I grew up like most kids in coastal southern California; surfing, being outside, and playing sports.  Soccer was something I played in elementary school with friends at lunch, along with 3 seasons of AYSO.  Playing soccer was something fun but at the age of 10 or 11, my understanding of soccer pretty much revolved around chasing after the ball within a certain area.  My dad tried vainly to keep me interested by taking me to NASL games for the California Surf and indoor games in Long Beach and even getting me to watch “Soccer from Germany” on PBS in what I can only guess was the Bundesliga circa 1981 or 1982.  Higher understanding of how to actually play soccer would have taken longer but surfing and sailing were more fun and soccer pretty much fell away from my mind before junior high.

The next time soccer showed up in my life was the 1994 men’s World Cup and the 1999 Women’s World Cup.  I saw as many games as possible and loved watching it, but then what was there to watch after those World Cups ended?  Eventually the LA Galaxy and later Chivas USA played nearby but with so many Lakers, NBA, NFL, college football, and baseball games on cable — and the beach right outside my door, watching soccer pretty much never happened.

Fast forward to fall of 2009. I’m newly married and trying to find new things to do with my wife Juliana (Jules).  We watched David Beckham’s first game with the Galaxy in 2007 (Jules loves Posh Spice and David Beckham) and a couple Galaxy games without much impact on either of us.  One weekend we decided to head for downtown Huntington Beach to have breakfast and watch a match.  The first bar we approached had no satellite working so we headed up the block to Killarney’s.  Inside we found 10-15 guys; all dressed in red, drinking beer, yelling at the TV, singing, and generally having an amazing time.  I figured out it was Manchester United while we ate breakfast and joined in the drinking, watched from the edge as the guys at the bar kept on drinking, yelling at the TV in barely understandable English, and of course singing.  Jules likes to drink beer but I couldn’t believe she was having fun watching sports on TV!  Towards the end of the match, one of the guys leading much of the singing, walked by and we asked,

“Where did you get the cool shirt?”

“Brought it from home.  Hey give me your email and phone.  We’re starting our own supporters group, we’ll have discounts on beer & food and we’re here every weekend”

And away he went. Victory shots followed the win and off we went.

On the drive home and over the next couple of days, Jules kept saying how much fun she had, that we should go again. (By the way, here’s stuff my wife likes: beer, fun, singing, and big groups of people.  What can I say, I’m very blessed.)

That next week we both received an email from the HB Red Army detailing who the opposition team would be and what time the match would start.  That next weekend we went back, watched, drank, cheered, but stayed off to the side but had more victory shots. Arsene Wenger was sent off by the ref during the game and decided to head for the stands to make a random but memorable game.

The next week she bought Manchester United jerseys for us on eBay and that weekend we went back, watched, drank, cheered. But this time we were recognized a little and we started talking with some of the group we began to know as the HB Red Army.  More victory shots.

One of the big changes came with the Manchester City game in September 2009. The match started at 4:45am Pacific Standard Time.  A birthday party ending very late the night before had Jules beg out of heading for the pub (as we now called it) at 4:15am.  For fun I set the alarm, loaded the bike onto the car and headed out.  Strange riding at 4:30am through downtown Huntington Beach, lots of people out and about and of course a lot of HB police.  Most of the HB Red Army had yet to sleep, as a big fight the night before encouraged everyone to avoid sleep if possible. And lots of hurting people were there way too early.  Being in California, there was no alcohol served before 6am, so when 6am came the bartender was super busy as the orders came in fast.  Michael Owen’s game winner at the end of what we had already come to know as “Fergie Time” sealed the victory which was followed by lots of different victory shots and a slow bike ride home at 7am.  Nothing like careening into the house and waking the dog and wife, reeking of booze, and being so ecstatic about a game that took place 6,000+ miles away on another continent.

I was newly married & found something new to enjoy with my wife, something nobody seemed to understand or care about but us.  This was ours and yet it’s something we shared with most of the world and with a few million Manchester United fans worldwide.

This time around the situation could not be more different. Both clubs are in free-fall, as Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League this week while Everton are sitting in the second half of the table. Liverpool’s financial and on-field woes have been well-documented, but Everton’s struggles are just as surprising. Usually a model of Premier League consistency, David Moyes’ men are coming off of a 3-0 league loss at Manchester United and the club’s ambitions for a new £400 million stadium in Kirkby have been quashed.  Moreover, the club has been destabilized through transfer and injury, and the downtrodden side has managed to accumulate a mere 15 points in 2009.

