Why Soccer Upsets Are a Good Thing

Soccer cup competitions can pit so-called stronger teams against weaker teams in early rounds and even later. If the disparity is seemingly substantial, then the better team will be big favorites to not only win the game but to win by a comfortable scoreline. While on paper one team may seem destined to win, soccer is played on grass.

FA Cup Romance

The English FA Cup is a great cup competition. The way it is structured allows for non-professional teams to compete in it, along with the lower and higher league teams in English football. The top two divisions do not play until the third round, and this can allow for a very small club side to progress to the third stage and play against the top teams.

For the unique nature of the competition, it has had some memorable games. That is because it pits teams from the higher and lower levels of English soccer against each other. Likewise, when they meet, although admittedly the bigger teams usually win, there are exceptions to the rule, with some shock and historic results creating memorable matches. For smaller clubs, they are priceless.

For example, Stevenage nicked a 1-1 draw against Newcastle at home in the FA Cup third round of 1998. Although it was not a win, it was still a shock that Newcastle did not win the game easily. At any rate, the replay gave them another chance, which unfortunately they did not take. Still, the so-called romance of the cup was alive for the fans of that small club.

Grimsby Shock Man Utd In The League Cup

There was also a great recent upset with Grimsby Town slaying Manchester Utd in the second round of the 2025 League Cup. It was a shocking first half for Man Utd, with the Red Devils going two goals down against Grimsby Town of League Two. The Red Devils battled back in the second half to make the score 2-2, but the damage had been done with Grimbsby emerging triumphant in the penalty shoot-out. Grimbsby fans flooded onto the pitch after a match and a giant kill they’ll never forget.