Despite a triple-digit heat index, soccer fans packed into First National Bank Stadium to cheer on Team USA in their big win, finding creative ways to stay cool while supporting their country. “Really hot,” Peter Mischler from Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood said. “He’s got the sweat towel. Going to get a little sunburn out there, I think,” Mike George added. “It’s 6 o’clock, so we’ll see how it goes. He’s fair-skinned, so he gets burned.”For many in attendance, the heat wasn’t enough to keep them away. “I mean, who cares?” Robinson Township resident Deniz Han said. “Just enjoy it while we have the weather.”Fans came prepared with plenty of ways to stay cool throughout the evening.”Use my fan as much as possible and use the mist function and stay hydrated,” Ben Miller from Shadyside said. “I’ve been sitting in my car,” Venetia resident Michael Gorloff said. “I’m just coming here to scope out to see what it’s like. And then I’m going to go back to my car and just sit in the AC until the game starts.”Some fans made frozen treats their game plan.”I have every flavor on there,” Irwin resident Ethan Schwartz said while eating his Kona ice. Fans said events like Tuesday’s match show how much soccer has grown in the United States.”I think soccer in the U.S. has grown tremendously, especially since Messi came to Inter Miami,” Han said. “And even here in Pittsburgh, I guarantee you have people here who don’t regularly watch. But the game is growing, and everyone starts to enjoy it and just cheer for the country.”FNB Stadium will host another watch party Monday for the USA-Belgium game.

PITTSBURGH —

Despite a triple-digit heat index, soccer fans packed into First National Bank Stadium to cheer on Team USA in their big win, finding creative ways to stay cool while supporting their country.

“Really hot,” Peter Mischler from Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood said.

“He’s got the sweat towel. Going to get a little sunburn out there, I think,” Mike George added. “It’s 6 o’clock, so we’ll see how it goes. He’s fair-skinned, so he gets burned.”

For many in attendance, the heat wasn’t enough to keep them away.

“I mean, who cares?” Robinson Township resident Deniz Han said. “Just enjoy it while we have the weather.”

Fans came prepared with plenty of ways to stay cool throughout the evening.

“Use my fan as much as possible and use the mist function and stay hydrated,” Ben Miller from Shadyside said.

“I’ve been sitting in my car,” Venetia resident Michael Gorloff said. “I’m just coming here to scope out to see what it’s like. And then I’m going to go back to my car and just sit in the AC until the game starts.”

Some fans made frozen treats their game plan.

“I have every flavor on there,” Irwin resident Ethan Schwartz said while eating his Kona ice.

Fans said events like Tuesday’s match show how much soccer has grown in the United States.

“I think soccer in the U.S. has grown tremendously, especially since Messi came to Inter Miami,” Han said. “And even here in Pittsburgh, I guarantee you have people here who don’t regularly watch. But the game is growing, and everyone starts to enjoy it and just cheer for the country.”

FNB Stadium will host another watch party Monday for the USA-Belgium game.