Could the USA Host the Community Shield?

By: The Keeper
Soccer City FC

Last winter, the Premier League looked at the possibility of a 39th-game to be played abroad. The proposal was rejected by the FA at a meeting in February. Soccer City FC's newest contributor, The Keeper, adds another idea to the table.

America, get ready for the Community Shield.

If you have decided to pay and attention to this and put any thought into the above sentence then you probably are asking one of these two questions:

1. What is the Community Shield?
2. Who cares about the Shield? It's just a warm up game.

I want to make a proposal. What about this? Let's bring the Community Shield to America and see what it would do for the game over here. Before I explain, let's look at the history.

Since the 1908-1909 season, England's premier “Super Cup” has been the Community Shield. Over the years the format and rules have changed a few times but it has been pretty much always been the same. The match is contested by the winners of the English Premier League and the FA Cup. And is pretty much a friendly used to show off the new signees from the previous summer. Another interesting thing about the game is the fact that the game is pretty much all for charity. With the money from the gate and program sales, the FA gives the money to major charities. This year's match at the New Wembley Stadium will see EPL Champion Manchester United take on FA Cup Winner Portsmouth. It will be the first Community Shield not contested by two of the “Big Four” since 1996.

So why do I believe that it would work here in the U.S.? Well, let's look at simple things first. First off, we speak the same language and in reality we are the little brother of Great Britain. Then we look up and realize that we are only involved in this great game because of them. Had it not been for the English winning the 1966 World Cup, I really think many fans never would have come into the game and that would have caused even more “Footballitis” if you will. So how would we work this thing out in America?

It's not very hard to figure this one out. In America, we are a land of blest people and our stadiums prove that. They may not be perfect for soccer but by god, we have stadiums. We have Giants Stadium in New York. We have the Rose Bowl is SOCAL. We have Reliant Stadium in Dallas. We've got domes and OH yeah, I forgot we actually have soccer stadiums now. We have the Home Depot Center and we have Crew Stadium. We even have soccer stadiums in Chicago and Houston! Now that's something. Alright you have stadiums but which one should it be played at? I say it should go on an alternating basis like the Super Bowl, if it works out. But we have to have it in the Rose Bowl for the first game. It's one of our biggest stadiums and it's our greatest football stadium. It's where so many names were made and it would be a great place to start a new chapter by showcasing the best talent England has to offer.

OK, so now what do we do? We let the game run like normal. The FA still has control and they can do what they like with the money. If they want it to be for charity then that won't be a problem at all. Heck that would make people over here want to pay more to get in and that would raise you more money for charity. The game can be played at the same time as usual and it will just have a new feel and flavor to it. Instead of playing for nothing the players would have something new to play for. They would virtually play to impress and bring new fans to the game. That's what we need in America, a genuine chance to see players trying to convince them to become new fans. If you see good players doing something then you are more likely to watch them and become a fan.

In all honesty, I think that this thing can work out. America needs people to look up to and this is the perfect opportunity. I don't think that silly 39-game thing will work and I think this is the chance to branch out that the FA and EPL has been looking forward to. So, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and hope this works out.

What do you think? Let me know. I hope I did alright and I hope to get some constructive criticism from you. Thanks and as always, this has been The Keeper and I'm out.

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