SEATTLE — Turns out supporters of the United States men’s national team didn’t need to put away their Fourth of July outfits and giant American flags at the end of the holiday weekend.
The vortex of America’s 250th birthday celebration and the anticipation of the biggest World Cup game in USMNT history created a vibrant scene throughout the city leading up to Monday’s round of 16 game against Belgium.
Three hours before the 5 p.m. PT kickoff, thousands of fans descended upon the Harbor Steps during the “March to the Match” celebration a mile away from Seattle Stadium. Throngs of USMNT supporters broke out in songs and chants of “U-S-A.”
Nearby at historic Pioneer Square, the crowd was packed in watching the end of Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal. Spain now await the winner of the U.S.-Belgium match for a quarterfinal showdown on Friday in the Los Angeles area.
A crowd of a few hundred Red Devils supporters also began their march outside of Seattle Stadium, where lines wrapped around the block an hour before the gates opened.
It all made for a raucous celebration throughout the city. As hundreds of fans streamed off ferries that just landed and merged with the thousands already on the streets, many headed straight for the stadium district while others raced to find spots at the watch party on Seattle’s waterfront.
The U.S. Coast Guard also made its presence felt, with multiple boats cruising Puget Sound, where a military vessel could also be seen floating in the distance. On land, the scene was jubilant but peaceful.
This is Belgium’s third World Cup game in Seattle. The Red Devils drew with Egypt in their group-stage opener and staged a dramatic comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 in the round of 32. While the Belgium national team has had an extended stay in Seattle with their training base just a few miles south, the Red Devils’ fans are greatly outnumbered in the city on Monday.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
