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Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Dameion Lucky Smith gets the fans pumped as they gathered to watch the U.S. men take on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Even Rocky got in on the excitement as the U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans react as U.S. men took on England in the World Cup at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Kayla and Elijah Saavedra, on the right, cheer on the U.S. men during the World Cup match against England at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans cheer on the U.S. men during the World Cup match against England at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans cheer on the U.S. men during the World Cup match against England at the watch party hosted by the LA Galaxy and Hermosa Beach on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Folks across Southern California poured into bars, restaurants, stadiums and many varieties of watch parties on Friday, Nov. 25, as the plucky young American underdogs battled to a scoreless tie with seasoned Britain, long considered perennial football royalty.
Fans walked away from game neither triumphant nor defeated, as 94-plus incredibly tense minutes of play concluded in the 0-0 outcome. The deadlock kept the U.S. alive and made the “what’s next” scenario quite clear — beat Iran or go home.
“The English team is so skilled, so accomplished that the fact that we were able to come away with clean sheet and we didn’t give up the ball against one of the best teams in the world is a huge accomplishment,” said U.S. soccer super fan Alexis Apila of Torrance, who watched live from the Hermosa Beach Plaza watch party. “So that’s the reason I feel happy; that’s the reason I feel proud.”
The World Cup match kicked off at 11 a.m. Los Angeles time, which over at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar meant a late night 10 p.m. start for the players. The game was predicted to be an uphill – but not impossible – battle for the US team.
England is currently fifth in the rankings compiled by FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, while the U.S. is ranked 16th. The Three Lions confidently cruised into the game following Monday’s 6-2 victory over Iran, while the US Men’s Team arrived on the back of a 1-1 tie against Wales, also on Monday.
With Southland residents eager to see the US Men’s Team defy the odds, watch parties emerged aplenty from South Bay pubs, to the sports bars of Long Beach, to the breweries of San Gabriel Valley to a soccer stadium in Orange County.
Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach was packed with fans on Friday morning, Nov. 25, to watch the United States Men’s National Team take on England in the 2022 World Cup. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Claudia Velasquez, 27, from Long Beach was cheering on Team U.S.A with a group of friends at Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach on Friday morning, Nov. 25, for the U.S. vs England 2022 World Cup game. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Clemente Agbe, 59, from Lakewood, standing outside of Legends Sports Bar watching the United States Men’s National Team take on England in the 2022 World Cup. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
People waited outside of Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach on Friday morning, Nov. 25, to watch the United States Men’s National Team take on England in the 2022 World Cup. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
In true Southland fashion, one of the largest of the events was hosted steps from the sand as the LA Galaxy partnered with the City of Hermosa Beach to bring a giant television screen to Hermosa Beach’s Pier Plaza.
Soccer fans react during the final moments of USA vs England at a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Erika Gavilanes, left, her son Lorenzo, 4, and her friend Griselda Maldonado react during a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Young people play football on the field before the World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Families practice during halftime at a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stand for the Nations Anthem at the start of the game between the USA and England at the World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Ryan Dettmer reacts to USA shot on goal during a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans sit on the field and in the stands at Championship Soccer Stadium during a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans react during a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans react during a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans get up close to watch the game between the USA and England during a World Cup watch party hosted by the Orange County Soccer Club at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 25, 2022. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Also among the viewing-party sites around Southern California:
–The Orange County Soccer Club hosted a major bash at Championship Soccer Stadium at Irvine’s Great Park;
–The 4th & Mill bar and grill in Ranch Cucamonga drew a crowded house.
–Jam-packed Long Beach’s Legends, a stalwart sports bar on Belmont Shore’s Second Street had to turn away eager fans; and
–Scores of others celebrations around the region.
The red-white-and-blue crowd at Hermosa Beach numbered in the hundreds and remained glued to the screen for the entire game, “ooohing” at each close call and “aaahing” at every skillful save.
“Soccer is one of the most up and coming sports in this country and you can see this today in Hermosa; people are really coming out, from families with little ones to older age groups,” said Gabriel Osollo, manager of community relations and the LA Galaxy Foundation, gesturing to the massive crowd.
Over at the Lucky Baldwin’s watch party in Pasadena, pub regular and longtime US soccer fan Salvador Reyes noted both the progress of the U.S. skillset and the interest of American fans in the game.
“Back then this was out-the-door Brits, this was all Brits and Scots singing, and now you hear and see a lot of U.S. supporters,” he said of the fan interest, in particular at the popular Pasadena pub. “Even some of the songs, they change the lyrics to U.S. words. For me, that’s the beautiful part of it.”
