If you’re an avid soccer fan, there’s a probable chance your love of the game has transcended to the next level and you feel the need to be as involved as possible with your favorite teams and players.  Your passion simply can’t be contained with just viewing the game. When it gets to that point, many supporters usually take to the Internet and join a fantasy league to ply their trade at management.

It’s all fun and games to criticize coaches, call for their sacking, and proclaim you could do a better job. So creating a fantasy team, within a tight budget and set parameters, simulates that situation and puts you in control. Every decision is up to you in order to reach the top and strive for glory.

In today’s world, however, there are a number of fantasy soccer leagues to choose from with various rules attached to each one that make it different from the others. This makes it a little overwhelming to decide which one to choose and sign up for.

Euro Fantasy League offers a unique experience by providing many additional features that players are unable to enjoy on other sites. Here are 5 ways that Euro Fantasy League (or EFL) separates itself from the pack:

1. Play a Draft Game

Euro Fantasy League offers a draft game where you can participate after registering on the site for free. You can create your own Draft Game and invite 15 of your friends, or you can join another one someone has already started if an invitation has been sent your way. Once this is completed, you and your friends will select your lists of preferred players from any team and any league in Europe. You are not restricted by a budget, so this really allows you to create a list of the most powerful and skilled players.

With the draft, it works just like a real-world draft.  You’ll end up with fourteen players, eleven of who will be your starters. Because of this, no team will be the same, and everyone will have a truly unique set of players.

2. Play from the top 5 leagues in Europe

While you can certainly play a single league game, EFL offers you the opportunity to play a league across the top 5 divisions in Europe, where you can pick the best players from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue Un — all in one game.

So that means if you want an all-star lineup including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Leo Messi, Thomas Muller and Paul Pogba — provided you stay within your 100 million budget — you can. You can make the choices that will make or break your fantasy team.  Teams from the EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 are available for your picking, which means the sky is the limit in terms of how in depth you want your squad to be.

3. Unlimited substitutions

Player substitutions are unlimited and free, except for when a game is taking place.  This allows a lot of creativity and flexibility in terms of fine-tuning your team.  Along that note, every manager is given twenty free transfers to use in order to remove underperforming players.  The twenty transfers are shared between the teams you manage, so if you possess a Draft Game team as well as a Standard Game team, then you will still only have those twenty transfers to divide up amongst the two.

It provides a level of difficulty that many fantasy managers will see as a challenge to work around, as the choices and changes they make to their squads will absolutely determine the outcome of their season.

4. Different display options for your team

Your ‘My Team’ page is handled in a very thorough way as well, providing you with two formats to view your squad.  The first one is a visual method that many people will be familiar with, as it shows who’s on the pitch for the gameday and who you have readied as your substitutes.

The second view is for those more interested in statistics and are looking deeper into the game.  You can see exactly how a specific player is performing, how often they score, how many assists they can, how many times they start, how many clean sheets they run away with — any stat available to provide you with an in-depth analysis into every strength and weakness of your squad.

5. Available in different languages

Euro Fantasy League is definitely worth a venture because of the level of competitiveness and freedom to construct a very powerful squad.  Offered in a number of languages, including English, Spanish, Italian and — coming soon — French and Indonesian. The game reiterates how this truly is the world’s game.

Players from around the world can join the leagues you create, or vice versa.  There is no language barrier to this global sport, which is what truly makes it such a beautiful one.  This only enhances the level of passion and interactivity between fantasy managers.

Register soon for Euro Fantasy League as the start of the season in Europe is just around the corner. Your squad needs a manager!

In today’s match against Belgium, the USA — using the same trio of Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman — will allow the U.S. to solidify the midfield and keep as much possession as possible. While many have been calling for Bradley to be subbed since his seemingly poor performances, it doesn’t seem likely Klinsmann will bench one of his key players.

It’s uncertain what Jozy Altidore’s role will be in the upcoming match, although Klinsmann has been quoted as saying that he’s “ready and available.”  It’s doubtful Altidore will start considering the injury he sustained in the first group match against Ghana. However many believe he will make a late appearance.  The U.S. will benefit from the physicality he provides, and will need it against Belgium’s defense that features four centrebacks.

In terms of the U.S.’s defense, supporters can expect to see very little change.  The only true question that is to be expected is whether to choose Geoff Cameron or Omar Gonzalez? Gonzalez turned in an admirable performance against a strong Germany after Cameron’s lackluster display versus Portugal; however, Cameron does have more experience under his belt playing against many of Belgium’s Premier League faces. He’s one of the few on the U.S.’s side who has faced the likes of Fellaini, Hazard, Mirallas, and Kompany (who may not even see the field on Tuesday due to an untimely groin strain).  Due to this level of knowledge and playing time, it’s quite certain Cameron will play at center back ahead of Gonzalez, despite Cameron’s tendency to play at right back for Stoke City.

As for substitutes, Klinsmann will probably send in Yedlin at some point and push Johnson forward, as they both have worked well with one another and Yedlin especially has surprised many by bringing in some much-needed speed and being a threat on the right-hand side.  Most likely, we will also see an appearance by Davis to try and ease some pressure off Zusi and provide crosses up top.

If Altidore somehow still is unable to come in for the USA, then Wondolowski will be the forward to send in at some point in the second half.  More often than not, Wondo has become the player to rely on as a super sub for the national team — someone who can pounce on the ball and get a late goal when needed.  He still has that air of anonymity on a stage as big as this one. Very few teams will know what to expect from him when he enters.