There are more compelling matches being played in England this weekend, most notably Arsenal against Chelsea and Tottenham away to Aston Villa in a contest that will be crucial in the race for fourth place. Yet the Liverpool-Everton rivalry is a staple of English football, and despite the lackluster performances of both sides this season a win in this match will breathe life into a decaying campaign.

For Liverpool three points are essential if the crestfallen giants are to truly compete with City, Villa, and Spurs for Champions League qualification. Steven Gerrard and company may find themselves playing Europa League football at the moment, but if they wish to avoid this trend in 2010 the red half of Merseyside will have to do the business against their Stanley Park neighbors.

However, this will be no easy task. Everton routinely play Liverpool well, particularly at Goodison Park where the Toffees are always capable of finding a late goal. Midfield battles will be crucial, and with both units hit by injury someone will have to step up and link with attack. With kickoff only hours away fans of both clubs are anxious with anticipation, as a loss could truly halt 2009-2010 Premier League success for either Liverpool side.

Despite Liverpool’s massive 2-0 victory over Manchester United one week ago, the Merseyside club continues to battle tumult and adversity in this early Premier League campaign. The Reds have lost five of their last six matches, including Wednesday’s 2-1 exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Arsenal’s young Gunners. Embattled manager Raphael Benitez continues to put on a brave face, but that task must be becoming increasingly difficult for a man who longs for the league title and is six points adrift of first-place Chelsea. The club’s boardroom struggles are well documented, and the financial noose has been tight ever since George Gillette and Tom Hicks took control at Anfield.

Even with all of these revolving problems, one player has continued to embody the the emotion and core values of Liverpool Football Club: Jamie Carragher. The 31 year-old Bootle native has come under media fire in the last two years, as the defensive stalwart has become a scapegoat for everything from Benitez’s tactics to the lack of progress on the Stanley Park stadium project. Carragher is often his own worst critic when it comes to his form, but his performance against the reining Premier League champions last weekend was nothing short of stunning. To many this notion will seem delayed, but I felt it necessary to point out the obvious because so few are giving credit where credit is due.

His youth may have passed him by and other players certainly posses greater tactical ability, but Carragher is in no short supply of effort and grit. His bone-jarring tackle on Michael Carrick last Sunday underlined this point, as Carra sent the former Tottenham midfielder face-first into the Anfield turf with a clean challenge in the area. Pundits were quick to point out Fernando Torres’ efforts on the day (rightfully so), and the deft touches of Yossi Benayoun. David Pleat certainly chimed in on the Sky broadcast when Carragher proved his metal, but the defender literally threw his body into boot and ball in the dying stages of the match to ensure Liverpool’s emphatic victory.

Carra: never afraid of a tackle

Carragher has been accused of suffering a dip in form over the last two campaigns, but make no mistake – he is the beating heart of Liverpool. Gerrard and Torres may provide the offensive threat, but Carragher’s steady play on the backline alongside Martin Skrtel is the spine of this club. Many fans will argue that Carra has become too inconsistent, citing the opening match of this season against Spurs as evidence of the centerback’s fall from grace. All premier players suffer poor runs of form, just look at Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. While Carragher undeniably has more playing days behind him than in front at this stage in his career, he is still more than handy in the final third. It will take this continued presence to give Liverpool three vital points against Fulham today, and if the Reds are to truly get their title challenge on track number 23 will play a large role.

Nevertheless, football’s collective stock has never been higher in the United States, as Major League Soccer has consolidated its brand and the league’s future appears extremely bright. Readers should bear in mind that MLS is only fourteen years old, and while the early years were marred by attempts to “Americanize” the world’s game (see club names like Tampa Bay Mutiny et al.), the league office has now created a single party line intent on establishing a viable form of professional football. The knock-on effect from the David Beckham experiment has exposed MLS to new audiences, and the league is now mentioned alongside AC Milan on Sky Sports News and in La Gazzettta dello Sport. Yet the recent success of MLS lies in the league’s ability to select markets capable of supporting true football culture.

