I'm Roger Bennett. I was born in Liverpool as a kid, I read poems, watch soccer and devoured

all the American TV I could find.

Starski in Hutch, the A-Team, I studied the love boat as if it was a religious text.

Gray up in England, I dreamed about America. When I wasn't reading Philip Larkin, the

Gen 2 surely deserves his own podcast, a worship Ferris Bueller, the Michael Jordan, had

a poster of the Chicago Bears and Debbie Gibson on my bedroom wall. I always knew I'd

get to America, I just didn't know when.

So in 1993, I moved to Chicago, and to say I struggled at first would be a serious

understatement. I tried to remember what my dad used to tell me, and what he still tells

me.

Well, you never know in life what's coming along. I have been saying that about Everton

for years, you have to look forward.

So, my dad's talking about my local soccer team, Everton. He talks about them a lot, because

in Liverpool, two things rain supreme, music and soccer.

My grandpa is an Evertonian, I am an Evertonian. It's a remarkable way to live life. You manage

expectations, you don't.

I saw my first Everton game at age 7, and I've taken each of my children to their first

game when they turn the same age. I love watching soccer, take me into the team meeting,

writing about soccer, thinking about soccer, and then that pressure affects your heart.

It allows me to feel human emotions, and actually numb to in real life.

So is it a nervy time? You know, happiness, misery, hope and hopelessness? Do you feel

dominant?

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