Pulisic goal advances U.S. in World Cup with 1-0 win over Iran
The Americans play the Netherlands on Saturday with the chance to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
2 years ago
Argentina's Lionel Messi (left) and France's Kylian Mbappe in action during the World Cup. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner and Frank Augstein)
Soccer fans in the Philadelphia area can look forward to being a part of the global spectacle that will come with the FIFA World Cup in 2026, when Philly will host matches, alongside other U.S., Canadian, and Mexican cities.
Until then, everyone can whet their footballing appetites with the 2022 edition of the tournament in Qatar, wrapping up in what’s expected to be the most-watched sporting event ever.
The tournament may be far away this time around, but there still will be plenty of options to follow it in and around Philly.
And then there were two: Argentina and France. Both sides are seeking a third World Cup trophy and France are trying to become the third nation to win back-to-back men’s titles. Argentina’s Lionel Messi is also trying to clinch the one piece of hardware that has eluded the 35-year-old in his illustrious career, while French star Kylian Mbappé will try to collect his second world championship, both before his 24th birthday.
The game will be on Fox, Fox Sports 1, and in Spanish coverage on Telemundo and NBC’s Peacock streaming service. Coverage for FOX starts at 9 a.m. and the match is slated to kick off Sunday at 10 a.m.
The often overlooked third-place playoff, this time between Croatia and Morocco, still has to be played as well on Saturday at 10 a.m.
The USMNT started the tournament in Group B with England, Iran, and Wales. The side tied its first two matches with Wales and England, and defeated Iran, thanks to a goal from Hershey native Christian Pulisic. These results led the side to finish second in the group and book a round of 16 match against the Netherlands, where they were defeated 3-1.
The World Cup is a global, social event, with FIFA audience data showing that more than half the global population tuned in for the 2018 edition of the tournament. So getting out and enjoying the matches with fellow supporters is highly encouraged.
Top Tomato Bar & Pizza in Center City served as the home base for the Philly chapter of the American Outlaws, one of the national team’s unofficial supporters groups, and will also open its doors for the final as well.
While Delaware doesn’t have its own chapter of the USMNT supporters club, Stoney’s British Pub on Concord Pike outside of Wilmington will host watch parties for both games Saturday and Sunday. The pub will open at 10 a.m. for Saturday’s consolation game and 9:30 a.m. for the final on Sunday.
XfinityLive will have the match playing on its 32-foot TV in the NBC Sports Arena, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m.
U90 Soccer Center Philly at the Bok building’s auditorium is also hosting a watch party for the match.
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Old City British pub The Victoria Freehouse has been open for most matches throughout the tournament.
Kildare’s Irish Pub in West Chester, which hosted members of the Sons of Ben, the Philadelphia Union’s independent supporters group, will open its doors at 8 a.m.
Irish pub Tir Na Nog have also posted their World Cup schedule, along with Cavanaugh’s Headhouse, while Misconduct Tavern’s website says it will play the matches.
Mexican restaurant Sor Ynéz held a “Mundial de Tacos” during each weekend of the tournament, which will continue during the final when the Kensington restaurant opens at 10 a.m.
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Sor Ynéz said that a portion of proceeds from the special will go to Human Rights Watch and its efforts to defend the rights of migrant workers, one of the many controversies that arose in Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup.
Did we miss your favorite spot to watch soccer? Let me know at nkariuki@whyy.org
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