Recently I undertook the final stage of my mission. A mission I took upon myself to attend every type of professional sport in the United States of America. Since being here I have watched the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and now the elusive MLS. That’s Ice Hockey, Baseball, American Football, Basketball and “Soccer.” Just in case all those acronyms made you feel bleary eyed!

Recently I undertook the final stage of my mission. A mission I took upon myself to attend every type of professional sport in the United States of America. Since being here I have watched the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and now the elusive MLS. That’s Ice Hockey, Baseball, American Football, Basketball and “Soccer.” Just in case all those acronyms made you feel bleary eyed!

I have seen the Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers and Pirates. All of whom are really successful teams. I have travelled to Chicago to see the famous Chicago Bulls and recently I made the 3 hour drive with a group of friends to Columbus, Ohio, to see the mighty Columbus Crew play their opening game of the season in the MLS.

The drive through the farmlands of Ohio got progressively flatter as we approached Columbus. We were however not just going to watch an MLS game. We also had front row seats at another NHL game, which started an hour after the final whistle of the Columbus Crew game. A mad dash across downtown Columbus ensued as we rushed to make the New York islanders V Columbus Blue Jackets game.

Add to this the fact that myself and my three team mates were staying with a professional Ice Hockey player, RJ Umberger, and the trip was already gaining legendary status. My friend’s sister had married the captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets and they lived in a huge house outside of the city which would not look out of place in an episode of Cribs! Pool tables, a bar, cinema, sauna and indoor basketball court made this easily the most impressive house I had ever been in. We had a great night relaxing at the house before we headed out for a night on the town.

Saturday afternoon came and RJ had managed to get us some tickets just behind the Columbus dug outs. The lively crowd of just under 15,000 began to flex their lungs as the “ultras” in the corner away to my left had a distinct Hispanic feel to their support. Hence the particularly large Mexican population in Columbus. The film Green street hooligans has been very popular in the US, and a reference to this could be seen by a huge 60ft wide banner which had “Hudson Street Hooligans” emblazoned across it. Football culture in the USA is really catching on it seemed.

The standard of play was slightly lower than what I would have expected although it was a good spectacle with Columbus running out 2-0 winners. Some players whom I had played against for Pittsburgh the previous season were playing and they seemed to make the step up to the MLS look effortless. One comical note about the game, on each seat there was a card entitled, “Soccer, get to know the game.” On it were bullet point headings which explained, offside, yellow cards, goal kicks, corner kicks and what a foul was. Myself and my Finnish team mate Samuli looked at each other perplexed. But after being here for three years now, this wasn’t too surprising!

When then rolled on to the Blue Jackets game in the impressive new state of the art stadium downtown. Columbus only have two professional teams, so both games were packed with fans. RJ’s people again did not disappoint as we had the best seats in the house. He had been on somewhat of a scoring drought, yet managed to find his scoring touch early in the 1st period. After every goal for the home side, something very strange happened. A huge revolutionary war esque cannon would let off a thunderous blast to acknowledge the fact. After the 1st goal I stared at everyone around me with their hands over their ears thinking what are they doing? I didn’t make the same mistake again, when the 2nd goal went in I made sure my ears were firmly covered. My Finnish team mate then thought he was hallucinating, as a giant green bumblebee mascot was making his way around the stadium appearing on several big screens. We had a lot of fun messing him around and after he consumed a few more beers the situation only got stranger, for him at least!

The blue jackets lost in overtime to a golden goal, yet we had a great day. We went down to the corridor outside the locker room and got to meet the players, Rick Nash was one of the recent stars of Canada’s gold medal Olympic ice hockey team and Columbus’ star man. We said our farewell to RJ and his family and headed home to Pittsburgh. It was an exhausting weekend, filled with sport and entertainment. That seems to be par for the course in the country where these two entities fit perfectly hand in hand. NHL, check. MLB, check. NFL, check. NBA, check. MLS, check..... I certainly wouldn’t have any qualms about doing it all over again.