Native Houstonian here, though I'm heading north to Dallas for grad school. I've always been a huge baseball fanatic, but I got into soccer during the 1994 World Cup after being pissed off about the looming baseball strike. Mia Hamm and co's triumph also got me into it. Divide my allegiances between any team based in Houston (though the Astros rolled over and died in the World Series, the Texans are trying to get their QB killed, and the Rockets are going through a rough decade), and the Magpies. I hate any team based anywhere else in Texas, especially the Dallas Cowboys, and I have an irrational hatred for ManU. Got into Newcastle because of the fans and the city's architecture. Favorite player was Lalas but he's retired, so it's switched over to Owen. I contemplated rooting for Landycakes, but my best friend thinks he's gross because he's short and balding (we girls care about that kind of stuff) so the other short striker got the nod (though she suggested Becks because she likes blondes). I watch pretty much any football game that comes on when I'm home, but that's only every three months or so, so my parents record the matches on the satellite for me. I'm looking forward to the World Cup, though I'm not so delusional to think the US can win it, England have a chance (if they get their midfield sorted).
I don't use public restrooms anyways, unless they're in restaurants. My niece picked my name. Her dad (my brother) is into Liverpool, so she and my two nephews enjoy giving me grief. I wanted to change it to something having to with Houston, but I can't figure out how, so I'm stuck with it.
I figure that since this was started as an Intro thread, I might as well add to it. I am a very new fan of Newcastle United and just as new to Soccer. I live in Kenosha, WI which is close to Chicago. In November, I started playing FIFA 06 and picked Newcastle as my team (mostly b/c I love Newcaslte Brown Nut Ale). After I started playing, I found Fox Soccer Channel, and ever since then have been cheering for Newcastle. Not the best story about how I got into soccer, but its the truth. I am a bit disappointed that Fox Soccer Channel is not showing as many Newcastle games lately but I am sure as we charge back up the table we'll get more on. I also can't wait to see the squad without all the dang injuries. Really not much more to add
Welcome.......that is a very normal introduction to soccer story. Mine was during the 2002 world cup......it's a great way to go about things..and if you really want to dive into learning the players that make up the game..I recommend Football Manager 2006 for your computer...takes awhile to understand the games depth...but completely worth it!