The final tuneup for the U.S. before the World Cup -- a Saturday send-off against Germany at “sunny, sold-out Soldier Field -- was part party, part pep rally but mostly one last semi-serious chance” for the U.S. team to prepare for the tournament. The 2-1 loss took place before 63,636. While Chicago did not submit a World Cup bid because of FIFA’s contract terms, fans arriving early for the match created a “World Cup-worthy atmosphere with their display of colors and sounds.” With “deep heritage in the region,” Germany enjoyed a “good swath of the sellout support.” Fifteen members of the 1994 U.S. team were honored before the game. All 26 current U.S. players were introduced. After the match, the Americans were scheduled to fly to Southern California for base camp ahea of the Group D opener against Paraguay” on Friday at SoFi Stadium (YAHOO SPORTS, 6/6).
Jon Greenberg, a Chicago-based columnist for The Athletic, wrote under the header, “World Cup fever came to Chicago for a cameo, but we’re on the outside looking in.” Greenberg: “It’s never a sound idea to hand out public money to FIFA or the Bears, but at the same time, what brings us together more than sports? … No, a World Cup wouldn’t have paid off financially for Chicago, but not everything needs to be logical” (THE ATHLETIC, 6/7).
In Chicago, Sean Hammond writes, “Regardless of the outcome, Saturday was a celebration of soccer for Chicago. And with the World Cup set to begin Thursday, it was the city’s only real chance to be a part of the action. ... Even so, Chicago gave the U.S. team the atmosphere it needed to battle with Germany” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/6).
