Despite U.S. loss, World Cup draws Western Pa. interest

Bars and casinos don’t typically draw big crowds during breakfast time on the weekends, but the World Cup provided an exception to the rule Saturday morning.

Thousands of Western Pennsylvania soccer fans flocked to nearby hangouts to watch the U.S. team ultimately fall to the Netherlands, 3-1.

“(Soccer fans) like us watch it all the time, but when something like the World Cup happens and everyone starts watching, it’s cool,” said lifetime soccer fan Riley McGinnis during halftime at Live! Casino in Hempfield. “Even if it’s just for a limited amount of time, it’s fun to see people actually care about watching.”

McGinnis, from Greensburg, donned a Christian Pulisic jersey while watching the game on one of the casino’s numerous large screens in the Sports & Social restaurant. He was surrounded by dozens of fans — most over 21, but including a few children — who clapped, cheered and groaned together throughout the game.

Though the restaurant wasn’t full, many seats were filled. Live! opened its Sports & Social at 9 a.m. instead of 11 a.m. Saturday and offered several food and drink specials for the big match.

The United States has never been a soccer nation, but American fans hope the general population is coming around to the sport. According to Forbes, the U.S. men’s team drew record viewership this year. Joseph Shodi, who watched the game with McGinnis at Live!, said he’s glad the sport is becoming more popular in the States.

However, the Greensburg resident added, “We’re not ready to compete with the teams in Europe and South America.”

International crowd

Some other Sports & Social patrons could speak to soccer’s popularity in other parts of the world. At one table, Miami, Fla., resident Matt Rice sat with his international colleagues from Ireland, South Korea, India and Japan. The men were all on a business trip to Latrobe and decided to watch the match together.

Cain Cafferky, from Ireland, said soccer games attract “considerably” larger crowds in his home country. Even World Cup qualifying games will pack Irish bars, he said. Kaz Hirinaka, from Japan, echoed the sentiment.

The men enjoyed the sports bar atmosphere as they cheered for the U.S. team.

“I’m rooting for the U.S., but I’ve got money on the Netherlands,” Cafferky said.

Youthful fans in New Ken

Soccer’s appeal spans many ages. Voodoo Brewing Co. in New Kensington filled up quickly with soccer-hungry crowds Saturday morning — and much of the space was filled with members of the Harmar-based Hotspurs Soccer Club.

“This is fantastic to get the kids together for this,” said parent Ryan Ehrlich of Oakmont.

His 10-year-old son, Grayson, has been playing two years in the league. Grayson was thrilled to see the U.S. advance to Saturday’s round but advised the professionals “that they better start playing up.”

Hotspurs teammate Hannah Dworin of Churchill soaked in the atmosphere, despite the American team trailing from early on.

“I learn a lot from (the goalkeeper) just from watching on TV,” she said.

Dworin’s dad, Jay, said fans should stay tuned.

“This is a preview of what the next World Cup will look like,” he predicted. “It’s beautiful to be here watching this. It’s a great young team, and most of them will be back.”

Young soccer fans are often hyped up for the World Cup, according to Vincent Pimpinella, who is staff coach for the Olympic Development Program for PA West Soccer Association, as well as treasurer and board member for Loyalhanna United Soccer Club.

“When the World Cup comes around, the kids definitely are excited about watching their favorite players from club teams play for their countries,” Pimpinella said. He noted that young people often become familiar with famous players through FIFA soccer video games. “It’s just another way for them to connect with soccer.”

Businesses benefit

U.S. soccer fans aren’t the only ones who enjoyed the American presence in the 2022 World Cup. The games provided an economic boost for owners of local eateries and casinos.

Vinnie Quinzio, the general manager of the Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh restaurant, said soccer is a “big deal” for the establishment. The restaurant opened at 10 a.m. Saturday to be ready for the big match.

Previous World Cup matches brought more visitors to Hofbrauhaus, he said.

“Black Friday was fantastic,” he said, referring to the U.S. match against England. “The whole restaurant was completely filled. We had a few hundred people here watching the game.”

Max Schmerin, Sportsbook manager at BetRivers’ Pittsburgh location, said the casino also saw big crowds during the match against England.

“There was nonstop cheering,” Schmerin said. “There were guests lined up around the Sportsbook area just peeking in to watch the game. It was a really fun atmosphere.”

Sean Sullivan, general manager at Live!, said he’s seen excitement about the World Cup steadily growing.

“I’m becoming a tremendous soccer fan, which is unusual for me,” he said. “These things start out kind of as a whisper, and then they grow with upsets and amazing games by teams that are unexpected, like any kind of a championship. I think people are getting more and more enthusiastic about it, and we are seeing that at the casino.”

The World Cup has brought interest from regulars at the casino as well as from new visitors, he said.

“The folks who bet on sports day in and day out have gravitated towards these games for the excitement and so on,” he said. “You do see the regular crowd. But we definitely are seeing faces we haven’t seen before, which is nice, because they are introduced to the property and the Sports & Social restaurant.”