Five Replacements For The World Cup

By Lev Novak

So, the World Cup is over now, by which I mean America has stopped playing. I’d say “lost” but America doesn’t lose- we merely abdicate, in honor of the hard playing Belgians.

If you’re still watching the games, congratulations. You like soccer way more than I do. But the premature exit of the United States coupled with the unusual excitement levels surrounding the team means that many people, myself included, found themselves pulled into following the World Cup. It was a fun use of time, an excuse to get together with friends, and now what?

Glad you asked.

1. Baseball.

Want an American past time, where scores are only occasionally 1-0 or 2-1? Well, Baseball has over a century of history for you. Whatever major American city you’re near, you can count on a team or two to watch live. It’s the perfect lazy sport to follow in the summer especially because the games in the summer aren’t even as important as the playoffs in the fall.

Baseball is the background sport of kings, with a cherished history behind it. Plus, you can totally drink on a beautiful summer night watching the game and thanking your lucky, quiet, calm and upbeat stars. It’s a much chiller environment and sport than soccer.

2. Watch a TV Series You’ve Been Putting Off.

Did you find it thrilling to have exciting, serious television scheduled in 90-minute blocks? Well, binge-watching a drama you’ve been putting off (True Detective, The Wire, Breaking Bad) is a great way to replicate that, and you can totally turn it into a social event. I would totally re-watch those shows with you, and you can snack/drink through them just as well as any soccer match.

3. Watch The Other Teams

Desperate for more World Cup? It’s still technically going on for a bit longer, even though the United States has somehow decided to stop playing (not a loss- we don’t lose.) If you really enjoyed the World Cup, keep watching. And watch the European Championships, and the Champions League, and all the other things people do if they actually like soccer. Because, guess what: you may actually like soccer. And just because I don’t doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t.

Maybe borrow a friend’s copy of Fifa for your Xbox. See if it feels right.

4. Nap

Ninety minutes where nobody scores in the middle of the afternoon? May as well cozy up on your couch.

5. Play Soccer

You might as well, right? Play soccer, or anything at all, really. It’s the summer. It’s gorgeous out, and you may as well get active when you get the chance: you’ll feel better physically, and, at the very least, your Instagram will look a lot more athletic.

I know, I know: watching sports is a world away from playing them. But a sport like soccer is easy to start and difficult to master, meaning people of all levels can play together. And it’s cheap! You need a ball and feet. You’re already halfway there.

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