…you should brace yourself for more footie-related posts over the next two months. The European leagues and cups draw to a close in May and that’s always exciting. But there’s the small matter of there being a World Cup this summer, you see, and that only happens every four years. And it’s going to be a doozy.

You also need to understand that my passion for this borders on a chemical imbalance. I’ve played the game since I was four. I started following professional footie as a teen in the late 80’s, well before the convenience of the Internet and you really had to scrounge for information. I have fond memories and amusing anecdotes from the last five World Cups, perhaps my favorite being the summer of ‘94 when I was in college and able to put life on hold for a month. I’ve spent the majority of professional life working in soccer administration. I’ve seen the US Men’s National team play more times than I can remember. I Was There when the US beat Brazil, for Christ’s sake. I talk a lot of smack, but don’t doubt my street cred on this particular issue. I’m more into footie than all the others sports combined and it’s been that way for coming on 20 years. Which makes me feel really old, consequently.

Anyway, I’m planning on doing a little World Cup primer, so watch this space if you’re interested. If you’re not, check back mid-July. I should have it out of my system by then.