Soares: Bring on Manchester United

July 11, 2011|By AJ Soares, Boston.com Contributor, Globe Staff

That's me at right when I met Manchester United legend Denis Irwin.…

That's me at right when I met Manchester United legend Denis Irwin. Below is a shot of me and the English Premier League trophy

New England Revolution defenseman AJ Soares is a guest contributor to Corner Kicks.

By AJ Soares, Boston.com Contributor

Hello soccer people. As you all know, Manchester United is coming to town. I am thrilled just like everybody in New England to be able to experience arguably the most famous club in the world coming to Gillette Stadium. But unlike most people, I am fortunate enough to be able to experience the spectacle from two different perspectives.

As the generic dude that I am, a soccer fan and coffee addict, I am wide-eyed at the idea of seeing Rooney, Nani, and Vidic, among others, play in person. These are the superstars of this year’s Champions League, English Premier League, and international soccer. Without doubt these world-class players will display why they are the best, and all of us in attendance will be lucky to watch. My first experience with Manchester United was as a child watching their Treble victory in 1999 on VHS tape, and I am excited to now see them show off their talents here in Foxborough.

Second, as a player, this is the experience of a lifetime. As a defender, my marking Rooney will be the equivalent of getting on the mound to pitch to Ortiz at Fenway. I am excited to measure my play and the play of my teammates against the best in the world. I know that we will be up for the game and mentally ready. With a lot of hard work and unity, I am confident that we can show well, and without question, the fans will be ready to show well too.

Obviously there will be loads of Manchester United jerseys, and as a fan of the club myself, I understand that people will be cheering for the superstars. But I will have a special appreciation for the people who come out with their Revolution gear on, ready to cheer on the home team.

See everybody there, and I hope all enjoy the game as much as I will. Go Revs!