EVERETT, JUNE 11: FIFA World Cup arrives today with the noon Pacific Daylight Time kick-off between Mexico and South Africa on the big screen at Everett’s Box Car Park. The public is invited to the Waterfront Watch Party featuring food trucks, kid’s activities, a massive screen and sound system, beer garden for ages 21 and up and also some tented spots for shade which will come in handy with today’s forecast of vivid blue skies and temperatures around 70 degrees. We’re 10 days away from summer solstice so don’t forget the sunscreen, or at least a hat, if you attend.
Admission is free, but there is a fee for parking. There is a bag check and metal detector required for admission. Food and drink vendors are selling on site.
The EverettPost.com wanted to take the temperature of World Cup fever in Everett ahead of the 48-team tournament’s opening kick to hear what fans are saying about their excitement. So, Everett, who ya got?
First name: Brandon
Age: 41
Job/title: Branch manager
Company/employer: Heritage Bank
Favorite team or teams: Arsenal Gunners/ US Men’s National Team
Why are they your favorite? Grew up watching the Gunners and USMNT. Played sports, specifically soccer. Early morning training sessions while watching the EPL, and hoping for the US team to do anything lol.
Favorite player or players: Thierry Henry (striker) , Sergio Ramos (defender)
Why are they your favorite?: Goal scorer for Henry, Sergio Ramos is a stud who’s playing style is rough and tumble.
Something you really appreciate or love about World Cup: Biggest sporting event in the world, provides unity and a common love around the world. No better sport than footy.
Sleeper team to upset or surprise: Colombia
Team you want to win it all: US, MEXICO, SPAIN
Team you think will actually win it all: SPAIN
First name: Travis
Age: 43
Job/title: Kamiak Head Boys and Girls Soccer Coach
Company/employe or hometown: Mukilteo School District
Favorite team or teams: USA and Argentina
Why are they your favorite? Born and raised in Washington and USA fan; Argentina fan because I’ve liked Messi since the beginning of his career.
Favorite player or players: Lionel Messi (midfielder)
Why are they your favorite? He’s the GOAT. And doing it at 5’7” is even more amazing. He is magic with the ball and is one of the most creative players while also being a goal scorer.
Something you really appreciate or love about World Cup: the level of play, the level of engagement from fans, and the excitement of the games.
Sleeper team to upset or surprise: Mexico
Team you want to win it all: USA, then Argentina.
Team you think will actually win it all: France
First name: Chehayle
Age: 23
Job/title: Social Media Manager
Company/employe or hometown: North Sound Media (The EverettPost.com is owned by North Sound Media)
Favorite national team or teams: Brazil, Mexico and United States
Why are they your favorite? Brazil- A very consistent team, fast players and cool plays. One being “jogo bonitio” meaning “the beautiful game”
Mexico- The fans bring amazing energy, watched one of my first World Cups with my family/friends in Mexico
United States- Always fun to support where you are from, but as a Sounder’s fan having our players represent is awesome!
Favorite player or players: Cristian Roldan (midfielder) (USA)
Why are they your favorite? His first time in a World Cup, amazing player, always root for him on Sounders. It took him a while to finally make it on the roster. Very experienced player, over a decade with Sounders. Special to see him and his younger brother Alex Roldan play together on Sounders.
Something you really appreciate or love about World Cup: I grew up playing soccer and my father who taught me, played since he could walk with friends in Fiji. Having this be one of the biggest spectator game in the world, and it being futbol is warming. Nations you do not usually see in big sports events compete all on the same stage. It is more emotional than club football, players are playing for their country.
Sleeper team to upset or surprise: Morocco
Team you want to win it all: Japan
Team you think will actually win it all: Brazil
First name: Matt
Age: 55
Job/title (student, if you’re a student): Membership Coordinator
Company/employer (or hometown if you prefer): Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce
Favorite team or teams: USA, Sweden, England
Why are they your favorite? USA: Home team!, Sweden: My wife has family in Sweden, England: my heritage.
Favorite player or players: Finn Surman (center back), New Zealand;
Why are they your favorite? Finn is a young, up-and-coming center back that plays for my favorite MLS side (Portland Timbers). Aside from that, he is a solid, no-nonsense, classic center back (the position I used to play) that can also play with some finesse. He’s good at organizing the backline and recognizing when a threat needs to be shutdown. He is going to be a star in a top European league someday… The Kiwi’s are in a very difficult position in the group they’re in, but hopefully he can show well.
Something you really appreciate or love about World Cup: It literally brings the world together to celebrate in sport. As teams are knocked out, the watch numbers stay fairly steady through the final, meaning people continue to come together even if their team is no longer playing.
Sleeper team to upset or surprise: Ivory Coast: They went undefeated in qualifying, without allowing a goal while scoring 25 and just beat France in a friendly in which the French played a full, first team squad.
Team you want to win it all: USA! How excellent would it be for us to win on home soil in the 250th anniversary of our country.
Team you think will actually win it all: England, reigning Euro champion Spain, and Portugal are probably my top 3 most likely… (in no particular order… 🙂)
First name: Sean
Age: 33
Job/title: Residential Appraiser
Company/employer or hometown: Everett
Favorite national team or teams: USA & Germany
Why are they your favorite? Yankees are the hometown kids & I’m hopeful they’ll make a semifinal run this year (unlikely but I can dream, right?). As for Germany, mostly heritage and I’ve always enjoyed the way they usually play a complete game — goalkeeping, defending, possession, attacking mindset (build up, set pieces, attacking principles, etc).
Favorite player or players: Erling Haaland (striker)
Why are they your favorite? Might be the best player in the world next to Kylian Mbappe (striker). Physical specimen — built like an NFL running back who can run past people & score a multitude of ways (dribbling by players, hard shots, heading, weak foot, all of the above).
Something you really appreciate or love about World Cup: Various stories from players on other countries or smaller countries experiencing success for the rest of the world to see — the soccer community always embraces people from all walks of life.
Sleeper team to upset or surprise: Norway
Team you want to win it all: USA
Team you think will actually win it all: France
First name: Cassie
Age: 54
Job/title: Mayor
Company/employer or hometown: City of Everett
Favorite World Cup team or teams: USA
Why are they your favorite? Come on, you’ve got to root for the Stars and Stripes!
Favorite player or players: Christian Roldan.
Why are they your favorite? He’s our Sounders captain and former University of Washington standout.
Something you really appreciate or love about World Cup: The fan excitement. We’re joining in by hosting World Cup watch parties at the Everett waterfront on June 11, 12, 18, and 19.
Sleeper team to upset or surprise: USA will do great in the group stage and win two games in the knockout round.
Team you want to win it all: USA
Team you think will actually win it all: Spain.
Fans are invited to The Waterfront Watch Party at Box Car Park again tomorrow, Friday June 12, for a 6 p.m. kick-off between the United States and Paraguay.
Next week, The Waterfront Watch Party will feature Mexico vs. South Korea at 6 p.m., June 18, and the United States vs. Australia at noon, June 19. (all times are PDT)