The FA Cup Rap

Saturday ushers in the latest installment in the world’s oldest football competition. They’ve been playing the FA Cup in England since 1871. You know by now that Chelsea and Manchester United are the two teams left standing from the 687 teams that entered the competition this year. You also know that Manchester United and Chelsea finished first and second in the English Premier League table. Heck, you probably know what kind of underwear the players for each team wear. Manchester United and Chelsea. Been there, done that.

Seeing the two best teams in England square off in a cup final should send shivers down our collective spines. For some reason this one doesn’t do it for me. Maybe I would be more excited if each team recorded a rap video ahead of the game. More likely I would be more excited if there was a surprise team in the final, an underdog for the neutral fans to latch onto.

There is not. There are two teams that we all know and who know each other well. It could be epic or it could be an epic disappointment. Either way, it is the FA Cup, which means that we learn all kinds of things ahead of it. This year’s pre-match focus has featured a lot of stories about the new Wembley stadium, the expensive construction-delayed venue that has left some seeing red. For example, did you know that it features the most toilets of any building in the world? Even more than David Beckham’s new house. You can buy me a pint when you answer that correctly at your next pub trivia night.

There are many more facts about Wembley, including one that is a sign of the times. It is bloody expensive to attend the match and once fans are there they will have to pay through the roof for congealed meat in a crust. Makes you wonder how easy it will be to sneak in food, this being British Sandwich Week and all.

If you don’t hear many songs from the crowd on Saturday, there is a reason. They will all be text messaging. Hopefully they will at least text message some chants to each other.

As for the game itself, I think Manchester United will win 2-0, but what do I know? I have predicted every FA Cup final wrong dating back to 1871.

Daryl will be here this weekend to share the FA Cup experience with you.

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Category: England, World Football