There are many great sporting cities across the United States, but few are truly able to sustain the organic supporters subculture associated with the beautiful game. Lets face it, soccer supporters are a unique breed. While the gridiron faithful may claim that consuming copious amounts of red meat quantifies fandom, proper football fans know better. After all, the relationship between soccer supporters and their clubs is not forged by gross mass-marketing. Rather, football culture is a tribal experience that binds supporters to their individual sides through triumph and adversity. To see contemporary examples of this observe a football match in Barcelona, where a football club literally carried the language and traditions of the Catalan people under Fascist oppression. On Merseyside football is a distinct way of life, as lifestyles are determined by declaring allegiance to Everton or Liverpool Football Club. London, Rome, Buenos Aires – football culture is the beating heart of these various urban centers.

Major League Soccer took massive strides in cementing this type of fervent football passion in North America by bringing league play to the Pacific Northwest. That is not to say that fan culture in cities like Toronto and Washington D.C. is not stellar, but the obvious success of Seattle Sounders FC has raised the bar. Each weekend 35,000 supporters pack Qwest Field in an unprecedented display of support. There is no question that the chanting rave green masses have elevated the standard for supporters culture across MLS. If you don’t believe me simply scroll down this website to Major League Soccer’s glaring attendance figures.

Soccer City indeed: The Timbers Army

Yet despite the attention surrounding the Sounders, Portland’s 2011 entrance into the American top-flight will raise the bar once more. Simply stated, Portland has the best set of supporters in American soccer. Before the backlash begins, allow me to explain. Working in the Pacific Northwest soccer scene has given me a unique insight into the Interstate 5 corridor. From Portland to Vancouver, this part of North America is rife with football support that stems from large expatriate communities and local ties to the defunct North American Soccer League. Carrying the self-proclaimed title of “Soccer City USA”, Portland can bear this label because no other city rallies behind a second tier club in the same manner as Timbers fans.

The Rose City has not seen top-flight football since the NASL folded in 1984, yet PGE Park’s attendances swell over 10,000 routinely in the second division. In fact the Timbers averaged 9,734 fans per match in 2009 while playing in the United Soccer Leagues. This figure becomes more significant when weighed against Seattle’s 2008 USL average attendance. While the current Sounders are renowned for their overwhelming fan support, in the USL the club could not muster more than 2,500 fans on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Vancouver sold out Swangard Stadium regularly in 2009, but the current ground seats just over 5,000 spectators for USL play.

When compared with their rivals Portland’s home support is staggering, and the fan base is hardly composed of fickle members. The main supporters group is known as the Timbers Army, and this ravenous hoard devotes itself to vocally imposing itself on Timbers matches for 90 minutes. The TA is invariably contrasted with Seattle’s Emerald City Supporters, and while the Sounders faithful have backed their team admirably this season, this same fervor was lacking in the USL. Portland’s fan base is primed for Major League Soccer, and the fantastic support that is on display each week in the USL will thrive once the Timbers make the jump to the top-flight.

Part of what makes football such a visceral experience is the rivalry that surrounds the sport. The size of the United States and Canada makes traditional derby matches difficult to come by, but this is not the case in the Pacific Northwest. Once Portland and Vancouver join Seattle in MLS the North American soccer public will see mass away support for the first time in the continent’s history. Yes, a fair number of fans make the trek from Toronto to Columbus each year, but those numbers will pale in comparison to the away support in 2011.

The Portland-Seattle derby is of particular interest. With the two cities only two and a half hours from each other fans will be eager to renew this great rivalry. In the summer of 2009 the two sides squared off in the U.S. Open Cup and the atmosphere at PGE Park was simply the best I have encountered in North America. It was reminiscent of an English F.A. Cup match-up between a Premier League side and a relegated second division rival. Over 16,000 supporters packed the ground, and Seattle’s 1,000 away fans were a sign of things to come. The Timbers Army was incredibly vocal, orchestrating brilliant displays and waving numerous green and white checkered flags. Derby matches are crucial in developing the intensity of the American game, and Portland’s arrival will signal a new era in this regard.

Keita celebrates against Seattle in the U.S. Open Cup third round.

