My wife switched the family TV, Internet and phone service a few months ago to Verizon Fios. Previously we were with Comcast. The customer service at Comcast SUCKS and (I) we were waiting for an opportunity to switch.  One day the wife answered a knock at the door and a few minutes later we were scheduled for a Fios installation.

The point of this blog isn't to discuss the finer points or benefits of Verizon FIOS over Comcast (though Verizon has much finer customer service and an immensely faster internet connection) it's to point out that I have found a new favorite channel, the Fox Soccer Channel.

Now, on a Saturday or Sunday morning I can watch LIVE English Premier league football matches! For the uninitiated I know this may not be a big deal (depending on your opinion of soccer), but Comcast didn't have this particular channel and now I can't get enough of the international flavor, the stadiums full of chanting fans, or the speed and ability on the 'pitch'. It's significantly expanding the reach of soccer into American households and I welcome it.

Yes, these athletes are paid handsomely and probably have some of the same issues (re: steriods, HUGE paydays) our current stock of jocks have here in the good old USA, but man, I just love watching these guys play soccer.  It brings a little international flair to our house where most of the time I am forced to change channels between Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney.

I even have our daughters enjoying watching the matches. I use it as a teaching tool on player position, passing and strategy with my oldest daughter. With the use of the 'pause' and 'rewind' functions on the DVR I now have a little coaching tool. I find myself pausing, rewinding and watching in slow-mo different plays and explaining them to my daughter. AWESOME.

Anyway, now I have to figure out this whole 'Premier League' thing and how these teams play for what seems like months and months and how a team can win the 'Premier League' championship and how the other teams in 'lesser' leagues figure in, etc. It appears quite complex to this American but I'm sure some Brit out there could explain it to me. I do get the fact that they have a corporate sponsor...Barclays Bank. Being American and working for a huge international corporation, I get the sponsorship thing...

So far, I'm leaning towards becoming a fan of either Chelsea or Arsenal...but I don't know why..probably because they play on TV the most I guess....no way I go for Man-U...they are like the Patriots...just too dominant and 'everyone's' favorite. I have to pick a non-winner just like a true Philly sports fan.

Anyway, I also have to get a primer on the chants. I want to teach the girls how to chant like the hooligans on the telly.

Last Person Out.....See you on the pitch.