My Trip Guides, a.k.a. "How to Be a (Name of Team) Fan in (Name of City)," have been on hold since March 9, 2020, due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
There are still restrictions. With schedules for the Spring & Summer sports already released, I decided I should update you on where I will stand with them:
* Major League Baseball: I won't do them for the 2021 season. It would be different if each team made 2 roadtrips to its League opponents every season, but the schedule is unbalanced, so not all roadtrips will be available.
* Major League Soccer: I won't do those for the 2021 season, either. Same reason.
* College football: Since it will start in late August, by which point most Americans should be vaccinated, it will depend on whether COVID restrictions are lifted by then. It is possible that I will be able to do them.
* The National Football League: Since it will start in early September, it will be possible.
* The National Hockey League: Since it will start in late October, it will be possible.
* The National Basketball Association: Since it will start in late October, it will be possible.
Hopefully, there will be no more restrictions in 2022.
*
The details of this countdown are dependent on COVID restrictions:
Days until the next Arsenal game: 1, tomorrow, at 12:30 PM New York time, home to Manchester United. This past Tuesday, they beat Hampshire team Southampton in the League, after losing to them the preceding Saturday, in the 4th Round of the FA Cup.
Days until the next game of the U.S. National Soccer Team: 2, this Sunday, January 31, at Exploria Stadium, home of Orlando City FC and the women's team Orlando Pride.
Days until the New Jersey Devils again play a local rival: 8, a week from tomorrow night at 7:00, against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center. They're coming off 2 straight home losses to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Days until the next North London Derby: 43, on Saturday, March 13, at 10:00 AM New York time, at the Emirates Stadium. A little over 6 weeks. The British TV networks may have the time and/or the date changed in order to get better ratings, or so they believe.
Days until the New York Yankees open the 2021 season: 62, on Thursday, 1:00 PM, home to the Toronto Blue Jays. Under 9 weeks.
Days until the next New York Red Bulls game: 64, on Saturday, April 3, opponent and location as yet unknown. MLS has only announced when the season will open.
Days until the Red Bulls again play a local rival: See the previous answer.
Days until the next Yankees series against the Boston Red Sox begins: 126, on Friday, June 4, at 7:00 PM, at Yankee Stadium II. A little over 4 months.
Days until the COVID-delayed Euro 2020 opens: 148, on Friday, June 26. Under 5 months. Games will be played all over Europe, with the Semifinals and the Final at the new Wembley Stadium in London.
Days until the COVID-delayed 2020 Olympics open in Tokyo, Japan: 175, on Friday, July 23. Under 6 months.
Days until the next East Brunswick High School football game: 217, on Friday, September 3, at 7:00 PM, home to arch-rival Old Bridge. A little over 7 months.
Days until the next East Brunswick-Old Bridge football game: See the previous answer.
Days until the next Rutgers University football game: 218, on Saturday, September 4, at 12:00 noon, home to Temple University.
Days until the next election for Governor of New Jersey and Mayor of New York City: 277, on Tuesday, November 2. A little over 9 months.
Days until the next Rutgers-Penn State football game: 302, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 27, at 12:00 noon, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Under 10 months.
Days until the 1st Baseball Hall of Fame election for which Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz will be eligible, and we will know for sure whether steroid use keeps a player out, or if it's only perception that does: 361, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Under 12 months.
Days until the next Winter Olympics open in Beijing, China: 371, on Friday, February 4, 2022. A little over 12 months.
Days until the next elections for Congress and for Governor of most States, including New York and Pennsylvania: 648, on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Under 2 years, or a little over 21 months.
Days until the next World Cup opens: 661, on Friday, November 21, 2022, in Doha, Qatar. Under 2 years, or under 22 months.
Days until the next Women's World Cup opens: 892, on Friday, July 10, 2023, jointly held in the neighboring nations of Australia and New Zealand. Under 2 and a half years, or a little over 29 months.
Days until the next Presidential election: 1,376, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Under 4 years, or a little over 45 months.