About Me

Hello, I'm Mayumi Hauser, the mind behind More Than a Game. I've been a passionate soccer fan since 2019.

 

​Growing up, I was fairly sporty—I did swimming, softball, ballet, and tap dance—but I wouldn't have considered myself a sports fan. I was more into learning. School wasn't something I really dug as a kid, funnily enough, but like I said, I loved to learn—about history, to be exact. I've always been fascinated by the events, people, and decisions of the past, and how they've shaped the world we live in today.

 

 In 2019, I stumbled upon Tottenham Hotspur, an English soccer club, while researching Asian athletes. That's how I discovered Son Heung-min, a South Korean player who was a part of the team at the time. Out of curiosity, I watched highlights of Tottenham's UEFA Champions League semi-final against AFC Ajax—and from that point on I was hooked. It wasn't just the excitement or thrill of the game that drew me in—it was the story behind each match. Tottenham vs. Ajax was a battle of the underdogs: Tottenham who hadn't won a European trophy since 1984, against Ajax, a team of young players who had felled the three-time reigning champions Real Madrid and hadn't won a European trophy since 1995. Both teams entered that game dreaming of a ticket to the final.

 

​As time's gone one, my interest in history has merged with my love of soccer. I've become fascinated by the stories that go beyond the pitch—events and moments in soccer history that reveal how deeply the sport is tied to culture, politics, and identity.

 

​Anyone who knows me can attest to my endless passion for soccer and its influence beyond the pitch. That's what inspired More Than a Game—a space for me to share my two greatest passions: history and soccer, and share them with the world.

 

​So, stick around and join me as I explore soccer beyond the pitch.