The Whole World’s Watching

The FIFA World Cup, the international showdown that’s held soccer fans rapt nearly every four years since it began eighty years ago, might not be as highly heralded in the U.S. as it is in practically any other nation on earth, but there’s a reason for its global popularity: It’s...

By Susan Froyd

June 10, 2010

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The FIFA World Cup, the international showdown that’s held soccer fans rapt nearly every four years since it began eighty years ago, might not be as highly heralded in the U.S. as it is in practically any other nation on earth, but there’s a reason for its global popularity: It’s a true people's sport, and a pure one, that relies on sheer athleticism and the availability of a couple of nets and a ball. Anyone can play, and that’s inspiring to both working-class folks and children. And wherever you are, even here in the States, when World Cup time rolls around, there’s nothing better than watching match after match, at all hours of the day and night, with a roomful of soccer fanatics all slavering for the elusive gooo-aaa-lll!

Whether you prefer to swill pints or cervezas (or, for that matter, pizza or pub food), the metro area has its share of soccer bars and hangouts with nationalistic tendencies. Choose your teams, then choose where to follow them. Every game will air live at the always-soccer-friendly British Bulldog, 2052 Stout Street, but plenty of other bars will be following the World Cup; for a complete listing, visit http://www.westword.com/directory/world-cup-soccer-bars.
Fri., June 11, 2010

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

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