Author: Rahul Bendre

Analysis, Fan Data, Soccer, Sports Data, Sports Fan Data

The International Invasion of the MLS

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

Major League Soccer was created to grow soccer in North America, specifically in the US and Canada. As a way to ensure that local players gain visibility and experience, the league put a cap on the number of international players allowed in the league. Currently, there are a total 184 international roster slots for the 23 teams in the league. Although the MLS tries to limit international players playing in the MLS, the international players are arguably what makes MLS games exciting and where MLS teams gain most of their quality.

Visit FanWide.com to find a Major League Soccer game watch party or fan club near you.

Basketball, News

LeBron Keeps his Promise to Akron

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

Most basketball fans thought that LeBron signing with the Los Angeles Lakers would be the biggest move he made this summer. However, the opening of the I Promise School, a joint venture funded by the LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron, Ohio Public Schools, certainly showed the public that LeBron is capable of making headlines off the court as well.

Visit FanWide.com to find a Los Angeles game watch party or fan club near you.

Analysis, Events, Soccer, Sports Data, World Cup

Ushering in a New Era for US National Team Soccer

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

The 2018 World Cup finished a little over a week ago now. Big storylines around this year’s World Cup include the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the lack of scoreless draws, and Croatia’s unprecedented run to the finals. (Read previous blog article about Croatia’s 2018 World Cup run here) However, one key storyline was missing from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the one involving the US Men’s National Team (USMNT). The US failed to finish in the top four spots of the hexagonal round in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers last fall. Only needing to earn a draw against Trinidad & Tobago, the US failed, and summer plans to compete in Russia were put to bed.

Visit FanWide.com to find a USA Soccer game watch party or fan club near you.

Analysis, Basketball, Sports Data, watch party

2018 NBA Free Agency: Shaking Up the NBA

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

The 2018 NBA Free Agency started on July 1. NBA fans all over the country have been incessantly refreshing Adrien Wojnarowski’s and Shams Charania’s Twitter feed since then. Every fan wants to know how this NBA Free Agency will affect their favorite team’s chances next season and in those to come. FanWide will have you covered during the season with game watch parties once the season begins. Below you will find detailed explanations of some major offseason moves thus far so you can prepare yourself for the 2018-2019 NBA season.

Analysis, Events, Soccer, watch party, World Cup

Insight into 2018 World Cup Public Watch Parties

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

Public viewing parties have become increasingly prevalent in professional sports in recent years. Specifically, for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, television broadcasts often cut to public viewing parties when teams score goals. These large public viewing parties are usually for big soccer events. However, very seldom do we see public viewing parties for popular American sports like basketball, football, baseball or hockey. Instead in the US, we have watch parties at bars or restaurants. FanWide can help you find local watch parties for your favorite teams. Check out this previous post for A Definitive History of World Cup Game Watch Parties.

Analysis, Soccer, watch party, World Cup

The US Missed Their Chance… Who to Root for in the 2018 World Cup?

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

Although it seems like soccer is at an all-time high in terms of popularity in the United States, the fandom couldn’t help the US Men’s National Team in the World Cup Qualifiers this year. The USMNT finished 5th out of 6 teams in the Hexagonal round of the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, a finish that failed to qualify them for the 2018 World Cup. However difficult it may be to stomach, 32 other national teams will travel to Russia. But, who’s jersey should you wear as you watch for hours on end? What colors should you paint your face? Which team do you think will hoist the 2018 FIFA World Cup Trophy in Moscow?

Analysis, Events, Fan Data, Hockey, watch party

The Success of the Vegas Golden Knights

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

The Vegas Golden Knights have played one complete NHL regular season and are already making the franchise’s first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. They’ve built a brand out in the desert of Nevada. Historically, expansion teams in American sports struggle in their opening years like the Toronto Raptors, Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Texans. However, the Golden Knights have broken the curse.

In the 2017-2018 NHL season, their inaugural season, the Golden Knights boasted an astonishing 51 wins, securing the top place in the Pacific Division, and a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Currently, they are up 1-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Washington Capitals. This situation begs a few major questions. How did the Vegas Golden Knights accomplish so much in their first season of NHL play? And what are the implications of their success?

Visit FanWide.com to find a Las Vegas Golden Knights game watch party or fan club near you.

Analysis, Soccer, UEFA, watch party

Enjoying the End of the European Soccer Season

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

There are about two weeks left in the European Soccer Season. Still left to play are the final match weeks in La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1, while the English Premier League and Bundesliga wrapped up league play this past weekend. However, the domestic cups, the FA Cup Final and DFB-Pokal Final are this coming week. Then of course, the following weekend comes the pinnacle of European football. On Wednesday, May 16, the UEFA Europa League final between Olympique de Marseille and Atlético Madrid will play out in Lyon, France. Finally, on Saturday, May 26, the UEFA Champions League kicks off between attack-minded Liverpool FC and defending champions Real Madrid CF in Kiev, Ukraine. The best part of all this action is that FanWide will provide you fans with an optimal viewing experience to enjoy the end of the 2018 European soccer season.

Analysis, Football, watch party

Big Stories from the 2018 NFL Draft for NFL Fans

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

At FanWide, we love the NFL Draft because it allows for fan clubs to reunite and get fired up for the next NFL season. Every Spring, just as the NFL season starts to leave the minds of heartbroken fans, the NFL Draft comes to provide new hope. If you missed the action from Dallas this past weekend, read about some of the important and exciting picks made by some teams.

Analysis, Basketball, News, Uncategorized, watch party

How to Maximize Your 2018 NBA Playoffs Game Watching Experience

Posted on by Rahul Bendre

The 2018 NBA Playoffs are officially underway! We have already seen the topsy-turvy regular season spill over into the postseason. The seemingly red-hot Portland Trail Blazers were upset at home by Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans in game one of their best of seven game series. Additionally, the Boston Celtics were brutally tested by the Milwaukee Bucks in an overtime thriller, in which Boston eventually prevailed. And finally, perhaps the biggest story from the first weekend of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were beaten by 18 points at home by the Indiana Pacers. Evidently, the first weekend has already proven that this year’s playoffs will be like no other. Four and five game series are seldom likely to be found for the 2018 NBA Playoffs. This is very different from last year where more than half of the series in the playoffs were finished in either four or five games.

Visit FanWide.com to find a NBA watch party or fan club near you.