The Superstar Effect

Villa Park spent much of its Saturday raucously cheering for its Aston Villa squad. It acted in unison: cheering with fervor, erupting in song, and finding every opportunity to bring down Villa’s opponent, my beloved Newcastle United.

As the match dug deeper into the second half, however, it seemed the entire mood of the squad’s loyal supporters shifted. It seemed, as the game wore on, they were witnessing a superstar taking over not only the match, but themselves as well.

Watch any Miami Heat game and close your eyes. Whenever LeBron James has the ball in his hands, you recognize it instantly. There is a different sound in the arena. A different feeling amongst the crowd. When James touches the ball, a paradigm in the universe shifts. Everything feels different. And while this is, of course, predictable when James is playing in South Beach, it goes much deeper when he is playing on the road.

In Miami, the crowd moves with LeBron; when the Akron product has the ball in his hands, the crowd cheers louder. The momentum builds as he advances toward the basket. The arena sways after their superstar makes a play that, well, only their superstar can make.

On the road, the crowd, of course, reacts much differently. When LeBron gets the ball early in the game, the crowd simply reacts with booing and loud profanity. About 25 players in the NBA get this treatment on a regular basis. It’s the perils of being a superstar. However, once LeBron has taken control of a game, the mood in the arena changes. The hatred turns to something else. It turns to fear. It turns to downright horror every time James touches the ball. And it’s not anything you can hear. In fact, the crowd usually goes quiet. It’s really only something you can feel. Even if you’re not in the arena.

On Saturday, 42,000 Villa supporters watched Hatem Ben Arfa evoke a similar effect on them.

Now, in no way am I implying that Newcastle United’s blossoming midfielder is the LeBron James of soccer. If he was, I would have heard of him before I became a Toon (and, admittedly, would have probably chosen a different squad if he was). But watching Ben Arfa completely control Villa Park’s atmosphere in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa, I couldn’t help but draw the comparison.

Two weeks ago, Woody and I spoke about the difference between a good offensive soccer player, and a great one. What separates greatness? What makes Rooney, well, Rooney? Is it just about goals? What else is evaluated? While Woody made some great points, I had to be further proven by example. And Ben Arfa did just that.

Superstars in this sport do more than just score goals. Much more. Superstars create scoring chances by creating something out of “nothing” scenarios. Superstars have a different knowledge of the game. A different instinct of not only where the ball is, but where it’s going to be. It’s no different than in any other sport. It’s just as much mental as it is physical. And, of course, they possess the Superstar Effect: the unique ability to completely control the atmosphere of their playing environment (whether at home or on the road).

During Saturday’s match, Ben Arfa showed this effect, giving the Geordies yet another reason to smile and look forward to the months (and hopefully years) ahead.

Who’s in first place?

It wasn’t long ago, about nine games in fact, when the goal for the season was shaping up to be: “sneak into the playoffs, and then make a run at the cup.” We were good on paper, great on paper. But just didn’t seem able to put all the pieces together. Then on June 28^th, we found ourselves down 0-1 in 16^th minute. Against Chivas. In Seattle. We were losing to the worst team in the league, at home. That’s rock bottom. At least you hope.

Then we came back and won 2-1. Then we #DempseyWatch’d. Then we signed him. For real, we signed Clint Dempsey. Then we won, again and again and again. Eight games out of nine. 24 points out of 27. Despite playing a man down for an entire game. Despite losing 81% of our payroll to national team duty and injury. Despite plenty of excuses to lose, we won. And after last night’s clinical dismantling of RSL, we’re top of the table.

It’s easy to blow last night’s game out of proportion. But the truth is that it was the biggest regular season MLS win in franchise history. And we did it without Dempsey or Eddie for the first hour. We did it with an uncharacteristically beautiful cross from Rose. And a long-overdue assist from Yedlin. The win put us first in the league, with games in hand and with complete control over our destiny. The Supporter’s Shield is ours to lose.

The stakes our high now though. Sneaking into the playoffs and making a run is no longer an acceptable goal. The goal needs to be to win. To win everything. The Supporter’s Shield, the Cascadia Cup, and the MLS Cup. Take ‘em all.

There are seven games to go. A lot can change in seven games, if this season has taught us anything it’s that. Sports are cruel, and hopes can be crushed in the blink of an eye. But this Sounders team is good. Scary good. And as Alan Hinton says, “good teams find ways to win”.

Newcastle 1, Fulham 0: Ben Arfa Saves The Day

Hatem Ben Arfa’s strike in the 86^th minute was more than just a goal.

After a disappointingly quiet summer, a highly-distracting transfer rumor, and two frustrating matches, there hasn’t been much for the Toon Army (and its newest member) to cheer about.

With one beautiful, bending kick, the lefty midfielder changed the mindset of Newcastle’s passionate supporters, leading the Magpies to a 1-0 win over Fulham.

The match was not easy to watch. The sunny skies literally cast a large shadow over much of St. James Park for most of the first 45 minutes. The few scoring chances Newcastle had fell flat early on, as Fulham featured a very conservative defensive strategy for most of the game. The Geordies’ groans could be felt, not just heard, when each scoring chance was denied. The pace was slow and uneven.

Deep into the second half, however, things changed.

It’s hard to determine what caused the beginning of the Newcastle push. It could have been the return of Yohan Cabaye, the Frenchman amidst the transfer rumors. It could have been the debut of Loic Remy, a sparkling forward who drew loud cheers from the crowd upon his entrance. It could have been Fulham’s defense; once strong and energetic, it was easy to see the holes in the wall start to form as time went on.

