There’s a first time for everything and this post will serve as the first of many for this, the Stoppage Time blog. There is a clear and established soccer community here in Lawrence and the surrounding areas and this blog will attempt to cover and address whatever may be happening within those arenas.

During the next few months, a primary focus will be Kansas’ own professional team, Sporting Kansas City. Anyone who’s been living in the state the past few years will probably know the team as the Wizards. You’ll have to bear with me as we all adjust to the new name this season.

This blog will act as a conversation starter for seasoned hooligans, new fans and those interested in or simply curious about the local adaptations of the world’s most popular sport. I don’t pretend to know everything there is, and that’s where you get to help. I will always engage readers and commenters in what I would hope would be intelligent conversation. LJWorld’s rules for appropriate comments still apply here.

In embarking on this, my first true blogging experience, I’ll do what I can to bring relevant and insightful information to you, the readers.

If you’re wondering how I landed this gig, I think that’s fair. I’ve been working with the Journal-World for about two years now. I believe there’s a soccer community we’re missing out on here and I’d like to start catering to it. I’ve been involved in all aspects of the game. I’ve played for more than 17 years. I’ve coached the game and I’ve also been the one with the whistle. Seeing the game from so many angles and for the number of years that I have has given me a solid foundation on which to build. That’s what I want will happen here.

I’ve followed Major League Soccer from its humble beginnings. I followed the 1996 season closely and was hooked after the first championship game went into overtime. D.C. United was my team. The combination of players like Roy Lassiter, Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno was remarkable. I also remember when Kansas City was the best team in the country in 2000. They were back again in 2004 but fell just short of the glory. Since then it’s been a battle just to stay in the top half of the conference.

I wasn’t born yesterday and understand the general feelings regarding soccer in the U.S. Taking that into consideration, I’m going to approach this by including a mix of the basics of the sport for beginning enthusiasts as well as some more technical information for the more veteran fans. It still won’t be for everyone, but it’ll be for anyone who wants it.

This blog will undoubtedly be tweaked and improved as the season progresses, that’s just the nature of learning. I’m excited to get this up and running and give soccer fans of all levels somewhere to converse. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions below and I’ll do my best to address them.