Are You Ready For Some Football?

Aaah, late November. A perfect season for succulent turkey, plenty-sweet desserts, and, of course, football. That's right--it's that time of year during which epic 11-versus-11 wars are waged; when millions of fans the world over are preparing to wave their banners of support; when electric offenses and ironclad defenses suit up and step onto turf-covered battlefields.

Indeed, the Thanksgiving season is synonymous with football--or, as you may know it better, soccer.

While millions of American ready themselves for a weekend full of NCAA and NFL pigskin, more millions across the world are gearing up for a make-or-break stretch of footie. Only yesterday, Gordan Strachan and his Celtic men achieved a historic Champion's League victory over legendary Manchester United. The 1-0 win, which came by virtue of a stunning 81st-minute free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura, vaulted the Glasgow club into the knockout stages (Final 16) of the UEFA Champion's League for the first time in its history. Lest you doubt the popularity and complete infusion of "soccer" in European culture, look no further than the tens of thousands of fans who stood long after Celtic's victory crooning "You'll Never Walk Alone." Try as you may, but you'll not be able to gaze upon such a stirring event without feeling a sweeping sense of nostalgia, regardless of your national and/or geographical loyalties.

Whilst living and teaching ESL in Suzhou, China, I met an older Glaswegian gentleman at a bar. When I asked him whether he "cheered" for Celtic or same-city rival Rangers, his response was priceless: "Celtic--and I don't 'cheer' far 'em, I bleeeeed far 'em." Unfortunately, the majority of Americans continually refuse to embrace or appreciate this unequalled spirit, choosing to dismiss soccer as a dull, highlight-less game. Nonetheless, for those who love European football--for those who understand how it is embedded into Europeans' very identity--this is a stellar time of year.

The EPL (English Premier League) season is 1/3 complete. This is the point in the schedule when leads can be made insurmountable and significant deficits can be erased. Having played 13 of 38 games, teams still have an opportunity to monitor-and-adjust and hopefully climb the table; by the time that 2/3 of the season is in the books, though, fates will be largely sealed. Indeed, it's "movin' time."

On Sunday, only five days after an epic loss to Celtic, the Red Devils of Manchester United must play host to defending EPL champions and current second-place squad Chelsea. Separated by a mere three points (one win), Man. U. and Chelsea appear primed for a classic two-team title race. Other potential contenders such as Portsmouth, Arsenal, and Aston Villa continue to posture for a spot in next year's Champion's League, an honor awarded to the EPL's top four finishers. And, on the opposite end of the spectrum, bottom-dwellers like Newcastle and Charlton are clawing for their top-flight lives. (The three teams with the fewest points at season's end will be relegated, i.e. demoted to a lower division.)

With Champion's League and relegation, we see two fundamental facets of European football that distinguish it (for the better) from American sports--and that render this a particularly compelling time of year. Qualification for the Champion's League is open to teams from every expanse of Europe, from virtually every league in every nation. Teams who make it into one of eight four-team groups must finish either first or second within their group in order to advance to the sixteen-team knockout tournament. At competition's end, the champions can truly claim to be masters of Europe, having risen above hundreds and hundreds of other clubs to attain the title.

While Champion's League represents a yearly gauntlet that rewards both own-league and European success, relegation stands as the ultimate shake-up mechanism. Each year the bottom three teams in the EPL, for example, are demoted--yes, kicked out!--from the top flight. Only by finishing in the top three in the Championship division will they be allowed to re-enter the Premiership. Imagine, if you will, an NFL or NBA team being relegated from the league as a result of poor performance, or a minor-league baseball team being given the opportunity to ascend to the Majors. Such possibilities would spice things up, no?

Yes, indeed, this is a wonderful time of year. Paths to national and European glory are being carved, and top-tier reputations are in jeopardy. On mud-mangled pitches in storied stadiums, warriors will fight in earnest to leave their marks on the world's game.

I ask: Are you ready for some football?