The World Cup is arguably, if not factually, the world’s largest sporting event. With the amount of media coverage that it draws, even in the historically soccer-hostile environment that is the United States, they are bound to reach a few people who have never been exposed to it before. Such was the case in 2010.

I had never watched a professional soccer match before the 2010 World Cup, but thanks in part to Twitter’s participation in the proceedings I gave it a shot. Whether by mere coincidence or because fate demanded it, I happened to be a witness to one of the greatest moments in modern US soccer history.  Yeah, you know what I’m talking about. This one.

When it was all over, I had found my new passion. I’d always been a fan of sports–baseball especially– but the excitement and goosebumps I get when I see that goal replayed even to this day are feelings that have only been replicated a few times in any other sport.

Naturally I soon discovered the MLS and FC Dallas, and they have been my primary club ever since. Some people laugh and scoff when I tell them that the Hoops are my preferred clubs amongst my list of sides who I support, but they are my home club, and always will be. I was lucky enough to have discovered them in the midst of their run to the MLS Cup Final, only to have experienced the absolute heartbreak and despair that only a terribly unlucky bounce in extra time could produce. I had never experienced a disappointment like that before 2010. Nowadays I know that while it hurts to lose, the day after that terrible loss is just the first day of looking forward to the next match.

I had also never been a member of a supporter’s group before 2010, but now I’m looking forward to renewing my Inferno membership for the new year.

I may be new to the beautiful game, but it has come to dominate my sports consciousness, and I’m excited to be able to write about it for gay4soccer.