slides: World Cup Correspondent: American Fans Take Over Rio Fanfest

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Monday, June 23, 2014

GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

Ryan Mack and a group of college friends are in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, and Ryan was kind enough to share his experience with GoLocal. Here is Ryan’s experience at the Rio FanFest, where he and some friends watched the U.S. game against Portugal.

See slides from the U.S. vs. Portugal game and the Rio FanFest below.

As our taxi driver pulled up to Copacabana, something seemed off. Half of the Main Street had been blocked off and most cars were being diverted in a different direction. As our driver asked if he could cut through a blocked off section, he asked what was going on. The military police said, "USA Portugal."

I had been to fanfest the past two nights and it is easy to walk in and find a spot to watch the game. However, tonight was different. There was a line out the door and the closer you got to the screen, the harder it became to move. The American fans had taken the place over.

The energy inside was incredible, particularly after the two American goals. The air got sucked out of the area when Portugal tied it, with many American fans we talked to after saying, "that felt like a loss."

All in all, it was an amazing experience. I’m off to Recife for the Germany game in a few days.