PARTY ON THE PLAZA

Local fans cheer U.S. women’s soccer to another World Cup title

Cheers and wolf-whistles bounced off the sides of the buildings surrounding Civic Plaza as a crowd of a few hundred people celebrated the U.S. women’s soccer team’s 2-0 World Cup win against the Netherlands on Sunday morning.

This is the second-straight World Cup win, and fourth World Cup title for the team, which steadily picked off competing teams in order to claim its victory in the tournament held in France.

The mounting excitement surrounding the team’s appearance in the finals, and the chance to watch the game on a large projected screen with other fans brought out hundreds to the city of Albuquerque-sponsored watch party.

“We want to be around other people who are also enjoying the game, and to celebrate America with other Americans,” longtime soccer fan Talia El-Zaatari said.

El-Zaatari grew up playing soccer and came out with her mother, Michelle Andersen, to watch the U.S. win.

They chose to attend the watch party to celebrate with like-minded soccer fans rather

than stay home to watch the game.

The energy in the crowd slowly grew throughout the game, and by the time Megan Rapinoe scored the first goal in the second half, the crowd was ready to celebrate. People leapt from their lawn chairs to clap and cheer Rapinoe’s goal.

Even for those who didn’t closely follow the team’s path to victory there was still room to enjoy the festivities.

“I think it’s great to be able to cheer for something, and to celebrate an achievement,” said Kelly Gilberth, who wore an outfit of red, white and blue for the occasion.

Gilberth said she hadn’t followed the U.S. team closely, but she wanted to show her support and cheer with others.

While most came out to support the U.S. team, a few orange jerseys in support of the Netherlands dotted the crowd.

Melline Jullens wore her orange colors in support of the Netherlands, but as a dual citizen of the U.S. and the Netherlands she said she was happy regardless of the outcome.

“We’ve been here so long, and I’m a dual citizen of the U.S. and Holland so it’s a win-win situation for us,” Jullens said.

Her mother, Aly Jullens, gave her support to the Netherlands but said she was happy regardless the outcome.

GREG SORBER/JOURNAL Michelle Andersen, left, and her daughter Talia El-Zaatari, both of Albuquerque, cheer the first goal by the U.S. women’s soccer team while attending a World Cup watch party at Civic Plaza on Sunday. The U.S. beat the Netherlands 2-0.

FRANCISCO SECO/AP United States’ Megan Rapinoe, right, celebrates with Alex Morgan after scoring in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final in France.

ABOVE: Sunday’s World Cup final between the U.S. and the Netherlands was a winwin situation for Melline Jullens, left, of Albuquerque, and her mother, Aly Jullens of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Melline, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Holland, and her mother wore “Hup Holland Hup” shirts to the event at Civic Plaza.

GREG SORBER/JOURNAL LEFT: Naomi Vigil, 7, of Albuquerque, waves the American flag as she cheers the U.S. women’s soccer team on Sunday.