Whatever the cause, Newcastle came alive during the final 20 minutes, littering the attacking zone and featuring plenty of scoring chances. Papiss Cisse and Yoan Gouffran both had golden opportunities with headers in front of the net. Moussa Sissoko had a breakaway opportunity that, if executed well enough, could have resulted in the Magpies’ first goal. As the scoring chances increased, it was only a matter of time before something found the back of the net. Still, after nearly three scoreless matches, it was difficult to not be pessimistic.

In the end, it was Ben Arfa who came through, fighting through two Fulham defenders to get a perfectly shot ball past David Stockdale.

In a season that could still result in pain and frustration for the Toon Army, Hatem Ben Arfa and the Magpies gave us a reason to smile. At least for one day.

003 Football and Futbol – NFL Team Projections

We Beat Portland — Period.

I don’t know if Seattle-Portland is the “biggest rivalry in professional sports”. I don’t think anyone does. Trying to compare and quantify the intangible levels of sports-hate around the country is impossible. The argument is tiresome and ultimately obnoxious. It’s like posting pictures of your kids on Facebook. Everyone thinks their little pipsqueak is so clearly the cutest angel on the planet, how could the whole world not want to be a part of their every burp and fart. We get it, you have a cute kid. Your team hates their team. Big deal.

Except that there is something special about Seattle-Portland. If your kid hand painted a 37,000 square foot choreographed tifo using 70 gallons of paint, hoisted it with 35 ropes and tacked on 3,000 black cards to the ends so that it’d really pop, then by all means, give that baby his own freakin’ album. Give him several. Maybe I’m just another one of those obnoxious parents, but I don’t care. Last night was spectacular.

There’s a unique pageantry to soccer. That’s what I try to explain to someone who’s never been to a Sounders game before. The atmosphere’s different from other sports, more authentic. I love NFL games and the deafening roar of 70,000 fans that causes false starts and fumbled snaps. But when the four-horseman tifo was unveiled last night, it was one of those non-sports sports moments that you never forget. Brad Evans remarked afterwards that being honored in such a way nearly brought him to tears. You don’t have to be a sports fan, a soccer fan, or a Sounders fan to recognize how special something like that is.

To be clear, this was far from the most important game in club history or anything. It probably doesn’t even crack the top five in the rivalry’s history. One of the bigger games of the season, sure. But by any measurable level of importance it was a seven, maybe seven and a half. The fact that it felt like an eleven speaks to the part of sports that goes beyond wins and losses and standings and trophies. The part that’s about pride and passion and glory. Where, for 90 minutes nothing else matters. There is no tomorrow or next year. This type of game invented those clichés.

The action on the field lived up to the anticipation and hype. A 1-0 score line that could’ve seen four goals for either side. There were moments of brilliance and moments of panic. Causes for concern and signs of hope. But as Zach Scott put it, “The one thing I know for certain is that we beat Portland — period. We’re always going to be the team to beat. They can say there’s a changing of the guard, they can say we’re a group of stars and they’re the team, but in the end we’re the ones that are going to come out victorious.”

Embracing the Magpies

When Modibo Maiga’s shot found the back of the net, my heart stopped.  

When the referee signaled the West Ham forward offside, my heart slowly came back to a resting rate, only to accelerate like a Nissan GT when Sammy Ameobi’s ball hit the post in the 90^th minute.

Whoever first coined that English Premier League supporters “live and die” by their squads did not mean it metaphorically.

As one of Newcastle United’s newest supporters, I didn’t believe this series of emotions would come to me this quickly. But certain emotions are impossible to control. And while Newcastle United settled for a scoreless draw with a squad they had easily outplayed, I spent the rest of my American Saturday wondering if any team had ever brought me this series of emotions so early in my supporting tenure.

I consider myself part of a large segment of Americans drawn to the English Premier League for the first time this year. Due to the unprecedented coverage of the EPL by NBC Sports, more and more Americans spent the past month deciding what club they wanted to invest their time, resources, and, well, emotions into.

My initial criteria for selecting an EPL club were simple: the club could not be one of the “Big Four.” In other words, any team other than United, City, Chelsea, and Arsenal were fair game. From there, it became a process of elimination. I didn’t want a team that was just promoted. Tottenham and Liverpool were too popular. I can’t stand the song “Bubbles” (sorry West Ham).

When I ran into Newcastle United, I initially was concerned. The squad was relegated following the 08-09 season. They had a new Director of Football who appeared unpopular and controversial with the locals. They were on the brink of being relegated again following the 12-13 season.

As I dug deeper, however, I fell in love with the squad. I read about the Toon Army, Newcastle’s fearlessly passionate supporters. The squad is nestled in Northeast England, an area I have always been fond of and plan to visit someday. Of course, the town, Newcastle upon Tyne, is home to Newcastle Brown Ale, which served as the clincher to my choice.

After a hopeless opening match against an unbelievable City team, where Newcastle played a man down the entire second half, my support stayed strong. I knew supporting a team outside of the Big Four was going to include its share of disappointments. That comes with the territory. Supporting a team like Newcastle seems to be similar to sitting in the passenger seat as your twelve year-old son drives on the freeway. Despite the rollercoaster of your own emotions, as long as he makes it out alive, it was a success.

After Saturday’s thrilling match, I truly cannot wait to continue the ride.

002 Football and Futbol – Rule changes for the NFL

001 Football and Futbol – Pick an EPL Team