Lastly, the current Timbers side isn’t half bad either. In 2009 the club claimed the Commissioner’s Cup as regular season champions, as Portland went on a 24-match unbeaten run and led the USL First Division in scoring. Manager Gavin Wilkinson was named Coach of the Year, and club President Merritt Paulson announced this week that Wilkinson will remain on board for the 2010 season. While it remains to be seen if Wilkinson will be at the helm in 2011, one thing is clear: this is a football club that can make an immediate impact at the next level. PGE Park is an intimate football venue, and with renovations on the way this atmosphere will only improve. Wilkinson is a top manager, and there are a number of players on the current roster that could continue playing at the next level. Goalkeeper Steve Cronin was recently loaned to D.C. United for the remainder of their season, while Mandjou Keita set the USL alight this season by scoring 11 goals.

If Major League Soccer is truly going to become a top domestic league passionate fan bases are needed to support well organized clubs. While this concept appears relatively obvious, it is a much more difficult notion to master. Clubs like Toronto and Seattle have certainly done their part, and Portland will add another level of authenticity in 2011. After all authenticity is the key. Portland’s fan base is already incredibly loyal in the second division, and this zeal will continue to grow once the club is playing in MLS. Derby matches are essential in fostering passion for this sport, and once Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver begin playing each other in MLS a new era will be underway. For anyone interested in seeing the beautiful game thrive in our corner of the world this will be a decisive moment, and personally I can’t wait.

If you believe Liverpool manager Raphael Benitez there are few midfielders more suited for the Premier League than Lucas Leiva. After all, Benitez has spent much of his 2009-2010 campaign lobbying on behalf of the twenty-two year old Brazilian. Benitez praises Levia’s work rate and dedication to the team, all the while ignoring his glaring deficiencies. Liverpool supporters from Merseyside to Mumbai have been lamenting Leiva’s inclusion in Benitez’s first team since the departure of Xavi Alonso. Replacing Alonso was always going to be a challenge, but after Sunday’s dismal performance against Chelsea it is concretely clear that Leiva is never going to be the man for that task.

This is a player that is simply not good enough for the daily rigors of the English Premier League. Yes, at times he looks like a fluid player that is capable of stringing together a few passes. However, against the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Spurs he has looked entirely out of his depth this season. The Chelsea match was particularly striking. Leiva appeared tactically naive and physically inferior as Chelsea’s midfield bossed the game and easily pushed the Brazilian off the ball. Benitez has exhausted the English media by plugging Leiva’s ability to give his all, but after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat it is obvious the midfielder brings little more than useless energy to the side.

Moreover, this is not a new problem for Liverpool. Benitez has been attempting to integrate Leiva into the first team for the better part of two years. So I put the question to you, the readers of EPL Talk: is Lucas Leiva good enough for Liverpool Football Club? Is his style of play strong enough for the English Premier League? If nothing else English football is associated with pace and physicality, two qualities that Leiva clearly lacks. At times the midfielder forlornly wanders the middle of the park, giving balls away while simultaneously disrupting Liverpool’s offensive output.

This behavior has deeply effected Steven Gerrard’s play in 2009. Against Chelsea the Liverpool skipper was forced to drop deeper in an effort to link midfield with attack, disrupting his offensive rhythm with Fernando Torres. Gerrard is renowned for his forward runs and box-to-box capacity, but on Sunday fans saw little of this as Chelsea ran riot in the second half.

Of course Liverpool’s misfortunes are not the sole responsibility of one player. Jamie Carragher has looked his age thus far and Dirk Kuyt has been incredibly ineffective on the right during this young season. Liverpool’s internal struggles are also well documented, as owners George Gillette and Tom Hicks continue to drag the club’s reputation through the mud.

Nevertheless, Leiva’s lack of creativity in midfield is the most pressing matter for the Reds on the pitch. Summer signing Alberto Aquilani is returning to health and is predicted to make his first start for Liverpool in the Carling Cup at the end of October. Even if Aquilani usurps Leiva’s place in Benitez’s midfield, Liverpool will still need to call on the Brazilian down the stretch. Most pundits cite Liverpool’s lack of depth as the primary reason that the Merseysiders will not end their twenty-year title drought in 2010. The fixture congestion created by playing in four competitions will certainly test this theory, and Lucas Leiva does little to ease these concerns.

Are City fans being denied a true match day experience?

