Club over Country
Watching football is fun. It's more fun and/or meaningful for me to watch Swansea than any other team. That is any other team in this league or any other league. Or any national team.
Let me say that I respect the views and choices of everyone, no judgment here, just some of my opinions. All football fans love football, whether club or country or both, and that is as it should be. I would like to get out ahead and apologize if this post offends anyone.
I know it comes from a place of passion and love, but int'l football is, at its core, boring to me. I just cannot get myself to care about the football, about the stories, about the whole thing really. I dread every int'l break during the year. I go into a mini-depression for those two weeks every time. I never watch a minute of the football, just always check if a Swansea player got injured.
There are jacks out there who know what I mean. Garry Monk even cast some shade on international breaks when he was our head coach. How much better would each season be, how much better would the football be, if it wasnt interrupted and put on hold for two weeks throughout the year? Our guys could get rest, spend time with their families instead...
Maybe this has to do with me being from the US, I dont know. We didnt even have to qualify for the tourney and I couldnt tell you anyone who plays on our team except pulisic, reyna and scally. I literally fell asleep during the USA v. Bosnia game. The US government is embarrassing and pathetic and it really shows when football is concerned, hopefully the world can see that now.
All I can see from every team is a hodgepodge group being pasted together every 10 weeks and the only reason they are all there is they share a nationality or heritage. I can't remember the last time a commentator talked about a footballing identity of a national team. I am glad our three footballers will be able to get a rest and not miss too much of our pre-season. Matos is adamant that this time spent together will be the most important thing we do in the off-season and I tend to agree there.
Don't even get me started on how FIFA found a way to make a commercial break with ads in the middle of each half. Gross. On top of all of this, the players are tired. Mentally and physically tired and need a holiday to recharge, not more work. The football on offer is objectively pretty sad.
I find this whole bloated world cup thing to be simply a huge payday for FIFA and a huge corporate windfall for the advertising industry. I cannot wait to get back to Swansea City and this new exciting season. To get back to real games with real teams, to get back to the footballing side of things.
I can hear many if you already formulating counter-arguments and coming up with valid reasons why intl football is important. But, my head wont be turned. I am already old enough and have seen enough club and country football to know the truth. I'll always be more proud to follow Swansea than any flag out there.
I am feeling very positive about the whole club right now, from owners to staff to players and cant wait to see what next year brings. I hope we finally hit the ground running this season and have a flying start.
Let' go Swans!