What's in a name?
Call it what you will — soccer, football, footie, calcio — it's the most captivating game on Earth!
I have been a soccer fan since I attended my first game in 1984. It was an indoor game between the Chicago Sting and the San Diego Sockers. I loved the indoor game and when the season ended, I got my first taste of real soccer. Once again, I was enthralled and haven't looked back since!
I always wanted to attend a World Cup game. That dream came true in 1994 when World Cup was held in the USA. I got to see a first round match played between Spain and Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago. That tournament sparked my interest in Italian soccer — calcio! I was impressed with the Italian National Team — Gli Azzurri — who ended up losing in a heartbreaking finale to Brazil.
I thought the Italian side had a fantastic goalkeeper in Gianluca Pagliuca. His confidence in goal, his agility, and his never ceasing determination quickly made him my favorite player. After WC94 ended, and the new Italian league — Serie A — began, I started following Pagliuca's team. It was the start of a soccer love affair that continues to this day, despite his being sold to Bologna FC a few years later. My beloved team is Internazionale di Milano FC.
DON'T confuse them with AC Milan. They may share a city and a stadium but they also share a bitter rivalry! In 2000, I had the pleasure of going to Milan and seeing Inter play two games at the San Siro. It was an amazing experience!
FORZA INTER!
Some soccer links:
