Soccer bars in town may be crowded Tuesday evening, to watch the U. S. meet Germany in the semi-finals of Women’s World Cup. Germany is the top-ranked team.
Peter Marshall, owner of Jack’s American Pub on Brady Street, is expecting plenty of customers but admits soccer fans are more passionate in his native Manchester.
“It tends to be more fair-weather fans in America, which is fine, because it’s good that people are getting on board for it, but it’s for big events mostly.”
Marshall says last year's men's World Cup tournament games brought out an amazing number of fans in Milwaukee.
"They were closing down the street and it was crazy. (The World Cup) brings out a little bit of patriotism and I think that’s where most of the support comes from, but the men’s world cup was a much bigger deal.”
Marshall says people in his native land "seem to understand the rules a little better" and are more passionate about soccer. "I’d compare your average England fan to a Packers fan," Marshall says.
England will meet Japan in the other semi-final match.