We lost 1-0 on Saturday. We lost to the best team in England but yet matched their skill. We lost to a frustrating last minute tap in goal by an unknown teenager that Man City probably forgot they even had. And we lost our position in the glamorous top four. So why is it that I am not sad. Because the Austin Eagles are not alone in the Universe. As the game kicked off I had to rub my eyes as the group of lads next to us started cheering for Palace. I let out a slight shart when he told me he shared my love of Eagles. Was this actually another real life Palace fan and not a friend of mine taking pity on my sad soccer love affair? I quickly launched myself at him with arms wide open and a funny tingling sensation down below. But hold on. What is that I see entering the pub. Surely that's not a scarf of red and blue. As I bellowed "Palace" at this new entrant, his piercing prey bird eyes turned toward me and locked on. He strutted forcefully toward me as I eased my awkwardly long embrace. Arms width apart, the three of us stood facing each other, unable to fathom what was happening. The electricity fizzed between us and for the very first time in my life I began to question whether Penelope Cruz and Jenna Jameson really would be my perfect threesome partners.
When my heart rate finally returned to normal I quietly sat back on my stool and glanced around me. Here I was, surrounded by my converted Eagle friends together with strangers who shared our passion. I hardly even registered when that last minute goal slammed into the back of our net as I was living my Austin Eagles dream. Unless of course you count me jumping in the air, slamming my fist on the table and shouting "you f'ing Manc twats" at the TV. I don't.
This weekend we play the amusingly named team Tottenham Hotspur and their equally giggle worthy mascot the Gamecock. The game is on Sunday at 7.30am. Boo. But as many of you may know by now, our beloved Palace convert Cindy Rho is actually an avid gamecock and will be hosting the game at her and Dylan's home at 11am on Sunday while secretly cheering for both sides. Please come over if you can.
1402 Parker Lane #3, 78741. If you get lost, call me at 5127843286.