CHARLESTON, SC (WCBD) – Fans packed Home Team BBQ and many other restaurants in downtown Charleston to watch the festivities during the United States’ soccer game against Iran in the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
The United States beat Iran 1-0 at Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar.
“This team is young. This team is strong. This team is aggressive. We’re going to get the job done and we’ve got to do it,” said Nadder Nejad, a fan watching the game in Bedford Falls on Meeting Street.
“(Tyler) Adams, our midfielder, is definitely great at controlling the game. I really liked (Tim) Weah in the first game,” said Joe Reroll, a fan watching at Moe’s Crosstown Tavern. “We are fighters.”
“I think there’s a lot of US unity, support and pride in Qatar and it definitely shows,” said Zach Adler, who stopped by the home team’s BBQ just before kickoff.
The support of the fans in Charleston shows the growth of the game in the Lowcountry.
The fans who attended the home team’s cookout were at a party hosted by the Charleston Battery.
“It’s exploding. The drums are super fun. It’s a super cool community,” Reroll said.
Bedford Falls, which has two giant soccer balls on display outside, has become a popular place for American fans to watch games. Brian Kirkpatrick is one of the owners and says the bar is a home for football.
“This is the first time in eight years that the United States has been to the World Cup. There is a lot of enthusiasm and patriotism right now,” Kirkpatrick said. “It has definitely been a boost in sales. We are also seeing a lot of new faces. We’re meeting a lot of people from the neighborhood, which is great.”
With their victory, the USA clinched a spot in the Round of 16 where they will play the Netherlands on Saturday, December 3 at 10 am.
“Once every four years you have to show up and show yourself. United States to the end,” said Edmund Gant, a US soccer fan.
