Their interactions with folks in Philadelphia also made quite an impression on them. Stoecker said that if Germany doesn\u2019t win this year, he hopes the United States can nab its first World Cup title for men\u2019s soccer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re so thankful to be here in this great event that\u2019s so much fun, and the people are so happy,\u201d Stoecker said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m so thankful for this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin Bottke made the commute from Berks County for the fan fest. He wore a Chelsea FC<\/a> kit for the occasion and got to see some of his favorite players compete on the world stage for their home countries for quite a bit less than it would have cost to go to Lincoln Financial Field.<\/p>\n \u201cThe tickets were so crazy expensive,\u201d Bottke said. \u201cWe wanted to go to a game\u2026 but having a free experience like this was awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n Bottke\u2019s partner, Marion Santos, and their son, also root for Chelsea. While their little one wasn\u2019t with them for the fan fest, she said the experience they had Sunday afternoon ensured they\u2019ll be bringing him to Lemon Hill to watch matches together as the World Cup continues.<\/p>\n \u201cI watch him have the time of his life, so as a mom, I like watching everybody else have the time of their lives,\u201d Santos said. \u201cCelebrating other people\u2019s wins is a win for me.\u201d<\/p>\n The fan festival runs through July 19. The event is free, but prior registration<\/a> is required.<\/p>\n