There has never been a July 4th quite like this one. The USMNT has just beaten Bosnia & Herzegovina to line up a last 16 World Cup tie with Belgium in Seattle. The team might be taking a rest on July 4th before the next big game, but that is no reason for you to take the day off from soccer.

BBQ, family, fireworks, and a team still alive and kicking in the World Cup. Here is how to make the most of it in the backyard.

Set the Scene for the Day

A July 4th backyard needs two things sorted before anyone arrives: the grill and the goal. The grill you probably have covered. The goal is where QUICKPLAY comes in.

A Q-FOLD goal goes up in 10 minutes, with no tools required, and folds flat when you need the space back. Leave it leaning against the fence all summer between uses and there is nothing to store and nothing to lose - it takes just 30-seconds to set up one stored flat.

Add a Replay Station and the setup goes up a level. The rebound board has a weighted base so it holds firm on grass or patio, and returns the ball at a different angle depending which side it is played into - perfect for solo play, reaction work, or just keeping the ball moving.

Into the Round of 16

There is no better backdrop for a July 4th gathering than a team still alive deep into its own World Cup, so get the backyard set up, get people over, and make a proper day of it.

There's already plenty to draw inspiration from this summer. The group stage produced Folarin Balogun's brace and Gio Reyna's stoppage-time finish against Paraguay, then Alex Freeman's first World Cup goal against Australia. The Bosnia & Herzegovina game added Malik Tillman's free kick and a tense finish with ten men. With no USA game on July 4th, this is a good moment to get the kids to try to recreate a few of those moments. 

Set up the Q-FOLD goal, mark a shooting spot with a cone, and let everyone take turns recreating their favourite finish of the tournament.

Backyard Games for the Day

Not everyone at a July 4th gathering is going to want a full training session. Here are a few games that work across ages and keep things competitive without needing a full pitch.

Penalties: simple, universally understood, and always cause arguments. Rotate through the group in a knockout format at the Q-FOLD goal. One keeper, everyone takes a shot.

Target practice: clip a target net to the Q-FOLD and give everyone five shots. Whoever hits the most targets wins. Works just as well for kids as it does for adults.

Replay Station keep-up: use the Replay Station to keep a passing sequence going - one person plays it in, one person controls and plays it back. Count how many clean touches the pair can string together before the sequence breaks. Competitive and surprisingly difficult.

Reaction challenge: pair an RXTR Pro Coach with a rebound board and run one of its pre-programmed reaction tests - no app needed, just a running score on its own display. Do a couple of rounds and let the family find out who actually has the fastest reactions, not just who claims to.

Knockout 1v1: set up a mini bracket in the yard using the Q-FOLD goal that mirrors the real knockout stage. Two players, first to three goals, loser is out. It fits the theme of the day and keeps a bigger group entertained between courses.

Pack Away in Time for the Fireworks

One of the better things about a QUICKPLAY setup on a day like today is that it disappears as fast as it appeared. When the sun goes down and the fireworks start, there’s no goal taking up the prime viewing spot in the yard.

The Q-FOLD goal folds flat in one move and leans against a wall or fence with no fuss. The Replay Station and RXTR Pro Coach pack down just as quickly. The yard is back to normal before anyone notices.

The USA aren't done yet. Get the backyard set up for the rest with a browse of the full QUICKPLAY range.