Team USA V. Belgium: Where Will You Watch?

By Gary Nager

Today at 4 p.m., Team USA continues its run at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil against unbeaten and untied Belgium, and  there’s no doubt that the exciting, young American “side” is one of this year’s great stories, as coach Jurgen Klinsmann was able to get his youthful charges to advance out of the so-called “Group of Death” and into the Round of 16, the second World Cup in a row in which the U.S. has advanced at least that far. 

More important for this long-time World Cup viewer and “futbol” lover has been the obvious growth in soccer’s popularity here — both across the U.S. and locally (the latter of which makes sense because of the huge, longtime youth soccer programs in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel). 

Yes, it would appear that soccer’s appeal to American viewers ages 18-34 — the best of all TV demographics — has found its way into the local bars and restaurants in our area. Even so, that demographic — at least during the first two weeks of this tournament — is still primarily about Team USA.

As a case in point, there were at least 300 people crammed into The Brass Tap in the Shops at Wiregrass mall for Team USA’s  2-1 opening-match win over Ghana and in the Sunday afternoon match against Portugal that ended in a disappointing 2-2 tie for the Americans, who led most of the match but let in the tying goal with about 30 seconds left to play.

“The USA game against Ghana  was insane!,” said Brass Tap bartender Emily Kozina. “Everyone was dressed up. One table was wearing big, goofy hats and waving them around when the USA scored.” 

A similar number of spectators flooded the Wesley Chapel Ker’s Wing House (photo, left) on S.R. 54 for Team USA’s 1-0 lunchtime loss to Germany and the roar of the crowd when the Americans advanced (because Portugal beat Ghana 2-1) let me know that, finally, our country is warming to the idea of football that is played without helmets and pads. 

“We definitely have been crowded for the World Cup, especially when Team USA is playing,” said WingHouse general manager Tony Santos. “Come see the All-American girls cheering on Team USA.”

But, both Emily and Tony agreed that even when Cup favorites outside the USA’s Group G (like the Netherlands, Brazil, etc.) were playing, very few fans would show up, even for the late afternoon games.

So, even with pre-Cup favorites like defending champion Spain, Portugal, Italy and England out, Team USA can still drive the local soccer TV bandwagon — for as long as they remain in the hunt. The hope here, however, is that even if the US does lose, the  quality of the futbol local fans have seen throughout this World Cup will keep local watering holes filled right up to the tournament’s finale on July 13.