There’s not much to enjoy in breaks from the English Premier League.

The international break that usually happens once every month or two really takes away from the heat of competition in not just the EPL, but the five major leagues around the world (and Major League Soccer, if you follow it). However, there is a silver lining: your country plays.

For a couple weeks the average soccer fan is able to put on their national team jersey or something colorful that resembles their flag and be as loud and passionate as they want for two hours. I know I did this when the United States Men’s National Team played this past international break against Colombia and the Republic of Ireland.

Sure, the USMNT lost 2-1 to Colombia then 4-1 to Ireland. Sure, it was heartbreaking even though they were merely friendlies. I, however, loved every second of it. The FIFA World Cup this past summer was captivating to millions across the country, and if you were like me, you did not want the magical USA run to end.

My soccer high carried over into the fall and when I saw that the USMNT was playing friendlies in November. Memories rushed back as I remembered my exuberance as John Brooks scored that late goal against Ghana in the World Cup, as Clint Dempsey scored 30 seconds into that same game and as I cheered for 120 minutes as Tim Howard turned into an impenetrable wall and stopped 16 shots against Belgium in the Round of 16.

Those memories made me tune in this week as I want to follow the USMNT in anticipation of the Gold Cup and qualification matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

I also watched my other half as Scotland competed in a European Championship 2016 qualification match against the Republic of Ireland. In a group that features World Cup-champions Germany and Poland with the high-scoring striker Robert Lewandowski, Scotland finds themselves in second place right along side the Mannschaft with six matches to play.

All these emotions are great, but last only a few days as every soccer fans minds are still attached to the constantly, enthralling entertainment of the English Premier League.

With Chelsea, Southampton and Manchester City among the teams fighting at the top of the table, the EPL’s week-to-week excitement is too good to pass up for two weeks at a time. During the international break you also have to worry about one of your star-club players getting injured, like Liverpool’s goal-scoring forward Daniel Sturridge who hurt his hamstring again after recently returning from the same injury.

The EPL gives me so much more satisfaction and enjoyment at this time because the USMNT is only playing friendlies and working out young kids to determine their skill levels and their potential in four years in Russia. Without a goal or something to achieve, it’s hard for a casual soccer fan to get deeply invested in players like eighteen year-old forward Rubio Rubin.

All in all, I enjoy the international break. Sure, it comes with a heightened anxiety level for a couple games, but I love cheering on my home country and my other half, Scotland, fight it out with the world’s best. Anything to rekindle my fond World Cup memories.