Fair play to Manchester City, Carlos Tevez, and manager Mark Hughes for a fluid performance against West Ham United at Eastlands on Monday evening. Their 3-1 victory inched the Blues ever closer to the pinnacle of the Premier League table, as City are now only three points away from pole position. Tevez not only showed his quality in front of goal, but the striker also exhibited grace towards his former fan base after scoring before West Ham’s supporters. The Argentine front man held his hands apologetically in the air towards the Hammer faithful in response to his controversial stay in east London. This rare act of humility is a stark contrast to Emmanuel Adebayor’s  disgraceful celebration in front of his old employers two weeks prior. Credit to Hughes for pulling all of these big personalities together and allowing City to play free-flowing and adventurous football. Yet despite all of these positive remarks, there is one glaring deficiency with the Blue Moon match day experience.

When approaching the City of Manchester Stadium the modern architecture and luxurious amenities appear suitable for one of the world’s wealthiest football clubs. Yet it was not all that long ago that this same side was playing in a historic and dilapidated ground. Before the likes of Thaskin Shinawatra and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Manchester City were a club mired in tumult and volatility. Nevertheless, this was part of City’s charm, and the supporters never abandoned the side – even when the Blues tumbled down the English football pyramid to League One.

While yesterday’s Premier League action against West Ham United was spirited, the change in atmosphere at Eastlands is disturbing when contrasted against the club’s time at Maine Road. Now I know what you are all thinking; this is just another bland article about ‘true’ fans being priced out of the game and the soulless nature of big-money football. Much has been made of the latter, and telling that story again would do little to stimulate conversation.

Instead I would like to focus on the physical configuration of contemporary football and how new stadiums are negatively impacting England’s national past time. Last week I watched Man City take on Fulham in the Carling Cup at Eastlands and was amazed at how different the atmosphere was from Maine Road. Yes, this was a Carling Cup match. Typically the least important competition for Premier League sides, the League Cup holds neither the prestige of the FA Cup nor the glitz of the Premier League.

Fulham's lack of away support not withstanding, the Eastlands atmosphere is a far cry from the Kippax

Nevertheless, every fixture maintained an electric atmosphere amid the grittiness of Maine Road, and this attribute was noticeably absent at Eastlands. I am not having a go at City supporters. They are one of the best sets of fans in Europe and deserve their due. Rather, the way in which Manchester City Football Club has arranged the stadium seating has ruined the club’s famed atmosphere. Traditionally, each football ground has a stronghold of their most vociferous supporters behind a particular goal. These Kop ends are etched into the history of the English game. Anfield will forever be associated with the Spion Kop, Villa Park with the Holte End, and Chelsea with the Shed End.

At Maine Road the word “Kippax” held a powerful connotation with City supporters and away fans alike. Unlike most clubs that build their Kops at the end of the pitch, the Kippax was a massive stand that ran parallel to the touchline. It was undeniably intimidating, and housed some of the most passionate football fans in the sport’s history. The Kippax could generate an overwhelming amount of noise that promptly quieted any away support. Moss Side was an incredibly dodgy place to visit, and Maine Road was the crown jewel of this notorious district.

Obviously the new-look City has been rebranded for the financially booming Premier League. Hillsborough and the Taylor Report changed the manner in which fans of the English game observed football forever. However, many of the top grounds in the country retained their atmospheres even after the tragic events of April 15, 1989. Maine Road was among these venues, begging the question, what exactly changed when the Blues relocated to Eastlands?

City's famed Kippax Stand

The answer is startlingly simple. Rather than reestablishing the girth and reputation of the Kippax stand, City opted for new age stadium configuration. If you go to Eastlands today to take in a match you will find that there is no traditional Kop end. Instead the supporters that grew up on the Kippax have been relocated to the corner section between the Colin Bell Stand and the North Stand. This leaves City’s most energetic fans sandwiched against the main stand and the opposing side’s supporters. Instead of the cross-pitch banter that takes place between two sets of fans in most grounds, Eastlands creates an indiscernible din from the northwest corner. Additionally, the security of this setting is questionable, as during high-profile encounters both sets of supporters attempt to get at one another across the police line. This has proven to be problematic in the Manchester derby and against the likes of PSG in the UEFA Cup.

Unfortunately this type of maneuver is becoming too common with new English stadiums, as grounds like the Riverside, Pride Park, and the Stadium of Light are now devoid of a traditional English atmosphere. These grounds lack a proper Kop setting, and while fan bases at these clubs (particularly City) are strong, the charm associated with Maine Road or Roker Park is gone. In its place is a synthetic style of match day experience that provides little sustenance for those of use that remember the rusty roof over the Kippax.

Though Beckford and Leeds fell short, the Yorkshiremen proved up to the challenge against Liverpool.

