SEATTLE — A city widely known for political protests, grunge music, and an all-black wardrobe transformed into a wave of red, white, and blue on Monday as the United States prepared to face Belgium in a World Cup round-of-16 showdown.
Even President Donald Trump’s involvement in a controversial officiating decision couldn’t fracture the unity of American soccer fans gathered in Seattle ahead of the match.
Seattle is considered a strongly Democratic city — it has historically supported the Democratic Party in presidential elections and currently has a socialist mayor. Yet the political divide seemed to disappear as fans rallied around the national team.
Trump drew sharp international criticism after he personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to overturn the red card suspension handed to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Despite the political overtones, local fans were largely willing to look past the controversy if it meant seeing Balogun back on the field.
Brad Lawliss, 57, from Portland, Oregon, put it simply: “I don’t think soccer is blue or red. I think it’s a national sport. Actually, there’s more soccer players in this country than there are of any other sport. It’s actually a united soccer nation.”
Game day in Seattle has taken on a festive, almost ceremonial feel as the World Cup has progressed. Large sections of the city’s waterfront — once rundown — have been converted into fan zones that have expanded as the U.S. team has advanced through the tournament.
Thousands packed Washington Street, chanting “U-S-A” before the match. Ticketholders marched through the city toward the stadium, while others crowded into waterfront viewing areas, bars, and restaurants to watch the action.
Michael Scott, 54, and Eric Cutts, 47, took the ferry in from the Seattle suburbs to join the celebration. Like roughly a dozen other fans who spoke with Reuters, both said Balogun’s reinstatement was justified — and that the original red card should never have been issued.
“I didn’t like the fact that we had to have a political twist to this decision,” Scott said. “I thought it was enough that FIFA should just review it without a political push, but I understand that Trump is gonna be a fan of the USA, and he’s gonna want to do what he’s gonna do.”
His friend Cutts pushed back on the idea that Seattle’s liberal reputation means its residents aren’t patriotic. “Seattle’s a lot more patriotic than people think. I think we’re obviously all here to support the team first,” he said. “And that we have the best players on the field and on the pitch, that’s the best thing for the fans.”
Belgium supporters also made their presence felt, marching toward the stadium in a colorful procession of red, yellow, and black, accompanied by the beat of drums and chants. One Belgian fan carried a handmade cardboard sign reading “better call Infantino” — a nod to the Balogun controversy.
Brad Petts, 34, who purchased tickets for himself and his father — who is celebrating his 70th birthday — said the right outcome was reached, but the process left something to be desired. “It wasn’t a red card, so I think it is the right result,” he said. “But it happened in a pretty sketchy way, so I think they should have gotten the same result differently. We’ll go no matter what.”
