I still remember the first time I watched "Goal!" back in 2005—the way Santiago Munez's journey from undocumented immigrant to Newcastle United star captured my imagination. But it wasn't until 2014 that I truly understood how soccer films could reflect something deeper about our relationship with the sport. That year gave us an unexpectedly rich collection of soccer movies that, looking back, perfectly mirrored the growing global passion for the beautiful game. When I recently rewatched several of these films, Valdez's observation about devoted fanbases struck me as particularly relevant—these movies weren't just entertainment; they were documenting a cultural shift in how we connect with soccer and its players.

The 2014 soccer film landscape was surprisingly diverse, ranging from documentaries to dramas, each capturing different facets of the sport. What stood out to me most was how these films explored the relationship between players and their supporters in ways that previous soccer movies hadn't. Take "The Damned United," though released earlier, saw renewed popularity in 2014 through streaming platforms—its portrayal of Brian Clough's 44-day reign at Leeds United showed how managerial brilliance could both alienate and inspire fanbases. Then there was "Next Goal Wins," the documentary about American Samoa's soccer team that absolutely captured my heart. The film followed their journey after suffering the world's worst international loss—a 31-0 defeat to Australia in 2001. What moved me wasn't just their eventual first competitive win, but how the documentary showed the players drawing strength from their small but incredibly loyal community of supporters.

I've always been fascinated by how certain players develop almost cult-like followings, and Valdez's comment about devout fanbases being a testament to longevity resonates strongly when I think about how these films portrayed player careers. "United Passions," despite its controversial reception, attempted to show FIFA's history through the lens of its presidents. While critics panned it (and honestly, I found it overly generous to the organization), the film did capture how certain figures in soccer administration develop their own followings over decades. The film cost approximately $24 million to produce but only grossed about $918 worldwide—a commercial failure, yet it sparked countless discussions in soccer circles I frequented. Sometimes, I think a film's impact goes far beyond box office numbers—it's about the conversations it starts within fan communities.

What really stood out to me in the 2014 soccer movie lineup was how international it felt. "Messi," the documentary about the Argentine superstar, showed how a single player could command global devotion. The film followed his journey from Rosario to Barcelona, and what struck me was how it highlighted the different layers of his fanbase—from childhood friends who knew him before fame to millions of admirers worldwide. This multi-layered fandom reminded me exactly of what Valdez described—that beautiful progression from local admiration to international recognition that marks truly special careers. I've noticed that the best soccer films don't just show the game; they show why the game matters to people, how it connects communities, and why certain players inspire such lasting loyalty.

There's something about soccer films from 2014 that still feels relevant today. Maybe it's because they captured the sport at a particular cultural moment—just before streaming services completely transformed how we consume both sports and films about sports. "The Game of Their Lives," though focusing on the 1950 World Cup, gained renewed attention in 2014 and perfectly illustrated how national pride and sporting loyalty develop over generations. Watching these films now, I'm struck by how they documented the early stages of soccer's globalization—the same phenomenon that allows players like Valdez to develop international followings that celebrate their longevity. The films understood that soccer fandom isn't just about what happens on the pitch; it's about the stories we tell each other, the legends we build around players, and the communities that form through shared devotion to the sport.

What I take away from revisiting these films is how they captured soccer's emotional landscape—the heartbreak, the triumph, the everyday dedication. They showed us that behind every great player stands a community of supporters whose loyalty becomes part of the player's legacy. Valdez is absolutely right that such devotion speaks volumes about both the athlete's staying power and the evolving nature of sports fandom. These 2014 soccer movies, in their own ways, documented that beautiful relationship between the game, its players, and us—the fans who find pieces of our own stories in theirs. They remind me why I fell in love with soccer films in the first place, and why certain stories, like certain players, stay with us long after the final whistle.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.