This season, the Premier League's US Instagram account, @PLinUSA, has been highlighting the passionate, diverse PL fandom from coast to coast, in the series Premier League passion in the US: Fans' stories.
Meet Cat, a Chelsea fan in Boise, who creates soccer ball planters in order to grow her love of the game.
Cat
"I was watching the 2014 World Cup and just ended my high school soccer career, so I needed to fill the void.
"Oscar and Brazil caught my eye throughout that tournament, so I felt so drawn to following him and his club at the time. From that moment on, I’ve been a big Chelsea fan.
"As a creative outlet and as a personal connection to the soccer community around me and online, I started creating soccer ball planters.
"I’ve never had a green thumb, honestly, I could kill a cactus. So taking time to build a home for plants while using a soccer aesthetic that I love, it's something special and creative.
"And now that I sell them too, it's allowed me to meet so many different people around the world, and so many different Chelsea fans like me.
"Back when I lived in Virginia Beach, I dragged my mom along to the Premier League Fan Fest in Washington D.C. and it was so much fun for the both of us.
"We met so many people like me, Chelsea fans to celebrate with. I love that community and the way it is so accepting and diverse.
"While Oscar isn’t with Chelsea any more, I really love watching the current team and players like N'Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta because they are such workhorses.
"I really appreciate what the club does off the field, too. I mean, of course I love that they win big trophies and always compete, but I have been so impressed with what they have done during the worst times of the COVID pandemic. Those sort of things really connect with me. Complacency is never an option.
"I’m someone that really embraces change. When I moved to Boise from Virginia Beach, I didn’t know anyone in town, but I just needed something different to challenge myself.
"There’s an element of risk taking that goes along with never being complacent, and I feel that in my own life and I see it in Chelsea.
"That’s how we continue to grow and how we learn what we can handle or can’t handle.
"Moving here without really knowing anyone, I rediscovered my love of playing soccer too. I wanted to meet new people with similar interests, so I joined some leagues and put myself out there that way.
"Whether they are Manchester United fans or of other clubs, hanging around with people that love the game is great – especially for the banter!"
