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Football or Soccer? I Couldn’t Care Less...

Why post-pandemic I'm not going to stress about the little things.

By CB MediaPublished 4 years ago 4 min read
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Exploria Stadium view from the Wall (Picture via CB Media)

On Thursday, March 12th I was at university. The module was about coaching, taught practically. This really resembled a day-long PE/Gym lesson from my high school days. Except for this time I was both the teacher and the student. We played sport all day for two days. the focus was to learn about the fundamental principles of coaching and deliver two sessions ourselves while acting as players for the others in the group to coach. Little did I know that would be the last time I would kick a ball with someone else for 61 days. Within a week almost every sporting league in the world was put on hold. I was made redundant from two (later furloughed for one) jobs. A few days later the UK was placed on "lockdown".

During this time, the question I've been asked the most is something along the lines of "What will you appreciate more when this is over" Simple, Association football/soccer.

This is 5 things I'll appreciate more or not bother to whinge and complain about as the beautiful game comes back into our lives amidst COVID 19.

1. Arguing About if the Sport's Called Football or Soccer.

When I first started following Orlando City in 2015, something that I struggled to get used to was how much the word "soccer" was used. Growing up in Northern Ireland the word "football" is something you learn to say at an early age. It's a game where you kick a ball with your foot. Nearly every country in the world calls it football. So firstly, why doesn't the USA? Secondly, why is there such a huge fuss? Soccer comes from the term "association football" Therefore, I think it's pretty much the same thing. Honestly, I couldn't care less. MLS, Premier League or our local NIFL on a Saturday, it's still the same game, with the same passionate fans with the same objectives. Expect me to use these words interchangeably from now on, you know what's being talked about anyway

2. The Roar of a Stadium When a Goal is Scored.

Something that really made realise I was missing football was when watching Netflix's Sunderland Till' I Die, (an excellent watch if you haven't already) and hearing the sound of the fans in that moment where the ball hits the back of the net. From the moment of silence to the roar. It's everything from going up 1-0 early to that last gasp winner. I've been lucky enough to celebrate some important goals such as Kaka scoring a winner versus NY City in 2016. When it's you, your friends, family and a few thousand strangers that share the same opinion as you. When the stadiums are full again, and they will be; just take a moment to apricate and enjoy that first moment your team scores a goal.

3. Food and Beverages offered at the Ground.

Going to be honest with this one. The food at most games in NI isn't great. In Orlando, beverages are over-priced. But right now I'd take up an offer for a below-average burger or what feels like a $100 beer if it meant watching a game live locally or in the US. My dad and I have the same conversation every year when we visit Exploria Stadium, "They charge how much? But if it meant standing in the wall with everyone, I'd do it. Even if it meant taking out a small loan for a soda.

4. That Friendly Kickabout.

When the announcement was finally made to allow groups of up to six people who do not live in the same household to meet, the first thing I did was text some friends to arrange a kickabout in our local park. While we couldn't tackle each other or play in a competitive game, Football in it's simplest form was still a delight to have back. Guess there's nothing like playing (what seems like) a world-class pass in your head straight to one of your mates (or about 20 yards past them). Certainly, it does really mean a lot to have it back in our lives.

5. That matchday feeling.

As a youth football coach and avid soccer fan, getting up early at the weekend is a norm to me. You wake up and the first thing in your head is the game taking place that day. You're thinking about everything. The opposition. Kick-off time. The standings. Team form, and everything in between. A typical Saturday for me would be; coach, watch local football, work and finish the night watching an OCSC game. Something I learned during this period is how the other half lives. Apparently, some people's lives don't revolve around football. That matchday feeling will return. We may not know when but it sure will. Soon, it'll be matchday. We'll stand together. We'll tailgate, we'll sing and we'll support. From all over the world for that team in purple.

To Conclude

Soon, a World Cup-style tournament will kick off at the ESPN complex. It'll not be the usual regular season and playoffs we are familiar to. Orlando City returns with three fixtures. Firstly, a Florida derby v Inter Fort Lauderdale, then more familiar faces v New York City FC and Nashville to conclude the group stages. Both US and UK times are listed below. I'm incredibly gutted to not be able to attend a game this season and stand in the wall again, but I'm excited to see the Lions return and eventually start the Pareja era.

Vamos Orlando!

Orlando City v Inter Fort Lauderdale - (US Eastern) July 8th 8pm, (UK) 1am

Orlando City v New York City FC - July 14th 10:30pm, 3:30am

Orlando City v Nashville - July 20th 9am, 2pm

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