Analysis, Events, Soccer, Sports Data, World Cup

Ushering in a New Era for US National Team Soccer

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, Events, watch party, World Cup

World Cup Games Are Closer Than Ever!

With the US failing to qualify, many were worried that this year’s edition of the FIFA World Cup would lack as much excitement as usual. So far, it has been one of the most exciting cups in recent memory. The two factors that have revved up the excitement: close games with late goals and the small number of scoreless matches.

Visit FanWide.com to find an International Soccer game watch party or fan club near you.

Analysis, Events, Soccer, watch party, World Cup

Insight into 2018 World Cup Public Watch Parties

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, Events, Soccer

Home Field Advantage for Countries Hosting the World Cup

This year’s FIFA World Cup has gotten off to a super exciting start. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick against Spain, to Iceland’s shocking draw against Lionel Messi and Argentina, to Mexico’s stunning victory over the defending champion Germany, there has been no shortage of instant classic games. One of the most notable results from this first slate of games is that Russia, the host country for this year’s iteration of the event, blitzed Saudi Arabia in a 5-0 win to open the tournament and followed it up with a convincing 3-1 win against Egypt. Could home field advantage have played big a role in this result and if so, could it mean bigger things are to come for this Russian side?

Analysis, Events, Hockey, News, watch party

We Should All Admire the Washington Capitals’ Breakthrough

The Vegas Golden Knights have received a lot of attention during this NHL season and postseason. This is for very good reason, as their success to make it to the Stanley Cup is absolutely unprecedented for an expansion team. But it would be remiss not to acknowledge the Washington Capitals. Their breakthrough to the Stanley Cup Finals has been nothing short of astounding and has been huge not only for them but for the city of Washington DC.

Visit FanWide.com to find a Washington Capitals game watch party or fan club near you.

Analysis, Events, Fan Data, Hockey, watch party

The Success of the Vegas Golden Knights

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, Baseball, Basketball, Events, Sports Data, Uncategorized, watch party

Does Nationwide Interest In A Team Move With Its Best Players?

Two weeks ago, the New York Mets traded Matt Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds for Devin Mesoraco and cash. While Harvey’s star has dimmed as he’s struggled with injuries the past few seasons, there was a time where he was one o the best pitchers in baseball, the Dark Knight who started at the all-star game. As a Mets fan myself, Harvey became one of my favorite players on a series of underperforming Mets teams, and made each game he pitched a must-watch experience. While this trade made sense from a baseball standpoint, it was a disappointing  experience for me because of my affection with Harvey as a player, and although my Mets fandom will not sway, I will definitely be following the Reds more closely, especially on days where Harvey pitches. This made me wonder, how much does the movement of star players influence fans’ interest in the teams they root for?

Analysis, Basketball, Events, watch party

Where to Watch the Best NBA Playoffs We’ve Seen in Years

Perhaps the biggest knock against the NBA playoffs over the past few seasons has been its predictability. The same two teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, have met in the finals for the past three seasons, leaving the postseason devoid of suspense. Last year, those teams lost one game combined on their road to the finals. This year, however, things are different. While the Cavs and Warriors are both still in the hunt, a host of new competitors have led to some fascinating series and a fourth consecutive finals meeting between those two teams is very much in doubt.  This blog will show you where to watch every game with a local fan club.

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

Events, Hockey, watch party

Your Guide to The Best Viewing Experience for The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs have been plenty entertaining thus far and things are only about to heat up with the first round set to conclude early this week. There have been so many great storylines this NHL season and they seem to have carried over into the playoffs. Chief amongst them are the Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team going into this season, sweeping the Los Angeles Kings in the first round to continue their fairy tales season and the Pittsburgh Penguins are continuing their quest at a historic three peat. But no matter what team you root for, there is no better time to watch an NHL game than now. So why not have fun and go to a game watch party? FanWide gives fans like you this opportunity no matter where you live or are traveling so you can enjoy the games surrounded by fans like you.

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

Analysis, Events, watch party

Where Sports Fans Can Go When Their Team Limits Its Game Watch Parties

The University of Michigan held an official viewing party for the National Championship game of the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. This makes perfect sense, Michigan was playing in the championship game and naturally the students wanted to watch the game together, as a collective fan base. However, the attendance had to be limited because the school was about to host the Big Ten gymnastics championships and the equipment used for the competition was set up on the floor. This dilemma shows an increasing trend in limiting game watch party attendance, a problem FanWide (@FanWide) solves for sports fans nationwide.