Seasoned futbol fans will be accustomed to the existential questions that greeted them Monday morning, followed them to the bedroom that night and shadowed their every step for the remainder of the post- World Cup week.
Is that all there is? With no more World Cup games left to watch, what’s the point?
The quadrennial tournament is years in the making with no guarantees other than the nation hosting the event will participate. All the other would-be competing countries must qualify over the course of three years.
That is years of frustration, anxiety, elation and hysteria accumulated and focused on a four-week period — if your team manages to qualify. This time around the United States did not and Team USA fans had to find other countries to cheer for. Fortunately this country’s immigrant roots gave people plenty of options given that most every non-native American has family that came from somewhere else.
On Sunday when the final whistle blew and France emerged as victors over Croatia in the championship game, and beer and champagne filled throats and lubricated vocal chords, the end was beginning. The party most every die-hard futbol fan anticipates throughout his and her life was coming to a close.
It was a relief to some. Those who do not appreciate the world’s beautiful game or the spirit of global camaraderie outside the Olympics are happy to have televisions and sports talk focused exclusively on — yawn — baseball.
Soccer widows and widowers who say goodbye to their loved ones for one month out of the summer will get their loved ones back — for better or worse — from their World Cup cocoon. Soccer is over, life can return to normal.
Not so fast.
While the rest of the world’s regular futbol leagues remain on summer hiatus, the United States’ MLS has been playing since March and through the World Cup. All domestic soccer-hungry eyes can turn their attention back to their home teams if they have them.
San Diego does not.
But that does not mean local futbol fans do not have a home-ish first division soccer team.
The Tijuana Xolos begin their summer season Saturday at Caliente Stadium. Soccer spouses I hope you enjoyed your brief time with your significant other.
For the next few weeks your loved one will probably be crossing the border to watch the Xolos or gathering at one of the new beer halls in the region that televised the World Cup — Three Punk Ales and El Machete Beer House come to mind. Then, in early August, the English Premier League begins its new season followed by the Italian, Spanish and German leagues.
The World Cup may be over and that, truly, is lamentable. But the world and its game is still within reach, regardless of any border or walls.
