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Now what?! Getting your soccer fix, while staying safe and healthy.

It’s tough times, but we can still enjoy our soccer in different ways while we wait for the games to return.

Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Premier League
While we all deal with the new reality, we remember how soccer brings us together, even as we are apart. Here are some ways to get your soccer fix in. Stay safe and healthy!
Photo by Visionhaus

First and foremost, I hope that everyone is safe and healthy.

Fantasy Premier League is the least of our concerns right now, but if you are like me and social distancing (either because you have to or because it’s right) you are probably looking for things to do.

So, for those looking to get their soccer fix beyond Youtubing highlights here are few suggestions!

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Soccer Related Movies, Reviews, and Documentaries

  • Mike Bassett: England Manager - If you haven’t seen this, stop what you’re doing and watch it. A satire of English football. Hilarious. After watching go find the places where this is a little too close to what actually happened.
  • Fever Pitch - I’ll be really honest (bows head in shame), that I have not actually watched this. But I feel like I can’t have this list without mentioning it. And it is on my list while I’m home.
  • Escape to Victory (also known as Victory) - I haven’t seen this movie in years, probably for a good reason. But any soccer movie that stars Sylvester Stallone (as a goalie), Pele, and Bobby Moore, among others has to be on this list.
  • Own Goals and Gaffs - Link here - This is honestly one of my favorite soccer videos ever. An absolutely hysterical look at the funny side of the game. A lighthearted watch for tough times. Get back to me when you know what “The Eric Young Region” means.
  • Manchester United Treble Season, 1998/1999 Season- Link here - I absolutely love this review of the 1998-1999 Manchester United treble. I grew up watching this over and over over. What a season. Whether you love or hate United, this is just great drama and some great football. “And Solskjær has won it!”
  • All or Nothing: Manchester City - This is on Amazon Prime. The behind the scenes looks at Pep, Arteta, and the City players was fascinating. It’s a full season of shows, which should take up a few days! I hear that Make Us Dream about Steven Gerrard is pretty good too. although I haven’t watched it yet. It’s also on Amazon Prime.
  • The Two Escobars - Watch the Trailer - In my opinion one of the best ESPN 30 for 30’s out there. It follows the duel stories of Pablo Escobar and Andres Escobar in the lead up, playing, and tragedy of the 1994 World Cup of Columbia’s national team. Really sad, but really well done too.

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Soccer Related Books, Reads, and Other

  • Time on the Ball (http://timeontheball.net/) - A series of really, really well written soccer articles. For the true enthusiast. They take about 20 minutes to read. I love the one on Harry Kane.
  • How Soccer Explains the World - by Franklin Foer. - Some great history and connections here. Good story telling from beginning to end.
  • Soccernomics: Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey—and Even Iraq—Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World’s Most Popular Sport - by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski - If you’re a data and numbers kind of person, this is a great read.
  • American Fiasco - Podcast. For you USA soccer fans, Roger Bennett from Men in Blazers does a 12 part podcast about the disaster that was USA’s showing in and build up to the 1998 World Cup. Good story telling and some really genuine and honest interviews.

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What other ideas are out there? Do you have favorites you can add? How are you getting your soccer fix?

Poll

What would you recommend to watch?

This poll is closed

  • 26%
    Mike Bassett: England Manager
    (4 votes)
  • 0%
    Fever Pitch
    (0 votes)
  • 13%
    Escape to Victory
    (2 votes)
  • 20%
    Own Goals and Gaffs
    (3 votes)
  • 6%
    Manchester United Treble Season 1998/1999
    (1 vote)
  • 6%
    All or Nothing: Manchester City
    (1 vote)
  • 13%
    The Two Escobars
    (2 votes)
  • 13%
    Other - Add to the chat!
    (2 votes)
15 votes total Vote Now