Tens of thousands of fans packed San Pedro Square to celebrate at the official Watch Party. The atmosphere was electric, but city leaders were also watching closely after violence broke out following last night’s Mexico watch party.
San Pedro Square turned into America’s biggest living room. Thousands of fans packed shoulder-to-shoulder, living—and celebrating—every second of Team USA’s victory over Bosnia.
Red, white and blue covered just about everything. Even the fans, as Patricia Vo was painting faces and celebrating something much bigger than soccer.
“After eight rounds of chemo and three surgeries, why not be out here supporting USA and just bring the joy to everybody?” she said.
She says after everything she’s fought through, there was nowhere else she’d rather be.
“It’s better than being in chemo, right? We’ve gotta fight!” she said.
For others, the World Cup is bringing together people from every corner of California.
“The energy is incredible. I don’t think it could’ve been better anywhere else,” Elizabeth Henderson said.
But while Wednesday’s celebration was full of excitement, there was also a heightened focus on security.
Last night, after Mexico’s watch party drew more than 40,000 people, two people were stabbed and several others were arrested.
Now the city is making changes.
“In terms of our staffing yes, we will put more officers, including special operations people in the downtown core,” SJPD Assistant Chief Ali Miri said.
“We will have to make adjustments before the next team Mexico match. It isn’t safe to have that many people crowded into a small space like that,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said.
City leaders said they’ll be reviewing today’s operations before the next official watch parties, with plans for more security and crowd management after last night’s violence.
But Wednesday’s was a celebration here in San Pedro Square as fans keep believing this World Cup run is just getting started.