This is truly my favorite time of the sports year. Not because of the beginnings of NFL preseason. Not because of my fantasy football drafts. Not because of the MLB pennant race that's heating up, and not because of the upcoming college sports season. It's all because of a little known event, beloved in England.
This is the FA Cup, a one of a kind tournament, the likes of which can't be compared to anything that takes place in the US. This is a massive tournament that allows soccer teams of all sizes to compete equally against one another for a chance at glory.
Just how big is this tournament? It's huge. 762 unique football teams have a chance to compete against one another, in a single elimination format that spans 14 rounds. Can you think of any other tournament like this that goes as deep as 14 rounds? I can't.
Every tournament, we witness massive upsets that stun the football world. Imagine the LA Lakers losing to a college basketball team, or the Pittsburgh Steelers losing to some kind of high school football team. As crazy as it sounds, this stuff legitimately happens, and the story lines are unparalleled anywhere else.
This is where legends are made. Take the Cup from 20 years ago, where Sutton United ousted Coventry City, a premier team. Sutton United wasn't even a member of a league, akin to an amateur recreational team. Then there's the 1975 contest, where amateur team Wimbledon FC ousted premier team Burnley and then went so far as a draw with the defending champs Lees in the third round.
The unpredictability, as shown in just some of the examples above, is what makes it so special. The fact that a team such as Chelsea traveled to Coventry City last year makes the event special. Could you imagine the Packers traveling to play an Arena Football League team? Literally every team has a chance, if they keep winning, to get a huge game like that at home. Once the teams take the field, anything can happen.
The best thing I can compare it to on an American level is March Madness, only over 10 times the size. Think about the way that the 16 seeds get a chance to play behemoths like UNC, and how exciting it is for them. This brings it all to a completely new level. The possibilities are endless.
To make it even better, this tournament lasts for 10 months per year. Everyone loves March Madness, and expresses their sadness once the two weeks end. This can't even compare when you look at the length. Watch this wonderful event if you possibly can, you won't regret it.
This is the FA Cup, a one of a kind tournament, the likes of which can't be compared to anything that takes place in the US. This is a massive tournament that allows soccer teams of all sizes to compete equally against one another for a chance at glory.
Just how big is this tournament? It's huge. 762 unique football teams have a chance to compete against one another, in a single elimination format that spans 14 rounds. Can you think of any other tournament like this that goes as deep as 14 rounds? I can't.
Every tournament, we witness massive upsets that stun the football world. Imagine the LA Lakers losing to a college basketball team, or the Pittsburgh Steelers losing to some kind of high school football team. As crazy as it sounds, this stuff legitimately happens, and the story lines are unparalleled anywhere else.
This is where legends are made. Take the Cup from 20 years ago, where Sutton United ousted Coventry City, a premier team. Sutton United wasn't even a member of a league, akin to an amateur recreational team. Then there's the 1975 contest, where amateur team Wimbledon FC ousted premier team Burnley and then went so far as a draw with the defending champs Lees in the third round.
The unpredictability, as shown in just some of the examples above, is what makes it so special. The fact that a team such as Chelsea traveled to Coventry City last year makes the event special. Could you imagine the Packers traveling to play an Arena Football League team? Literally every team has a chance, if they keep winning, to get a huge game like that at home. Once the teams take the field, anything can happen.
The best thing I can compare it to on an American level is March Madness, only over 10 times the size. Think about the way that the 16 seeds get a chance to play behemoths like UNC, and how exciting it is for them. This brings it all to a completely new level. The possibilities are endless.
To make it even better, this tournament lasts for 10 months per year. Everyone loves March Madness, and expresses their sadness once the two weeks end. This can't even compare when you look at the length. Watch this wonderful event if you possibly can, you won't regret it.
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