The last couple months have been heavy travel times for Mike and I, which is always fun but exhausting too. By the end I usually just want to curl up on my couch and mainline Orange is the New Black.
Nonetheless we have one more trip to take this month before we can rest. One we’ve been planning since before we even officially moved to Seattle last summer: we’re going to watch the Women’s World Cup in Vancouver.
When I tell people about their trip the reactions range from excitement to confusion to surprise that there even IS a Woman’s World Cup. Compared to last year’s Men’s World Cup the event hasn’t gotten quite the pop culture play time, which is a shame because it’s a pretty awesome event.
Here’s why we’re going out of our way to attend:
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We Love Soccer
I’ve never been a sport’s enthusiast. I can tolerate a baseball or hockey game (if there is beer involved) but I won’t actively seek one out. When Mike introduced me to soccer (we actually met during the 2010 World Cup) though, something clicked. Soccer is fast and fun and easy to understand, even for me.I just like it.
Mike on the other hand, grew up Argentinean and thus has always been a passionate soccer fan. I’ll never reach his level of intensity, but it’s become a fun thing for us to do together. We followed the 2014 World Cup closely. Now that we’re in Seattle we have season tickets to the Sounders. We haven’t been to a Reign FC game yet, but it’s on the agenda.
Proximity
I would be lying if I said this isn’t the biggest argument for going. The next men’s World Cup isn’t until 2018, and it’s in Russia. The one after that, in 2022 is in Qatar (probably). I’m pretty ethically opposed to going to either of those events, which means it could be another 11 years until there is a World Cup I’d consider attending.
The women’s World Cup though, could not be any more convenient. Canada is fast, easy and cheap to visit right now, and Vancouver is just a 4 hour bus ride from Seattle. How could we possibly miss a chance to go to a World Cup that’s practically in our own back yard?
Women’s Soccer is Exciting!
For some reason tons of people who cheered along the US in the 2014 World Cup don’t even realize that the Women’s World Cup is happening right now. This is a shame because women’s soccer is just as exciting as the men’s sport. Maybe even more so because the US Women’s team has a very strong chance of going all the way.
While they are often overlooked and sometimes actively discriminated against, women’s soccer is entertaining, exciting and it matters a lot. Mike and I strongly believe that, and we want to be a part of supporting it.
Vancouver Itself
Of course, I’ve been wanting to take a trip to Vancouver since we decided to move to Seattle in the first place. I went for TBEX years ago, and I remember a shockingly beautiful city full of culture and interest.
We’ve got a great Coal Harbor apartment, thanks to Flipkey, and we’ll be teleworking and exploring Vancouver for an entire week. I’m already making lists of places I want to eat (any recommendations for Chinese?) and places I want to show Mike in between the four games we have tickets to.
To Cheer the USA!
Did I mention we might actually win this one? That is pretty exciting! The US Men’s team is pretty entertaining to watch but I am not sure we’ll see them win a World Cup any time soon. So how could I pass up a chance to see the women clean it up?
I still remember watching Brandi Chastain take that final penalty kick and win US Glory in 1999. I watched it on TV and, while it didn’t turn me into a soccer fan right then, I knew I was watching something significant, important and powerful. It was the epitome of the Girl Power, something more than just a useless Spice Girls slogan.
How amazing would it be to see something like that again?
Are you watching the Women’s World Cup?
Flipkey paid for part of our rental in Vancouver.
We are going to try to get there on standby Finals weekend (crazy, I know, but we’re hoping the domestic holiday helps our chances). Still need tickets though…I checked FIFA just before the first match and they were still selling so I dragged my feet now they’re gone and StubHub is ridiculous. Any suggestions on where to look?
Hmm, my only thought is that once the final teams are announced people might be unloading tickets? we have tickets to the finals but I think we’re only going to go up again if the US is in the match.
I was thinking the same thing. I’m checking FIFA for releases, Stub Hub and Seat Geek daily. If you end up wanting to sell feel free to email me! Have a great time, I hope we make it!
Wooo hoooo!! you guys are going to have an awesome time! I’m not much of a soccer fan, but being apart of any sports event is always so much fun, especially with all the yummy food and beer *hehe* Enjoy! xx
I’m not really into sports (although as a Kiwi I am obliged to be at least a little into Rugby) but I LOVE Vancouver. Head to Jade Dynasty for delicious dim sum in Chinatown and the Richmond night markets (largest night market in North America) are great with a massive variety of food stalls and not just Asian food – I had a fantastic Hungarian pastry there too. I have also heard that the spicy and tangy dumplings at Peaceful Restaurant are amazing and I will be heading there to try them myself when I get to Vancouver at the end of June 🙂
I used to work in sports and covered two FIFA U17s (including the Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan) so I’m very jealous — I so wish I could go to Vancouver! I left the industry just before Rio and I miss it every single. There’s such an excitement from seeing these games in person that nothing else can describe or compare. Have so much fun and wave hi to the media stands for me!
Awesome! Azerbaijan must have been an experience. Excited to see it all for myself.
Enjoy Vancouver, it is the best place to be in summer. I can’t recommend a Chinese place either but Red Wagon Cafe on Hastings St has the best brunch in the city.
I feel the same way about soccer and sports in general! It’s the one sport I really enjoy to watch, partly because my dad is from Iran and they live and breathe soccer over there. I also recently discovered that I enjoy watching tennis after I went to a match at the Madrid Open. It’s still pretty boring to watch on TV though. Enjoy!!
Happy travels 🙂
It’s crazy how excited the rest of the world gets about soccer. The US really needs to get on board!
AHH!!! This is so exciting! I wish traveling from Philly to Vancouver were as convenient. I am glued to the TV more than I should be keeping up with the World Cup. I absolutely love it. So cool that you both love it and are able to go.
We’ve been watching a lot of the matches too- there is some amazing stuff happening!
YES! I’ve been a huge womens soccer fan since i was little, and the big turning point was the 1999 World Cup. I’ve always cheered on Germany in the mens WC, and always the US for the womens WC. While I would LOVE to be able to go in person this summer, it’s just not in the cards 🙁
Well there’s always 2019 in France…
I’m not much of a soccer/football person, but the Women’s World Cup is in Edmonton right now too, and it’s pretty tempting to go since I live there.
Vancouver is a great city, unfortunately no recommendations for Chinese but Green Lemongrass on Kingsway is a really good Vietnamese restaurant.
You should go! Well, actually tickets probably sold out ages ago, but if not, you should go!