World Cup Distraction: Sorry, But It’s The “Right Time” For Us. So We Take A Look.
- EDDIE GILLEY
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
I went to a soccer match in Istanbul between two rival teams and I found myself chanting in Turkish for the home squad
By EDDIE GILLEY
I’m sure there are some Gator fans who are also genuine fans of the other “football.” Soccer for most of us. But once every four years, I find myself drawn to what the rest of the world calls the “beautiful game”. I find myself watching the World Cup.
I’ll readily admit that I am not a soccer aficionado. I know the basic rules of the game and thanks to some relationships with college players and other true footies, I’ve picked up a few trinkets of strategy. I can appreciate great play in any sport.
However, the reality is that the World Cup comes at just the right time. Usually, Gator sports are done. The seasons are over. The football season is still a couple of months away. There is only so much regular season pro baseball I can watch, and I’m a genuine baseball guy. So, I’ll turn to the World Cup for a summer sports fix.
I must admit that there is something to see thousands of fans travel to other countries to support their squads. I’ve witnessed that passion firsthand when I went to a soccer match in Istanbul between two rival teams. I found myself chanting in Turkish for the home squad and even marching in the streets after they won! It’s a worldwide sport with an appeal to almost every country.
There is even more reasons to watch this World Cup. The games are in North America. USA, Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting matches across multiple cities. The USA squad has an off chance to face England on July 3. 250 years after a much different battle, but still, that would be quite the spectacle, wouldn’t it.
There are world renown superstars on the pitch. Guys who are known by a single name. Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe. The USA squad may not have superstars, but they have an entire nation behind them.
If they were to pull off the incredible upset and win the World Cup on home turf, those guys would become household names as well!
It may not rival the Super Bowl for most fans, but the other football is a worthy summertime distraction. At least once every four years!
I’m with you about the flops ! But I’ve come to find it’s a TINY fraction of the game and the referees blow them off pretty quickly and everybody takes off running and then it’s up to that guy to make like a gazelle! …
I'm with Jeff about soccer. I'd add that I didn't believe any other game could surpass the NBA for players taking vicious falls from a pinky touch, but soccer does it. Seems like every time 2 players get close to each other, one or both fall to the ground, writhing in apparent agony, only to rise and run like a gazelle 30 seconds later.
a magnificent game with great traditions. The app for the iPhone is excellent wonderful sports writing. Unlike ESPN also when they show you highlights, they show you highlights without commercials.
The pace is different from anything else most of us are used to, but once you get into it, you don’t take your eye off the screen and you get to see plays, developed more overtime. The athleticism is nothing short of phenomenal. And unlike the much faster paced hockey you can actually see the Object that you’re trying to follow wonderful to see the stadium so full and the US getting rave reviews from visitors.
I love it every four years when the World Cup rolls around. You get to see the best players in the world at their peaks playing for the pride of their countries, not just for a big check. I love my Gator football but it's refreshing to watch a game with non-stop action, no pads, no helmets, no aggravating 6 minute commercial breaks every 10 minutes and the most unbelievably passionate fans anywhere. As for the scoring, if soccer gave 6 points for every goal then they would have 24-14 games too. It's just fun to step out of our comfort zones for a couple of months every 4 years and enjoy the best of the best.
Glad you and others enjoy it. At least bowling has some scoring. Thank goodness there is no penalty for running behind a defender in football, no penalty for a Home Run for hitting over an outfielder or no penalty for a breakaway dunk!