Are you ready for some Futbol?  It’s that “foreign” brand of action focused around maneuvering a black-and-white round-ball rather than an oblong pigskin with stitches. Furthermore, it’s decided on a pitch rather than a gridiron, and is designated a match as opposed to a game. There is no trophy or Super Bowl; instead a cup, plus your team can never get more than one point at a time. It’s top-of mind for me these next few days with the College Cup in Santa Barbara and the MLS Cup in Atlanta.

This year’s College Cup developed into primarily a BIG Ten tournament plus the Akron Zips. My Indiana Hoosiers are the the top remaining seed, so I had to see them inaction. They’ve won this 8 times already and I’ve followed them on TV and radio, hoping to make up for recent dismal I.U. basketball and football seasons. My Alma Mater was also once a powerhouse in swimming, diving, and track, with many Olympic Gold Medal conquests. I tend to follow the sport that favors my chances of winning; a true fair-weather fan! That’s also why I’m in sunny Santa Barbara. Go Hoosiers!

Futbol, in general, has gotten much more respect in recent years and certainly after the advent ofcable and conference networks. ESPN will carry these games, so watch for me in the IU crowd. I’ll be dressed in red, but so will Maryland fans. An undefeated I.U.squad got to the finals last year and lost to Stanford in a painful kick-off. Can we flash the Victory sign and make it 9?

Other Portland Futbol fans are headed to Atlanta, and 72,000 seat Mercedes Benz Stadium. TheTimbers have sent a long log ahead of their fans, hoping that many slices will be sawn off by Timber Joey’s chainsaw. Slice equals Goal for those not familiar with this ritual. Unfortunately, the home pitch makes the Atlanta United a heavy favorite, but the match still has to be played.

I’m coming back early from Santa Barbara for my wife’s Holiday Party so I can’t make Sunday’s game, regardless of the outcome of the Hoosiers and Turtles. Does anybody need a ticket? I’ll also be in the air for the important IU basketball game against rival Louisville, another  round-ball battle. I should get back on the ground in time for the Timbers’ game that is part of the evening’s entertainment at her company event. In fact, her TV station is carrying the match-up for all the marbles.

When I go to bed Saturday night I’ll know three answers: Will I be buying another Timbers scarf to hang on my office wall? Will I be ready for some more college futbol on Sunday or will our season be over? Finally, will the Hoosier basketball team be able to beat Louisville in my favorite collegiate sport?

Caleb Porter, who guided the Portland Timbers to the 2015 Championship game, played at Indiana,and coached at Akron. That is the extent of my soccer knowledge, inhibited by the fact that the game was even more “foreign” when I was a kid of the 50s and 60s. Indiana has already defeated both the Maryland Terrapins and Michigan State Spartans, the other two BIG contenders for the prestigious College Cup. I’m always up for good college sports hence the reason for my spur-of-the-moment excursion to Santa Barbara, the host city. The total cost was less than $400.

My first memorable soccer experience dates back to the mid-80s and a radio station promotion involving an exhibition match by the Chicago Sting? I had a hat autographed by all the  players that I framed and gave to my son. He did engage in some soccer, but mostly raced BMX bikes, played rugby, and competed in swimming & diving. Soccer was not a big part of his life either. I’ve been to a couple of Timber’s matches here in Portland, but mostly try to tune-in. It’s the festivities around the game that sparked my interest with the waving of scarves, chants, songs, and chainsaw noises. I‘ll be interested to see how the college crowds compare?

Unfortunately, it turned out to be a long night for us Hoosier futbol fans. Despite numerous attempts, nothing got past the Maryland goalkeeper. The Terrapins scored twice to claim a spot in the championship game against Akron. The I.U pep band was the highlight of the evening, being the only team with this level of student support. Nonetheless, the tournament shutout or whitewash streak came sadly to an end, and Maryland will play again on Sunday, once I’m safely settled back in chilly Portland.