Remember Soccer in the Circle last year for the FIFA Men’s Cup? No such luck this year, but the USA Women’s Soccer Team plays France in the semifinals of the Women’s FIFA World Cup Championships. The game is Wednesday at 11:30 am and you can watch on the TV. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Laura Herman and Scott Leibowitz. Follow Laura on Twitter @Lmhhabs and Scott @Lebodome.
Preview From Lebodome
This is it for Team USA, two games to go, one game at a time: we’re playing France today in the semifinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011. Anything but the championship trophy at this point would be a major disappointment as the other major soccer powers are gone (Germany, England, Brazil). Many pundits have called this the “redeem team” so the expectations are lofty. If Team USA wins, they’ll play the winner of the other semi between Japan and Sweden.
In my mind, the biggest stumbling block for Team USA is themselves and having an emotional letdown after such a miraculous win. Scoring early has been key and will be again against a crafty French team. It will be interesting to see who the local German fans support in this match, but Americans have been loud all tournament. For more insight try either this ESPN preview or this one (actual soccer strategy ain’t my expertise). Enjoy the game. USA! USA!
Details, Where We’ll Watch the Game
Team USA faces off against France at 11:30 am EST on Wednesday, July 13. Remember that player Lori Lindsey lives here in Borderstan when she’s not playing with the Philadelphia Independence.
We all know how sub-par watching a game via livecast from your desk is, so duck out during lunch and catch the game at your local sports bar.
Our pick is Touchdown (1334 U Street NW), which has quickly become one of our favorite soccer bars in the city. As part of their commitment to moving beyond just American football and baseball by showcasing sports like soccer and cricket, as well as WOMENS SPORTS (gurrrrlpower!), they’ll be opening EARLY today and showing the women’s soccer game on the flatscreens throughout their two main floors.
To make your (extended) lunch break even better, they’ll be offering food and drink specials: $3 beers and $1 fish tacos.
If this watch party is anything like Touchdown’s Cricket World Cup Party, you won’t want to miss it. Check out Laura’s review from earlier this Spring for a preview of what to expect.
We can’t wait to beat France just before Bastille Day…
Fans of the Spanish national soccer team celebrated in Dupont Circle following their team’s July 10, 2010, win in the FIFA World Cup: ¡Splish Splash! Spaniards Celebrate in Dupont Circle.
Sunday evening in Dupont Circle: Click on the collage for photos of the World Cup celebration in Dupont Circle. (Luis Gomez Photos)
See photos on Flickr of Sunday evening’s World Cup celebration in Dupont Circle.
Several hundred joyous Spanish fans celebrated Spain’s first FIFA World Cup Sunday evening in Dupont Circle. After the 1-0 victor over the Netherlands, soccer fans gathered in the Circle to dance, sing, splash in the fountain and wave Spanish flags. The celebration last close to three hours with fans dispersing–under the eyes of the National Park Service police–around 8 pm.
In addition to the jubilant Spanish fans in the park, there were several carloads of flag-waving fans driving around Dupont Circle. A handful of quiet Dutch fans in orange were in the Circle as well.
This was the second–albeit unplanned–soccer celebration in Dupont Circle this summer. On Saturday, June 12, Soccer in the Circle drew thousands of futbol fans for the three World Cup matches shown on two large screens in Dupont Circle. Soccer in the Circle day is part of the Dupont Festival series, which brings events to Dupont Circle.
