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Happy Thanksgiving from the team at SBI Soccer

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Hello everybody. It is Thanksgiving Day, that day of the year you come to SBI looking for a soccer fix and find this familiar waving turkey greeting you.

It’s been another rough year for American soccer fans, so some of you might feel like there isn’t much to be thankful for. As painful as it was for many to see the USMNT miss out on the 2018 World Cup, there is still plenty for us to all be thankful for.

Here is what I’m most thankful for in 2018:

What I am most grateful for in 2018:

The SBI readers, who help make running this site worthwhile.

The SBI staff that helps keep the site rolling on a daily basis, and has helped us complete our 11th full year as an independent soccer news website.

The success that so many former SBI staff members are continuing to enjoy in the soccer world, including our latest graduate, Ryan Tolmich, who is now an editor at Goal.com

My 21st year as a reporter, a milestone that definitely makes me feel old, but one that makes me appreciative of the experiences and opportunities I’ve been lucky enough to have.

Year six of working at Goal.com, with a great team of co-workers who have helped the site reach new heights.

A growing soccer fan base in the United States, a fan base that is getting smarter and more demanding by the year, which is a great thing for the game in this country.

The continued growth of professional soccer in the U.S., including an MLS that will soon grow to 24 teams in 2019.

The chance to cover the Concacaf Under-20 Championships and get to know a talented and charismatic generation of young American players.

The chance to watch my first World Cup as a spectator after covering four straight World Cups, which meant being able to watch one with my sons for the first time.

Being able to watch Peru in a World Cup, and root for them along with my sons.

Last, but certainly not least, I’m thankful my family for being understanding about all the trips I take and all the soccer I watch.

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These are just some of the things I’m grateful for when it comes to 2017. I’m sure I could make this list twice as long.

Now it’s your turn. What will you be giving thanks for as a soccer fan today?

Share yours below (And have a Happy Thanksgiving).

Comments

  1. Thanks Ives. 8 years reading your stuff and despite the increased coverage of US soccer this is still my go too source. The growth of the game can partially be attributed to hard working reporters like yourself… after all, it was hear as a high schooler I first read about many USMNT players, learned the names of Americans abroad, and digested the daily goings on in MLS. thanks to you and your staff for all your work.

    Reply
  2. What I am most grateful for at Thanksgiving in 2018:
    – my German farmer parents survived WW2 & escaped to a very small West Germany village
    – at 12 I saw on ONE small TV in our village WEST Germany defeat Hungary in the 1954 WC
    – thankfully came to Portland, Oregon in ’54 with only 6 immigrant soccer teams in OR state
    – major achievement occurred in the 1970’s & the first Timbers sold-out their 30K stadium
    – our 2 kids played soccer because we urged them not to play a violent/contact sport
    – in 2015 & now 2018 the new Timbers achieving great soccer MSL results
    – GO TIMBERS & best wishes for a much better USA men and Deutschland national soccer teams and results

    ALLES GUTE TO ALL FROM OREGON

    Reply
      • Danke schoen 2 cents/2 Pfenninge for your sehr gute words!!! I should have also mentioned that SBI has been a WUNDERBAR site for all kinds of Menschen to learn about soccer and to express their very free US ideas and comments about the world’s GREATEST and fairly safe sport of Fussball/soccer!!!

  3. The majority of us disagree on here but I am thankful to be able to rant and argue with u all, happy thanksgiving

    Reply
    • All of this. Happy Thanksgiving to all the pessimists, optimists, “realists”, loudmouths, knuckleheads, and anybody else who has it in them to stick it through this challenging time in US Soccer fandom. Better days ahead!

      Reply

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