Too early? No way, it's the U.S. trying to survive in the World Cup

Fans gather at local restaurant to cheer on U.S. in its elimination loss -- at 7 a.m.

June 28, 2006

By MATT MURPHY
ARGUS-COURIER INTERN

Gold mines and industry came to a screeching halt in the tiny African nation of Ghana last Thursday, as every television set tuned in to see that country's team beat the United States, 2-1, in the World Cup, eliminating the U.S. from competition.

In the U.S., fans' commitment to the game was much less intense. But in Petaluma, more than two dozen people found their way to a sports restaurant at 7 a.m. to catch the game.

Instead of beers, burgers and fries, the fare of choice was coffee, breakfast burritos and pastries.

"This was been our biggest morning by far," said Valerie King, one of the owners of Beyond the Glory Sports Bar and Grill. The restaurant had been opening as early as 9 a.m. for a few World Cup matches, but only three or four fans showed up. The size of last week's crowd was a bit of a surprise.

Some fans shuffled in with Starbucks coffee as the game got going. For the fans at Beyond the Glory, this was mostly a time to root for the U.S., but there were some neutral fans as well.

"I'm not rooting for either team," said Nasii Sama of Petaluma. "I am here for good soccer before I have to go to work."

Several fans said they were watching a lot of the World Cup. And, as Beyond the Glory is a family restaurant, five girls from Sonoma County Alliance under-12 team showed up to root on the U.S.

"Our coach assigned us teams to watch. Mine is England," said SCA midfielder Shannon Carroll. "We have to watch all of the U.S. games and also the team we were assigned."

For others, it was the first chance to catch a game from this year's World Cup live.

"I haven't been able to see the games in the morning,"said Kevin Tasselmyer of Petaluma. "But luckily, ESPN replays them at midnight, and also some of the Latin channels have been broadcasting them, so I have been able to catch most of them."

Although it only comes around once every four years, the World Cup makes Americans pay attention to soccer.

"I started watching the World Cup in '98. I was unemployed and had nothing to do," said Joe Finnegan of Novato, "The first thing that got me interested was watching Brazil play. It's always nice to see the best in any field do their thing."

Others were left contemplating whether soccer will ever catch on with the masses in this country.

"There are a huge number of people who play the sport, but it is not a spectator sport in America, it's disappointing," said Kevin McDonnell of Petaluma.

Regardless of the early hour, and the elimination of the U.S., most true fans will continue watching the World Cup, probably in pubs.

"I'm watching as many games as possible, whether it's at my house, the firehouse or at a pub," said Marinwood firefighter John Bagala as he sat in front of half a dozen high-definition TVs. "But is there any better place to be than here?"

(Contact Matt Murphy at argus@arguscourier.com)