For the most part we all try to be impartial; being politically correct is something we are acutely aware of. However, when it comes to the World Cup, the gloves come off, passions run high and loyalties are etched in stone. This past weekend Sister Cities of Louisville and Greater Louisville International Professionals, hosted a World Cup kick-off celebration at Molly Malone’s for the highly anticipated USA V. England match. I should start by saying how impressed and excited I was at the enthusiasm and intensity of the U.S supporters. It was a far cry from 4 years ago and was practically non-existent 4 years earlier. It wasn’t just the fans who took a different approach this year either, the media and networks finally seemed to wake up and get on board. When I think back to the last World Cup I really don’t remember any build up and not much coverage either, in fact two of the key games were interrupted for 45 minute infomercials! This year, we feel like
a country that cares about the World Cup and its team. A place where you no longer have to go out of your way to find that one international bar that is showing the matches. Is it too much to say we have become a soccer loving nation? If you were sat in Molly Malone’s on Saturday afternoon that would be an understatement. The room we had reserved was packed, the walls lined with people and still more squeezed in at the door as everyone watched on eagerly. In the main bar area U-S-A…U-S-A chants rang out. Our room held supporters for both teams; flags, shirts and face paint told the story. As we cheered on our different teams there was still a feeling of camaraderie, maybe that comes from Louisville’s Internationalism, where you can fit right in but still remain true to your roots.Join SCL and GLIP for some other key matches at Molly Malone's on Baxter:
Thursday, June 17, 2:30 France V. Mexico
Sunday, June 20, 10:00 Italy V. New Zealand
And 2: 30 Brazil V. Cote D’Ivoire
Tuesday, June 22, 2:30 Argentina V. Greece
Wednesday, June, 23 2:30 Ghana V. Germany
Friday, June 25, 10:00 Brazil V. Portugal
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