INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The massive venue looked like any typical American sporting event, filled with enthusiastic fans donning team colors and patriotic face paint, cheering loudly as athletes entered the field.
The difference this time was that soccer took center stage.
Friday’s World Cup home opener featuring the U.S. squad facing Paraguay drew tens of thousands of devoted soccer supporters to the enormous venue near Los Angeles. Many attendees had spent thousands of dollars for tickets to witness their national team compete on the world’s premier stage for a sport that has traditionally been overshadowed in America — a sport numerous observers believe is finally reaching its breakthrough moment.
Numerous attendees shared stories of growing up participating in youth soccer leagues as children, continuing through their high school and college years. Nakisha Gutierrez, a 37-year-old occupational therapist from Los Angeles, and her sister both participated in the sport. Their father from Argentina introduced them to soccer, and now the younger generation is embracing it as well, she explained.
“It’s in the family blood,” said Gutierrez, her cheeks painted with sparkling red-and-blue stars. “It is the American culture — it’s starting to be.”
The World Cup occurs every four years, with supporters worldwide following their national squads, hoping for strong performances to secure tournament qualification. In numerous nations — including Friday’s matchup opponent, Paraguay — simply reaching the competition can trigger street celebrations, fireworks displays and national holidays. In America, however, the reaction tends to be more subdued. Soccer has traditionally been overshadowed by football, basketball and baseball, known as “America’s pastime.”
However, soccer’s appeal has grown significantly in America since the nation previously hosted the World Cup in 1994. Major League Soccer launched two years afterward, and the sport has gained particular traction among younger athletes. Interest has also increased due to immigrants from nations where, as Gutierrez describes it, “soccer is life.”
Ava Cupit, 14, made the journey with her family from Franklin, Tennessee, to support the U.S. squad, wearing a Statue of Liberty costume. Her great-grandfather from Spain helped introduce soccer to their small community, constructing fields and promoting the sport.
“He made us all fall in love with it, and our whole family loves soccer,” Ava’s mother Rachel Cupit said. “The people who’ve married in, they’ve just become a part of it too.”
Self-described soccer “addict” Jose Contreras explained he grew up playing with his uncle in Mexico because it was affordable and accessible. He traveled from Georgia to support America in its opening contest, despite having games available in Atlanta, much closer to his residence.
“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” Contreras said.
At the enormous venue in Inglewood, California, typically hosting football contests, the stands erupted with fan excitement, with 70,492 people attending. The seating area was awash in red and white. Supporters wore glitter, Stars-and-Stripes sneakers, overalls, robes and the squad’s signature uniforms. Some appeared as Uncle Sam, that quintessential symbol of American patriotism, sporting long white beards and top hats. Several wore George Washington outfits.
They arrived to demonstrate support for their squad and prove that Americans, like people worldwide, can show passion for soccer. Many planned to attend all of the U.S. team’s group stage contests. One attendee mentioned traveling from Texas after previously watching the U.S. squad compete in international matches before large crowds supporting their opponents.
Hector Garcia, 63, said he was attending his sixth World Cup. He believes the U.S. squad is at its strongest level ever, and the players will gain energy seeing numerous fans wearing the Stars and Stripes.
“This is World Cup atmosphere,” he said, “and I think this is really going to lift their spirits.”