Somewhere between Leeds and Manchester on the M62 I was able to truly digest my four-day jaunt back to my native land for the third round of the Carling Cup. Working in football in the United States is a great privilege, and in Pacific Northwest the advent of Seattle Sounders FC has been a revelation for Major League Soccer. However, there is simply no substitute for a strong dose of the English game. As soon as I got off the plane and began preparing for the third round tie between Leeds United and Liverpool old emotions began flooding back.

Long before kickoff all of Yorkshire was buzzing with conversation about this massive fixture. I was reminded of match-ups between these storied northern clubs that took place during my childhood. There were numerous references to Mark Viduka, Tony Yeboah, and other Leeds legends that put Liverpool to the sword in ‘the good old days’. Despite the fact that Leeds and Liverpool had not played one another in five years, the atmosphere on match day was strangely familiar. Leeds city centre was stuffed with United supporters, as many of the old guard came out of the woodwork for this unique encounter. In every pub classic anthems like “In Your Liverpool Slums” and “Only Sing When You’re Stealing” echoed in jubilation, and I had to be careful to conceal my Liverpool leanings. My father and his mates reveled in my discomfort, and after several hours of banter the supporters began boarding coaches for Elland Road.

Predictably, the motorway resembled a car park, and the heavily inebriated Leeds mob forced the doors of the coach open in mid traffic. A sea of white and blue washed over the road, and in the distance Elland Road loomed ominously over the eager supporters. While this historic football ground is revered by the Leeds faithful, away fans approach Elland Road with caution during their respective visits. This was no different for the red and white clad Liverpool horde, and a large police presence was on hand to snuff out any trouble. As helicopters circled the ground with their spotlights aimed at the hooligan element, my large party of family and friends dipped inside the Peacock for one last pint before kickoff.

Fortress Elland Road

The atmosphere in the pub and around the ground was simply electric. It was as if the years had been rolled back to reveal a fixture between two of the top teams in England competing for Champions League positioning. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Prior to the match, Leeds United manager Simon Grayson stated that he did not want his side to be distracted from the League One campaign. While this one-off fixture with Liverpool presented a wonderful opportunity for Leeds, Grayson wisely played down the Carling Cup tie to keep his side on task. Leeds are two leagues and forty places below their Scouse counterparts in the English football pyramid, and few were expecting the Yorkshire club to push Liverpool.

Yet as the supporters filed into the ground there was a sense that Leeds were truly up for this big occasion. The Elland Road end was filled with 7,000 Liverpool supporters, as the boisterous Mereysiders stretched from the Lowfields paddock all the way to the West Stand. While these individuals delivered a powerful rendition of “The Fields of Anfield Road”, Leeds United’s supporters refused to be outdone and responded in kind with an overwhelming version of “Marching on Together”. These competing sets of supporters created a cacophony of noise, and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher hailed the atmosphere as, “One of the best in England.”  Leeds routinely draw over 25,000 people to League One matches, but on this occasion Elland Road was packed to the hilt with a capacity crowd of 40,000 on hand. The noise inside the stadium was hair raising, and United’s form on the pitch only increased the fervor.

Unlike many lower league sides that encounter Premier League opposition in cup ties, Leeds did not panic against the likes of Carragher, Javier Mascherano, and Ryan Babel. Liverpool manager Raphael Benitez was even forced to bring on Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson in the later stages of the match, while Fernando Torres eagerly roamed the touchline. Leeds played their usual brand of dynamic football, maintaining consistent build-up through the midfield and feeding the ball to star target man Jermaine Beckford. The Whites attacked beautifully, and on 13 minutes Beckford headed the ball towards Luciano Becchio who placed an attempt into the back of the Liverpool net. With an early 1-0 lead, United supporters shook the stands with their emphatic celebrations. Unfortunately, the center official waived the goal off after the linesman declared both Beckford and Becchio offside. Television replay revealed that this call was inaccurate and that the goal was indeed valid, but Leeds could do nothing to plead their case.

While United mounted several other scoring opportunities, including a point blank attempt on goal by Beckford, Leeds were unable to find the back of the net again. Liverpool withstood the pressure and claimed a 1-0 lead through David Ngog in the 66^th minute, sending the away end into raucous scenes of merriment. The Merseysiders retained their lead until the final whistle, but Leeds proved their worth against one of the top sides in the country. Grayson could not hide his admiration after the match, stating, “Nobody expected us to win this game apart from the players in our dressing room and, if you speak to them, they’re gutted.”

