As always, when travelling at a football tournament, for us, the art is to try and get the best atmosphere for each game we are not actually at in person. So that means finding like minded football fans. Simple as that.
Billy has found a suitable place to watch the USA vs Australia game. The Tailgate Brewery Music Row which is where the American Outlaws Nashville (AO Nashville), the local chapter of the largest official supporters group for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams meet up. The chapter coordinates watch parties, travel, and community events for U.S. soccer fans across the Music City.
We needed to be there early so walked the 30 minutes from our hotel in the hot Tennessee sun.
We were first in from our group and got a table . Billy and Supes joined us as the whole place started to fill up with USA soccer fans. And let’s put this one to bed, yes the Americans call it soccer, but remember my grandad’s generation did too. As we would grow to appreciate, plenty of Americans know their soccer. So enough of the snobbery.
Before kick off, the American Outlaws representatives took to the stage and did their piece for their supporters group. Unlike most English football fan groups, the Outlaws seem to have a very sharp way of monetising themselves with all sorts of sponsorship deals and activations. But hey, this is America, and everyone and everything is for sale. Plus tax, service and tips!
I had high hopes that Australia fresh from a 2-0 victory over Turkey would put up a proper fight against Team USA. That was not to be.
We offered a lone Aussie, Kevin, a seat at our table and the few Aussies that were there were all pretty underwhelmed by their performance. The locals were loud and supportive with their frequent chants of ‘USA, USA…’ and the Fox TV pundits included Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas, he of the long ginger hair and goatee beard back in the 90’s. Think Albert Einstein and the bloke from Weatherspoons in terms of insight and class.
The Aussies looked slow and ponderous in Seattle, and the USA walked the game 2-0.
Team USA definitely have two things going for them outside of some pretty decent players. Togetherness and team spirit and home advantage. Neither of these should be underestimated as key factors and I would expect that to carry them through to the last 16 as an absolute minimum. Time will tell.
We spoke to so many fans and I have to say aside from the usual positive enthusiasm that you expect in the US, plenty knew plenty about the game.
The beer was truly excellent and well priced at $7 a pint, plus tip of course, and all local craft beer. I started on what I thought would be a one off, a peanut butter stout and seven pints later found myself changing lanes to a Pilsner in time for the Scotland vs Morocco game.
The bar was way less packed for the Scotland game but still very respectable. Reg 1, Reg 2, Mark and Supes joined us. I met Gary, originally from Wales, who was as USA fan. He knew everyone and introduced me to everyone. My ‘football’ shirt was causing a lot of confusion, you can see it in the picture below and work it out for yourselves, but it is always an ice breaker, not that you ever need that in America. Gary and his mate Logan introduced me to an ex MLS player who played to Nashville SC, I can’t remember his name, but he was a really nice bloke and asked me how I knew so much about soccer. Gary then changed his pitch when introducing me to everyone ‘this is Andy, he’s the only Englishman I have ever met who is a really nice bloke, positive and non judgmental’. That felt like a real compliment and something to be proud of. We met Molly and Kylie too who were young soccer fans, Kirsty immediately took them under her wing and needless to say, they were really lovely and watched the Scotland game with us.
When the Moroccans scored in two minutes I really felt the worse for Scotland fearing a proper hiding. But they fought back and dominated the second half. If Scotland had a goal scorer, then they would be a really decent team. It was a shame they couldn’t get that equaliser in the second half. Let’s hope they can get a draw against the Brazilians.
So overall, a great day, with great people, great beer and a great atmosphere. Anyone who believes that Americans just don’t get football/soccer should think again. There’s plenty that do.
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