The Yanks are Comin'!!

Tomato...Tamato.  Soccer...Football.  I like American Football, I like contact, I like when big men slam into other big men.  This kicking a ball around and running up and down a field with little contact doesn't interest me but when in Rome...or when in a football (soccer) obsessed country, you have to watch, you have to pick a team, and you have to appreciate the sheer craziness of England fans!  That is until your adopted country plays your homeland, in that case you hope the soccer gods are kind enough to allow an upset.  As a World Cup virgin, I was beyond pumped that one of the opening games was England vs USA, all bets were against the USA but I love an underdog and I love any excuse to be an asshole....

Direct off the flight, I was ready: ready to talk shit to some Brits and ready to rock some stars and stripes.  I searched for a flag in Malta but despite the multiple stands selling flags, the island was fresh out of the red, white, and blue.  I took my mission to the streets of London, but its England so I had a better chance of winning a noble prize than finding stars and stripes among the sea of St. George.  My invite for the American viewing party warned fellow ExPats of wearing Yankee gear on the tube, but like most warnings I ignored it.  St.Georges' flag covers every balcony, window, and car...bar ceiling and facades are covered with hope of an England victory. 

I did my best to make up for my lack of patriot paraphernalia...Philadelphia Phillies shirt and hat (thanks ma for the bday package) a "USA" down the right cheek and stars down the left, were all I could manage given the lack of Patriot stores.  The boy and his cousin were ready to join in on the American side so we stopped for a beer before heading to the party.

An American fan walks into a bar...an English bar...

"We don't serve Americans"
"I hope your face paint is water proof"
"Did you bring your tissues"
" It's really sweet you think the US has a shot"

After one round, we headed to the tube.  As a bus drove by, a group of girls on the top floor pounded the glass, chanting "USA, USA, USA".  OK so there were some American fans among the Brits...  I encountered more along the walk to the bar:  A random high five, a chant, and a couple of honking horns

An American fan walks into a bar...an American Supporter bar...

Hundreds of Americans crowded the bar, a bar not ready for an American party.  They weren't serving pints, they were serving warm Corona or even warmer Budweiser.  And since we are a resourceful bunch, packs went to the off-license to smuggle in cold beers.  We sat on the floor, crowded around the projection screen, booing at the sight of David Beckham, and losing control with England's first goal.

As the bar bouncer caught on about our smuggling ways, American fans were sure it would be a long tube ride home.  Just as we lost hope about an Ameican upset, our underdogs got lucky with a mistake by England's goalie.  The bar erupted in cheers and hugs, staying that way until the last seconds of the game.

It was a draw but a very exciting draw from the American side.  I was a sad day for British football but a very good day for American soccer.

My face paint is ready for friday when America takes on Slovenia.