Fans in Seattle provide USMNT ‘extra motivation’ in forever World Cup atmosphere
SEATTLE — The sellout crowd of 66,925 fans arrived draped in red, white, and blue on a sun-splashed Friday afternoon in Seattle.
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Together they transformed Lumen Field into a temporary capital of the United States.
Australian supporters donned gold and green, and carved out small pockets throughout the stands.
But the day belonged to the U.S. from the opening notes of the national anthem until the final chorus of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after the match ended.
As the anthem echoed across the stadium, four Black Hawk helicopters thundered overhead, rattling the steel structure.
In the stands, one fan dressed as a giant bald eagle balanced atop a friend’s shoulders, flapping oversized wings as thousands sang along.
It was equal parts patriotism, spectacle and absurdity — a perfect snapshot of the American sports experience.
And throughout the next 90 minutes the energy never dipped.
The USMNT fans sang along with the match’s unofficial soundtrack.
Early in the game AC/DC rang through the stadium (ironic considering the band is from Australia).
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Later came Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and during the second-half hydration break, tens of thousands of fans erupted to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
A fitting anthem at the time, because the U.S. was indeed halfway there.
“It was special. So special,” striker Folarin Balogun said afterward. “It’s tough to put into words. It gave us the extra motivation we needed.”
Yet the defining image arrived after the final whistle.
With the United States securing a 2-0 victory and officially punching its ticket to the knockout rounds, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” poured from the stadium speakers.
Almost immediately, the music disappeared beneath the voices of the fans.
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The crowd became a choir.
The speakers became unnecessary.
“I don’t think half the team even know that song,” captain Tim Ream said jokingly afterward. “It was just incredible. It’s one of those moments where you’re like, ‘Is this real life?’ ”
On a day when the United States secured its place in the Round of 32, the victory mattered.
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But the atmosphere may be what people who witnessed it will remember forever.
