Gotta love the never ending well of optimism that sports fans draw from (unless your are a Cubs fan). When it comes to your favorite team they seemingly can do no wrong before the season begins, there is always a chance they can right the ship mid season, and when they are done and dusted for the season a true fan looks at the calendar and circles opening day when their team will once again have a chance to contend for their sports ultimate prize. The reason I bring this up is because I have lived in the extremes as a fan of the Yankees and Buffalo Bills (talk about ripping your heart out as a kid being able to watch your team almost win it all... FOUR TIMES! One of my funniest memories was dancing to a playoff game while playing a James Brown tape over and over, this went on for a big chunk of the game). As April rolls around each season I know come October I EXPECT to see the Bombers marching their way towards another World Series Championship. Anything less would be unfit for a franchise as decorated as it is unless of course we did better than the BoSox, in which case we would still remain better than them (as always in the case). But it's funny to be a soccer fan in the United States where you not only have your team but you must support your league as you hold it up to the standards of the world. The reason I bring this up is because around town i'm seeing ads running on the side of buses which proclaim of our beloved Timbers, "Liverpool, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Portland - Finally, we're on the world's pitch." Ummm, back up a second. Since when did the MLS' clout grow heavy enough to elevate an expansion squad in the company of these elite clubs? It's all about hope. The hope of any US Soccer fan that we will one day be mentioned in the same breath as the world's elite, when our greatest victory won't be beating the English at the World Cup but lifting the trophy itself, that is hope, the hope of a sports fan.
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