Soccer club FANS need to stop being so FANATICAL!

That's right. You heard me right. No, I didnt make a mistake in my title. Yes I am a soccer CLUB fan too. My favorite soccer team is my childhood home team "Atletico Junior" from Barranquilla, Colombia. I love them and I root for them above everything else. However, I am a "Soccer Fan" more than a "Soccer Club Fan." I think people who love the game should know the difference and should love the game more than their own club. I love the GAME more than a particular CLUB. You should love the game more than your club!

The inspiration for this article is the latest "Beckham incident" when the LA Galaxy played against AC Milan. In summary, Beckham signed a 5 year contract with the Galaxy but then had an opportunity to play with AC Milan in the MLS off season. When it was time for Beckham to come back to MLS, he expressed his desire to stay at Milan permanently. However, Milan was only able to keep Beckham until the end of the Serie A season and then he had to return to Galaxy since no purchase agreement was satisfied. When Beckham returned for his first home game with Galaxy against no other than AC Milan, many of the Galaxy fans boo him everytime he touched the ball. There were several signs criticizing Beckham saying things like "Go home fraud!" referring to his lack of commitment to the Galaxy.

Now, I understand that when you love your club team you want the players to love the team too. However, I think soccer club fans need to understand that we are in 2009 and we live in a competitive capitalist soccer world. Soccer players are trying to grab the best opportunity our there! Especially, football players in high demand like Beckham cannot give heart and soul literally to a particular club team! They might sign a contract. They might pledge their commitment. Hey, they might even kiss the club emblem and the jersey! It means nothing when a better team and more money shows up!

Let's make this more personal. Let's pretend you just got hired by a great company. They teach you many things. They treat you well for several years. You pledge your loyalty and express your gratitude always. You even say that you will retire in the company. Then a BETTER opportunity shows up! What? Better pay, better location, more vacation time. Now, you can spend more time with your family. You are not so stressed out. Wouldnt you take it? Who are you loyal too now? I am almost sure that your current employer will understand and if they dont then they need to wake up and smell the coffee!

Galaxy fans should be grateful they have someone like Beckham in their team! They should appreciate him while he is there because he wont be there for much longer. Trust me. Someone like Beckham is still in high demand. I love the Chicago Fire. I like how Cuahtemoc Blanco plays, but why should I be mad if he decides to leave? Or McBride? They are people like me who is always looking for better opportunities in life! Arent you?

So this whole thing about kissing the soccer club emblem and pledging your loyalty to the jersey is just flat stupid! Stop the madness! Love the game. Enjoy the game. Enjoy the players who are in your team for now because they wont be there for long. A player will say the love the team one season and then the next season moves elsewhere! It is sad to me that players cannot be honest with the press where they want to play for fear of the fans. Sure they need to be polite without disrespecting any team, but fear of fans? This is ridiculous! Soccer club fans stop being so fanatical! Enough is enough!

Love the game more than your own club!