A crowd of soccer enthusiasts converged on D'Arcy's Tavern in Bradley Beach, New Jersey, on the night of the U.S. World Cup opener, turning the usually Arsenal‑focused pub into a sea of American flags and chants.
The bar, renowned as the Jersey Shore's premier soccer venue, was packed with supporters who had traveled from nearby towns, including Mike Cuthill, who drove from New Providence, and his sister Emily Cuthill, to catch the action live.
When the U.S. side struck three goals in the opening half against Paraguay, the atmosphere exploded; fans leapt from their seats, shouted "USA! USA!" and "Ole, ole ole ole!" while raising glasses in toast.
Boos and Cheers
The excitement was punctuated by boos whenever high‑profile figures appeared on the screen, among them FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, tech billionaire Bill Gates and pop star Katie Perry, each met with a chorus of disapproval.
Even British actor Rob Lowe, who was shown briefly, earned only a neutral reaction, underscoring the selective nature of the crowd's disdain.
Midfielder Folarin Balogun, who netted two goals, became an overnight celebrity among the revelers, his name echoing through the tavern as fans demanded autographs and photos.
The celebration was not confined to New Jersey; references to matches in Nashville, Scotland and England hinted at a global ripple of support, as the tavern's satellite screens carried the same fervor across continents.