SEATTLE – When the announcement was made, the audible gasp that filled FX McRory’s soon turned to the shuffling of feet. With the shock, disbelief and disappointment still very much tangible, most of the patrons zombied off toward their jobs in the early-morning fog.
Just 30 minutes before, a standing-room only crowd had filled the restaurant, situated a stone’s throw from Qwest Field’s north entrance. Despite the early timing on the West Coast, fans with scarves and jerseys filled the bar, sipping on coffee and the occasional beer.
In the melancholy afterglow of Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup, owner Mick McHugh reflected on the USA’s failed bid.
“You’re always hoping that what we’ve done with this sport and how far we’ve come—the way Seattle has been so huge,” McHugh said. “You think that if FIFA wants to promote the growth of the sport, this would be the country they’d want to do it in. It’s just disappointing I guess. A lot of hard word, a lot of years, a lot of time, a lot of energy put into this deal—just to walk away shaking your head.”
Twenty minutes after the announcement, by which time the amount of cameramen and newspeople were roughly in the same number of fans still lingering, a hearty band of red-clad individuals remained near the center of the dining room. One of those men, Colin Lamont, expressed his disappointment at the missed opportunity.
“Gutted, but not surprised,” Lamont said. “FIFA works in crazy ways, and it’s usually dealing with money and political influence and power. Clearly, Qatar had something the US couldn’t contribute.”
Lamont, a Sounders FC fan, searched for the silver lining of the failed attempt.
“I think it’s telling that Seattle was shown and mentioned consistently in the final presentation to FIFA," he said. "I think that’s great for Seattle but it’s also great example of what can happen in the United States. We saw the country take shape in terms of embracing soccer in ’94 and it’s continued to embrace it and grow. The World Cup would have been amazing for MLS and for all the cities involved.
“It’s disappointing because as a soccer supporter my whole life, you struggle to gain acceptance for the sport. The World Cup would have brought a lot of focus not just to the US, but also to Seattle.”
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