World Cup 2014
Sorry to see the back of it. Brazil did an amazing job hosting and I've got such respect for their fans after the beating their team took and the way they reacted. They were cheering for the Germans during the 7 - 1 loss and there were Germans singing to encourage their team it was mind-blowing and wonderful and all sorts of other related words.
And this was so damn cute I don't know what to do with myself.
A crapton of Americans watched the Cup this year. Some in ginormous hordes: U.S. Soccer moves second Grant Park World Cup watch party.
Soldier Field, Chicago.
There was a little weirdness (I'm looking at you, Suarez) and a decent helping of bullshit (hello, Robben) but largely the sportsmanship on display was fantastic. Members of the Brazilian team getting the crowd to applaud James Rodriguez after Columbia's loss to them was beautiful. Winners consoling the defeated happened a lot. And hugs between members of different national teams who happen to play for the same clubs. And sometimes just hugs in general. The parades for Columbia and Costa Rica gave me stupid amounts of joy. Costa Rica in general did. There are only about 4.8 million people in the entire country and their team was owning and it was awesome and they were really %*$&ing happy about it. They should be. They beat Italy and they nearly beat the Netherlands, who ended in third place.
Crazy shit happened. Spain took a complete dump. Italy did, too. Costa Rica topped a group made up entirely of previous Cup winners. 19-year-old Julian Green came off the bench for the US and scored in his first World Cup appearance. We didn't win but that was pretty freaking cool. The US scored one of the fastest goals in World Cup history. Miroslav Klose became the top goal-scorer in World Cup history (and apparently passed his superpowers on to Mario Götze before leaving the pitch).
I cheered for Mexico, which I never would have imagined happening. (But hey, CONCABROS before the rest of those.) Their keeper, Memo Ochoa, was a %#$&ing wall. He wasn't the only one - see: Things Tim Howard Could Save. Keylor Navas of Costa Rica, also a beast. Manuel Neuer is, well, Manuel Neuer. His dorky bounce through the handshake line while accepting the Golden Glove was a thing of beauty.
Fans, also awesome: In Pictures: World Cup Fans 2014 - joy and heartache in Brazil.
Empire State Building lit up with Germany colors to commemorate World Cup win.
It wasn't the only thing.
Here have a highlight reel: Relive the best moments of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
This game can make you crazy and break your heart but it's a great kind of crazy and the good thing is that there's always next time. Another good thing is that you don't have to wait another 4 years because there's football ALL THE TIME. There's MLS right now and Premier League (England) and Bundesliga (Germany) and a whole bunch of others starting next month and international friendlies and Women's World Cup qualifiers (our team is %*$&ing awesome seriously check them out).
ETA: Thousands welcome home Argentina after final defeat.
And this was so damn cute I don't know what to do with myself.
A crapton of Americans watched the Cup this year. Some in ginormous hordes: U.S. Soccer moves second Grant Park World Cup watch party.
Soldier Field, Chicago.
There was a little weirdness (I'm looking at you, Suarez) and a decent helping of bullshit (hello, Robben) but largely the sportsmanship on display was fantastic. Members of the Brazilian team getting the crowd to applaud James Rodriguez after Columbia's loss to them was beautiful. Winners consoling the defeated happened a lot. And hugs between members of different national teams who happen to play for the same clubs. And sometimes just hugs in general. The parades for Columbia and Costa Rica gave me stupid amounts of joy. Costa Rica in general did. There are only about 4.8 million people in the entire country and their team was owning and it was awesome and they were really %*$&ing happy about it. They should be. They beat Italy and they nearly beat the Netherlands, who ended in third place.
Click to viewCrazy shit happened. Spain took a complete dump. Italy did, too. Costa Rica topped a group made up entirely of previous Cup winners. 19-year-old Julian Green came off the bench for the US and scored in his first World Cup appearance. We didn't win but that was pretty freaking cool. The US scored one of the fastest goals in World Cup history. Miroslav Klose became the top goal-scorer in World Cup history (and apparently passed his superpowers on to Mario Götze before leaving the pitch).
I cheered for Mexico, which I never would have imagined happening. (But hey, CONCABROS before the rest of those.) Their keeper, Memo Ochoa, was a %#$&ing wall. He wasn't the only one - see: Things Tim Howard Could Save. Keylor Navas of Costa Rica, also a beast. Manuel Neuer is, well, Manuel Neuer. His dorky bounce through the handshake line while accepting the Golden Glove was a thing of beauty.
Fans, also awesome: In Pictures: World Cup Fans 2014 - joy and heartache in Brazil.
Empire State Building lit up with Germany colors to commemorate World Cup win.
It wasn't the only thing.
Here have a highlight reel: Relive the best moments of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
This game can make you crazy and break your heart but it's a great kind of crazy and the good thing is that there's always next time. Another good thing is that you don't have to wait another 4 years because there's football ALL THE TIME. There's MLS right now and Premier League (England) and Bundesliga (Germany) and a whole bunch of others starting next month and international friendlies and Women's World Cup qualifiers (our team is %*$&ing awesome seriously check them out).
ETA: Thousands welcome home Argentina after final defeat.