Soccer fans of all (legal) ages flocked to the Sundown Saloon to watch the Women’s World Cup Final between the United States and Japan on Sunday.
The sports bar/restaurant located on Greenwich Avenue had more than a dozen televisions dedicated to the Women’s World Cup Final and held major support of the US women.
For former standout Greenwich High soccer player Tom Skara and his brother Nick, front row seats at the bar confirmed their interest in the game, but their own soccer jerseys with the Croatia logo on it told a different story about their lifelong passion.
“We just came from our own World Cup at Cosmos Copa in New York City,” Skara said with his team at the bar. “You have to represent your country’s ethnicity and compete in the tournament. We are Croatia. There are Argentinian teams, Colombian teams, Ecuador teams and more.”
Skara has played soccer for GHS, Fairfield University, Canada, Croatia and Australia. Skara and his team were last year’s amateur World Cup champions at the tournament and came in second place on Sunday before coming to the Saloon.
“We’re just coming here to wind down,” Skara said with a beer in his hand. “I think the US this time will win. Japan is feisty but the US should get their revenge.”
It didn’t take long for the United States to get out to a commanding 4-1 lead at halftime behind an early hat trick by Carli Lloyd. Eventually, the US took a 5-2 lead and celebrated their first World Cup title in 16 years.
Longtime soccer fan Stephanie Dalmacio said after watching most of the World Cup games, the US women deserved to win.
“What has most surprised me is Abby Wambach not playing,” Dalmacio said with her eyes glued to the TV. “She only came in for the last five minutes of the last game and she hasn’t been playing a lot so I don’t know what the problem is there. I think the defense is pretty strong though.”
Dalmacio grew up playing soccer in Brazil and is currently a tennis professional in the area.
“I think the women’s American soccer team is the strongest in the world and it’s sending a good message for the rest of our sports.”
