Fans look on at Hermosa Beach Pier as U.S. moves on to knockout round. Photo: LA Times.
If Jurgen Klinsmen takes to social media again and beckons bosses near and far to fulfill their patriotic duty and release their workers to support the U.S. Mens’ National Team, Kraig Kojian and the Downtown Long Beach Associates have you covered.
The DLBA president and CEO announced today that Pine Avenue will be transformed into a free watch party July 1, complete with a giant LED screen, live music and a DJ, bringing the fervor surrounding the World Cup right to one of downtown’s most cherished avenues.
The DLBA is harnessing the excitement that has filled the city since the U.S. started pool play earlier this month to put on their first ever World Cup Watch Party. The event, which will run all day and is open to the public, kicks off at 9AM with the showing of the Argentina vs. Switzerland match which precedes the Americans taking the pitch at 1PM when they face off with Belgium. There will be special promotions from area businesses, including ones that are normally closed during morning hours but agreed to open their doors to join the festive atmosphere.
“Fans are gathering in plazas and streets around the globe to root for their favorite teams and we want to offer that sense of pride and community experience to Long Beach,” Kojian said. “Futbol fans of all ages are encouraged to join us for this celebratory event in the heart of our city and cheer for Team USA.”
The U.S. soccer team hosted three viewing parties in Chicago’s Grant Park, making live feeds of fan reactions to goals, both the game winning kind and the heartbreaking header put in by Portugal in the waining moments of Sunday’s game, a staple in sports highlight shows.
Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy hosted a watch party for the U.S. team’s match with Germany at the Hermosa Beach Pier with thousands of fans pouring in the pier and beachfront area. The viewing popularity of World Cup has been growing with the June 22 match versus Portugal registering a record breaking 25M viewers, the most-watched soccer event in U.S. history.
If the U.S. advances past the first round of the single-elimination knock out stage, its next game will be Saturday July 5. The DLBA is already planning to hold another viewing party if the red-white-and-blue moves onto the round of eight.
To learn more about the World Cup Watch Party and specials available from participating businesses, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org or call 562-436-4259.