at best.
I'd like to think I know at least a little about genuine sports passion. My commitment to the Redskins, for instance, is honed by years of failure and frustration, by countless gorgeous Sundays spent in dank sports bar basements, eating bad chicken fingers and getting the juice all over my Russ Grimm jersey, by the spark of joy that I feel about a 7 yard pass on 3rd and 6 in a late-November game when the Skins are already 5-9 and down by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Above all, it's the unreasoning devotion to a team, a franchise, and even a mascot that on many levels could not possibly be less deserving of my support. It's not as poetic as the Montevideo bricklayer who spends his life savings on a ticket to South Africa, but I think it qualifies as real fandom.
But the thing about that kind of tribal emotion is that you can't just conjure it if it's not there. And I don't have it. Go USA, and all that, but I'm not going to browbeat myself into a bogus national commitment I don't feel, just for the sake of Landon Donovan's sharply etched forehead.
John (and Mom): I will concede your point to the extent that I formally absolve myself of all claim to be a supporter of any team, England included. In soccer terms, I'm resigned to remaining one of Tony Judt's "edge people"-- beasts of no nation, rank scavengers, really; nomadic fans foraging for fleeting stabs of delight and exaltation amid the chaos of the Cup. OK, that's a bit romantic, but what the fuck. Let's hear it for a 1-1 draw, a united Anglophile advance into Round 2, and some great soccer from all parties involved.
But the thing about that kind of tribal emotion is that you can't just conjure it if it's not there. And I don't have it. Go USA, and all that, but I'm not going to browbeat myself into a bogus national commitment I don't feel, just for the sake of Landon Donovan's sharply etched forehead.
John (and Mom): I will concede your point to the extent that I formally absolve myself of all claim to be a supporter of any team, England included. In soccer terms, I'm resigned to remaining one of Tony Judt's "edge people"-- beasts of no nation, rank scavengers, really; nomadic fans foraging for fleeting stabs of delight and exaltation amid the chaos of the Cup. OK, that's a bit romantic, but what the fuck. Let's hear it for a 1-1 draw, a united Anglophile advance into Round 2, and some great soccer from all parties involved.