14 Emotions You Experience During Every World Cup Match

At first it's all a waiting game, but then the anxiety level is just off the charts

If you heard people chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" on Monday, well, it was could have been because we're Americans and that's just what we do. It's in our DNA to join in when someone starts chanting our country's initials. But more than likely it was because the United States beat Ghana in their first game of the 2014 World Cup, which is a feat that not many people believed would actually happen. It was a inspirational victory and we are still buzzing from it.

Needless to say, no matter which team you're rooting for, every single World Cup match is a rollercoaster ride of feelings. Being a soccer/football fan is not for the faint of heart, because there are no fewer than 14 emotions experienced when watching just one game:

1. Excitement!

Before the teams even start warming up, you are ready to go. Basically as soon as you wake up, it's go time for you.

2. Patience.

On game day for your team, you usually have to suffer through at least a couple hours of work/school before the match. So you have to wait and be very, very patient.

3. Anticipation.

The team is warming up! The commentators are starting to break down the upcoming match! The fans are already drinking! But you still have to sit through all of that pre-game crap before kickoff, and the wait might actually kill you.

So just wait for it...

Wait for it...

Almost there...

4. Joy!

It's time! The players are walking out and you can officially start ignoring your responsibilities and focus on the match. Important meeting? Nope. Kids need help with math homework?  Eh, they don't need to know most of that stuff in the real world anyway. Significant other needs to talk about "where this is all going?" Girl/boy, please. Not now.

5. [Country name], Eff Yeah!

You can also call this emotion "patriotism." During your national anthem, the pride that starts in your toes and swells until it hits your brain is nothing short of magnificent. Who cares if you spend the other 11 months out of the year complaining about your country? Right now, it's the BEST NATION IN THE WORLD. You sing along with the players. You probably cry. 

6. Debilitating Fear.

Just before kickoff you realize that there's a chance your team will lose. And that means you'll have to face that person at work who is cheering for the rival team. You hate that person. So the idea of showing your face after a loss scares the s--t out of you.

7. Bottomless Energy!

"Yes! Let's go! Pass it to him! Nice touch! Great save! That was a dive, ref!" Basically the first 15 minutes of the match is just constant screaming, cheering and enthusiasm that seemingly knows no limit. 

8. Settling.

Oh, that's right. Soccer games are 90 minutes, so maybe relax a bit. Even if the game is exciting and fun to watch, you have to preserve your energy lest you pass out before halftime from all the shouting. 

9. RAGE! (or) BLISS!

Depending on what happens in the game, you either feel extreme rage because the other team scored or the ref called a PK for no apparent reason...

...or you feel overwhelming bliss because your team has taken the lead or made a seemingly impossible save. These emotions can come without warning and can last anywhere from 10 seconds to the rest of the game.

10. Pain.

Also known as halftime. Waiting for the game to start up again is straight up painful, especially if your team is playing terribly and you have to listen to three to five commentators and experts talk about how awful your guys are. Just get back to the match, will ya?!

11. Bottomless Energy! (Part Two)

"Let's get it going again, boys! Tackle him! Tackle him! Great run! Pass! Shoot! Shoot the ball!" You found renewed energy from some wings, pizza and beer, so it's time for more shouting.

12. Sheer Panic.

Your team is behind. Your team is in the lead. Either way, the last ten minutes of the game is a hellish torture chamber from which there is no escape. If your team is behind, every single turnover is like a punch to the gut. If your team is in the lead, every single attack by the opposition feels like an assault on all seven senses. That's right, you are so involved with the match that you are actually producing extra senses. 

13. Victory! (or) Defeat.

Either you are riding the highest of highs... 

...or the lowest of lows.

14. Exhaustion.

That game took everything out of you. Better rest up for the next one or you'll never make it to the finals.