U.S. TRIP WAS FULL OF SURPRISES - EVEN PLEASANT ONES

Newcastle United’s just-concluded American tour was packed with surprises – few of which should’ve been surprises. In 10 minutes of conversation any of us could’ve warned the club that it’s insanely hot in the south in the summer, that Orlando is not fun if you’re past the age of 12, and that since 9/11/01 the U.S. doesn’t give visas as readily as it takes Visa.

But in the face of all the negative commentary across the blogotweetosphere, it may surprise you to learn that the biggest surprises for Newcastle in the U.S. were pleasant ones.

The up-and-down results masked a number of stirring step-up performances by players new or previously overlooked. Mehdi Abeid’s skills are raw, and he gets his share of managerial input, shall we say, during practice. But what skills, and what a steal. Dan Gosling is rusty but rounding into the form of something resembling a star. Sly Marveaux befits his nickname – the only question now is his durability. Anyone capable of a goal as electrifying as Haris Vuckic’s 90th-minute exclamation point in Columbus needs to play. Where is the club is going to put all these promising midfielders? Can we play an 0-8-2?

The pleasantest surprise of all, though – a surprise for the club, not us – came off the pitch.

It was clear from the faces of the players that they didn’t expect to see scenes like the one pictured above in the middle of Ohio. A lot of folks in those stripes aren't English. Earth to Newcastle: soccer people in America are getting a little weary of Manchester United and Arsenal and their boring synthetic look-we-won-again U.S. followers. As American fans cast about for a more genuine alternative, black-and-white is moving fast up the fashion list. That’s why this blog you’re reading has popped into existence; that’s why Newcastle United has joined the small list of Premier League clubs with national fan organizations in America; and that’s why this tour was a better idea than United seemed to know. It’s a goldmine sitting here. The club should keep mining it.

Newcastle United needs to come back to the USA soon. And do it right. With more advance preparation and a decent immigration lawyer, the club can bring a full roster, play in temperatures under 90, and win on the field as well as off it. We’re not going anywhere, NUFC. If you think this trip was a party - just wait.

Comments

[Jeff]

I enjoyed the match in Columbus and would consider myself lucky it was only a 90 minute drive from home. Even the weather was reasonable considering the oven we've been living in the past few weeks. My only disappointment was most of the players exiting straight for the locker room and not coming to the south end like Steven Teylor did. I'll forgive them.

Toon Toon!