Back-to-back champions of the times
Fans flock to watch parties across Houston in support of the U.S. women’s soccer team
United States forward Megan Rapinoe, right, whose opponents throughout the Women’s World Cup ranged from rival teams to internet scolds, including one from President Donald Trump, celebrates after scoring in the team’s 2-0 championship win. Houston fans react to the victory.
Lindsay and Nick Purcell sat at the table closest to the giant screen where the Women’s World Cup game was projected Sunday morning. They had the best seats at the Phoenix on Westheimer, where the air-conditioned area was standingroom only and additional soccer fans watched TVs in the parking lot as U.S. played the Netherlands.
The Purcells secured their seats by arriving at 7:45 a.m. — 15 minutes before the bar opened and more than 2 hours before the 10 a.m. game. But the frontrow seats were essential. The couple had sat there when the U.S. women’s soccer team beat France on June 28. And on June 16, they were actually in France to watch the U.S. play Chile, sitting in the first row directly behind the goal.
“We wanted to make sure we had great seats here,” said Lindsay Purcell, 30, of the Heights, “so we felt like we were there.”
And being front row proved good luck for Team USA, which beat the Netherlands, 2-0. Fans across the city cheered the team on from watch parties outside BBVA Compass Stadium to ones at numerous indoor venues.
All eyes were glued on screens during the scoreless first half. There were a few bouts of chanting, cheering and “awwws” around the 37-minute mark as the U.S. women made a few especially aggressive attempts at the goal.
“I wish we had scored already,” said Greg Germain, 29, of Boulevard Oaks, during halftime, “but we feel really, really
hungry for it.”
Germain had arrived at the bar around 10:05 a.m., hence why he was standing, leaning against a bench throughout the game.
But the bar was deafening in the second half as its attendees began shrugging off their sleep, amped up by Megan Rapinoe converting a penalty kick. That was followed by a goal from Rose Lavelle.
Lauren Fontaine, 34 of the Galleria area, was confident the U.S. would win after Rapinoe’s penalty kick.
“I felt like that was it,” she said. At the 90-minute mark, the crowd began chanting “I believe that we will win.” They then counted down the game’s final 10 seconds before erupting into a deafening cheer, capturing the crowds on social media and smartphone videos.
Immediately following the U.S. women’s soccer team win — the team’s fourth win since the Women’s World Cup began in 1991 and second win in a row — the Purcells were already planning to upgrade their three-star jerseys to four-star jerseys. That’s one star for each win.
They’re happy to see the national and local enthusiasm for women’s soccer, but they know the championship is about more than the game. They hope the win will help the athletes as they advocate for equal pay and treatment when compared to their male counterparts.
“I’m really glad that the women won,” said Nick Purcell, 29, “so they can continue to advocate for equal play, equal pay.”