Union of European Football Associations Champion’s League games are the soccer fan’s gold. For a few weeks out of the year, the obligatory perusal of television’s daytime doldrums brings the welcome surprise of the world’s greenest pitches and greatest players. The soccer-loving minority in this country has beaten the argument over the sport’s relevance in the States to death, and although I am not ready to concede to the country’s soccer apathy, I have a less conventional argument in mind.
All sports fans, even those weary of the world’s game and its stalled American invasion, should tune in to ESPN2 next Wednesday afternoon. The second leg of the Champion’s League semi-final between Liverpool and Chelsea needs no introductions for the soccer-savvy, but for those who aren’t, I will say this: the game could represent an important battle over one of the last remaining bastions of loyalty in sports.
The daily headlines of the sports world seem to sound the death knells of loyalty—there’s the coach that bails on his alma mater for more money (Rich Rodriguez), the vocal star demanding a trade (Chad Johnson), and the sports diva who will flip-flop on fans and organizations depending solely upon wins (Kobe Bryant). But then there is Anti-Kobe, and his name is Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard captains Liverpool and patrols the midfield for the English National Team. In 2005, after winning the Champion’s League final in miraculous fashion, Gerrard famously spurned the deep pocketbook of the English powerhouse Chelsea. The Liverpudlian skipper would have none of it, and why would he? Gerrard was born and raised in Liverpool and his childhood dream was to play for his hometown club. Now he is the captain and has a European championship to his name.
But anyone who thinks that guarantees loyalty isn’t paying attention. Rich Rodriguez was born and raised in West Virginia and walked onto the football team, but after leading his team to just a game away from a National Championship berth, he packed his bags and abandoned town, school and team for “brighter” pastures.
Steven Gerrard, however, is different—at least we hope. It is important to note the difference between a franchise player (Lebron James) staying with a team because the team will do whatever it takes to make it so, and a player turning down better offers and remaining with a team out of loyalty. That is why this Wednesday’s game is so interesting. In many ways, Gerrard’s best interests lie outside of the city of Liverpool. The team’s owners—ironically two American entrepreneurs—have not endeared themselves to players, coaches or fans during their time in the front office. There is no clear answer as to who holds the team’s purse strings, and manager Rafael Benitez can’t with any confidence predict whether or not he will have a job next year. Throughout it all, Liverpool continues to struggle in the domestic league, often looking upwards in the table at the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Chelsea, however, has had great success in the Premiership and boasts an 80 million euro transfer budget with which to entice new talent to Stamford Bridge. Perhaps sensing Gerrard’s unrest in Liverpool, Chelsea seems to be renewing its efforts to draw him away from his home. Days before the first leg of the Champion’s League match-up (a 1-1 draw at Anfield), Chelsea manager Avram Grant added his own silver tongue to the chatter, heralding Gerrard as the best player in England and pronouncing his desire to have him on his side.
If Gerrard spurns Chelsea and other suitors once more, it will only be for one reason: loyalty. It won’t be for money or guaranteed success, but for a city full of adoring Scousers and a tradition that he has been part of since before he could even kick a ball. That sort of loyalty is beyond rare in professional sports these days.You don’t even have to be a soccer fan to take interest; you just have to be a fan.
