90 Days: Saturday, November 23 (Day No. 48)

(This is the time of year when the horse racing season for the Ivory Pine Syndicate is winding down, but the soccer season for the Rosevelt Soccer Club is gearing up. Here's a 90-day glimpse of the day in the life of a horse racing managing partner and soccer club administrator.)

Awoke, 6:08a

Listened to a Protagonist Soccer podcast, 9:15a-9:45a

Had to run a few errands, and listened to a Protagonist Soccer podcast previewing this afternoon's USL Championship game between Colorado Springs and Rhode Island FC along the way.

The folks at Protagonist Soccer do such tireless and good work covering soccer in the U.S.

Watched soccer, 9:45a-11:30a

After handicapping and placing rooting wagers on twelve different games among nine different competitions in eight different countries, I streamed a few different games in the background while working on other morning chores.

We're living in the golden age of watching live soccer in the U.S., and I've been watched more soccer in the last year than I ever have since co-founding our club in 2014.

Played chess, 11:15a-11:30a

Won an online game that started on August 17 against an opponent based in South Africa. I only have one game remaining from this summer before I restart three games in which my opponent and I will have 72 hours to make a new move.

Watched USL Championship, 12p-2p

Even though I've been watching more soccer than ever, I rarely watch American professional soccer. 

It's not because I'm a Euro snob, it's because I don't want my money or my time to support closed soccer leagues. (I also don't watch games involving any of the twelve clubs that advocated for the closed European Super League in 2021, and my EPL Fantasy team doesn't include players from any of those clubs.)

Anyway, the one exception I make is for USL games. 

This exception is partly due to the fact that the league's executives and owners are at least seriously discussing bringing promotion and relegation to their leagues, instead of just ridiculing the idea and minimizing the work of clubs that represent communities outside of our country's major media markets.

And the other reason is because USL walks the talk when it comes to giving underserved and underappreciated communities the opportunity to show off their passion, aspirations, and talent on a national stage.

We saw that earlier this week, when Portland Hearts of Pine released its inaugural jersey. And it was the case again this afternoon, when a club representing Colorado Springs (i.e., not Denver) defeated a club representing Rhode Island (i.e., not Boston or New England) in the USL Championship game broadcast on the national network CBS.

I can't think of another major professional sports league in the U.S. that gives Maine and Rhode Island stand on its own, instead of being hidden under Boston's or New England's shadow.

Sweatpants, steak tips in the crockpot, bourbon and eggnog, and a glimpse into a future when more clubs in more communities have the opportunity to achieve their highest aspirations--a good afternoon.

Asleep, 10:12p