USA starting XI (predicted)

Belgium starting XI (predicted)

In a little over a week, a tournament will commence that millions around the world wait for during an excruciatingly long four-year period.  It’s a contest that players, coaches, and fans take immense interest in, and even elicits mild curiosity from the casual spectator.  Many follow the progress of their national teams in the four year intervals, eagerly watching their development until the time comes when the squad is finally announced: the twenty-three that will represent their country on the world’s largest stage.

This year, the stage is set in Brazil and the World Cup kicks off in Sao Paulo with the host nation playing Croatia. It’s a moment that has been anticipated since the finale of the 2010 edition when Spain lifted the trophy in South Africa and proclaimed themselves champions of the world. It almost seems like an eternity ago, doesn’t it?

It was a moment to appreciate the present, reflecting on all the matches the summer had offered and the brilliance the world had seen in each one, but it was also a time to envision what the following World Cup would offer. Brazil seemed so far off, yet so near.  With the history the country offers as the all-time leading champion, Brazil presents itself as a land of intrigue and infinite possibilities with its size and diversity.

Since the moment FIFA announced the 2014 World Cup would be hosted by Brazil, the reaction to the news was a complete mixture of appreciation and derision. Much of the negativity stemmed from within the borders of Brazil, interestingly enough, and focused heavily on the construction of the new stadiums built specifically for the tournament.  With costs skyrocketing past initial expectations, deadlines falling drastically behind schedule, entire neighborhoods moved out due to their decrepit appearances and proximity to the venues, and numerous injuries and deaths resulting from poor working conditions, the entire affair had many wondering whether the contest would even be a positive experience.

Does the World Cup provide dreams of a bright summer and even brighter future, or simply undelivered promises hidden underneath the hype and expectations?

It’s interesting the differing perspectives and opinions that a single event can create; however, it’s not too difficult to grasp as the World Cup literally affects the activities of entire nations that live and breathe soccer. Businesses cut hours, people skip work, crowds gather at bars, pubs, and restaurants (anywhere with access to a television and alcohol), and soon the chants begin. National anthems, players’ names, the tournament’s official song—it could be anything, as long as it fuels the fire of passion.

As the opening date of the group stage draws near, it doesn’t take long to notice people on the streets sporting the jerseys and waving the flags of their country. It’s a moment to take pride in your nation as the selected players represent you.

Any time the prestigious tournament rolls around, the sport catches the attention of the United States for a brief amount of time. Numerous television networks fight for the broadcasting rights, as the ratings for soccer seem to soar during the period despite never recreating those strong numbers any other time of the year. It begs the question of, “does the U.S. have a passionate enough of a following to warrant any success the team may garner in the tournament?”

Soccer still lags far behind the major sports in this country in terms of viewership and attendance, despite the recent trends of growth that suggest a shift could occur in the near future. It’s safe to say there are more than enough eyeballs on the one month that consists of the World Cup, but how about the other times of the year when Major League Soccer is in session?

It’s tough to pinpoint the exact reason why the average American will tune into the World Cup and cheer on their team but insists on ignoring the existence of a league within the country’s borders. It may be a lack of awareness and perhaps some teams have yet to reach out and publicize themselves enough in their area to get more fans in the stadium.

Maybe there isn’t a team nearby for them to cheer for. MLS consists of 19 teams at the moment, with two more to join for the 2015 season, and another arriving two years later.  Some of these teams are filling holes in the map where the lack of a professional soccer team is very apparent. It seems Commissioner Don Garber has made it his mission at the moment to focus on expanding to the Southeast, where previous teams folded at the start of the millennium, and also gain teams in bigger markets to feed more money into the league.

MLS isn’t the richest league in the world by any means, which might be a reason why it hasn’t caught on yet because it doesn’t have the same amount of reach as the Premier League or La Liga. That by no means negates MLS’s development, which has been incredible since its inception in 1996, as the number of teams has nearly doubled and the level of play has vastly improved. The fact remains, though, that the sport can’t acquire the TV deals it desires to extend to broader audiences. Networks that broadcast MLS games seem to only acquire a dozen from the entire slate of games and, of the teams chosen, there doesn’t appear to be much diversity.

There is no doubt that the average MLS follower most likely is a fan of the U.S. national team and will watch every single match it participates in this summer. A typical MLS fan seems to be well-versed in the sport, watching the games of other teams in the league, following the play of various leagues around the world, as well as observing the progress of several different national teams. Perhaps this is no different than any other soccer fan from another part of the world, but the point is that there seems to be a certain type of passion that only exists within a soccer fan, as opposed to a fan of another sport.

Soccer fans seem to be the ones most willing to jump up and down, scream, wear the colors of their team, and stay proud regardless of a win or tie. They never give up, and this attitude continues to be reflected when it comes to the national team as well. The connection of the love of your soccer team and the love of your country is tied together because every four years the players you follow take part in the most important games of their lives.

This type of fanaticism and passion seems limited in the U.S. as the majority of the population hardly pays attention to the sport anyway. So the question remains if the future of soccer within the United States is a bright one or not. Does it have a tough road to complete in order to garner more fans, to create a tough, competitive league that can win over the casual viewers and make admirers out of them?

The World Cup is the battleground, not only for the U.S. national team in Brazil, but also for the popularity of the sport amongst Americans. Will this be the year that more people take an interest and wonder who are these faces representing them down in South America, what teams they play for, what their histories are, or why they’ve been chosen as opposed to others?

If soccer can pose these kinds of questions to its audience then the road to soccer’s success in America will be much easier.