I would not call myself a soccer nut. I would not say I am a soccer aficionado. I am definitely not a soccer hooligan, but I enjoy the beautiful game as much as the next guy.
Despite my lack of knowledge as it relates to soccer strategy there is something that I have seen that I think translates to every sport.
Winning a championship gives you confidence, and experience that raise your game to a whole new level.
Case in point: Real Salt Lake.
I realize I am a little biased having spent most of my life in Salt Lake, but hear me out.
Real was not exactly a powerhouse last season. They finished the regular season 11-12-7. For those of you without math degrees that is below .500. They lost more games than they won. They were worse than average.
I have long hated the idea of allowing a team into the playoffs that doesn’t even have a .500 record. Just give the No. 1 seed a bye or something, but if you can’t break even you don’t deserve a shot at the title. But, the rules are what they are, and Real made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.
On a side note I ...