The Carling Cup is often viewed as an inferior competition contrasted with league and FA Cup campaigns, but you wouldn’t know that at Elland Road on Tuesday evening. Leeds supporters left the stadium with their heads held high and a feeling of satisfaction, knowing that their side played with the grit and pride that is associated with their iconic white shirt. Liverpool boss Raphael Benitez hailed the home support in his first appearance at Elland Road, and the Anfield manager appeared relived to have claimed a result at the end of the night.

A worthy applause for the Yorkshire Whites.

Although I was off to Eastlands the next day to see Manchester City take on Fulham in continued Carling Cup action, the conversation revolved around Leeds’ performance late into the night. At Del Rio’s Italian restaurant in York (a regular finishing point for my football group), United supporters lamented missed opportunities, but ultimately there was a feeling of pride in the club’s efforts. For a side that has been relegated twice in four years and suffered a fifteen-point deduction, this was indeed a good thing.

Leeds supporters are many things but no one can accuse them of disloyalty. As the club anthem states, “We’ve been through it all together, and we’ve had our ups and downs.” For now it seems that the downward spiral may have ended, and if Leeds can continue to maintain pole position in League One, it may not be too long before Liverpool return to Elland Road.

However, a temporary shot at redemption has been offered to the Yorkshire giants from an unlikely source: the Carling Cup. Often overlooked as a lesser competition by Premier League outfits, the League Cup presents an opportunity for clubs outside the English topflight to claim a prominent piece of silverware. While the big boys of English football are suffocated by fixture congestion, clubs in the remaining Football League divisions are ready to take advantage of their opportunities. Typically League Cup fixtures don’t become enticing until the fourth round of the competition, but this year the third round presents an array of intriguing match-ups.

Headlining the fixture list is the September 22 contest between Leeds United and Liverpool Football Club. I will be covering this captivating encounter live from Elland Road for EPL Talk, as the two northern sides have not met since 2004. This is a match that is weighted in history and tradition, and for me personally the game is extremely significant. My father is a life-long Leeds supporter, and he has been a season ticket holder at Elland Road for over thirty years. Meanwhile I represent a Scouse contingent of the family that is partial to Liverpool FC, and tensions will be running high in my family on match day.

This fixture was once a marquee match-up in the English First Division, featuring names like Keegan, Bremner, Giles, Dalglish, and Lorimer. Bill Shankly famously managed his last match as Liverpool gaffer against Brian Clough’s controversial Leeds United side in the 1974 Community Shield. While Liverpool claimed a result on penalties, this match is often remembered for the bloody altercation between Kevin Keegan and Billy Bremner. These two clubs were among the most dominant teams on the continent throughout this era, as Leeds captured the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup twice and Liverpool began their assault on the European Cup.

Even as the game moved into the Premier League era, Leeds-Liverpool matches produced an array of memorable moments. Mark Viduka scored a hat trick against the Merseysiders at Elland Road in 2000, while one year later Gerard Houllier suffered a heart attack at Anfield against the Yorkshire club. There was even a certain degree of crossover between the two clubs, as Kop idols Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler both spent time at Elland Road. Even until United’s relegation to the Championship in 2004 these two clubs were often jockeying for Champions League eligibility, with several current Premier League stars (Ferdinand, Keane, Bowyer, etc.) propelling Leeds onward.

Today the mighty Whites can be seen playing the likes of Walsall and Stockport County, but with Elland Road sold out for Tuesday’s match this Carling Cup third round tie will be a high-profile encounter between old foes. Having nearly returned to the Championship during the past two seasons, Leeds appear primed to rise from the ashes this campaign. Currently tied for first place atop League One, Simon Grayson’s side may just be able to take advantage of a harried Liverpool squad. Currently Steven Gerrard and company are competing in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League while simultaneously attempting to get their Premier League campaign back on track.

Leeds United are led Jermaine Beckford, the top scorer in the Football League over the past two seasons. While highly touted winger Fabian Delph departed for Aston Villa in the transfer season, the Whites have had little trouble scoring goals in the early portion of the season. Whatever happens EPL Talk will be there to bring you live coverage of the match, so be sure to check back in following Tuesday’s action.