Craven Cottage

Growing up, I always cheered for the underdog. I was probably the bane of everyone’s existence, considering my father played for the Redskins and I lived in the Northern Virginia area, when I would change team affiliation from the Redskins to whatever team was losing halfway through a game.

In the UK, this kind of switching around doesn’t really fly. (Not that it ever did at home, but I was more comfortable there taking the consequences.) When you commit to cheer for a football club in the UK, you better commit fully.

On Thursday, I went to an Fulham/Everton game at Craven Cottage, Fulham’s stadium. Despite being a Londoner, I decided to cheer for Everton, since their goalie is none other than the US team’s very own Tim Howard.

 As you may remember, I am pretty interested in soccer/”football” in the States. However, an English game is another thing altogether- especially the difference in name! People are much, much more intense about the game- think along the lines of Superbowl Sunday, every game.

 I had more fun watching the crowds than watching the game, I have to admit- and it was a really good game. The Everton side (pictured above) moved as if one organism, standing up, cheering, screaming, showing their support, all together. That could be another reason why Everton is now my favorite team- it seems like it’s more like a family than a fanbase!

 Even though Everton lost (2-1), I think I’ll keep cheering for them- and maybe even invest in some Everton kit. But you never know, there are so many more teams to watch- many of which have lower rankings than Everton.

For those of you who are completely uninterested in soccer/football, here’s another cool thing about Craven Cottage:

 The stadium is owned by hardcore MJ fan, so there’s a pretty iconic statue of him in one corner of the complex. Something you have to see if you are ever in London, even if you don’t want to sit through a game (but get there soon because apparently the statue is coming down)!