Every four years, a truly special worldwide event is held, and for the first time in over three decades, we, along with our neighbors to the north and south, were given the spectacular honor to host it. I’m of course talking about the ever-iconic and always nerve-wracking FIFA World Cup.

Though my soccer career ended quite young, I am from a family that wakes up at the crack of dawn each weekend for the majority of the year to watch their beloved Premier League. In other words, whether I was actively trying to or not, I have become a fan of the beautiful game.

Unique to this year’s World Cup is not just the three nations hosting it, but the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. This, of course, required more cities to host teams.

It is expected that New York City, Los Angeles and Miami, three host cities that were never disputed, are getting the love from those visiting. What is special to me, however, is the fact that the Midwest and South — places the media too often portrays as unworthy of praise for various reasons, typically rooted more in stereotype than reality — are in fact being praised. Visitors from abroad cannot get enough of the culture.

Ranch dressing — lovingly dubbed “ranch sauce” by some, possibly a more accurate description as it seems these days to be used more often in this fashion than its original role as salad companion — has been all the rage. Portion sizes have been shocking, restaurants like Chilis, Waffle House and Taco Bell have been praised and All-American free drink refills (with ice!) are now coveted.  People can’t get enough of the natural, scenic beauty of the country, and things like school buses and firetrucks, though  mundane to us, are described as “movie-like.”

Above all — and to me, the most important takeaway — is the fact that visitors have commented on the American hospitality they have witnessed as locals have gone out of their way to make experiences positive. In this day and age, the coverage of this America — the one that loves, not hates — is important.

It would be untruthful to act like this World Cup has been without its issues, primarily stemming from today’s divisive politics involving immigration and foreign politics, but to me, seeing the Midwest and South adored by those who may have only been fed the negatives is an exciting thing to see. And while one moment of positivity doesn’t fix everything, I think people connecting with other people is always a good thing.