The fan interest has developed, “leaps and bounds,” in tandem with the skill of American players, men and women, he said.“This is a big game, because England is the gateway for the U.S.,” he said.
Die-hard US Soccer fan Bill Pearson of Torrance, watching the game live from the Hermosa Beach Plaza, said the crowd was much larger than in 2014, the last time plaza hosted watch parties for the World Cup.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here to watch the match and it’s great to see it (fandom) has grown so much more,” he said. “The U.S. is super competitive and we’re knocking at the door to be in the top 10. This is the U.S. Men’s, but the juniors and the kids that are coming to us are phenomenal.”
The crowds were also massive over in Long Beach where the line to enter Legends Sports Bar stretched down the block and maximum capacity was reached by 11:08 a.m.
Inside fans were packed in at tables and at elbows length anywhere they could stand with a view of the game and drinks in their hands.
Ringing a cowbell and wearing a headband with U.S. flags, Lesley Garcia, 39, from Downey, was rooting for Team USA with her friends.
Garcia arrived at 7:30 a.m. to get into Legends and expected it to be as packed with U.S.A fans as it was. “You want to be here because you feel the vibrations, and you feel the euphoria from everybody,” Garcia said. “You just have to experience it. It’s not the same at home at all, and it’s the closest that you’ll get to being at a game.”
Will Shaw, manager at Legends, said he expected the mammoth turnout. Shaw said Legends closed their doors early when reaching capacity to ensure everyone’s safety inside. “The World Cup – especially U.S.A games – is busier then any Super Bowl and I have worked here for a better part of a decade,” Shaw said. “This is the busiest I have ever seen it in a long time.”
Soccer fans react while watching the USA vs. England match at a World Cup watch party at 4th and Mill sports bar in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Soccer fans Therese Hinz and husband, Larry, react while watching the USA vs. England match with son, Jack, left, and daughter, Evie, 8, center, at a World Cup watch party at 4th and Mill sports bar in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Soccer fan Hovig Krikorian, of Pasadena, center, reacts while watching the USA vs. England match at a World Cup watch party at 4th and Mill sports bar in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Soccer fan Isaiah Beltran, 21, right, reacts while watching the USA vs. England match at a World Cup watch party at 4th and Mill sports bar in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Pete Johnson, of Ontario, reacts while watching the USA vs. England match at a World Cup watch party at 4th and Mill sports bar in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Soccer fan Hovig Krikorian, of Pasadena, right, reacts while watching the USA vs. England match at a World Cup watch party at 4th and Mill sports bar in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The spirit of soccer was also strong in the Inland Empire, where fans packed into Rancho Cucamonga sports bar 4th and Mill.
Guests as young as 3 were toddled in with their families to cheer the Americans.
“We’ve been playing since we were little and we’ve been coaching since we were 18,” said Therese Hinz, “ Now we are getting the kids involved so yeah big soccer family.”
Hinz and husband Larry Hinz said they are big soccer fans and with their three kids — Evie (8), Jack (7) and Gwen (3) — were rooting for the USA to win the game.
Evie and Jack both play soccer and have big dreams to keep at and maybe even reach the World Cup themselves.
The L.A. Galaxy Major League Soccer Team, which hosted the Hermosa party, is already hard at work fostering the next generation of star U.S. soccer players through their training academy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.
One of their prodigies – Haji Wright – is playing as a forward on the U.S. team. He trained with the Galaxy from 2012 to 2015 before signing with the New York Cosmos. The US Men’s Team also boasts another Angeleno in Midfielder Cristian Roldan, who is an alumnus of El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera.
“To see someone from the Academy and actually make it in the biggest stage in the world is amazing,” said Osollo. “That’s great for our brand to know that if you come through our academy sky’s the limit… and it’s great for the state and the country.”
Following the tie game, fans are now hungry to see the outcome of the USMT’s game against Iran on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
The U.S team is currently in precarious, but not perilous, position.
In order advance to the single-elimination rounds of the World Cup, they must win against Iran on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. A tie or loss to Iran means they will not end up in the top two of their four team group and, as a result, will have to kiss goodbye to their World Cup dreams for another four years.
Galaxy President Chris Klein doesn’t think that’s going to happen.
“We should win. We’re a better team,” he said. “Iran is certainly a good team and they showed today that they’re resilient and can also be good on the day, but we have more quality and we have more power and experience.”
Staff writers Jordan Darling, Ryan Carter and Christina Merino, as well as City News Service, contributed to this report.
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