ALL AMERICAN!
Carli Lloyd’s three goals led the U.S. to a 5—2 domination of Japan in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at BC Place
Fans out in force
For a little while on Sunday afternoon, it felt like 2010 all over again in downtown Vancouver, except this time Granville Street was choked with red, white and blue instead of just red and white.
Hordes of cheering American soccer fans met up at the intersection of Granville and Smithe streets to march together down to BC Place Stadium, where their team was set to face Japan in the Women’s World Cup Final. Dressed from head to toe in the stars and stripes, they banged on drums and chanted, “I believe that we will win” as they blocked traffic all the way down Robson Street.
“It’s the most patriotic experience I’ve ever had,” said Liz Aquino, who was wearing a Wonder Woman costume.
And where, a reporter asked, was she visiting from?
“I don’t know, where’s Wonder Woman from? Outer space?” she answered.
Her husband Flavio, dressed as Captain America, chimed in: “I’m from the past! But for now, our home base is San Diego.”
Patriotic costumes were the order of the day for Team USA’s fans: Ben Franklin was there, along with Hillary Clinton, countless Uncle Sams and bald eagles.
Camera crews from Tokyo scoured the crowd for the few Japanese fans who’d braved the waves of giddy Americans, and tried to conduct interviews as excited children shouted “USA, USA” in the background.
“It’s kind of overwhelming,” admitted Mai Fujiyoshi, who’s been living in Vancouver for a few years. “But it’s all about friendship.”
Mayor Gregor Robertson helped lead a second parade of soccer fans to the stadium from the FIFA Fan Zone on West Georgia Street. Once the ticket-holders had cleared out, there was a decidedly more balanced tone inside the beer garden, where tables of Japanese students led chants of “Nippon, Nippon.”
Nakako and Tim Swanson of Vancouver brought their three sons Robin, Kane and Ivar to the fan zone to join the fun before heading over to Jack Poole Plaza to watch the game and cheer on Japan.
Kane said it felt a bit weird to be in the minority at a sporting event in his hometown, but his brother Ivar seemed excited about the experience.
“We’re going to cheer for Japan and everybody’s going to boo us. It’ll be awesome,” Ivar said.
Robin, the youngest, was just happy to be there.
It was a particularly exciting day for young female soccer players, who were finally getting a chance to see women take centre stage at major mainstream sporting event.
“I’m a huge soccer player. This is a dream come true,” said Emily Gaines, who plays on three teams back home in Leavenworth, WA.
She and her parents, Susan and Bill, have had tickets to the finals since December, thanks to Bill keeping a vigilant eye on online sales. They’d already been to three games so far — the fact their team was in the championship was the icing on the cake.
The family was all decked out in official team jerseys, red, white and blue face paint, Mardi Gras-style beads and sparkly star headpieces for the women.
“You should see our car — it’s all decorated: ‘ We believe, Go USA.’ Going across the border, they knew exactly what we were coming for,” Susan said.