Seattle buzzes with World Cup fever during U.S. vs. Australia match

Seattle sparked with electric energy Friday for the FIFA Men’s World Cup match between the U.S. and Australia, in which the Stars and Stripes clinched a 2-0 victory.

From the packed seats at Seattle Stadium, the temporary name of Lumen Field for the global soccer tournament, to the cramped stairs of Pier 62 and everywhere in between, the city buzzed with excitement. Then, when the U.S. men’s national soccer team won and advanced to the knockout round, it erupted.

For the first time since 1930, the Yanks won back-to-back games in the World Cup.

Some were unsure how Seattle’s turn as a host city would unfold — and how local sentiments during a culturally and politically fraught period for Americans would play out on the global stage. Would U.S. fans feel particularly patriotic, given the tensions swelling during President Donald Trump’s second term? Would international tourists feel welcome, even with the polarizing presence of federal immigration agents?

Following the first match between Egypt and Belgium on Monday, Friday’s Juneteenth match brought together a community of U.S. men’s soccer supporters through an enduring love for their country and compatriots. That public spirit was palpable throughout the bustling city streets and in Seattle Stadium, which hosted a full house of 66,925 attendees.

U.S. vs. Australia World Cup match filled with seismic spikes

Source: Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (Graphic by Mark Nowlin / The Seattle Times)

“The World Cup brings us all together in a loving way,” said Ashley Galindo Howard, who was part of a group of Mexican American friends from Tucson, Ariz. They traveled to Seattle specifically for this game — a plan that was years in the making.

They intended to meet a friend from Australia later that day.

A vocal contingent from the Land Down Under, better known as the Socceroos, stood out in the sea of red, white and blue that washed over Seattle. Though outnumbered, they met the domineering American intensity head-on — and with plenty of playful wit.

“Aussies in Seattle, we’re heading into battle!” they chanted during their morning march to the stadium. Once inside, a small group yelled repeatedly: “Is this a funeral?”

The game was personified in Maddox Middleton, a 17-month-old baby with a Melbourne-born father, Myles, and an American mother, Jackie.

Jackie and Myles met while traveling abroad and eventually settled down in Seattle. Though Myles has dual citizenship, he was full Aussie for Friday’s match and hopes his son follows in his footsteps.

“We’re typically strict about his naps,” Jackie said at the watch party at Victory Hall, a popular fan hub. “But we thought it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and we would just go for the flow.”

Friendly festivities

The festivities kicked off in Seattle in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Andrew Hodges, 32, applied the finishing touches of red, white and blue paint on his face as he waited for the start of the “Men in Blazers Match Day Live!” broadcast by the independent, soccer-focused media company.

He was part of a crowd gathered at Pier 58 for the event hosted by Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett, with appearances by former Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch, former Seattle Sounder DeAndre Yedlin and bestselling author John Green, among others.

Hodges, who is from Indianapolis, bought his ticket to the game last Sunday for $2,100 and flew out to Seattle for a solo trip Wednesday. It’s the first sporting event he’s attended alone, but he said he couldn’t miss the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Downtown Seattle teemed with U.S. fans like him, the sidewalks bright with American flags and striped jerseys. One cyclist was spotted cosplaying a founding father, flying down the bike lane.

The American Outlaws, a U.S. men’s national team supporters group that began in Nebraska, organized a march of thousands from the Harbor Steps to the stadium.

Pioneer Square hosted a bevy of soccer enthusiasts, hanging out of windows and packing the streets. The atmosphere was remarkably light. “Everybody’s happy,” one passerby commented to their companion.

Though U.S. star forward Christian Pulisic and Seattle Sounders captain Cristian Roldan ultimately didn’t play in the match, local sports royalty, including Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, safety Nick Emmanwori and wide receiver Tory Horton, showed face to take in a different type of football.

The Socceroos also made their mark on match day.

Jimmy Hart, daughter Ashley and wife Meagan, along with sister-in-law Angela Smith, successfully secured a table at Victory Hall.

Coming from Adelaide, Australia, it was the family’s first visit to Seattle, and they loved how welcoming the Emerald City has been. When they heard about the concept of the Seattle Freeze, they shook their heads in disbelief.

“Everyone is so friendly here,” Smith said. “We’ve had a lot of Seattle people say, ‘We’re glad that you’ve come.'”

Sponsored

Outside Lumen Field, a trio of Aussies — Frank, Alejandro and Nicholas Pinerio — sampled Seattle dogs for the first time. “Look at this — it’s fully loaded,” Frank remarked.

However, they declared the cream cheese and grilled onion masterpieces were no match for an Australian staple: the meat pie.

Australia’s green and gold dominated the Brougham end of Seattle Stadium — three sections where Sounders devotees typically wave flags and lead chants while draped in Rave Green.

Instead, on Friday, cheery yellow extended to the upper deck. Attendees were out of their seats for much of the game, reacting to every move on the pitch.

‘Proud of the impression we’re making’

Visit Seattle, the region’s tourism organization, had positive news to share about the first week of World Cup matches in Seattle.

Small-business owners are seeing “record sales,” according to a statement by Visit Seattle CEO and President Tammy Canavan.

“Hoteliers are reporting solid business on most match days and anticipate a sellout (for part of) this weekend as the U.S. faces Australia on Friday,” she said.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport saw a 4% jump year-over-year in passengers this week, Canavan said, and light rail hosted an estimated 210,000 boardings Monday.

“It’s been just a few days,” Canavan said, “and I’m proud of the impression we’re making.”

The impression driven home by fans in Seattle on Friday was one of jovial solidarity.

After the game, groups formed in Occidental Square to play keep-ups together, juggling soccer balls between friends and strangers.

Seattle Times reporters Andy Yamashita, Margo Vansynghel, Nicole Pasia, Sofia Schwarzwalder and Jayda Evans contributed to this story.