In Love of David, pt. 1: COYW!!!!

I'm a Fulham fan. Make no mistake. But even the neutral has good reasons to root for Fulham tomorrow in the Europa League Final (if you can figure out what TV station it comes on...). Here's 3:

#3) Roy Hodgson

This guy is hands down the best English Manager in the business. Just watch the way Fulham play. Watch the discipline. Watch the way his wingers tuck in. Watch his central midfielders maintain there shape when going forward. Watch... and learn. Despite the fact that their opponents are individually better than them at almost every position (especially on the balance sheet), they WIN, and, more importantly, they win while PLAYING football. Why? One word: Roy. -- And you might as well get used to him because he's going to manage the 3 Lions next.

#2) Fulhamerica

If I had to make a list of the most influential clubs in the world in terms of advancing American soccer, it would begin like this:

1) New York Cosmos

2) Fulham

3) LA Galaxy

The Cosmos put soccer in America on the map. Period. And Beckham, Donavan, and the Home Depot Center gave a critical step (the creation of a strong domestic league) traction.

But Fulham did something atleast (if not more) important... They put American soccer PLAYERS on the map. It's not just that the likes of McBride (who has a pub there named after him and is literally considered a LEGEND), Bocanegra, Dempsey, Johnson, Keller, Hahnemann, & Lewis have all suited up for the whites, it's that Fulham has OPENED THE DOOR to the viability of American players in the EPL.

Let me tell you a story. A long time ago in a galaxy far far away... a highly rated young lad by the name of Landon Donavan moved to Europe at 16. He head a tough time, struggling to adapt, and ended up back in the USA where he would eventually become the best American player of all time (which he is, btw). The problem, he went to GERMANY, the only major European league to show much interest in American players at that time. He hated the culture, the language-barrier, and the hands-off professionalism of the football.

Fast forward to six months ago.

The same Landon Donavan decided to try his luck in England. He secured a loan deal at Everton where he flourished and proved once and for all that he is truly a class player while enjoying himself along the way. The difference? Fulham. By signing American players and showing that they can play, Fulham created a new demand such that other clubs are now doing the same thing. They are the Jackie Robinson of European Clubs. God bless 'em.

#1) DAVID vs. Goliath

In the cash-first world of club football we live in today - a world of billionaires, oil barons, towering debts, shirt sponsors, and eight and even nine-figure transfer fees - how refreshing is it to see a small club have some success? Fulham have beat the like of Juventus, Roma, Wolfsburg, Hamburg, and Shakhtar Donetsk (the defending champions) on there way to this final. Can you believe that? Fulham, who had to win on the last day to avoid relegation two years ago. Fulham, who spend about as much on players as Christiano Ronaldo spends on his hair.

Cherish this moment... because these days, it doesn't happen often.