Bloomington-Normal soccer fans packed a Downtown Bloomington restaurant and bar Thursday night to watch the U.S.A. team continue its success in the World Cup.
The U.S. team played Turkey in Inglewood, California, while frenzied fans watched from the Brass Pig Smoke & Alehouse at a local watch party.
The restaurant was loud and ecstatic before play even started, and while the U.S. team lost 3-2 on a late Turkey team goal, it was exactly kind of place Bailey Levine and her friends wanted to be for the game.
“We’re out here to watch the U.S.A. kick some booty tonight,” she said. “With us being a host, this is our time.”
Levine said she was prepared for the room to get even louder and for the team to give a good excuse for doing so. She said she could not have stayed home to watch an exciting game.
“First off, food is great, absolutely love it. Being southerners, we’re picky on barbecue and this is a good spot here,” said Levine. “The overall energy is really great, especially with this being a huge soccer bar, I just love the vibes that they have going on here.”
Levine’s friends agreed they were just as excited.
Others also were glad to take advantage of being a part of the World Cup excitement while not being at the games. Treyson Bixby also wanted to be a part of the football frenzy.
“We’re out here supporting the U.S., eating some good food…and probably getting some beers,” he said.
“I grew up playing soccer, I played soccer in town at Illinois Wesleyan [University] and I’m just happy [for the U.S.] to be hosting.”
Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic are among his favorite players.
“This is actually probably the best U.S.A. team I have ever seen in my 23 years of living,” said Bixby, adding the Brass Pig environment is hard to beat — whether it’s staying open for a late-night game or opening early for one in the Premier League.
On top of celebrating a friend’s birthday, Bixby said the prospect of the U.S. team moving even further in competition gives him a lot of reason to celebrate.
“I think we’re already secured the first spot, so tonight I hope we get to see some of the B-team, some other guys,” he said. “[Ricardo] Pepi, [Brendan] Aaronson, maybe Gio Reyna, I hope we get to see them perform and show out a little bit. Hopefully Pulisic gets some minutes, or if they keep him healthy, whatever keeps him healthy I hope that’s what happens.”
A pro-soccer bar
A full house is exactly what owner John Solberg expected for the watch party after cultivating the environment as a big soccer fan himself.
“It’s electric, it gets a little rowdy. I might be a part of that, but, yeah, it gets rowdy,” he said, “… just a lot of fun. Soccer fans are amazing.”
“If you’ve seen all the stuff going around about the World Cup, just fans having a good time. Scotland, Norway, they’re having a great time.”
Solberg said he loves to see interested patrons come into the restaurant out of curiosity and leave soccer fans themselves.
That was the case for Michelle Marez.
“I’m here to drink and watch soccer,” she said with her friends, noting she has not watched other games. “We’re going to win!”
With increasing attention, Solberg hopes to see the City of Bloomington give him approval for an outdoor watch party on July 1 in the new amphitheater area Downtown.
