Alexi! Here’s the Start of Your International Fan Base!

By: Laurie | May 4th, 2007

A couple of weeks ago I ran into a kid in my state who was wearing a Ronaldinho Barcelona shirt. Later that day it was another kid in a Celtic jersey. And I was thinking, “That’s what MLS needs! An international fan base!”

Then (as I already posted about), I was clicking on random links and stumbled on a French blog dedicated to Cobi Jones. How cool is that? So there’s our start.

I’ve been communicating with the blogger, and he graciously agreed to do an e-mail interview about how he came to be a Galaxy fan. So I’d like to introduce you to my new friend, Charly, who is a student in western France. (And the translations are mine, so blame me for anything that sounds odd. Anything in brackets is something I’ve added for clarification.)

1. How long have you been a Galaxy fan?
I’ve been interested in the Galaxy for approximately two years, since we got an internet connection that allowed me to really devote time to the Galaxy.

2. How did you first become interested in the Galaxy and Cobi Jones?
I was initially interested in Cobi Jones, and it’s because of him that I came to know the Galaxy. My interest in Cobi began a long time ago, during World Cup 1998. [Which took place in France.] Like all the children, I had albums with stickers, and Cobi had me very much intrigued. I live close to the Stade de la Beaujoire where the USA played! We got an internet connection two years ago, and this brought me to where I am: Cobi and the LA Galaxy.

3. What do you like most about Cobi?
I am also a footballer, and I like Cobi because I have a little bit of the same style of play that he has, with speed up the flanks. I was especially interested by his play and his style of “American cool.”

4. What is the awareness of US Major League Soccer among the people you know?
Here in France very few people are interested in MLS. I know just one. (But i don’t know all french people.) When you speak with anyone about MLS, it’s
“- MLS, what is that ??
- It’s US football league!!
- They play football ? Ahh yes i know L.Donovan !! He ’s great !!
- You don’t know Cobi Jones ?
- Cobi who ??

5. Do you have any Galaxy gear? (Shirts, hats, etc.)
Yes sure, I have the white Galaxy’s jersey with the green band (nike), and yes i would get another !!

6. Are you able to watch any of the Galaxy’s games from where you are?
No, just the highlights

7. What do your friends and family think about your interest in the Galaxy?
At the beginning they thought I was a little crazy. Why be interested in an MLS club when in Europe we have some of the best football clubs in the world? But what my friends thought was not important to me, because I really became addicted to the Galaxy. Now, with the blog, they all understand that it’s important to me and they respect that.

8. Have you ever been to LA, and have you ever seen an MLS game live?
No, I have never been, but I am sure that one day I will go there. I would like to live in the US at some time in the future.

9. I see that you have several people who leave comments in French on your blog. Did you know them before you started writing about the Galaxy, or did you meet them through your blog?
Many of the comments on my blog are written by friends, but thanks to this blog I have met Bianca, an American student in the south of France who is returning to LA in June and who is going to become a French teacher in LA. We have really created a friendship between us [because of the blog.] And [I've met] many Galaxians!

10. What do you think about the David Beckham acquisition?
For me [the acquisition] is not good. Perhaps it will bring [good] to the Galaxy. That’s possible. But this player is more celebrity than footballer, and that’s what I hold against him. I am afraid that his arrival will change far too many things in the Galaxy, and that will create tension, particularly because of his salary!

11. If you could see one French player playing for the Galaxy, who would it be?
My idol is Cobi — I don’t have another preferred player. But a French player? It would not be Zidane. I would like to see [Chivas player Laurent] Merlin play. On the other hand, there is a French player: ME!

12. Is there anything else you’d like to add about Cobi, the Galaxy, or MLS?
Thanks to Cobi I have met many people, including you, some Galaxians (Linda, Rodney…) I hope very much that I will meet them one day. I find it nice that this passion helps me meet a lot of people. As far as MLS, I find it too bad that its development is difficult in the USA, and I hope that things will change because for me football is the best sport in the world! Another important thing is that Cobi will retire at the end of the season (and victory in the MLS Cup). But I will always continue to follow the Galaxy as closely as I do now.
P.S: Thanks very much for all Galaxians, they are exceptional!