Home‑field advantage fuels Boston’s World Cup fervor
The buzz in Boston’s soccer bars is unmistakable as the summer World Cup approaches, and for the first time in decades the U.S. men’s team will play on home soil. Fans will finally be able to watch every match in their own time zone, a rarity after tournaments in Qatar and Russia.
At the heart of the local excitement is the Boston chapter of American Outlaws, the supporters’ collective that has claimed The Banshee in Dorchester as its home base. Bar owner Ray Butler is already dreaming of a July 4 showdown, hoping the team’s schedule will align with the holiday to maximize the crowd.
The Banshee readies for a global audience
Beyond The Banshee, AO Boston is coordinating watch parties in three additional venues across Somerville and Malden, preparing for lines that will stretch out the door for each group‑stage match. The collective’s energy reflects a broader surge of American soccer enthusiasm that is reshaping how fans experience the world’s biggest tournament.
Ticket prices test fans’ devotion
Evan Cipriano, AO Boston’s secretary, illustrates the financial stakes. He spent roughly $5,000 on tickets for the three West Coast group‑stage games, a sum that rivals his entire 2014 Brazil trip. Cipriano calls the tournament “potentially the most greed‑driven ever,” citing soaring prices and lingering political concerns.
Mario David Zepeda, the creative director of AO Boston, points to the emotional pull of seeing the U.S. squad perform on familiar ground. He recalls the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which he now views as a showcase of sportswashing, yet he remains eager to cheer the team in person.