U.S. soccer fans are expected to bring a lot of business and enthusiasm to the Bay Area next week, as the USMNT takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 of the World Cup.
Watch parties for the July 1 game are already planned for fans on both sides of the match; one of those will be hosted by the American Outlaws soccer group at Jack’s Bar and Lounge in San Jose.
The American Outlaws have also been helping get shuttles for their members to the games and with booking hotels. They say hotels and shuttle reservations are filling up fast, and they will march to the stadium the day of the game.
This is just a small sample of what the American Outlaws expect for the July 1 watch party; a surreal experience for one of the organizers, including Jordan Trigg, a long-time U.S. soccer fan who helped form a local “American Outlaws” chapter in San Jose a decade ago.
“To see it all come to fruition and actually and have the US team playing here next week – it’s once in a lifetime,” Trigg said.
Trigg says he’ll be at the game with his family, and will be with the American Outlaw team USA fans when they perform their traditional march into the stadium.
“The march is going to be chanting the whole time, scarfs waving, collecting people along the way – and it’s just going to get that enthusiasm going,” he said.
Bosnia-Herzegovina fans say just being here is a win.
“I love it. We already win. We have nothing to lose,” Bosnia fan Ferid Tabakovic said.
“I go to every game. I already bought tickets for Santa Clara,” Bosnia fan Sead Tucakovic said.
They’re not expected to attract nearly as many fans to the bay area for the game, but they will bring plenty of enthusiasm to the Santa Clara stadium and to watch parties.
“It means much more to us than just a game, because we are a small country, we went through hell, during the war, and now this just freedom for us to show love for the countries,” Tucakovic said.
Santa Clara’s Euro Grill is planning a special menu for a watch party and offering courtesy drinks to fans.
“I’m hoping that at least a small part of them will find their way to our restaurant, so we can share that joy,” Mirza Avviz with Euro Grill said.
The owners proudly display mementos from the Sarajevo Olympics and their team’s colors, but they also say they will not be rooting against the U.S. team, from their second home.
“People who live here are proud to be part of both countries. Of course, Bosnia Herzegovina that’s our Mother Land, but this is our country right now,” Avviz said.
Some of the fans from both teams have been traveling across North America to see their teams play. And this is a home game for those fans from the Bay Area, so all of these watch parties should be held on July 1.
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association also said they are helping to set up more watch parties for The American Outlaws and Mexico and Argentina fans.