(Photo Credit: Ella Hall)
A year ago I would’ve said I hated soccer.
I hated the simplicity of the sport. I hated the fake injuries. I hated the low-scoring games.
I had the typical U.S. response to soccer: “American football is the real sport. Soccer is boring.”
Today, I had tears in my eyes watching the U.S. men’s soccer team play France at the Olympics.
I felt passion for the sport I’ve come to love. I felt adrenaline run through my blood as the players ran onto the field. My heart was beating with enthusiasm and zeal.
You may ask, “What changed?”
Well, I joined the Reveille newspaper as a sports reporter in the fall of 2023. I had been denied a position twice and worked at the news section instead.
When I was accepted to sports, I was just happy to finally be a part of the team and was eager to cover anything.
For my first beat, I was of course assigned the sport I believed was dull: soccer.
Quickly, I decided to get rid of the negative beliefs I had for the sport, opening up my heart and mind to learn something new.
Before LSU’s soccer season started, I studied rigorously. I watched old game film from LSU, learning different defensive formations and positions. I wrote down terms I needed to know and was ready to cover the sport I thought I “hated.”
As I went to more games, something shifted. I couldn’t cheer in the press box, but I started to lean forward with hope when an LSU player drove up the field and shot at the goal. I had an urge to yell at the referees after multiple bad calls.
I know an unbiased journalist shouldn’t say this, but I became a fan of the team. After each post-game interview with the head coach, I built an understanding for this sport that is so much more than kicking a ball.
Throughout the fall season, I watched all Southeastern Conference teams play. I’d scout the best players that might give LSU trouble in future games. I immersed myself into this world of college soccer.
I took it a step further and started to watch the Premier League, Champions League, Men’s League Soccer and the U.S. Women’s National Team.
It had everything I loved about American football: passion, rivalries and underdog upsets.
I was only touching the surface of a sport with so much tradition and culture; I needed to learn more.
I followed my favorite players, learned the different rules of each league and tracked each team’s total points.
Not having any connection to the sport, I randomly picked Arsenal as my favorite club and right away knew to hate Tottenham Hotspur. I loved waking up early to watch games.
Back on the LSU side, I finished covering the season and knew I’d be back next season.
I’ve always aspired to work in sports. But a new dream of mine is to cover an international sport. What better one to work in than the biggest sport globally.
After getting accepted to the Olympics Project, I was ecstatic that I’d see a soccer match live.
When the day came, it was everything I dreamed.
Fans were screaming, singing and cheering with the same passion I know and love from Tiger Stadium.
The French fans engaged with us and taunted us each time France scored. I laughed at the little boys in the seat behind us booing the American team, knowing the passion starts so young.
I cheered for the U.S. to beat France, and despite the loss, I cherished the experience. I knew It wouldn't be the last time I saw a professional soccer game in person.
I used to hate this sport, but my love for it started from being thrown into the unknown.
I’m grateful for embracing a sport I once mocked because growth is one of the biggest rewards in this life.
As of right now, I hate watching golf and know nothing about the sport.
I’ll check back in a year.
