By Leela de Kretser and Sam Tobin
SEATTLE, July 6 (Reuters) – A city known for angry protests, grunge and wearing head-to-toe black was transformed into a harmonious sea of red, white and blue on Monday.
Not even the intervention of President Donald J. Trump could divide United States fans in Seattle ahead of the country’s World Cup last-16 match against Belgium.
Seattle is a blue city — it traditionally votes Democrat in presidential elections and has a socialist mayor.
As Trump drew global criticism for asking FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reverse the red card suspension of U.S. player Folarin Balogun, local fans were willing to put aside their political differences to see the star striker play.
“I don’t think soccer is blue or red. I think it’s a national sport,” said Brad Lawliss, 57, from Portland, Oregon. “Actually, there’s more soccer players in this country than there are of any other sport. It’s actually a united soccer nation.”
Happy marches to the stadium have become part of the World Cup game day rituals in this host city, which has transformed large swathes of its rundown waterfront into fan zones that have grown in size as the U.S. have progressed through the tournament.
Thousands lined blocks on Washington Street to sing and chant “U-S-A”. Those who had tickets continued their march through the city to the stadium. Others crowded into pens with screens on the waterfront, and bars and restaurants.
But as Belgium began to dominate, the crowd became more subdued. In the first half, Balogun tried to pump up the fans after teammate Malik Tillman scored. The reinstated striker also had an attempt on goal in the 45th minute.
Only the Belgian fans could be heard in the almost capacity stadium when the European team scored its third goal after the U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese wandered out of the goal area and lost control of the ball.
They were back on their feet chanting when Sebastian Berhalter missed in the 79th minute. Then, Balogun took a shot in the 82nd minute, offering some hope.
A fourth Belgium goal in the 93rd minute ended the red, white and blue dream.
Earlier, Michael Scott, 54, and Eric Cutts, 47, caught the ferry in from Seattle’s suburbs to go to the game. Like a dozen other fans interviewed by Reuters, they said Balogun reinstatement was the right decision — and that he should not have been red-carded in the first place.
“I didn’t like the fact that we had to have a political twist to this decision,” said Scott. “I thought it was enough that FIFA should just review it without a political push, but I understand that Trump is gonna be a fan of the USA, and he’s gonna want to do what he’s gonna do.”
His friend Cutts said Seattle’s left-leaning political views did not transcend sports.
“Seattle’s a lot more patriotic than people think. I think we’re obviously all here to support the team first,” he said. “And that we have the best players on the field and on the pitch, that’s the best thing for the fans.”
Meanwhile, Belgium fans staged their own march to the stadium. Clad in red, yellow and black, a cacophony of drums and singing followed them as they progressed.
While most appeared happy, one supporter held a cardboard sign reading “better call Infantino,” a reference to the controversy surrounding Balogun.
“It wasn’t a red card, so I think it is the right result,” said Brad Petts, 34, who bought tickets for himself and his father, who is celebrating his 70th birthday.
“But it happened in a pretty sketchy way, so I think they should have gotten the same result differently.
“We’ll go no matter what.”
(Reporting by Leela de Kretser and Sam Tobin; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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