On an absolutely beautiful September Saturday afternoon in the new Soccer Capital of the U.S, fans young and old, from far and near, stood and watched as the two mighty soccer contenders fought out a tough battle for the 2002 Major League Soccer Cup.

The favored and patriotic New England Revolution and the Los Angeles Galaxy faced each other with a high sense of excitement and anticipation. Which of these two teams would go home the victors, and which would go home the sad losers? And most importantly of all, would anyone in the US care?

English hooligans recruit new members at high school soccer games

Typical of U.S. fans, they sat quietly and patiently waited for one of the teams to score. However, deep in the shadows of Gillette Stadium lurked a silent menace trying to infiltrate the U.S. Soccer fan base. They come from across the Atlantic, and they come in waves.

John Taylor and many Englishmen just like him have become the foot soldiers of the English Hooligans, setting a vicious and diabolical scheme in motion that seems unstoppable, given the recent increase in the soccer fan base across the United States.

John is a member of one of many of the various Hooligan cells that have found a home in the U.S. Because of America's close relationship with Great Britain and easy migration and travel policies, the Hooligans have been able to create a significant number of Hooligan sleeper cells. Their leader - a shadowy figure named Tony Blair - is believed to have given a code to set the infiltration in motion during one of his recent speeches to the United Nations. Since then, there have been increased incidents of seemingly normal people rushing on to fields and charging police at various sporting events.

The horrible scene following the Galaxy win

One recent incident that is believed to be a direct result of this imported hooliganism is a recent football game at Notre Dame where students disrespected all traditions and authority, and rushed onto the field tearing down goal posts and slapping the players on their butts and helmets. Police tried to control the crowd, but were caught off guard and overwhelmed by the sheer number of "fans" that were surrounding them.

John walks through the crowds of unsuspecting well-behaved American soccer fans. He waits patiently until Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz puts in the winning goal. This is John's cue. John begins screaming his love and support loudly. His words incite the normally non-reactive Americans sitting around him. They too begin clapping and screaming words of support.

Meanwhile, across the stadium, another Hooligan also starts to scream, however his cries consist of abuse and words of hate and anger. It is just one more example of perfectly coordinated Hooligan attacks at sports venues across the U.S. Soon the crowd begins to taunt each other and make obscene gestures to each other. When the game ends, both sides clash in the parking lots and on the field of play. Many people are injured in the melee, but fortunately none seriously.

Authorities admit that they feel helpless against this new threat to the usual peace and tranquility of a sporting event. The FBI has brought in several "Bobbies" from England to consult and train them on anti-Hooligan methods of control. So far the results have been less than positive, with the only known measure certain of success being repeated gun blasts to the head. It is hoped that before the Superbowl is played, the police will be able to disrupt and perhaps even disband the Hooligan cells. Only time will tell.