Bay Area fans gather.
Fans pack Berkeley street, S.F. plaza to watch World Cup Final
Frequent cheers erupted Sunday morning as enthusiastic soccer fans packed a closedoff street in downtown Berkeley to watch the U.S. women claim a record fourth World Cup title on a big screen outside of the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
“It’s lovely to be around people cheering,” said Claret Vargas, who brought her 8yearold daughter, Martina SifuentesVargas, to see the U.S. face the Netherlands. “The energy is different from watching it on your computer.”
For some, supporting the soccer team was a political statement. The American women this year filed a groundbreaking genderdiscrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation over pay disparity compared with men’s soccer, and cocaptain Megan Rapinoe’s comments that she wouldn’t visit the White House if they won drew Twitter rebukes from President Trump. The Berkeley crowd was solidly behind Rapinoe and the team’s quest for pay equity.
“It’s (Rapinoe’s) right to say what she said,” said Chelsea Ashbrook of San Diego.
“It’s too bad our president can’t be an adult about it,” said Emily Jacke, adding that it was about time that the female “badasses” get paid as much as their male counterparts.
“I was shocked to learn that they make so much less than the men,”
said Berkeley resident Carol Stone, 77, who brought her terrier mix Minnye to the game.
At the same time, she noted the strides women have made in her lifetime. “When I was young there weren’t so many women’s sports, so to see the broad support and how well they’re doing is just astounding.”
“We’re out here to celebrate women as much as anything,” said Andy Spear, a Berkeley high school teacher, noting that the women’s matches have drawn huge ratings, bolstering their argument for equal pay.
The Berkeley event was among scores of watch parties, both large and small, around the Bay Area. San Francisco threw an even bigger free outdoor screening at Civic Center Plaza, while the San Jose Earthquakes hosted a viewing event at Avaya Stadium on the video board. Bars and restaurants opened bright and early for people to catch the 8 a.m. game.
In Berkeley, several hundred fans were perched on lawn chairs and wrapped in blankets against the morning chill. Some waved small U.S. flags and many noshed on snacks and sipped from thermoses.
Babette, the museum’s cafe, did a brisk business in pastries and coffee sold from folding tables.
“It’s a great ending to the Fourth of July weekend — celebrating USA,” said Alicia Slater of Kensington. “And it’s a reason to drink mimosas at 8 in the morning.”
“I’m surprised how much
“It’s a great showing for women’s soccer. It’s the kind of world I want Julian to grow up in.” Natalie Garcia of Richmond, on her 4monthold son
orange I see in the crowd; hopefully it’s just Giants gear,” said Colby Karzen, who came up from Long Beach to adopt a 9weekold Aussie doodle puppy, Luna.
In fact, plenty of orangeclad Dutch fans were scattered throughout the crowd on Addison Street.
“We’re outnumbered, but the U.S. fans have been great to us,” said Julio Lara of Richmond, wearing orange, along with his wife, Natalie Garcia, and their 4monthold son, Julian Lara, whose Tshirt featured the Dutch Republic Lion. “You can’t beat this atmosphere.”
“It’s a great showing for women’s soccer,” Garcia said about the crowd. “It’s the kind of world I want Julian to grow up in.”
Some families cheered for both sides.
Ben SimonThomas, whose father is Dutch, wore orange, but his daughter, Sybille, 11, not only wore a U.S. jacket, but also had purple streaks in her hair, a la Rapinoe, as did her brother, Orion, 6.
“I wanted to look like Megan,” Sybille said. “It’s funny how the whole crowd says the same thing when something happens — ooh or aah.”
Lots of other young fans peppered the crowd as well.
“I want him to see how well women can play soccer,” said Karla Stine about her 6yearold son, Steven Stine. “I’m glad this is here.”
Most in the gungho crowd leaped to their feet and raised their arms in celebration when the World Cup referee blew her whistle to end the game, cementing the Americans’ 20 victory.
“What a great scene; it warmed up a chilly morning,” said Spear, the Berkeley teacher. “And the game was good; it was closer than we’d thought.”