Kansas City Turns World Cup Opener Into a National Party

Hours before the United States played Paraguay in its World Cup opener in Kansas City, the downtown entertainment district had already turned into a massive street party. Thousands of fans dressed in red, white and blue packed the area, drinking beer, watching big screens and joining soccer-themed contests, limbo competitions and small-sided games. The atmosphere was festive and intensely patriotic, with the night framed as belonging to the U.S. crowd.

Many attendees were there less for soccer than for national pride. One fan named Amy, dressed head to toe in red, said, "I’m here for the national team." She added that she was not usually into soccer, but said she was following the World Cup and knew the players. She said the U.S. would not win the World Cup, though it could dominate Olympic basketball, and added that her favorite team in any sport is the Chiefs. Another woman wore a costume blending Wonder Woman, Uncle Sam and July 4, while three men stood around the venue with bare torsos marked with the letters S, U and A.

The event took on an even more ceremonial tone when Katy Perry performed, fireworks lit up the area, and the crowd sang the U.S. anthem. By the seventh minute, the first goal set off a huge roar that shook the downtown area, and the celebration intensified after the second. By halftime, the United States led 3-0, and the report described the city’s mood as one where anyone standing among the right people, whether from Kansas City, Paraguay or Israel, could feel part of the family.