Hobokenites Cheer For USA — But Do They Even Like Soccer?

Cheers and chants for the American soccer team echoed through the downtown area of Hoboken Saturday afternoon. But, as USA fans came out in droves to support the team’s match against Ghana in the World Cup round of 16, it seemed that most still preferred football to "futbol."

Mulligans, one of the few sports bars in town that proclaims its allegiance to soccer even when the World Cup isn’t on, was the first to reach capacity. The bouncers started turning fans away as early as 1 p.m., more than an hour before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff.  

The over flow of fans headed up the street to McSwiggans, Buskers, and The Shannon.

Twenty minutes into the game, a bouncer at McSwiggans said there were 258 people in the bar, well past the legal capacity of 144. When he realized what he was saying he backtracked, saying there were only 144 people inside, but it was clear there was barely room to breath in the small bar.

Near the PATH station, fans decked out in red, white and blue stood on the sidewalk as they watched the Texas Arizona and Hobson’s plasma screens that face out towards the streets. Guys with their backs pressed against the windows at Green Rock sported USA jerseys.

“When I walked by all the bars, they were packed,” said Kate Higgins, who arrived from Pennsylvania around one o’clock, “but I was expecting them to be really crowded. Even driving in, there were tons of people clearly coming to watch the game.”

“I came here because it has a good bar scene, and I knew it would bring out a good mix of people,” said Ross Schwarzber, 25, of Edison.

“And a group that would be passionate about it no matter what, ‘cause they’re young and drunk,” added Higgins, 23.

Higgins hit the nail right on the head. At The Shannon, no one seemed nervous despite the close score and the threat—and later, the reality—of elimination. Close plays drew gasps, but it seemed like half of the crowd was just there because it was an excuse to drink on a Saturday afternoon. When Landon Donovan scored on a penalty kick for the USA’s only goal, a weak “USA” chant broke out for a few seconds.

“There were lots of American fans," said Schwarzber, "but not many true soccer fans."

Higgins said that it was exciting anyway, because it was fun to be in a bar where everyone was rooting for the same team. “Regardless of how much you knew about the sport," he said, "everyone wanted the same thing.”

In an area where fans are often divided between the Giants and Jets, Mets and Yankees, Knicks and Nets, it was a unique experience.

After watching Wednesday’s win over Algeria at Jack Demsey’s Pub in Manhattan, the home of the ‘American Outlaws,’ Schwarzber said he was hyped to watch with fellow fans in Hoboken. He recalled inventive chants filling the air at Demsey’s, and was hoping for a similar atmosphere at Mulligans. But, he didn’t find it.

At half time Schwarzber said he had enough of the overcrowded bar, where fans had to stand on tiptoes to see the few screens dotted above the bar, and headed to The Shannon. There, he found 17 plasma screen T.V.s, but less of a soccer fan base.

While he still thinks Hoboken is a better soccer town than most, he sees room for improvement.

“There aren’t true diehards watching here," he said. "Now’s the time it could probably be converted.”

For other, less avid fans, it's already time to move on.

"Thank God this crap is over," a guy at The Shannon said as the USA's fate was sealed in the 2-1 overtime loss. "Now we can finally get ready for some real football."