Soccer, Terps Soccer

After listening to the Maryland men's soccer team defeat the Tar Heels of UNC for the ACC tournament crown, I thought I might wax nostalgic about supporting this team throughout my four years in College Park.  Well, it looks like my friend Jason had the same idea and beat me to it on his own blog (which you should definitely follow.)  I, however, will post something I wrote up around this time last year (and would have posted to a blog if I'd had one)--when I took advantage of the opportunity to watch the Terps on the road in the postseason.

December 2009

So let's discuss my fanatic devotion to the Maryland Men's soccer team.  Actually, that can remain just a statement of fact—no need for dissection or analysis.  But, let me take you back to the origins of this peculiar affection ...

It was the second week of September 2004, about two weeks after I arrived in College Park.  I read in The Diamondback (the school paper) that the university would be hosting two season-open soccer games—the first of which would be played against the number one team in the nation, St. John's.  The Terrapins were ranked second in the pre-season poll.  So, it took me all of a second to decide that yes, I would like to watch  a match-up of the best two soccer teams in the country, for free, just a five minute walk from my dorm.  A little more research led me to discover the enticing back story of this game: in the national semi-finals the season before, the Red Storm (formerly Redmen) had eliminated the Terps.  So, now this high-profile game was suffused with drama, revenge, and a history of bad blood between the two sides—I had to be there.

And so, I trotted down to the track-ringed stadium that next Friday evening.  I was rather early (as I often was in those days), but already a group of students perched behind the goal in an elevated box of red seats.  I really didn't feel comfortable being in league with such dedicated fans just yet, so I took a seat in the front row to their left and watched the teams warm-up in the golden Indian summer evening.  Soon, the chairs around me filled with spectators—mostly students, who would stand during the game to overcome the horrible line-of-sight and depth-of-field issues a seat along the end line inevitably causes.  After player introductions and a tinny recording of the national anthem, the teams sprinted to their positions. 

The ball at center for the Terps ... and the referee blows his whistle.  The action is almost instantaneous.  This game is much faster than the one I played for the last four autumns.  One pass.  He dribbles.  Another pass.  Then another into the box, to a boot already stretching out ... Shot.  Goal.  Right in front of me. 

While cheering, I checked the clock—less than thirty seconds had elapsed.  As I marveled at the brilliant passing and effortless goal—a sublime series—I already knew I was hooked.  I decided to go to every home game until I graduated.  And I did. 

And tomorrow, I'll travel to Charlottesville, Virginia to watch them play our rival and sometime nemesis, the University of Virginia, for a spot in the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament.  We won it all last year, and three years before that--I was there. So the Terrapins are something of a good team, with a good chance of winning.  Judge this fandom as stupid or insane, or a waste of time and money, or just plain sad and lame.  And occasionally I will agree with each of those ... maybe.  But the thing is, I really don't watch TV, so let me have this.

Post Script:

On Friday December 4, we marched into the lion's den, and the team itself was chewed in its very teeth.  The atmosphere was perfect at the University of Virginia, our regional rival in proximity, in recruiting, in quality of education and reputation as a premier public university, in the length of our campus mall, and (perpetually) in athletics.  UMD lacks an in-state rival (Johns Hopkins providing competition only in men's lacrosse), but to the south of the Potomac we find one ready to respond in kind.  So, with a College Cup berth on the line, the UVA fans brought an intense atmosphere, while their team brought an impressive national champion-calibre performance.  They took an early lead and we responded well, but could not finish our scoring opportunities and went into the locker room at halftime without equalizing.  

And the Maryland Crew, boisterous from the start (tailgating helps with that), moved en masse to the other side of the field to confront the Cavalier fans head on behind their net.  A cheering show-down ensued.  But on the field, the Terps looked flat in the second half.  They gave up another goal.  And then failed to connect on a penalty kick—usually a gift wrapped score.  Before the final whistle, UVA scored again, to go up 3-0.  The pretty much shut us up.  All we could do was cheer for our demoralized players as we left the scene of the massacre in the heart of enemy territory.  A perfect defeat, and I'm glad I saw it. 

There you are.  The NCAA tournament begins tomorrow, and the Terps (who play on Sunday) have a smooth path to the College Cup.  Again, I'm still not sure why I care having graduated years ago.  It has something to do with once playing soccer.  But it's also about spending those fall afternoons (and chilly winter nights) mercilessly taunting goalies while watching the best soccer team in the country pull off win after win.  And bus rides.  And a guy named Sasho.  And the fact that UMD produces soccer players that go on to have successful professional careers.  Did I mention the camaraderie?  The group singing?  The traditions?  At least Jason and Maggie get it.