World Cup Fever Lights Up Redding's Black Sheep Gastropub
The Black Sheep Gastropub in Redding has become a focal point for World Cup enthusiasts, with owner Kenny Breedlove gearing up for a high‑energy evening as the United States prepares to face Turkey at 7 p.m. He predicts a turnout of more than one hundred fans, a surge that follows a Juneteenth gathering that attracted 140 supporters watching the U.S. defeat Australia.
Even when the U.S. is not on the schedule, the pub draws a steady stream of followers, often seeing twenty to thirty patrons cheer on matches involving Mexico or England. Breedlove describes the scene as a true community activity, where the shared passion for soccer turns strangers into teammates, prompting him to add extra speakers and a microphone to amplify the chants.
The knockout round of 32 for the USA kicks off on Wednesday, July 1, at 5 p.m., and Breedlove believes the momentum will only grow as the tournament progresses toward the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. He expects attendance to climb steadily, turning the gastropub into a rallying hub for fans across the region.