With over 350 fans busting out their red, white and blue apparel for one of the biggest matches in the country's history, the New York Red Bulls hosted a viewing party at the Giants Stadium practice bubble on Saturday for the U.S.-Italy World Cup match.
Along with the six strategically-placed flat-screen TVs, kids kicked soccer balls around the venue and inside a specially-enclosed field.
The mood among the predominately U.S.-supporting fans was justifiably tense, considering that the Americans lost their first match to the Czech Republic 3-0.
"I'm hoping we can get a good result here. Italy has a really good team but I think we can pull this off," said Mike Apple of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Luckily for the fans, the U.S. played with spirit and gusto right from the start. Despite the fact that Italy took the lead, an own goal gave the Americans a 1-1 tie going into the break. The U.S. goal led to raucous cheers from the crowd, excited that the underdogs got back into the game.
"I think the U.S. controlled at least 35 minutes of that half," said Keith Brown of Fair Lawn, N.J. "They took it to the Italians."
Viewers were still nervous heading into the second half and Italy seemed to gain a boost after Eddie Pope was given his second yellow card, giving Italy a 10-to-9 man advantage. However, the Americans' toughness and energy gave them several scoring chances, while preserving 1-1 draw.
"I thought they came out and they played their game. They looked like they wanted to win; they looked like they were attacking," said Elizabeth Bethell of Long Valley, N.J.
For avid fans like Marc Bernarducci, "Chief" of Raging Bull Nation, he looked forward to help build the excitement during the viewing party, bringing a large drum and starting cheers. Raging Bull Nation, one of the many Red Bulls' supporters clubs, usually tailgates before games and being able to watch the U.S.-Italy game close to the stadium was the perfect pre-match activity.
"It's fantastic," Louis Zecca of Wayne, N.J., said of the Red Bulls' viewing party. "It's the way they do it in Europe and all over the world and it's great that they're doing it for us because we're the supporters of this club."
And the mood after the game was jovial, despite the fact that the U.S. had several chances to earn the win.
"I think the U.S. dominated the game for the entire 90 minutes. I think we should've taken home a win but I'm glad that we showed the Italians that we know how to play too," Apple said. "If I was on a seat, I'd be sitting at the edge of it. The entire game long, I was a nervous wreck."
In the end, it was a good time for everyone involved - from the fans nervously watching the televisions to the kids running around kicking around the soccer ball. Fans were also treated to the raffling off of prizes such as signed merchandise and an on-field experience at an upcoming New York game.
"Anything that has to do with Red Bull soccer, he loves," Brown said of his son, Matthew. "He hasn't missed a [New York] game in six years and we go to away games in Foxbourough, D.C., Dallas and Columbus."
"I think [the viewing party was] fantastic," Apple said. "I'm really glad that we're all here together watching. It's a great atmosphere."
