postregister
I am not a soccer guy.
Sure, I played as a kid, like everyone else on the planet, and understand the appeal and accessibility: anyone, anywhere, anytime.
But I never claimed to be a great soccer fan.
Nor have I ever found myself entranced by the sport which, to my American sports-viewing mind, falters in comparison to my regularly scheduled program, which includes but is not limited to: football, hockey, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, tennis and golf.
Idaho Falls Brandon Lee, Hillcrests Brian Nelson and a handful of other area high school coaches have seen firsthand my inadequacy at describing the game or analyzing the on-pitch action.
It was never for me, an afterthought despite the worlds obsession with what they call The Beautiful Game.
Even then, I have always admired the big tournaments.
World Cup 2010 in South Africa? Sign me up.
Euros in 2021? A blast.
Yet, the sport never captivated me.
Never sought me wanting me more.
Maybe I dont understand it.
Maybe I dont care.
Until now.
Perhaps someone with refined soccer knowledge can explain to me why these games have been so outstanding, but this World Cup has been everything the summer sports schedule needed and then some.
The NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final feel like they concluded years not weeks ago.
The MLB and my suddenly pathetic New York Yankees are in one of their yearly lulls.
And while Wimbledon and various golf tournaments certainly pique my interest, nothing has glued my eyes to the television quite like the soccer.
Whether it be Belgiums furious rally against Senegal, Cape Verde and Egypt taking defending champs Argentina to the brink or England surviving Mexico in the Azteca (which was as good a sports viewing experience as I can remember in a long, long time), the quality of these matches has been off the charts.
I keep hearing the same line from the pundits: teams that play to win are rewarded, teams that play not to lose are penalized.
Brandon or Brian might be able to explain that one to me, but I think I get the gist.
Play your game, attack with calculation, defend with ferocity and for the Cape Verdes and DR Congos of the world, try to snatch that elusive upset that can change the direction of a countrys trajectory.
Norways run to the quarterfinals is a fun storyline; however, I am not solely invested in the Cinderellas or even the slightest notion of a Cinderella.
In the end, it feels like it will be one of France, Spain or Argentina raising that glorious golden trophy.
But I dont mind chalk.
In fact, I want to see the best play the best.
And credit to these superstars.
Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have put on maestro performances.
The big names, in the biggest moments, making the biggest plays.
Thats how you attract the casual audience, and bravo to soccer for doing so.
Beyond the on-field drama, this tournament has been a pleasant reminder of sports' power.
All over social media I see videos of Koreans partying with Mexicans, Brits venturing to American delicacies like Buc-ees, Brazilians injecting cities with passion and overwhelming positive reviews of the host nations.
I did not expect to watch that much of the World Cup, even with its relative proximity.
Yet, this has been so much more than the slight bridge I had hoped it would provide between the summer sports dead days and a glimpse of NFL and college football.
Thank you, soccer.
I truly did not expect to care so much about a sport in which I have little to no rooting interest in any given game.