Five Things to do Until the Season Starts

The preseason in upon us, and usually there are matches to attend or watch. However, with COVID-19 still a real and present thing in our lives, those matches are behind closed doors. So what is an Orlando City supporter to do to pass the time until the regular season begins? To help out, I’ve come up with a few ideas to help you get through.

Watch Old Matches

For the first time in years, thinking back on the previous season doesn’t result in panic attacks. As such, re-watching matches or highlights is a great way to spend some time. Whether you watch the MLS is Back match against LAFC, or Rodrigo Schlegel in the weird, wild, and wacky match against NYCFC, you’ll actually enjoy taking a stroll down memory lane.

USMNT Matches

If you want new soccer, and not reruns, the USMNT has a pair of matches this month to help you through. The Yanks are playing Jamaica on March 25 at the Stadion Wiener Neustadt in Austria, and Northern Ireland on March 28 at Windsor Park in Belfast. Even through it’s doubtful any Lions will be on the roster, it’s still the national team. It is likely that Gregg Berhalter will be pulling more European players in for these matches. While Daryl Dike is playing for Barnsley on loan, he won’t be tapped to play. Speaking of Daryl Dike…

Watch Dike Play for Barnsley

Orlando City’s own Daryl Dike has already scored two goals and has an assist for Barnsley. The big man getting some minutes and playing in Europe should only help him this coming season for Orlando City. It’s not fun watching a former player score goals for another club, but when the player is merely on loan, you get to celebrate those goals almost as if they are your own.

Fake Soccer

There are two avenues you can go down here. I’ve never been one to engage in fantasy sports but getting together with your friends and starting a league in order to be ready for the season could be fun. You can also try playing as many seasons on FIFA 21 as you can between now and the start of the season. Of course you might need to make some trades to get the roster right, but you have the time, so do it right.

Watch Ted Lasso

If you follow me on twitter, or if you listen to The Mane Land PawedCast, you know that I am a huge fan of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. It was without a doubt the best show of 2020, and if you still haven’t seen it for some reason, you should. Now. If you’re impressed by awards you should know that the creator and lead actor, Jason Sudeikis, won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of the titular Ted Lasso. What’s funny is that Ted would be happy for Jason, but wouldn’t think it’s the most important thing. The show is a breath of fresh air, managing to be funny, touching, and soccer-adjacent all at the same time.

I hope this helps, but I’d love to hear your ideas as well. Let me know in the comments below.