While there were a variety of soccer kits on display at Nevada Smiths bar in New York City Friday afternoon, the excitement in the busy room was palpable with fans in unison singing United States men's national team chants throughout. Though the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is six months away, U.S. supporters and millions around the world witnessed the official draw in a viewing party that was supported by the Red Bulls.
For video from the event, head over the to Official Blog of the New York Red Bulls, RedBullsReader.com
The Red Bulls had a raffle, giving out a number of prizes including an Xbox 360 and team merchandise. Red Bulls Macoumba Kandji, Carlos Mendes and John Wolyniec also were in attendance singing autographs and watching the draw with fans.
Despite pundits around the country foreseeing the Americans in a possible "Group of Death" scenario, many around the room were pleased after FIFA and South African movie star Charlize Theron finished the draw, as the U.S. ended up in Group C with England, Algeria and Slovenia.
"Obviously, I think it's a decent group to be in and they'll have a great match-up against England. It should be exciting since there's a lot of historical background to the game," said Wolyniec, who has earned two caps with the U.S. National Team. "Overall, I think it's a group that the U.S. can do well in and hopefully, advance."
When the U.S.' group was completed after Slovenia was picked as the final country to join Group C, there was a loud roar among the bar's patrons - a majority of whom were American supporters. Global broadcasters ESPN (which televised the draw) and CNN were on site, reporting fan reaction live from Nevada Smiths.
While England is a known commodity around the world with stars including Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Steven Gerrard, the Americans will face two more unfamiliar opponents in Slovenia and Algeria. Kandji, who is from Senegal, noted the rise of African soccer over the past 20 years and said that the Algerians could provide a stern test.
"In Africa, they haven't surprised anyone that they made it to the World Cup because we know that they have good quality in their squad," Kandji said. "I think this year, African teams could go very far."
"I don't think you could ask for anything better from the draw, but when you get into the game, it's what's in your heart that matters," said Johnny Lopez, Red Bulls season ticket holder and member of the Empire Supporters Club.
The Red Bulls also watched on to see New Zealand and New York defender Andrew Boyens get drawn with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia in Group F. The All Whites defeated Bahrain in a playoff in November to reach their second-ever World Cup.
For Mendes, who is of Portuguese descent, he had to witness the creation of what many have been calling this World Cup's Group of Death, where Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea were placed together in Group H.
"I think we easily go through. Brazil is not really going to match up against us well..." Mendes joked.
"Of course, there's actually a lot of Brazilian guys who are playing on the Portuguese National Team," he continued. "There's a rivalry there for sure. We have a really tough draw, all kidding aside. Every team is strong so hopefully they play every game tough and come out on top."
With several months left until the first kick of the ball takes place in South Africa, Friday's event at Nevada Smith provided a nice prelude to a summer of soccer that U.S. fans will hope to remember fondly. Lopez said that although he didn't win any of the Red Bulls' raffle prizes, him and his friends had a great time.
"It was crazy," Kandji said. "I've never seen anything like this. I think it was a really great atmosphere and I had a lot of fun."
