So, it’s been a minute…
Hello again. I know it’s been a while since my last post, video, or podcast of any sort. Those that know me have seen me around on the artist formerly known as Twitter, but I haven’t produced much more than the limited characters allowed on most social media. There are several reasons why, but suffice it to say that work, home, and health balances (mental and otherwise) were a challenge in the last part of the year. I haven’t stopped wondering or searching, but I’ve definitely stopped posting about it as much.
Because of that, I’ll put this out there to talk about the coming year, my ongoing projects, and some more general philosophy going forth.
First off, I will be continuing my work on the NWSL and looking for a team to support. I want to thank the KC Blue Crew and the Royal Guard SG for their assistance starting this project last year. If time allows, I’ll look to check in on them and see what’s new (a stadium and a rebrand at least!) to see if anything has changed for the better (or worse) for the clubs. Additionally, I’m looking forward to talking to the supporters of the expansion Utah Royals and Bay FC following their first NWSL drafts and preparations for the coming year. The hope is to finish this series and select a new team to support by the end of the year.
Next, I’ve got several new projects I’m working on for lower league soccer in the US. Firstly, I’m going to be increasing my work on USL League One coverage with the Linners and Wosers crew as a part of their Outlets system. @OMABuhosOutlet will provide snippets, history, and news from Union Omaha direct to your social feed. @LinnersWosers and @LWLowerLeagues have a series of outlets no matter what team you support as well. Check out their work!
I’m also trying to do more media coverage for Union Omaha as well. I have a story coming out soon (that is long overdue…) on their impact with the youth community in the area. I’ll be looking to get some pictures and interviews as well as the team enters their fifth year of existence. Generally, I’ll be trying to get some more exposure for the team and the league.
With the growing discussion around refereeing in soccer, I’ll be attempting to take a deeper look at the people charged with maintaining order and fairness in the sport. I’m going to try not only to talk to referees and give their perspectives, but even to become a grassroots referee myself! With any luck (and some improved physical fitness), I’ll be able to give a perspective of what it takes to become a referee (it’s not as much as you’d think!), what on-the-job education is available, and how we can encourage people to become refs, or at the very least, recognize that referees are people, too.
Finally, I’ve got a couple of trips planned where I’ll be trying to meet with supporters in other areas and talk about the impact their teams have on their communities, how they became supporters in the first place, and what it means to them to love their team and the game in general.
It sounds like an ambitious year, and we’ll see if I can actually make it through all of the things I want to get to. But there’s no doubt that 2024 is going to be a massive year for soccer in the US. Everything from the USOC and MLS controversy, to the potential of yet another third division league coming to play, to the start of USL Super League and how that will affect the landscape for women’s soccer, there are a lot of things going on that will make this an interesting journey. I can’t wait to see as much of it as I can, and talk about it with as many as I can.
Preferably, more often than last year.
Ranting Blue Penguin Media 