As a result of this World Cup, I know I’m much more likely to watch soccer on TV now, whether it’s my hometown Philadelphia Union or a Premier League game between Manchester City and Chelsea. It was fun. I actually enjoyed watching each game (well, except for Argentina vs. Netherlands yesterday. Nothing happened until PKs), regardless of if the United States was playing or not. People complain that there isn’t enough scoring or about the incessant flopping in soccer, but honestly, there was plenty of scoring in this World Cup, and even the 0-0 games (except for ARG-NED) were incredibly exciting and the flopping is no more than what happens in the NBA or NHL (alright, it may be a little more, but not so much more that it should be singled out). The games were exciting and filled with tons of drama, the players and fans were so passionate for their home country, it was a fantastic sporting event. Now, more than ever, I can see why the World Cup is the #1 sporting event in the world. It was awesome. I can’t wait for Russia 2018 to see if the United States can make a deeper run. This 2014 team was so much fun to watch, I’m hoping the 2018 will be even better.
Sunday is the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, and it should be another fantastic match. After Germany dropped a touchdown in a 7-1 thrashing of the host nation, Brazil, the Germans look unstoppable, but they have to defeat a team that has yet to trail for a single second in the entire tournament led by arguably the greatest player in the world, Lionel Messi. It should be a wonderful exclamation point on a remarkable World Cup. I’ll be watching, along with most of the world, and much of the United States. And I know for me, it probably won’t be the last soccer match I watch until Russia in 2018. I Believe.