One of the Best Events in Sports

NP: Depeche Mode -- Enjoy the Silence

One of the greatest events in sports is the FA Cup. They basically take all of the professional soccer teams in England and set up a huge tournament every year. So the top teams in the Premiership take on sides from the non-league Conference (i.e. Rookie League in baseball) all the way to the Championship (think AAA). The reason this event is so awesome, is that every now and again the top teams have a bad day and the underdogs move on.

Today, it came mighty close to happening. Conference Exeter tied Manchester United 0-0 and force a rematch on Jan. 19. Now, bear in mind that Man U. is the defending FA Cup champion, have won the most Cups since the competition began in 1871, and are easily one of the top 10 teams in the world. Man U. coach Sir Alex Ferguson rested his big guns, but in the 63rd minute he put in Ronaldo and Scholes, and then sent in Alan Smith with 14 to go.

Can you just picture this? This is like a NAIA or D-III school playing the Patriots or the Eagles to a 4th Quarter tie. This just does not happen. THAT is why this competition is so great.